Mar 09, 2009 Some of these losing gamblers are willing to spend their entire paychecks, or even rent/bill money just to gamble. The losing gambler is why there are hotlines available for gambling addictions. Therefore, you may consider it a waste of time for these losing gamblers.
In this article, I am going to explain how to beat video Poker machines by:
- Playing smarter
- Playing slower
- Picking the best games
- Reducing the house edge
- Avoiding the stupidest mistakes
In case you already know all of this and can’t wait to play some of the best video Poker games - this is the site you should visit.
However, if you’d like to know how to play better with a helpful video Poker strategy - continue reading.
What Makes Video Poker Special?
Since it made its entry into the Casino scene back in the 1970s, video Poker has gone from strength to strength to become one of the most popular gambling games.
Do you know why?
Video Poker is one of the few Casino games that not only offer some of the highest odds in Casino gambling but it gives you also the chance to influence the game’s outcome.
Yes, your skills can make a difference.
As if that’s not enough, video Poker is popular also because it brings into the mix a low house edge (profit to the Casinos) while still giving you, the player, a chance to win big (in Jackpot proportions).
Better still;
Video Poker gives you that much-craved anonymity in the sense that you can play alone and without the psychological pressure of a live Poker game.
In other words, you don’t have to deal with pit bosses, dealers, or fellow players who dissect and even irritatingly comment on your play.
While these are just some of the few godsend advantages that video Poker brings into your playbook, the biggest question remains: how can you beat video Poker machines?
You may have probably come across an adage in the betting circles that states:
'The house always has an advantage.'
It may be hard to refute this, but video Poker is almost an exception to this rule.
It doesn’t matter whether you play Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, or any other video Poker variation.
With the right skills, strategy, knowledge and an element of luck, you can beat video Poker machines hands down.
The fact that you are playing against a machine and not against other players is an advantage that makes video Poker machines very beatable.
Add this to the fact that you’re almost five times more likely to hit a big Jackpot (aka. the Royal Flush) when playing video Poker makes it one of the best games out there.
In fact, you should seriously consider moving from traditional Slot machines to video Poker machines.
But before you blindly jump ships, here’s the strategy you should follow to beat video Poker machines.
Learn the Rules of Video Poker
Playing video Poker is simple.
While there are various variants of video Poker, they have one thing in common: they’re all based on simple mechanics of five-card draw Poker.
Video Poker uses a standard 52-card deck.
After you make your wager and press the 'Deal' button, the machine randomly gives you five cards.
At this point, you need to choose which cards to keep and which cards to throw away or discard.
To keep them, tap on the pictures of your chosen cards on the screen.
Once you have made your pick, press the 'Draw' button for the machine to randomly replace the discarded cards.
In this exciting game, your winning is based on ending up with a Poker hand such as flush, straight, two pairs, or even a royal flush.
Always keep in mind that the amount that you win per hand depends on the Poker value of your hand and the posted pay table of the machine you’re playing.
One of the most important things to know on how to beat video Poker is that you have to make a wise decision on which of your dealt five cards to keep and which ones to discard.
Remember, making the right decision from the word go will give you the best chances of winning even a Jackpot.
Video Poker Basic Strategy
The gravest mistake that you can do in your quest to beat a video Poker machine is to attempt playing by just…guessing.
You will lose a lot of money on a simple game that gives you a real shot at winning.
Remember, having the right skills and using an optimum video Poker strategy will not only give you a higher chance of winning millions, but you will also enjoy the benefits that come with winning, such as comps that are set aside for Casino’s best players.
Keep in mind that you should also thoroughly practice on your computer before risking real money on a real video Poker machine.
Fancy a game of video Poker? Check out all the options to play video Poker games for free. Click here to read more.
Choose the Right Pay Table
One of the best things about playing video Poker is that the machine allows you to know the expected return before you even start to play.
Video Poker is incomparable to any other game because unlike quite a few new slots, it is the only game that shows you the expected return on your money on the pay table.
It is therefore crucial that you do your research to identify the best video Poker machines that offer good paytables.
To find the most generous machine, you should understand that the return on a particular video Poker machine is based on the machine’s pay table.
For instance, Casinos average a profit of about 3 percent on each play on a video Poker game.
This profit is known as the house edge.
Now if the Casinos get 3%, you as the player should get a return of 97 percent, which can vary depending on the machine’s pay table.
That’s why you need to check out various machines and their pay tables before you play at the video Poker with the highest returns.
For example, you increase your chances of beating a video Poker machine if you choose a game with a paytable that offers 99.54 percent return than if you pick a video Poker with a paytable that provides a 97.29 percent return.
In other words, the 99.54 percent machine only keeps 0.47 percent house edge while the 97.29 percent machine keeps 2.71 percent.
In this case, choosing the 99.54 percent is the better option as it offers you close to full pay.
On the contrary, you will lose your money almost six times faster if you play on the 97.29 percent machine.
There is, consequently, no doubt that searching for a good machine will pay.
You should not fall prey to using machines that are lousy or machines that offer terrible paytables.
How to Beat the Jacks or Better Video Poker
Each video Poker game has its own strategies.
For instance, the strategy that will help you win on Jacks or Better is different from that which will help you succeed on Deuces Wild.
And because learning all the strategies on the book might be tiresome if not impossible, let’s look at how to beat video Poker Jacks or Better.
Even though Jacks or Better offers one of the lowest returns, especially when compared to games such as Deuces Wild, Double Bonus Poker, and other variations, it remains one of the most enthralling and rewarding video Pokers games, at least according to the majority of video Poker players.
Therefore, here are some crucial tips that will possibly help you win big and beat the video Poker machine while playing Jacks or Better.
Always Play the Max
It is always imperative to play maximum coins.
This is because Jacks or Better video Poker machines offer top payout for a royal flush (the Jackpot).
Playing maximum coins gives you the chance to get a bonus win when you hit a royal flush.
Even though you can bet between one to five coins per hand, you only stand a chance to get the bonus on a royal flush when you bet five coins per hand.
On the contrary, you can consider dropping down to a lower coinage if you aren’t comfortable with the five-coin bet.
The only difference is: you will not play for the Jackpot.
Find the Best Pay Table
As noted above, finding the best pay table is crucial if you are serious about beating a video Poker machine.
With regards to Jacks or Better, there is a myriad of pay charts available.
Although each pay chart offers a different house edge, you should always consider going for a 9/6 (or more) pay chart when playing Jacks or Better video Poker.
This is because a 9/6 is a fair return that offers full house pay on nine coins and flush pay on six coins.
Playing on a pay chart that offers less the 9/6 pay chart is a risky move and clear indication that you are playing with a bigger house edge.
In this case, you are giving the Casino more profit (money) per hand, thereby losing your money faster than you realize.
Slow Down
Like almost all Casino games, you should always remember that video Poker machines are designed for one main purpose: make a profit (house edge) for the Casino.
Either way, the more you play, the more you lose.
It is, therefore, advisable to apply what I call 'a slow-down strategy' when playing Jacks or Better.
No one will chase you and no one will call the clock if you take some time to decide what cards to keep.
Even better:
You can play and go on a break anytime you want.
The key is not to rush and not to play for volume. Video Poker, unlike online Poker, is a gambling game where the greater the number of your hands is, the higher are the chances that you will lose your money.
If you play Poker, you know that the key to being a winning player is 'to play fewer hands.'
Video Poker is different.
In video Poker, you don’t need to play fewer hands - you need to play slower hands.
This will help you in lessening your hourly losses, hence giving you the opportunity to play for longer and increase your chances to hit a royal flush or to put together a sizeable win.
Even though this is nothing but common sense, many players often ignore this basic gambling principle and therefore lose a lot of money within a very short period.
You need to take complete control of your hand-per-hour to get the chance to extend your playing time and minimise your losses at the same time.
Join a Player’s Club
More often than not, the player’s clubs are created and designed to get you and other players to play more and longer to get comps.
While this may seem like a negative, it shouldn’t be your ground of not joining them.
The Player’s clubs are your best chance to earn special bonuses that Casinos give only to their most valuable players.
This works to your advantage in the sense that it helps you reduce the house edge in the long run.
I strongly recommend you to browse through the best Casinos online and choose the one that has the best advantages when it comes to long-term video Poker playing.
Play the Progressive Jackpot Video Poker Machines
One of the main reasons why almost all Casinos offer progressive Jackpots is to give players an added chance of reaping big on a relatively small bet.
Jacks or Better video Poker games are known to offer some of the best progressive Jackpots out there, but you only stand a chance of winning if you use the best strategy.
The problem is, many progressive Jacks or Better video Poker machines use terrible pay tables.
You should be vigilant to ensure that you only play progressive Jackpot on machines that offer a comparatively good pay table.
Remember, progressive Jackpots offer players the chance of winning phenomenally big. It could be you.
But if you pick a video Poker game that gives you no chance of winning, then you won’t get a single chance to beat the game.
Keep an Eye on the Bonuses
There are always a lot of promotions and offers not just on the Jacks or Better video Poker, but on other games too.
By targeting the right promotions, you stand a bigger chance to beat video Poker machines since you get free money to play more games.
Don’t ignore the bonuses to play video Poker and don’t be afraid to use a Casino’s live chat feature to ask if there’s something for you.
Only last month, I received four bonuses only because…I asked for them.
Sometimes, online Casino websites are so bad that it’s nearly impossible for an average user to find all the promotions or all the latest Casino bonuses that are running at any given time.
If you want a bonus, ask for it. Remember: fortune favours the bold.
Be bolder.
Things to Avoid
And now, a few practical and simple tips to win at video Poker online.
The Kicker. When you play Jacks or Better video Poker, you should always avoid the widespread blunder of retaining a kicker.
Many players mistakenly think that keeping a kicker gives them a higher chance to win with a higher payout.
The Straight / Flush. You should also never attempt to keep three cards in your quest of chasing a straight or a flush.
Keeping three cards with the hope to grab a straight or a flush only leaves you in a losing position.
The only time that you can keep all the three cards is when you can pull off the highly valuable straight flush in your attempt at going after a big payout.
Keep in mind this basic strategy on how to beat video Poker machines: never give up a winning hand in an attempt at getting an even bigger hand.
Conclusion
Playing video Poker games, particularly Jacks or Better video Poker, is one the best choices you can make when you log in to your favourite online Casino.
Video Poker games come with a lot of options and features that not only make them a proper alternative to traditional Slot machines but also give players a real shot at winning big.
Finding a trustworthy room to play online poker can be a monumental burden. That's all the more true if you're just looking for a place to play poker for free. We've listed five of the best play-money poker sites to enjoy and help hone your skills.
The promotion presented on this page was available at the time of writing. With some Casino promotions changing on daily basis, we suggest you to check on the site if it still available. Also, please do not forget to read the terms and conditions in full before you accept a bonus.I have a question. Why do you play slots. What do you get out of it? Is it exciting? Have you ever won big, IE won more in a month than you lost in a month? I ask this question because to me any game other than blackjack, with the exception of poker, seems a waste of time and money. I personally don't play poker because I don't know how to play but I know skilled players who can make good money playing. My most recent casino visit I tried to play slots to understand why people play agame that will guarantee leave you walking out of the casino a loser, but I left not able to understand. I played like 20$ on various machines and decided I would haverather bought 20 1$ scratch off tickets. So please enlighten me why you play.
Add in that anyone can play if you are smart enough to insert bills and press a button and you have a game many people like.
My most recent casino visit I tried to play slots to understand why people play agame that will guarantee leave you walking out of the casino a loser, but I left not able to understand.
Every game in the casino has a way of making money for the house. Poker has a rake and all of the games have HA. Slots have a payback %.
What game does anyone play in a casino that guarantees that they will walk out a winner?
Yes, slots have a higer edge for the house than most games (but not all bets--some craps bets are high HA also), but you can win some days. This weekend I played craps and lost. I played 3 card poker and lost. I played Mississippi Stud and lost. I played roulette and lost.
I played slots and had an overall win on them.
Slots don't offer as good of a bet as other games but you can leave a winner. You can also leave a loser.
Hi Hardcore Slot Players,
I have a question. Why do you play slots. What do you get out of it? Is it exciting? Have you ever won big, IE won more in a month than you lost in a month? I ask this question because to me any game other than blackjack, with the exception of poker, seems a waste of time and money. I personally don't play poker because I don't know how to play but I know skilled players who can make good money playing. My most recent casino visit I tried to play slots to understand why people play agame that will guarantee leave you walking out of the casino a loser, but I left not able to understand. I played like 20$ on various machines and decided I would haverather bought 20 1$ scratch off tickets. So please enlighten me why you play.
1.) I play Slots because they are fun, it is amusing to try to figure out what aspects of a slot machine, 'Hook,' a player, whether it be near-misses, high hit rate, frequent Free Games, or a set Jackpot amount that automatically goes off when the Progressive amount is reached...such as the recently discussed G+ games.
Further, while it may seem oxymoronical, it is possible to play slots at an advantage. This usually involves a Progressive machine of one kind or another where the Progressive(s) have reached such an amount that combined with the Odds of hitting for the Progressive(s), every spin you take is done at an advantage. It is apparent that the Odds of hitting the Jackpot(s) still aren't great, but if you have a VP machine that pays out 100.0001%, then you play that at an advantage, inclusive to the Royal Flush, which is also an unlikely result.
2.) I have had two Jackpots, $1,250 and $4,088.xx, respectively.
3.) I have won more in my life than I have lost. It is unlikely that will remain the case forever.
4.) Most people go to the casino to waste time and money. The vast majority of people go there for the possibiity, not the expectation, of winning. I would suggest that the draw for the slot player is the potentiality of turning an inconsequential sum of money into a consequential, or even very consequential, sum of money. It only takes one pull. One time.
5.) If Slots GUARANTEED that you would walk out of thee casino a loser, then nobody would play them. Besides, if you are there for fun, and you have fun, then you have not lost. Do you, 'Lose,' money going to a concert if you have fun there?
The point when it comes to Slots is, the winners are just as important to the casino as the losers.
6.) The ER of scratch-off tickets is far worse than Slots. The odds of a winning ticket usually hover around 1:4, including break-even pays...a shitload of break-even pays. That which plays quicker, pays quicker. Then you have the cost of printing/distribution of the tickets, the vendor gets a cut, it's a terrible buy from an ER standpoint. You talk about the probability of hitting for $100 on a $2 ticket vs. a $2 slot pull, I suggest the pull is a better bet. I was playing QuickHits Progressives fairly exclusively one night at Max $1.50/pull, hit for $100 or more five times in one night, left nearly $700 ahead on the session. I probably played $2,000 or more in total pulls. I just don't think that's happening if you buy $2,000 in lottery scratch-offs with the same frequency. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.
7.) I could be wrong, but I'm guessing that $20 didn't get you any really good pulls or, 'Good looks,' when it comes to a big pay. It happens sometimes, you either missed the draw or the draw just doesn't appeal to you. Slots are not for everyone. Blackjack AP play is slow and methodical, the most you can win going Split-Split Double-Double-Double and winning all is 6x the Base Bet with 6x Base Bet at risk. It's pretty unlikely that you end up with such a hand, anyway. Slots are for people who like the variance, as is Video Poker, but VP generally pays better overall. Either way, you either want to approach it methodically by winning small amounts (relative to the bet) at a higher than expected rate, or card-counting AP play, or you want to take a shot at getting it the, 'Quick and Dirty,' way with VP and Slots. I like both, but Slots have the edge, probably because Lady Variance has been more attracted to me than she has most people. When I lose the 5K+ for life that I am ahead (my session amounts are low, so it would take many losing sessions) I might decide I'm not especially attracted to the hard and fast variance anymore, who knows?
Poker Is A Waste Of Money Game
Every game in the casino has a way of making money for the house. Poker has a rake and all of the games have HA. Slots have a payback %.
What game does anyone play in a casino that guarantees that they will walk out a winner?
Yes, slots have a higer edge for the house than most games (but not all bets--some craps bets are high HA also), but you can win some days. This weekend I played craps and lost. I played 3 card poker and lost. I played Mississippi Stud and lost. I played roulette and lost.
I played slots and had an overall win on them.
Slots don't offer as good of a bet as other games but you can leave a winner. You can also leave a loser.
I understand that all games are exposed to the house edge, but slots with their high house edge couples with the fast rate of play means you will lose your money faster than anything else. Poker, Blackjack and Baccarat are games of skill with an element of chance. Slots is a pure random game of chance, it is really the best example of the adage gambling is a tax on stupidity yet so many people play slots and I don't understand why.
I understand that all games are exposed to the house edge, but slots with their high house edge couples with the fast rate of play means you will lose your money faster than anything else. Poker, Blackjack and Baccarat are games of skill with an element of chance. Slots is a pure random game of chance, it is really the best example of the adage gambling is a tax on stupidity yet so many people play slots and I don't understand why.
Since when is Baccarat a game of skill?
Things That Are A Waste Of Money
1.) I play Slots because they are fun, it is amusing to try to figure out what aspects of a slot machine, 'Hook,' a player, whether it be near-misses, high hit rate, frequent Free Games, or a set Jackpot amount that automatically goes off when the Progressive amount is reached...such as the recently discussed G+ games.
Further, while it may seem oxymoronical, it is possible to play slots at an advantage. This usually involves a Progressive machine of one kind or another where the Progressive(s) have reached such an amount that combined with the Odds of hitting for the Progressive(s), every spin you take is done at an advantage. It is apparent that the Odds of hitting the Jackpot(s) still aren't great, but if you have a VP machine that pays out 100.0001%, then you play that at an advantage, inclusive to the Royal Flush, which is also an unlikely result.
2.) I have had two Jackpots, $1,250 and $4,088.xx, respectively.
3.) I have won more in my life than I have lost. It is unlikely that will remain the case forever.
4.) Most people go to the casino to waste time and money. The vast majority of people go there for the possibiity, not the expectation, of winning. I would suggest that the draw for the slot player is the potentiality of turning an inconsequential sum of money into a consequential, or even very consequential, sum of money. It only takes one pull. One time.
5.) If Slots GUARANTEED that you would walk out of thee casino a loser, then nobody would play them. Besides, if you are there for fun, and you have fun, then you have not lost. Do you, 'Lose,' money going to a concert if you have fun there?
The point when it comes to Slots is, the winners are just as important to the casino as the losers.
6.) The ER of scratch-off tickets is far worse than Slots. The odds of a winning ticket usually hover around 1:4, including break-even pays...a shitload of break-even pays. That which plays quicker, pays quicker. Then you have the cost of printing/distribution of the tickets, the vendor gets a cut, it's a terrible buy from an ER standpoint. You talk about the probability of hitting for $100 on a $2 ticket vs. a $2 slot pull, I suggest the pull is a better bet. I was playing QuickHits Progressives fairly exclusively one night at Max $1.50/pull, hit for $100 or more five times in one night, left nearly $700 ahead on the session. I probably played $2,000 or more in total pulls. I just don't think that's happening if you buy $2,000 in lottery scratch-offs with the same frequency. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.
7.) I could be wrong, but I'm guessing that $20 didn't get you any really good pulls or, 'Good looks,' when it comes to a big pay. It happens sometimes, you either missed the draw or the draw just doesn't appeal to you. Slots are not for everyone. Blackjack AP play is slow and methodical, the most you can win going Split-Split Double-Double-Double and winning all is 6x the Base Bet with 6x Base Bet at risk. It's pretty unlikely that you end up with such a hand, anyway. Slots are for people who like the variance, as is Video Poker, but VP generally pays better overall. Either way, you either want to approach it methodically by winning small amounts (relative to the bet) at a higher than expected rate, or card-counting AP play, or you want to take a shot at getting it the, 'Quick and Dirty,' way with VP and Slots. I like both, but Slots have the edge, probably because Lady Variance has been more attracted to me than she has most people. When I lose the 5K+ for life that I am ahead (my session amounts are low, so it would take many losing sessions) I might decide I'm not especially attracted to the hard and fast variance anymore, who knows?
This was a great answer and pretty much what I was looking for. I'm not saying that I would buy scratch off lotto tickets and win but to me the slots didn't do anything for me. I won a few pulls, the lights flashed and music played but I'm not an animal that can be conditioned to continue gambling just because lights go off and music plays, I found that to be insulting.While I was playing I was asking other slot players if they ever won money, and alot of them gave stories similar to what you said. They had won jackpots and won more in a lifetime than lost, but that isn't really winning. If you won a 1000$ jackpot 5 years ago, but lost 600 in the past few months than you are actually losing.Good answer though, thanks!
This was a great answer and pretty much what I was looking for. I'm not saying that I would buy scratch off lotto tickets and win but to me the slots didn't do anything for me. I won a few pulls, the lights flashed and music played but I'm not an animal that can be conditioned to continue gambling just because lights go off and music plays, I found that to be insulting.While I was playing I was asking other slot players if they ever won money, and alot of them gave stories similar to what you said. They had won jackpots and won more in a lifetime than lost, but that isn't really winning. If you won a 1000$ jackpot 5 years ago, but lost 600 in the past few months than you are actually losing.Good answer though, thanks!
1.) I understand your point, as stated, it's not for everyone, though I would be hesitant to reduce those who play Slots to animals. It's pretty simple, if someone (and my win goal is less) says, 'I will walk when I am ahead $500,' then they would simply rather have a shot at that sitting down with $50 in the Slot Machine rather than taking $50 to the Blackjack Table to be lost in two hands (or maybe even one) betting Green, or to try to grind it out betting straight Red, or Red&Press at certain amounts. Other than AP Side Bets, I've always felt that the Side Bet players are Slots/VP players in disguise, they see that Big Time pay...and they want it.
Most people see that Fire Bet, know it's a bad bet, and toss a Red or a White(s) at it, why? They want that big pay. They're essentially playing a Slot Machine, except it is at the table and the bet takes longer to resolve, while they are playing Craps. Other than the mechanics of the bet itself (Reels v. Dice, One Pull c. Multi-Roll) tell me what the difference is? There isn't one.
2.) I disagree with your second statement in its entirety. There's an AP BJ player here that got absolutely slaughtered for six months out of one year and still pulled out in the high five-figures for a year. You ask someone a question about life, they say, 'I'm ahead,' you say, 'No, you're really behind,' how are they behind? You can break it up into one hour, one day, one week, one month, one year or life. You're either ahead or behind that period. If you're ahead for life, you're ahead for life, there are no two ways about it. If you're ahead for a week, you're still ahead for the week, even if you lost your last spin. Are you losing for the week at BJ when you lose one hand, but are ahead $500?
Wall A Waste Of Money
I understand that all games are exposed to the house edge, but slots with their high house edge couples with the fast rate of play means you will lose your money faster than anything else. Poker, Blackjack and Baccarat are games of skill with an element of chance. Slots is a pure random game of chance, it is really the best example of the adage gambling is a tax on stupidity yet so many people play slots and I don't understand why.
$25 blackjack at 100 hands/hour and the average 1.5% edge of a normal player earns the casino $37.50/hour. Multi-line slots at 25 lines, 5 coins/line ($1.25/wager) at 400 pulls/hour at 6% hold earns the casino $30/hour. Single-line quarter slots at .75/pull at 400 pulls/hour at 8% earns $24/hour. There are a lot of factors that go into house win rates and it's certainly not true that machines always win faster than tables.
Everything in a casino has a chance of losing. Making specious distinctions between blackjack and slots on the basis of how much you win or how much your skill impacts your average results is just rationalization. If it makes you feel superior or intelligent to play blackjack and not slots, go for it. The casino is there to provide entertainment, and feeling superior is highly entertaining for certain people.
But going to a casino is not the way to achieve a guaranteed income, regardless of what you play. And if you're not having fun gambling (whatever 'fun' means to you) then you shouldn't be gambling either -- again, regardless of what you play. Your value judgments elevate blackjack (and baccarat?) above slots, which is fine, but that's not an objective metric. They're just different forms of gambling, and all ultimately house-favorable games. If you want guaranteed income, spend more time at work. Patronizing a casino is not supposed to be work, it's supposed to be the entire opposite of work.
