Video poker is one of the most popular gambling options in the US. From gambling machines to online versions, people love playing this simple casino game.
As fun as video poker is to play, it can be even more fun when you win tons of cash. One of the first things you should focus on when learning how to play video poker is which mistakes you need to avoid. Dodging most common mistakes will put you ahead of the competition.
Common Video Poker Mistakes
Playing real money video poker can be very profitable if you follow the right strategy. Even the best systems can fail if you make rookie mistakes.
If you can avoid these common pitfalls, it will make it that much easier for you to learn how to win at video poker.
Using the Wrong Pay Table
One of the worst mistakes you can make when playing video poker is using the wrong machine. Using a machine with the wrong pay table can lower your expected return-to-player (RTP) significantly.
Luckily, most online video poker games include the pay table in the rules section. While examining the pay table, pay close attention to the payouts for the Full House and Flush hands. The best tables usually pay nine coins for a Full House and six coins for a Flush if you wagered only one coin.
These are called 9/6 machines for short. The exact RTP will vary based on the style of machine you are using. However, in standard 9/6 Jacks or Better games, you can see RTPs close to 99.54 percent if you use optimal strategy.
Using the wrong pay table will decrease your RTP substantially. An 8/5 Jacks or Better game, for instance, could have an RTP of just 97.3 percent. This means you will lose over 2% more of your bankroll just because of the pay table.
Not betting the Maximum Amount
Another important mistake to avoid is to not wager the maximum coin amount. To achieve the highest RTP possible, you will need to wager the maximum number of coins. This is usually five coins for most machines.
This tactic can be intimidating for some new players. After all, the max betting limit in many other casino games can be hundreds of dollars. But this is not the case in video poker.
Instead, you can wager less than a dollar per coin. Bovada, for instance, has a Jacks or Better machine that only charges $0.25 per coin. So, you can wager the maximum amount of five coins and still only be risking $1.25 per hand.
Betting the maximum amount is usually required to achieve the highest payout for a Royal Flush. For instance, on a 9/6 pay table, betting four coins would only pay 1,000 coins for a Royal Flush. But if you had wagered five coins instead you could have won 4,000 coins.
Using the Wrong Video Poker Strategy
Every casino game requires a strategy of some sort if you want to win consistently. Some games, like real money roulette or craps, call for complicated strategies. Luckily, video poker machines do not require complex strategies.
The best strategies to use are the ones that help you win consistently. This will vary based on the type of machine you are using. In Jacks or Better, for example, all you need to do is finish with a hand that has a pair of jacks or better.
Many players will even use strategy cards that tell them what to do in any situation. Here is what your strategy card may look like if you are playing a standard 9/6 Jacks or Better machine:
Hold any pair and draw three new cards
When you have three cards to a Royal Flush or a Straight Flush, hold them and draw two new cards.
If you have four cards to a straight or flush, hold them and draw one new card.
When you do not have any of the above, hold any cards that are a jack or high and draw new cards.
Mismanaging Your Bankroll
One of the easiest mistakes for any gambler to make is mishandling their bankroll. Unfortunately, a mismanaged bankroll is one of the worst mistakes that you can make when gambling online.
Your bankroll is the amount of money that you plan to gamble with over a set amount of time. It is important to set limits on your bankroll so you do not accidentally risk money that you cannot afford to lose. Also, having bankroll limits will make it easier to walk away from the game when the time comes.
Leaving on a hot or cold streak can be difficult to do. But if you keep playing, you risk losing even more money. Every hot streak comes to an end, and you risk losing all your winnings if you do not walk away at the right time.
Having a strict bankroll will help you cut your losses. It will also make it possible to enjoy your winnings if you quit playing while you are ahead.
Playing the Wrong Video Poker Game
Last but not least, one of the biggest mistakes any video poker can make is choosing the wrong machine to play. No, I am not talking about picking a luck machine or one that is “due” to win.
What I am referring to is choosing the right type of machine to play. As I mentioned earlier, you should check the pay table of any game before you start playing. But the pay table is just one aspect that you need to consider.
There are dozens of different variations of video poker that you can choose from. Playing online can allow you access tons of titles from one casino, including:
Jacks or Better
Deuces Wild
Aces and Faces
Joker Poker
Double Bonus
Aces & Eights
The list goes on and on, and the games available to you will depend on where you decide to play. You will need to adjust your strategy to fit the type of machine that you choose to play. Also, the in-game bonus options and win requirements can have a huge effect on the RTP.
How to Play Video Poker and Win
Avoiding the common mistakes above will put you ahead of the game when it comes to video poker. Here are three more tips that can help you win while using these gambling machines.
Use Casino Bonuses and Reward Programs
Modern casinos have to do everything they can to attract and maintain customers. One of the best tools at their disposal is the promotions they offer to players. With a little practice, you can use these casino bonuses and reward programs to your advantage, too.
Bonuses are a great way to boost your bankroll and play more hands on your favorite machine. Many casinos even offer exclusive bonuses to new members on their first deposit. You may even be able to receive larger bonuses for using specific deposit methods, like Bitcoin.
Welcome bonuses are not the only option for claiming extra casino funds. Sites like Bovada also have VIP Reward programs that can reward members for years to come.
Avoid Drinking or Playing Tilted
There are many differences between playing online casino games and gambling at a land-based casino. One of the biggest similarities between the two options is that you need to play with a clear head.
Two of the biggest pitfalls players can avoid are drinking and playing tilted. Abstaining from alcohol may be harder at a brick-and-mortar casino if they offer free drinks. However, playing while intoxicated can severely limit your ability to stick to your strategy.
You should also not gamble if you are upset. If you are on a losing streak, for instance, you may need to walk away and clear your head. Otherwise, you could play too aggressively and end up making your losing streak worse.
Practice as Much as You Can
Finally, if you want to become a better player then you are going to need to practice. You will gain confidence with each hand you play. Playing is also the only way to see if your strategy will actually work.
Practice can be easier said than done if you have a tight bankroll. Thankfully, there are casinos online that offer free versions of their games. You can use free video poker games to learn a new strategy and test out new games to find the ones you like playing.
Are You Ready to Play Video Poker?
Video poker is a popular gambling option and it is easy to see why. The games are fun to play, have high RTPs, and are usually easy to learn. Follow the tips above to avoid the common mistakes made by new players and you can start winning money in no time.