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Winning Video Poker Strategy

Rachel Elam | July 30, 2020 | Updated on: January 2nd, 2025

Video-Poker-strategyPlaying using a video poker strategy is one of the best ways you can improve your chances of winning.  By simply following a few rules for discarding or holding the first five cards that you have been dealt with. Whether you are using the video poker app or the free video poker strategy, you are a step closer to winning.

Do many players ask if they can play video poker games and win every time? Well, yes and no. If you play at the right video poker game and use the optimal video poker strategy, you will be able to decrease the house odds. Thus, walking away with money in your pocket.

Unlike many casino games, video poker allows players to have the least control over the odds. Our experts have created a video poker strategy guide to help you get the best odds. You can use the video poker strategy chart to make playing a lot easier.

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Video Poker Strategy Charts

Developing video poker strategy charts can become a tedious process. There are over 2,000,000 possible hands in a 52-card deck. The strategy charts are often designed in a similar way indicating which cards you should hold which cards to discard. The hand that has the highest average return will go to the top of the chart. Unfinished hands are some sometimes included as they also have an average return.

The listing hands with a lower average return continue until the return for the hand is below the average return for a new hand. You will get a higher return for replacing your hand rather than trying to salvage the hand. Once all of that is done, the strategy chart is now complete.

Online Video Poker Strategy

The best part about playing using the video poker strategy is that some elements will remain the same despite the game variation or where you play the game. The deuces wild, jacks, or better and many other games strategies are based on this strategy.  here are a few things that you should keep in mind

  • Hold a royal flush, four of a kind, full house, straight flush, three of a kind, or two pair.
  • With a three of a kind, discard the two cards for a chance at four of a kind. You are also leaving room to get a full house.
  • If you have two pairs, discard the fifth card. This gives you a chance at a full house.
  • When you are a card away from a royal flush, you can break a flush or straight.
  • If you are a card away from a royal flush or four cards to a straight flush, breakdown the pair of jacks or better.
  • Always hold onto a low pair rather than a single high card.
winning-video-poker-strategy

Video Poker Strategy App

Some popular websites have created computer programs or apps that you can use to practice the video poker strategy. You will have to download the video poker strategy app. Some of the apps are free. However, some are quite reasonably priced. You can still practice the strategy manually before you get the app. The app is compatible with Android and iOS devices.  Some of the great features found on the apps include the option to analyze a hand and the paytable. You can also practice playing video poker to learn your favorite game’s strategy.

Free Video Poker Strategy

To succeed in video poker, you have to play the game and the strategy perfectly. There are plenty of free video poker strategy tables online that will tell you what to do in every situation. You can have the strategy guide open as you play.

Players will also come across free video poker strategy charts that briefly explain how many cards to discard and hold depending on the hand that you have received.

HAND CARD TO HOLD CARDS TO DISCARD
Royal Flush 5 0
Straight Flush 5 0
4 of a Kind 5 0
Full House 5 0
4 to a Royal Flush 4 1
Flush 5 0
Three of a Kind 3 2
Straight 5 0
4 to a Straight Flush 4 1
Two Pair 4 1
High Pair 2 3
Three Cards to a Royal Flush 3 3
4 to a Flush 4 1
Three Cards to a Straight Flush 3 2
Two to a Royal Flush 2 3
Two High Cards 2 3
1 High Card 1 4
Nothing 0 5

 

For more guide on Video poker see the links below: