Learn to play video poker. Unlike slots, which are programmed by the manufacturer to pay back a certain percentage, video poker is based on random deals from a 52-card deck and true mathematical probability. Video poker pay tables are what distinguishes good video poker from better video poker, and they are right before your eyes. If you learn what pay tables to seek out and learn proper playing strategy, you can play the house almost dead even. 1. There is no such thing as a "loose" or "tight" video poker machine. Unlike reel slots which are governed by variant programming within the microchips, video poker machines are programmed to be as random as possible. Digital processors cannot achieve true randomness, but the deviation away from 100% randomness is so small that it is not a factor in how the machines play. 2. Since video poker machines are as close to random as possible, each card has an equal chance of showing up on any given hand. NOTE: Most video poker machines use a single 52-card deck, and will say so on the front of the machine. If the machine you are considering playing uses more than one deck, it may be wise to avoid it since it decreases the players' odds of doing well. 3. Your success (or lack thereof) really only depends on three things: Playing Speed - faster is better 4. Playing speed (#1 above) is important because even though the machines are random, and are not subject to variant programming, they do experience natural fluctuations that are affected by two things: The randomness of the draw in general which, in turn, is further affected by: The fluctuations swing both ways [both good and bad], and can last for extended periods of time. And, in a wild card game such as Deuces Wild or Joker Poker, the fluctuations can be highly volatile simply because of the inclusion of wild card(s) in the mix. The faster you play, the faster you get through the fluctuations, and the faster you begin to see winning hands. There WILL be times that you've held the right cards, and you don't get a winning hand. Believe it. 5. Card combination recognition goes hand-in-hand with playing speed. Why? Because playing fast and holding the wrong cards will destroy your bankroll in short order. So, what are the "right" cards to hold for a given hand? We've made that part simple for you. Use the Site Navigator below to view the playing guides for Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, and Joker Poker. 6. The third critical element is your bankroll. It should determine not only which denomination machine to play, but whether or not you should try a wildcard machine, or stick with a non-wildcard game like traditional Jacks or Better video poker. Whatever your decision is, you MUST be relatively certain of two things before you begin play: Your bankroll must be able to support the denomination machine you have chosen to play while playing MAX COIN EVERY HAND. If the denomination machine you've chosen overpowers your bankroll and/or you've held the wrong cards along the way, you won't be around to enjoy the positive (upward) fluctuations when they occur. The size of your bankroll is entirely up to you, but here are some suggested guidelines: Jacks or Better ($.25) - $400.00 - $600.00 NOTE: These are general guidelines for 8 hours of sustained play. 7. Pro and semi-pro video poker players can play 700 to 1000 hands per hour. They often play several machines simultaneously. You will probably not play at those speeds or with the adeptness of a pro/semi pro in the beginning of your experience, but keep in mind that becoming the kind of video poker player you WANT to be entails practice. It's just like anything else in life. The more you do it, the better you will become.. 8. Online video poker machines go through hot and cold cycles, just like their live casino counterparts. Don't waste your precious bankroll on a cold machine. If, after 10 to 12 hands you haven't hit payouts that come even close to the total you've put into the machine, the best video poker strategy is to move on. Supposing you started out with 100 credits. If you've hit a machine that's in a paying mood; continue playing as long as the credits keep building. Watch the meter. Once the count grinds down and is 50 coins below your highest total, cash out. You're a true winner only if you finish with more money than you started with. The secret lies in quitting when you're ahead! It's greed that keeps people at those machines too long. 9. All hail the Jack! Some players don't realize the ace is not the most important card in the deck, but the Jack is. Holding the Jack over the ace gives you more opportunities of making more lucrative hands than an ace would. 10. Practice Online video poker, especially when it's offered free, is the best way to obtain those skills and eventually, you'll build up your own poker intuition. The Web site GoldenTigerCasino.com is a great way to practice! You can either play for free or bet with real money.
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