Video Poker Strategy and the Royal Flush

Getting a royal in a game of video poker is about the most exciting play you can make. Therefore, your video poker strategy should center on how you can make a royal flush.

Simple Strategies

Memorize the strategies below and you'll have a workable plan. It's a video poker strategy you can bring to any vender and it's not difficult to remember.

The assumption is that you are playing the max coin bets, although, even with this, the best strategy varies. Sometimes, it's just a lot of frustration and no gain to use optimal strategy. Although our strategies aren't hard to remember, you'll need a different one for every variation of poker, in both rules and payout, because your goals are different.

Jacks or Better: The 9/6 Video Poker Strategy
You Get:	You Toss:		You Keep:
Royal Flush	0	5
Straight Flush	0	5
4 of One Type	1	4
Royal Flush of 4 Cards	1	4
Full House	0	5
Flush	0	5
3 of One Type	2	3
Straight	0	5
Straight Flush of 4 Cards	1	4
Two Pairs	1	4
Jacks or Higher Pair	3	2
Royal Flush w/ 3 Cards	2	3
Flush w/ 4 Cards	1	4
Lower than Jacks Pair	3	2
4 Card Straight	1	4
Straight Flush w/ 3 Cards	2	3
Royal Flush- 2 Cards	3	2
3 High Cards	2	3
2 High Cards	3	2
1 High Card	4	1
Any Other Combination	5	0

With the above video poker strategy, you would match your hand according to the highest card on the list, then go with that play.

This is not, of course, a full chart of video poker strategy. In a more complete version, you would be apprised of the difference between a royal flush of 3 cards that included a pair and one that didn't. However, this is the most basic, and it will do when you're just trying to get a feel for the video poker strategy.

As mentioned earlier, the table changes when the conditions of the game change. If you're playing a variation of "Jacks or Better" where you get double bonuses, follow the following chart.

Jacks or Better w/ Double Bonuses: Video Poker Strategy
You Get:	You Toss:		You Keep:
Royal Flush	0	5
4 Aces	1	4
4 Cards (2's, 3's or 4's)	1	4
Straight Flush	0	5
4 of Any Card 5-King	1	4
Royal Flush- 4 Cards	1	4
3 Aces	2	3
Full House	0	5
Flush	0	5
3 of the Cards 2, 3 and 4	2	3
3 of the Cards 5-King	2	3
Straight	0	5
Straight Flush- 4 Cards	1	4
2 Pairs	1	4
2 Aces	3	2
Royal Flush- 3 Cards	2	3
Flush of 4 Cards	1	4
Pair- Kings, Queens, Jacks	3	2
Straight of 4 Cards	1	4
Straight Flush- 3 Cards	2	3
Low Pair	3	2
Royal Flush- 2 Cards	3	2
Flush- 3 Cards	2	3
3 High Cards	2	3
Straight- 3 Cards	2	3
2 High Cards	3	2
1 High Card	4	1
Other Combination	-	-

Video poker strategy can't be summed up in a couple of words, but it can be shown pretty clearly with simple charts. Memorize the charts for the game you're playing and it will all be much easier. If you want the games of luck, you may like roulette or online slots.

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