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The Complete Video Poker Strategy for Fun and ProfitAt Online Casinos and Las VegasVideo Poker has remained one favorite of
gamblers for years. Combining elements of both, poker and
slots, video poker is one of the few games in the casino
where you can actually find a positive expectation of
winning. In contrast to "pure luck" games such as
slots or roulette, video poker combines the elements of luck
and strategy. Playing video poker online gives the player
countless opportunities to play replicas of their favorite
casino video poker games or new, themed games which are
enormous fun. Video poker is a very popular long lasting game both online and in real world bricks'n mortar land based casinos because you can get an edge over the house and win some money. And, gasp, people can even play professionally full time and make a living at it. It's been said that you can also be hired to work at an hourly wage for someone else at Las Vegas casinos doing the same thing. Those are surely not the aspirations of a lot of people, but they do highlight that you can do this yourself on a more limited part time basis and come out ahead. You can have fun and profit at the same time! Plus, you get the satisfaction of doing something that not a lot of people can accomplish. If you play video poker online you can do it anywhere and anytime. There is no commute, nor transportation costs or time involved. Of course, when you do it online you have to be careful to pick an honest casino. There's no sense in winning money if can't collect. However, in video poker, the winnings are not in the hundred thousand dollar range so you'll be less likely to be left waiting for a casino website to come up with a giant payoff. If you are looking for a huge life changing jackpot you'll have to find a progressive video poker game or switch to regular slot machines that do not have a mathematical expectation of profit. In other words, you'll have to rely upon luck. Playing video poker in land based casinos gets you into the gaming atmosphere which includes a variety of colors, sound and activity with the extra complementary beverages, food, lodging and gifts that are not practical online. With video poker and all casino games, it does not matter if you are a big fish or a small fry, you don't want to be a big fat sucker swimming upstream to spawn and certain death. In gaming parlance, high rollers and whales are willing to bet big amounts while the grinders and low rollers bet smaller amounts. Both groups can get in over their head if they get carried away. Don't be a fool, you are supposed to be having fun. Unless they lead charmed lives, both groups also need to have a strategy if they want to have fun and profit from their game of choice. But enough video poker background blah blah blah. You came here to get some real information and tips. However, before you go wondering off to different parts of this website or to casino sites, we highly recommend that you remember where you are and how to get back here. The easiest thing you can do is to bookmark this page so you can find it later. If you do, it will be titled "Complete Video Poker Strategy" unless you change the name. Otherwise, if you get lost, just go to the GreenBayCasino.com home page, then click on video poker in the text near the top of the page. Pick a Video Poker Game Variation There are many variations of the basic video poker game. One of the most popular ones for the beginner is the classic Jacks or Better video poker. Because this game is more like general poker it is a little quicker to understand and it's where most people start. It follows basic rules with no wild cards. However, the expected payoff on the a full pay game is 99.54%, meaning over the long term, your return is mathematically expected to be less than what you start with. A full pay Deuces wild game on the other hand has an expected payoff of 100.76%, meaning you'll have more at the end than what you start with. If you have a larger bankroll and determination, this should be your first choice. This is where I would start. But why would I even bother suggesting Jacks or Better, if the expected payoff is less than Deuces Wild? Besides the limited online availability, to get ahead in video poker you have to always play maximum coins and you need to win the top hand occasionally. Quite simply, the top hand in Jacks or Better occurs more often than it does in Deuces Wild. In the interim while waiting for the top hand, you need to withstand the inevitable low point in funds and the possibly demoralizing longer span of time between winning the top hands. If you've got the money, stamina and determination then by all means go with Deuces Wild. You'll eventually end up playing Deuces Wild anyway, so if you're really serious, you might as well start there and save some time. Besides, you'll only have to learn one game really well. Get A Good Basic Game Playing Strategy Go to the library or bookstore and get some good quality current books and read up on the video poker basic game playing strategy. Once you've selected your game, find the appropriate game playing strategy for it. Practice Your Game Playing Strategy You'll need to hone your game playing until it becomes automatic. We suggest you start by buying a software program that alerts you to errors in play. The Win Poker software does just that. It includes Deuces wild and many other poker variations. It also includes many more things you'll appreciate having, once you realize that you need them. It has the ability to change the payout tables which will show you your expected return before you play a new game. It also gives you the ability to plug in the cards you're dealt, and have the program tell you which to keep. Once you know how to play properly, you are ready to play for real. Go For The Best Payoff A full pay game means that the pay schedule or payoff table etc., at the particular casino on a specific game offers the highest win amount for that game variation. For example, on a full pay jacks or better game, the payoff for a full house would be 9 times the amount bet and the payoff for a flush would be 6 times the amount bet. These are called 9/6 games. However, instead of just looking at the first column of the pay table to find 9/6 you should look at the last column for maximum coins played to be sure that the rate follows through to the end. My example shows the Captain Cooks Casino Jacks or Better full pay video poker game. Why would you go someplace offering lower expected payoffs for the same game? You can find plenty of these 9/6 games online. The Casino US also offers a 9/6 games but has a higher than normal effective comp rate of .165%. The classic full pay Deuces Wild payoff schedule should be of particular interest to you. However, online versions seem to be scarcer than hens teeth, so you'll have to run to Vegas to play. If only there was an online casino gutsy enough to offer a full pay Deuces wild game. Given the casual players propensity to give up before they hit a royal, the casino would probably do quite well. In Vegas you might find these full pay games at the Barbary Coast, El Cortez, Fitzgeralds, Frontier, Horseshoe, Imperial Palace, Lady Luck, Orleans, Stratosphere, Stardust, and the Tropicana Casino. Take Full Advantage of Bonuses Go to the casino with the games and payoffs you're looking and choose the ones with the biggest signup bonuses. When you sign up for a new online casino, make the biggest initial deposit you can afford that offers you the maximum free signup match bonus. If you're after a profit, you'll have to do this. If you have absolutely no money of your own to start with, check out the online casinos that require no money of your own to open an account. These no deposit required casinos are legit and the offers can be profitable to you. Eventually you'll run out of casinos to join with these totally free cash offers and then you'll need to add your own money. Hopefully you'll have good luck and will have some winnings that can bankroll you further. Unfortunately, you cannot go back to these same casinos and take advantage of the proportionally better new players match bonuses. With casino promotions, "the only thing that stays the same is change". When you're cruising for new online casinos to join, take a look at this handy casino list at Las Vegas Hotels and Online Casinos. When you click on the casino you'll get a new page that frames in the actual casino website. When you're done reviewing the current promotions, just click on the home page button at the top of the page and you'll get back to the list where you can keep looking. If you like the casino, you can always join from the review page. The site is also a good place to get some deals on hotels. For more cities and sites to review, check out the hotel deal checker at extended vacation rentals. It's got the top reservations systems represented. Keep looking until you find the casino that offers the game and payoff that you're looking for. By trying different casinos you'll be taking full advantage of their new account bonuses which will add to your profit. Take Your Profits and Run When you make money and can cashin, do so. This is only true at the beginning of your quest when you're just starting out and haven't tried all the casinos. This way, you'll be taking full advantage of all the new account promotions and becoming informed about which casinos you like. You should be keeping a written list of your casino account numbers and passwords along with your overall feelings about each place you try. Did you feel welcome, was it fast, reliable and did you get good support when needed. If you don't like a place, don't go back once you've vacated. While you're still trying out different casinos, don't be surprised if you get a special promotion offer to lure you back to one you've already tried. If it's a good casino and a good deal, go ahead and take advantage of the offer. Take Full Advantage of Players Clubs After you've run through all the casinos that have what you need and have taken advantage of their new account bonuses, you'll need to settle down at one or more of your favorites. This is where their players club, loyalty program or VIP players programs becomes more important to you. Be sure you signed up. If you read the frugal gambler, you'll believe the importance of these clubs. These comp program extras add up and they become an integral part of your overall ongoing profit strategy. Take Advantage of Ongoing Promotions Casinos offer ongoing promotions at all times. Keep informed as to their offers and take advantage of them. Since you've decided to stay at this casino, the least you can do is get any extra they offer you. Eventually you'll get lucky and win occasional bonuses, possibly in the thousands of dollars. Theses promotions also add to your profits and fun. Final Note By now you're quite comfortable playing your chosen game. Your game play has moved up to being flawless, you make money on the game, you get extra players club cash and perks plus you win an occasional bonus promotion. You may be wondering now what? It's time to remember why you started this in the first place. To keep the up the fun part you may just need to ease off your single-minded concentration on the monetary benefits. It's supposed to be fun and profitable, if it isn't - then quit.
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