Video poker has grown immensely in popularity over the past few decades and for good reason. The game combines elements of the beloved card game poker with the fast-paced, engaging nature of slot machines. However, unlike slots which rely purely on luck, video poker introduces a skill element that allows strategic players to gain an advantage and increase their chances of walking away a winner.
This guide explores key tips and strategies to level up your play at Slot Lords Casino and on other platforms. Master these methods for making mathematically sound decisions and you’ll be on your way to extracting maximum value from the game like a pro.
Know Your Game and Machine
With a multitude of available video poker variants, first understand the specific game and pay table of the machine you’ll be using. Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild and Double Bonus poker each have their own set of optimal strategies around holding, drawing and betting. Study basic guides for the game you’ll be playing to learn the smartest moves for every hand.
Pay special attention to the machine’s pay table, which shows the payouts for various hand strengths. Full pay tables offer maximum returns while short pays reduce the amount won for certain combinations. Make sure you know exactly what the machine is paying before inserting your money so you can adjust decisions accordingly.
Play With Full Coins to Hit Royal Flushes
While it may be tempting to insert one or two coins at a time, play for fun with maximum coins activates increased payouts for royal flush jackpots. With optimal strategy, the jackpot payouts outweigh the higher cost to play when performed over the long run. Max coins also frequently unlock bonus payouts for four-of-a-kind hands. The superior expected value offered via full coin play is well worth the larger bets.
Leverage Optimal Draw Strategy Charts
For any hand you’re dealt, there is a mathematically ideal playing decision that maximize your return. Consult readily available video poker strategy charts to understand the perfect way to play each combination based on the specific game and pay table. By memorizing these optimum choices over time, drawing and holding decisions become second nature and you’ll significantly cut down on mistakes.
While you’re learning, keep strategy charts handy as you play so you can reference them for each hand. Correct plays may sometimes seem counterintuitive but following the data-backed choices puts the odds in your favor.
Choose the Right Denominations
When selecting a video poker machine, pay attention to denominations. Lower denominations like 25¢ or 50¢ machines offer worse returns due to higher proportional fees taken by the casino. Up the minimum bet to $1 per hand or higher whenever possible. The better pay tables available at higher denominations lead to noticeably larger payouts over time.
The following table illustrates the difference in expected return between denominations:
| Denomination | Return to Player |
| 25¢ | 95% |
| $1 | 99% |
| $5 | 99.5% |
While higher denominations require a larger bankroll, the substantially better returns justify playing for $1 or more per hand.
Promote Discipline Through Bankroll Management
Like any gambling activity, bankroll management is critical in video poker to survive the inevitable swings in luck and come out ahead over time. Set aside a dedicated amount of money for play and be extremely disciplined about stopping once you’ve reached your loss limit during any session. The key is stretching your bankroll over many gaming sessions rather than depleting it quickly in hopes of a fast score.
A common bankroll strategy is to have at least 300 big bets at your selected denomination to ride out cold streaks. If playing $1 machines, have at least $300 set aside. By exhibiting discipline around bankroll conservation, you’ll still be in the game when the cards start swinging your way again.
Slow Down and Avoid Rushed Play
When playing video poker for an extended period, fatigue can set in which leads to hurried decisions and costly mistakes. Fight the urge to play rapidly and autopilot through hands. Actively slow yourself down, thoroughly think through each hand and double check that you’re making the right mathematical play.
Quickly clicking “Deal” repeatedly while your mind is elsewhere is a recipe for giving money away. By consciously decelerating and closely hand-picking each draw and hold, you’ll notice considerable improvement in your results over the long run. Stay mentally sharp and don’t allow rushed, mindless play to take over.
