Video Poker Basics: How Pay Tables and Strategy Reduce the House Edge
I certainly understand that knowledge, discipline,
an understanding of payout tables, and consistency do increase our chances of success to some extent, but at the same time, if you play this game on a regular basis, it’s clear that the advantage lies with the casino. Otherwise, we’d simply be seeing professionals, half of whom would have their own YouTube channels.
an understanding of payout tables, and consistency do increase our chances of success to some extent, but at the same time, if you play this game on a regular basis, it’s clear that the advantage lies with the casino. Otherwise, we’d simply be seeing professionals, half of whom would have their own YouTube channels.
I would really like to see a more advanced version of this thread.
For example, what percentage to hit two pair or three of a kind if I have a small pair (under Jacks).
Should I hold a pair of nines, or go for an open ended straight (if I hold 9, 9, 8, 7, 6)? What about a gut-shot?
Should I hold a small pair if I have four to a flush?
Although I've never done well in 5-card stud, I think video poker would be way better for me than typical slots.
(And the payout at 9-6 seems sweet.)
For example, what percentage to hit two pair or three of a kind if I have a small pair (under Jacks).
Should I hold a pair of nines, or go for an open ended straight (if I hold 9, 9, 8, 7, 6)? What about a gut-shot?
Should I hold a small pair if I have four to a flush?
Although I've never done well in 5-card stud, I think video poker would be way better for me than typical slots.
(And the payout at 9-6 seems sweet.)
We can dive into that in a future thread, I agree that understanding the math is key but we did dive into a bit of it here, specifically why it doesn't make sense to go for a Royal if you need more than one card.
The challenge becomes the pay table, if the payout is different, it can drastically change the odds to pursue a hand but effectively, there's no value is holding cards that don't compete a made hand
The challenge becomes the pay table, if the payout is different, it can drastically change the odds to pursue a hand but effectively, there's no value is holding cards that don't compete a made hand
I only play Jacks or Better. And so far the results are bad. But I don't spend more than $20-$30 a month, so it's not critical. Hopefully by the end of this year my statistics will tell me that I'm not wasting my time and money 🙂
Excellent introduction...
It seems to have simpler math than other casino games, which greatly helps with learning!
Looking forward to putting it into practice in some games, but unfortunately the games from the April promotion aren't available in Brazil (Red Rake Gaming), but I'll be checking with other developers.
Looking forward to part two to find out what else we'll have to explore.
It seems to have simpler math than other casino games, which greatly helps with learning!
Looking forward to putting it into practice in some games, but unfortunately the games from the April promotion aren't available in Brazil (Red Rake Gaming), but I'll be checking with other developers.
Looking forward to part two to find out what else we'll have to explore.
I'll bite! I would assume that chasing the flush/straight flush is the wrong move since we only have 3 cards to it and not 4. Given that we have no made hand, I would probably save the J and K and hope to pair up. Is that the wrong move?monkeytilter said:
PS @CRStals this could be a fun idea for another part of this series. A series of "test" hands and we have to provide the correct strategy for what to pursue.
You've got it right😍, holding the KJ is correct - but by the tiniest of margins!nabmom said:
If the 2d was Ad for example then holding A35d is the best hold (the additional pair outs to AA swings it).
I think some test "hands" is a great idea. ranging from easy to "pro" based on the margins between options.
Talking of considering all the outs (not just the "nut" ones) you never got back to me @CRStals on this hand we were discussing , can you see the mistake now advising hold 4-flush over 3-royal draw?😆
Video Poker Strategy Explained: The Math Behind Every Decision
🎰 CardsChat Casino Learning Series Part 2 of 3 – Video Poker Strategy Explained: The Math Behind Every Decision Now that we’ve covered the basics of video poker and optimal strategy, it’s time to dig deeper into the why behind those decisions. In this lesson, we’ll break down the math behind...
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I’m purely guessing here:monkeytilter said:
1. Hold the A only. No chasing 3 to a flush and no chasing gut shots. Or….
2. Hold all 3 spade because of flush and straight flush potential.
I’d probably go with #2.
Other questions: Does a 5h already out there change the odds For chasing a straight? Do video poker machines “use” a single deck of cards?
Ooops! Told you this was a bit tricky😍nabmom said:
We should hold the pair of 4's here, don't be seduced by the pretty looking draws.
We are losing money on this board whatever happens, but the trick is to lose the minimum😆
Holding 44 gives us an expected return of 81% on our money
The draws A34s and A345 are bigger losers for us at only around 50 and 40% return - so it's worth getting this one right!
Just holding the A is horrible at 34% return🤣
Incidentally if there was no pair to hold (say we change the 4 for a brick 7) then holding the 3 to the straight flush is the best option (48% return) - chasing two cards can be the best option in the right cases.
We are losing money on this board whatever happens, but the trick is to lose the minimum😆
Holding 44 gives us an expected return of 81% on our money
The draws A34s and A345 are bigger losers for us at only around 50 and 40% return - so it's worth getting this one right!
Just holding the A is horrible at 34% return🤣
Incidentally if there was no pair to hold (say we change the 4 for a brick 7) then holding the 3 to the straight flush is the best option (48% return) - chasing two cards can be the best option in the right cases.
Yes VP "uses" one deck of cards, so we can calculate the chances of hitting our outs based on that.
(Multi hand VP still uses a separate single deck for each hand too.)
"Does a 5h already out there change the odds For chasing a straight?"
Not really, as we are holding A345 and drawing to a 2 for the straight?
If you mean does it affect out straight/flush draw then yes as we are holding A34s drawing to 2s5s for a straight-flush (unaffected) but also drawing to other 2+5 for a straight so there are only three 5's we can now hit (as the 5h does not go back into the deck).
This is excellent. Interested in starting a separate thread with scenarios? It might prove popular…monkeytilter said:
I actually thought about holding the pair as an option. Is that more often than not the correct move?
I guess one good thing is that there isn’t a clock on decisions so I could do some calculations on the fly when in tough spots.
I'll see where CR goes with this series - maybe they can conclude with a quiz.nabmom said:
I might start a thread with "interesting" spots I come across when I play (don't play a lot, just a few hands on Aces&Faces every day for a bonus on 888😉)
As a general rule yes holding any pair (even as low as 22) is a good choice if there is "nothing else going on".
I'm not sure about calculating, you can but it's quite demanding when you have a lot of outs and drawing to 2 or 3 cards on some of them, best bet is to have a list of preferred plays - these come in basic versions which are easy to follow and more advanced versions that layer exceptions on everything but eke out a few more fractions of a percent for the player. The other option is rote learning if you want to put the hours in😜
"A 1-coin Royal Flush usually pays 250 coins
But a 5-coin Royal Flush pays 4,000 coins
That means betting the maximum greatly increases the payout multiplier. This matters a lot."
I think that's the most important thing about this game.
And I think it's also obvious that if you can't afford to play at the maximum bet, then you're obviously better off not playing at all.
But a 5-coin Royal Flush pays 4,000 coins
That means betting the maximum greatly increases the payout multiplier. This matters a lot."
I think that's the most important thing about this game.
And I think it's also obvious that if you can't afford to play at the maximum bet, then you're obviously better off not playing at all.
