Video Poker Advanced Strategy
| Updated: Play Optimally with Advanced Video Poker Strategy
Mastering advanced video poker strategy can help you take your game to the next level, reduce mistakes, and improve your expected return. Advanced strategy is key to playing video poker optimally over the long term. The moves recommended on this page are more difficult to master and memorize than those covered in the basic and intermediate strategies. Some plays might even seem counterintuitive, but that does not prevent them from being mathematically optimal.
Before proceeding, keep in mind that advanced strategy is primarily intended for proficient video poker players with sufficient experience and a solid understanding of the game. If you are new to video poker, we recommend taking a step back and learning the basic and intermediate strategies first. Another point to remember is that the expected returns associated with advanced strategy generally assume that you bet the maximum number of coins per round, preferably in full-pay games.
-
Sign Up Bonus
Up to $3500
350% Bonus!9.7 -
Sign Up Bonus
Up to $500
400% Bonus!9.4 -
Sign Up Bonus
Up to $3000
300% Bonus!9.3
Advanced strategy is also available in chart format, with the hands that yield the highest expected return positioned at the top. You can download one such chart for free and consult it while playing video poker online. Many online casinos offer demo versions of their video poker games, making them ideal for players who want to hone their skills without risking money. Now, let’s examine the advanced strategy for video poker.
Video Poker Advanced Strategy
As noted above, this advanced strategy is intended for highly experienced players who want to elevate their video poker game. Complex strategies require more time and effort to master, but the effort can be worthwhile because they offer more precise guidance.
Advanced strategies can considerably reduce the house edge and improve your expected return. Like all other video poker strategies, this one shows you the best possible moves based on the five cards initially dealt to your hand. It is worth mentioning that advanced strategy may require adjustments when used in video poker variations that feature wild cards or bonus payouts for specific hands. With this in mind, here are the moves recommended by the strategy.
If your hand includes a high card and three cards to a straight flush, you should hold the high card. The reasoning behind this move is that the odds of completing the straight flush are considerably lower than those of forming a winning hand with the high card. If you are dealt a queen and a king, or a queen and a jack, alongside three other cards, you should hold the two face cards. The same applies when you are dealt a queen, jack, and ace; in this case, you should keep the queen and jack. If your initial hand contains a flush and four cards to a royal flush, you should attempt to complete the royal flush. However, if completing the royal flush requires discarding more than one card, you should keep the flush.
Another advanced strategy move stipulates that if you have two low-value cards alongside three cards to a straight flush, you should pursue the straight flush and replace the two low-value cards. When you must choose between pursuing a straight or a straight flush, you should choose the straight. If you have a low pair and three cards to a straight, hold the low pair. If you have four cards to a flush but three cards to a royal flush, it is wiser to keep the three cards and try to complete the royal flush. Finally, if you have a low pair and four cards to a straight flush, you should keep the four cards.
What It Takes to Master the Advanced Strategy
To truly master a game, players must not only research it extensively and read specialized literature but also build sufficient hands-on experience. It is advisable to play video poker regularly to improve your skills and knowledge of the game. Some players assume that skill has nothing to do with video poker and that the game comes down entirely to luck, but this is not the case. Video poker is driven by mathematical probabilities and decision-making. Understanding how video poker odds work is essential to making optimal decisions.
One important aspect of mastering advanced strategy is memorization: recalling the right move at the right time is crucial to your success. If you want to play as effectively as possible over the long term, you should know your strategy inside and out. It is advisable to memorize the pay table of your chosen game and learn the main differences between the most common video poker variations. If you are unfamiliar with the specifics of the video poker variant you intend to play, you will be unable to apply the advanced strategy successfully. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to remember the recommended moves. If you play regularly, these moves may eventually become easier to recall automatically. To reach this stage, set aside a few minutes each day to review the strategy thoroughly.
We recommend studying the pay table below, which is used for Deuces Wild. Although pay tables differ from one variation to another, hand rankings are generally similar across many games. In most non-wild variants, the royal flush is the highest-ranking hand, followed by the straight flush, four of a kind, and so on. Variations that use wild cards can have different hand rankings and payouts. It is essential to familiarize yourself with them before playing.
The Importance of the Pay Table
When you play video poker at a new casino, you should always pay attention to the payouts. This is one of the most important aspects to consider because it directly affects your expected return. Even if you learn the advanced strategy inside and out, playing a game with a subpar payout percentage can significantly reduce your expected return.
| Video Poker Pay Table | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coins | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Royal Flush | 250 | 500 | 750 | 1000 | 4000 |
| 4 Deuces | 200 | 400 | 600 | 800 | 1000 |
| Wild Royal Flush | 25 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 125 |
| Five of a Kind | 16 | 32 | 48 | 64 | 80 |
| Straight Flush | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 |
| Four of a Kind | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Full House | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Flush | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Straight | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Three of a Kind | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
The pay table above is for Deuces Wild, but many other pay tables are available. It is best to check the payouts before playing. Casinos that offer good full-pay tables often advertise this fact, making it easier for video poker players to identify the most beneficial games. To find the game with the best payout percentage, you should check the payouts for a full house and a flush. Full-pay Jacks or Better pays 9 to 1 for a full house and 6 to 1 for a flush (9/6).
Conclusion
Now that you are familiar with advanced video poker strategy, you can put your skills to the test by playing the game for free or for real money. Many online casinos offer a free-play mode, allowing players to practice without risking money. Video poker is widely available, so finding a game is unlikely to be a problem. With sufficient knowledge and a reliable strategy, you can reduce mistakes, make more informed decisions, and improve your expected return over the long term.