Beating the house at video poker takes skill and strategy. Unlike slots which rely purely on luck, video poker at Ninja Kasino introduces an element of skill where knowledge of the game can shift the odds in your favor. Follow these 7 essential tips to master video poker and start winning more hands.
Learn Proper Video Poker Strategy
With over 100 variations of video poker available, each game has its own optimal strategy regarding which cards to hold or discard to maximize your return. While a slot machine strategy is non-existent, learning correct video poker strategy can help improve your odds, payouts, and enjoyment of the game. Study basic guides for popular VP games like Jacks or Better so you know the smartest plays for every hand.
Choose Full-Pay Video Poker Machines
The pay table indicates the payouts for various winning hands and significantly impacts your overall odds and potential returns. Seek out “full-pay” or “9/6 Jacks or Better” machines that offer a 9x payout for a Full House and 6x on a Flush. This pay table gives returns of over 99% with optimal play. Compare and find the best-paying machines before sitting down and adjust your bet size accordingly.
Practice Video Poker for Free First
Sharpen your skills and strategy by playing free video poker before betting real cash. Most online casinos offer free play on video poker games so you can get comfortable with the rules, gameplay speed, hand rankings, and optimal strategies before risking your bankroll. Take advantage of free play to build confidence, reinforce proper strategy, and avoid rookie mistakes when you transition to real money games.
Choose the Right Denominations
When playing multi-hand video poker games, choose lower denominations like $0.25 or $0.50 to extend your bankroll, implement strategy, and score bonus payouts. Conversely, higher denominations like $1.00 to $5.00 bets make sense for single-line Jacks or Better because you can better leverage a highly optimal strategy to increase returns. Adjust denominations based on the specific video poker variation and your level of play.
Play Max Coins to Qualify for Royal Flushes
While you should avoid max betting on multi-line video poker, go big on a strong Jacks or Better game. Most machines require max coin bets to qualify for the top prize 4,000-to-1 royal flush payouts. The significant ROI increase on Royal Flushes outweighs the larger bets over thousands of hands. But beware of “short pay” machines that skimp on full payouts for max coin royal flushes.
Keep an Eye Out for Comps and Promos
Online and Vegas casinos compete by offering video poker comps, bonuses, and promotions to attract players. Take advantage of comps programs, deposit matches, leaderboard races, and more to increase your starting bankroll and number of spins. But don’t let juicy promos distract you from optimal strategy which reaps higher long-term returns through grinding out small advantages.
Know When to Walk Away
Have the discipline to leave a video poker session when ahead. Set win goals like 20% above your starting bankroll and cash out when you hit them rather than giving back profits in hopes of a hot streak. Avoid tilt by walking away after major losses as well, or breaking losing streaks with a short break to clear your head and reconsider strategy. Mastering bankroll management and ending sessions early helps lock in returns.
With these essential tips, you can build video poker mastery to beat the house odds. Learn strategies for popular games, seek out full-pay machines, practice for free first, play max coins on positive expectation wagers, and walk away ahead. Follow these keys to start leveraging skill over luck and watch your hourly returns rise.
