Video Poker Strategy Guide

What's the best way to play video poker? With a strategy of course! Many players believe in what their gut tells them to do, but not many of them can say that they've actually been successful at the game. The strong belief in gut feelings is partially developed by lack of knowledge and often lack of discipline. Who wants to sit there and remember a hundred different rules pertaining to the video poker strategy? Why not just push a few buttons randomly (or according to your gut) and see what happens. It is the easier choice, though not where your bankroll is concerned. There are all kinds of video poker players; some will learn the strategy prior to visiting a casino and others will simply want to try their luck. For those of you with a curious mind, I've put together a quick video poker strategy guide that outlines what to do (and not do) when playing the game.

As you may already know, video poker offers many options with each and every card draw. You can hold one card, two cards, or even the whole batch - the decision is yours. However, given the current hand you've been dealt, some decisions will offer better odds at getting a winning hand than others, and knowing that can certainly increase your chances significantly. That is called a video poker strategy.

Sometimes, you'll find yourself in a situation where it's difficult to make a decision. As you know, some card combinations are easier than others; however, the payoff also reflects the risk involved. In these cases where the decision is not quite clear, you should know the ranking system. This will allow you to play with the best odds at all times.

Here are a few ground rules that you should always follow as part of your video poker strategy: