Introduction

Video poker is a game of skill as well as luck. Most video poker machines are programmed to pay-out up to 100% when players play at the expert level, the casinos can do this because the vast majority of players don't play anywhere near the expert play level required.

Here are a few tips to bring your playing closer to an expert level and improve your chances of winning.

Video Poker is a game of draw poker, in which the player is dealt 5 cards face up.  The player then decides which cards to keep or “hold” and which cards to discard.  The player simply clicks on each card he/she wishes to hold with the mouse.  Then when the “Deal” button is clicked, new cards will be dealt where the discarded cards once appeared.  Your final hand determines whether you win or lose the game.

You deposit coins into the machine to place your wager. The bet must be placed before you draw your cards, and can't be changed once play starts.
After your bet, you push a button marked “Draw/Deal”, this will result in you seeing your initial hand of five cards.
You then decide if you wish to keep any of the cards in your hand. If you do you push the “Hold/Cancel” button under the card(s) you wish to keep. In the event you change your mind and don't wish to keep a previously held card push the “Hold/Cancel” button a second time and the hold will be canceled.
Make sure that there is conformation on the screen that you have held the cards that you want to hold (the word “hold” flashes under your held cards).
Press the Draw/Deal button a second time to obtain new cards for those not held.
If you have a winning hand the machine pays off and is then ready for another game.


Video Poker Hands (Highest To Lowest)

Video Poker Games
Each Video Poker game can be played for either $.25 or $1.00 and you may play from 1 to 5 coins per hand.  Our video poker will highlight the payout column you are playing, so there is no confusion as to how much you are playing for on any particular game.


VIDEO POKER INTERFACE
Cash/Out
Click on the red Cash/Out button to stop playing and cash out your credits and winnings.
 
Bet Max
To bet the maximum amount of coins (5) for a hand.
 
Bet One
To bet one coin for a hand (can be pressed up to five times).
 
Deal/Draw
To deal the next hand.
 
Payout Window
Displays your winnings for the last hand
 
Credit Window
Displays the number of coins inserted into the machine to play.  *Note – credits displays amount of COINS, not amount of dollars (unless playing a dollar game).
 
$5 Coin
Inserts $5 worth of credits from your account balance into the machine.
 
$25 Coin
Inserts $25 worth of credits from your account balance into the machine.
 
$100 Coin
Inserts $100 worth of credits from your account balance into the machine.

Try to play only machines that offer full or near full payback percentages. If the machines payback is not posted then look at the chart on the machine and pick out one that pays the most for a full house and a flush.
The greater the return then the higher that machine pays-out.

Don't forget that in video poker you are playing a machine. The machine is programmed to only payoff when a player holds one of the posted hands. Don't bother holding a 'kicker' card (a high value card to be used along with a
pair) this works when playing against other players but the machine doesn't care and you have lost the opportunity to draw a better card.

Don't draw to an inside straight (where you have four cards and need one in the middle to fill a straight). On the other hand if you have an open-ended straight (you have four consecutive cards and only need one at
either end to fill a straight) then take a shot at making the straight.

Always keep any pair vs. holding a high card. Many players would discard a pair of two's and keep one or more high cards, this is not the best strategy, trying for three of a kind you have better odds when considering the payout and chances of drawing what's needed.

Always keep a high pair vs. a four-card open straight, a four-card flush or a three-card royal. Try for three of a kind with the knowledge that at worst you have recovered your bet.

Always keep a low pair over a four-card open end straight. The low pair has more value as a potential 3 of a kind than going for the straight and should be kept.

A three-card royal should be kept over a low pair, a four-card flush and a four card open end straight. The bonus for the royal flush makes it a better play.

Don't be afraid to draw five cards if you have garbage (one that doesn't have a least one high card).