When it comes to gambling in the United States, video poker is a huge hit. Players like this straightforward casino game just as much on slot machines as they do in its virtual incarnations.
Winning big in video poker may be just as exciting as playing the game itself. Learning what mistakes to avoid making is a crucial first step in mastering video poker. Avoiding typical blunders will give you an edge over rivals.
If you play video poker for real money with a good strategy, you can win a lot of money. If you commit certain basic errors, even the finest system in the world will not save you.
Learning how to win at video poker will be a lot less difficult if you can avoid these typical mistakes.
Choosing the Right Pay Table
Using the incorrect machine is one of the worst moves you can make when participating in video poker. If you play on a machine with the incorrect pay table, your RTP will be much lower than usual.
The rules sections of most online video poker games conveniently feature a pay table. Focus on the payments for Full House and Flush as you peruse the pay table. If you bet only one coin, the finest tables will give you nine coins for a Full House and six coins for a Flush.
We refer to these as “9/6 machines” for short. The actual RTP will change from machine to machine. However, while playing typical 9/6 Jacks or Better games, an excellent technique can result in RTPs close to 99.54 percent. If you use the incorrect pay table, your return to player percentage will be much lower.
Using the Wrong Video Poker Strategy
If you want to be consistently successful in a casino game, you’ll need a strategy for that game as well. Real money roulette and craps, for example, need elaborate betting techniques. Fortunately, a sophisticated game plan is unnecessary with video poker machines.
Winning tactics are the ones you should be using. The answer to this question is contingent upon the specific hardware in question. For instance, in Jacks or Better, you only need a pair of Jacks or more to win.
Many gamers even use standardized “tactic” cards for guidance in competitive gaming. If you are using a regular 9/6 Jacks or Better machine, your strategy card may look like this:
With a pair in hand, you can draw three additional cards.
- Hold the cards you need for a Royal Flush or Straight Flush, and take two more from the deck.
- Hold the cards and take one new one if you have the makings of a straight or flush.
- If you do not have any of these cards, you should hold any jacks or above and redraw them.
Mismanaging Your Budget
Poor money management is one of the most common gambling online blunders. A “bankroll” is the sum of money set aside for gambling over a specified period. You should not play with money you cannot afford to lose, so setting a limit on your bankroll is a clever idea. A firm budget is necessary because setting financial limitations in advance might help you quit when the time is right.
It is not easy to cut your losses and leave. It stems from the idea that if you keep playing, you will get another win, and you ignore the fact that you are at risk of losing much more money. Even if you are “in the green,” there is a high chance your winning run will stop, and if you do not cash out soon enough, you will lose everything.
Playing the Wrong Video Poker Game
Another big mistake any video poker can make is choosing the wrong machine to play. You should check the pay table of any game before you start playing and make sure you know the rules and tactics. But the pay table is just one aspect that you need to consider.
There are dozens of different variations of video poker from which you can choose. 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
Avoid Drinking or Playing Angry
Playing casino games online is quite different from visiting a physical casino in many ways. The requirement for a level mind when playing is a common thread connecting the two choices.
Drinking and playing while angry are two of the major hazards that gamers may avoid. If a land-based casino provides complimentary beverages, avoiding alcohol may be more difficult. But if you are drinking, you might not be able to keep to your limit as well.
If you are feeling sad, you should also avoid gambling. If you are on a losing run, for example, you could benefit from taking a break. You risk escalating your losing streak if you play too aggressively.