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The game of video poker is not only about luck - it's also a game of skill. When casino patrons
play at the expert level, the video poker machines are set to payout up to 100%. Casinos can
do this because most people don't play anywhere close to that level. These are some tips to
bring your game closer to an expert level, increasing your odd of hitting the jackpot:
Basic Playing Strategy:
| Cards in your hand | Draw |
| 4 of a kind or better | 0 cards (keep all your cards) |
| 4 cards to a royal | 1 card |
| Full house or flush | 0 cards (keep all your cards) |
| 3 of a kind | 2 cards |
| 4 card straight flush | 1 card |
| Straight | 0 cards (keep all your cards) |
| 2 pair | 1 card |
| High pair | 3 cards |
| 3 cards to the royal | 2 cards |
| 4 card flush | 1 card |
| Low pair | 3 cards |
| 4 card straight | 1 card |
| 3 card straight flush | 2 cards |
| 2 high cards | 3 cards |
| 1 high card | 4 cards |
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| Garbage | 5 cards |
You should only play machines that offer full payback because they are supposed to payback all
of the monies played. When the machine payback is not in sight, look at the chart on the machine
and pick one that pays the highest for a full house and a flush. The greater the return then the
higher that machine pays-out. For example on a jacks or better machine:
| Machine Return | Machine Payback |
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| 6 for a full house / 5 for a flush | 95.2% |
| 7 for a full house / 5 for a flush | 96.3% |
| 8 for a full house / 5 for a flush | 97.4% |
| 9 for a full house / 6 for a flush | 99.5% |
Attached to the machine is the payout information and the limit on coins (normally five coins).
It is wise to always play the maximum number of coins to be eligible for the bonus payout for a
royal flush. Be certain the machine takes all of your coins before playing - in the event you do
win you want to be positive the five coins were played.
Play progressive machines, they can give large payouts for a royal flush and make the payout
more in line with the intricacy of getting a royal flush (about once in every 40,000 hands).
Also play progressive machines that display about 80% of the payoff amount (example $2,000 on a
machine that has a payoff of $2,500), and always play the number of coins mandatory to be
eligible for the payoff.
Don't draw to an inside straight (where you have four cards and need one in the middle to fill a
straight). But if you have an open-ended straight (you have four consecutive cards and only need
one at either end to fill a straight) then take a shot at making the straight.
Instead of keeping a high card, hold onto your pairs. Too often a pair of twos are discarded and
one or more high cards are kept. This is not a good plan - you have better odds at trying for
three of a kind.
Always keep a low pair over a four-card open end straight. The low pair has more value than
going for the straight.
Always keep a high pair vs. a four-card open straight, a four-card flush or a three-card royal.
Try for three of a kind because then, at worst you have recovered your bet.
Instead of a low pair, a four-card flush and a four card open end straight, keep a three-card
royal. The bonus for the royal flush makes it a better play.
It's okay to draw five cards if you have garbage (one that doesn't have a least one high card).
Don't lose sight of the fact you are playing a machine in video poker which is programmed to
only payoff when a player holds one of the posted hands. Don't hold a kicker card (a high value
card to be used along with a pair) - this works when playing against other people in the casino,
but the machine doesn't care and you will lose your chance to draw a better card.
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