Video poker is a battlefield of odds where the casino is always trying to find a way to lure the players away from the good odds of a video poker game to something a bit riskier. They engage in tactics that look enticing and try to convince you that you can win more money for very little extra work. But be careful about falling for them. 

One of the common tactics out there is the double your money game that many online video poker machines will ask you to play when you win a hand.  Now, think of it this way. You have already won a hand at video poker because you followed a good strategy and you’ve developed your playing strategy. In fact, you’ve probably chosen to play video poker because you know it’s a game where strategy, not just luck comes into play.  So far, you’ve made all the right decisions. 

Then you win and the casino has a question for you – will you throw those good decisions out the window and may a bet based purely on luck?  For the double your money game, you’ll be shown 5 cards. The first is turned over and this is the dealer’s card.  All you have to do is choose one of the remaining 4 cards that is higher than the dealer’s card. 

Sounds easy enough. And sometimes you’ll win. The problem is that there is no strategy to this part of the game. There is nothing that will help you chose the best card from the four offered.  In fact, in a random deal there is no guarantee that any of the four cards you get to pick is higher than the dealer’s card. 

So, should you play the double or nothing bet?  Well, if you’re looking for long term play at video poker and hoping to keep your money in play long enough to hit a real jackpot, probably not.  But if you only have time to play a few hands and want to see if you can move your money up (or down) quickly, the bet will let you do that.  Me, I stick with long term benefits.