I’m going to start with one of the most basic aspects of video poker. It’s one aspect that you’ll have to consider no matter which game you play. How much do you bet when you play? The question isn’t one of the amount of money but one of the number of coins and the way odds are calculated.
Video poker is one of a handful of games where skilful play can turn the odds in favor of the player. But keep in mind that the payout for a video poker game is based on the number of coins you bet and you have to bet the full number of coins for a full payout. For a Royal Flush, there is a huge difference in payout for one coin and five coins. When the odds are calculated, they are calculated for a full payout playing at maximum coins. So, for the odds to be in your favor, you need to play for the full number of coins.
This doesn’t mean that you have to play for a lot of money. Video poker machines, either in real world casinos or online casinos. Casinos offer a the chance to play for a large range of denominations, from a penny to dollars. For most machines the maximum number of coins that you’ll need to play is five. So, multiply the amount you play by five. Or to look at it another way, choose to play at a machine that’s about one fifth the denomination you want to play for. So, if you want to bet a dollar for each hand, then play at a quarter machine. Or if you’re more comfortable starting at just a quarter a hand, play a nickel machine. Some casinos even offer penny machines. As your skill increases, you’ll find that even a small amount of money can keep you playing a long time. I’ve played for hours on twenty dollars and walked away with twenty-five dollars.
Just remember, bet the maximum number of coins for your machine. Always. Or else if you hit a royal flush or a jackpot, you could lose a fortune in potential winnings.
