Video poker strategy

There are two major factors involved in the outcome of hands, be it winning or losing in the game of video poker. The first one is luck, something that you cannot control. Online video poker machines are controlled by random number generators where cards are selected, as the name suggests, completely at random and there is no way you or anybody else can predict the outcome. The second is a conscious decision of selecting which cards to "hold". After your initial five cards are revealed, you have to choose which cards you would like to keep and which to discard. This is the only difference between a pro' player who understands how to maximize his winning chances and a 100% luck player that has no control over the gaming odds due to a lack of strategy.

In order to have a strategy, the first step is to make sure you know all types of winning hands. Each hand has a certain value, meaning that every card combination is either lower or higher than the next. Below are detailed all video poker hands ranked from the lowest to the highest.

Jacks or Better:
A pair pays off only if the cards in the pair are Jacks, Queens, Kings, or Aces. Lower pairs do not pay off.

Two Pair:
Two sets of pairs of the same card denomination (for example: Q,Q,3,6,6).

Three of a Kind:
Three cards of the same denomination (for example: K,K,K,Q,10).

Straight:
Five consecutive denomination cards of different suits (for example: 6,7,8,9,10. An Ace can be the starting card or the ending card-A,2,3,4,5 or 10,J,Q,K,A ).

Flush:
Five non-consecutive denomination cards of the same suit (for example: 2,5,10,J,A, all in Spades, Hearts, Clubs or Diamonds).

Full House:
A set of three cards of the same denomination plus a set of two cards of the same denomination (for example: K,K,K,A,A).

Four of a Kind:
Four cards of the same denomination (for example: 7,7,7,7,J).

Straight Flush:
Five consecutive denomination cards of the same suit (for example: 5,6,7,8,9, all in Spades, Hearts, Clubs or Diamonds).

Royal Flush:
Five consecutive denomination cards of the same suit, starting from 10 and ending with an Ace (for example: 10,J,Q,K,A, all in Spades, Hearts, Clubs or Diamonds).Straight: A player holds a Straight when all five cards held are in rank sequence. With the following hand, the player would have a Straight; 2 Hearts, 3 Clubs, 4 Spades, 5 Hearts, 6 Diamonds.

Three of a Kind:
When a player is dealt three cards all of which have the same rank, they have Three of a Kind. The remaining two cards do not count as anything in the hand. The suit of the cards does not matter with this hand. An example of this hand is 4 Hearts, 4 Clubs, and 4 Spades.

Two Pair:
Two Pair is when the player has two pairs of cards, each set of a different rank. An example of this hand is 3 Diamonds, 3 Clubs, 5 Hearts and 5 Spades.

One Pair:
One Pair is two cards of the same rank, regardless of the suit. An example of this hand is 7 Diamonds and 7 Hearts.

On analyzing each hand you can then determine the odds possible with any combination. Make sure to optimize any good combinations and asses the possibility of outcomes when selecting which cards to "hold".
If you can recognize any possible combination, mark to "Hold" the cards you already have that would be needed to gain the winning combination and discard the others. Hopefully, the other expected cards will appear on the second turn to complete your winning hand.
There is no way to predict the outcome and naturally, there is always an element of luck with the cards which are dealt to you.

The winning amount paid is determined by the number of coins you bet, so therefore the higher you wager the higher your winnings will be. Do not be under the illusion that wagering small amounts assures you play longer, as most of us think, as this is not the case. Make sure you choose a game that gives the best coin to win ratio, enabling you to play longer with fewer coins. Most of the online casinos offer games in fun mode, so that you can play and practice your skills before you choose to play for real money.

For additional details you can check the video poker guide at: On line casino.