Since I’m an avid video poker player, I often search the internet to see what other players are saying about the game. Now video poker isn’t as subjective as games like Texas Hold’em poker so I’m often surprised when I come across different recommendations or opinions. But those are the fun days because when someone tells me something different from what I believe or understand about video poker, it makes me stop and think through my experiences and the advice I give players. Today I came across the site http://onlinecasinovp.com/free-video-poker.html discussing the reason to play video poker for free. Now, according to this site, free video poker is a great way to kill some time. So, what do I think?
Well, I can’t disagree entirely. In fact, yes, there have been times when I have played a few free video poker games to pass the time when I’m in between a couple of important things and don’t want to get too involved in a gambling game. Oh, say when I’m getting ready to leave the house for an appointment and don’t need to leave for another 15 minutes. But “killing time” isn’t the reason I advise people to play free video poker because there really is a more important reason – Practice. Oh, my friend on the casino site, eventually gets to that reason, but I’m surprised that it wasn’t the first or most prominent reason.
Video poker players know that it takes a strong strategy to turn the odds in the game in their direction and that there are even levels of strategy available to them. Basic strategy is for those new to the game and will improve on the odds over no strategy, but as players improve, they refine that basic strategy and improve the odds even more. The reason we play video poker for free is to practice our strategy and to move from a simple level of strategy to a more complex level. Sure we can get in a little practice while killing time, but a good strategy practice session is often more intense and focused. The goal here is to get better so we can play video poker and win real money.
