Unlike most casino games, a player with optimal strategy that chooses the right games can gain a small advantage over the house. In fact, a player’s long term payout percentage can exceed 100 in some cases.  Playing on tables with inferior pay tables with incorrect strategy, however, can make video poker an expensive form of gambling.

How Video Poker Strategy Works

Because each version of video poker differs so drastically, it is nearly impossible to summarize effective video poker strategy. The only way to effectively learn the various strategies is to memorize charts that instruct the player what to do in various situations, not unlike basic strategy in blackjack.

Strategy usually dictates which cards a player should save and discard given his or her initial hand. For instance, a Jacks or Better video poker player confronted with a hand composed of a single high card, a unsuited low card, and three cards to an inside straight flush must choose whether to keep the high card or flush cards. While it is tempting to keep the flush cards in hopes of a large payout, effective strategy would instruct the player to keep the high card. Because the lowest paying hand in Jacks or Better video poker is a pair of Jacks, one of the player’s four discarded cards is much more likely to match the saved high card compared to the chances of hitting the two cards needed to complete a straight flush.

Learning Video Poker Strategy

For most players, simple video poker strategy is sufficient, as the difference between simply strategy and optimal strategy is normally very small. For instance, perfectly executed Jacks or Better simple strategy allows for a return of 99.46 per cent, while optimal strategy provides a return of 99.54 per cent. However, for serious players, this slight difference can significantly change the result of long-term play. Players who wish to become skilled at video poker are generally advised to first learn simple strategy, mastering it before moving on to more advanced concepts.

Video Poker Games Have Hot and Cold Streaks

One of the most prominent myths about video poker games is that they run on cold and hot streaks. While illusions of patterns may emerge during short term play, every single hand has the same probability of winning and losing. This is due to the random number generator that powers video poker games, along with all electronic or digital casino devices. Likewise, it is also a myth that a game is likely to provide a large payout after a long series of losses. Again, the random number generator guarantees that all hands abide by the same probability.

Video Poker Games are programmed for Near Hits

Another common myth is that video poker games are specifically fixed to get very close to high-paying hands. For instance, a game may draw four cards needed for a royal flush with the final card of the correct number and wrong suit. The players that believe this myth explain that such behaviour must be hard-coded into the game to excite players and entice them to keep betting. However, each card is completely random, just as if they were being drawn from a well-shuffled deck. One explanation for why people tend to believe this myth is that they likely remember hands that almost win big, while forgetting those that are not even close.

Other Players Can Steal Royal Flushes

Some individuals may have played many video poker hands in a row with no luck when another player walks up to the same machine and wins big after just a few hands. Similarly, a player might be wagering on video poker online and hear news of a royal flush just minutes after they stopped. While this can lead some players to believe that they might have won that same hand if they had kept playing, such a conclusion is invalid. The random number generator in a video poker game continuously shuffles the cards, even when nobody is playing. To get the royal flush another player hit, one would need to deal and draw on the same millisecond as the winner.

Payback Percentages above 100 Guarantee a Win

While playing on machines with a payback percentage of greater than 100 is always advantageous, it does not guarantee that a player will win, or even be profitable while playing for a few hours. Rather, the posted payback percentage is reached over the course of thousands of hands. Theoretically, a player who wagered long enough could hit this figure, but doing so is highly unlikely.

How Expected Returns Work

Expected returns work differently on various forms of video poker. Because full play Jacks or Better is the most commonly played type of video poker, it may be helpful to use it as an example. In full play Jacks or Better, a player is paid 6 to 1 for a full house and 4 to 1 for a straight.

If a player draws 4 out of 5 needed cards for a flush, there are 9 cards out of the remaining 47 in the deck that could complete the hand. This is because there are 13 total cards in each suit, 4 of which the player already holds. Thus, the player’s chance of being paid out 6 to 1 is 9/47. To calculate the expected return for this situation, the player must multiply the pay ratio by the odds of winning. Because 6 times 9/47 equals approximately 1.15, the expected return for the player in this example is 115 per cent.

The player may have to decide what type of hand to pursue in some cases. For instance, if the player in the example above could sacrifice his or her chances at a flush to pursue an outside straight draw, he or she would need to calculate which option provides a higher expected return. In an outside straight draw, there are 8 cards out of the 47 remaining that can complete the hand. Using the payout for a straight, 4 to 1, the player can determine the expected return for this situation as well. Again, the payout ratio must be multiplied by the player’s odds of completing the hands, providing a result of approximately 0.68. This translates to an expected return of 68 per cent.

By calculating the expected returns of both options, the player in this example can discover that saving the cards necessary for a flush is a more statistically sound decision than holding the straight cards. Because each initial hand can be played 32 different ways, making decisions based on expected returns can greatly increase one’s chances of being profitable over the course of many hands.

Rules for Triple 7s

For the most part, Triple 7s is played with the same rules as standard blackjack. However, there are some exceptions. For instance, the dealer’s cards are both dealt face up. Additionally, players may only double down on 9, 10 or 11, and cannot do so after a split. Players may split 7s at certain casinos, but this typically makes them ineligible for bonus payments, so doing so is not advised.

Before each hand, players make a side bet. This is usually compulsory, but is optional at some casinos. However, players who choose not to make this bet cannot collect winnings for bonuses. Certain casinos allow players to wager as much as they wish on this side bet, although most restrict side bets to a set figure. After this betting round, all players receive two cards. At most casinos, players with a single 7 are paid out 5 to 1. Players with two 7s receive a payout of 25 to 1, unless these 7s are suited, in which case the payout becomes 50 to 1. Players that receive two 7s and hit for a third receive a much larger payout, although the precise ratio varies between casinos. If these three 7s are all diamonds, the player wins the entire progressive jackpot, which is composed of every side bet up until that point.

Triple 7s Tips

Above all, players should play Triple 7s at casinos that offer competitive bonuses for a hand of three 7s. Players should also look for Triple 7s tables with a large number of players, as this greatly increases the rate at which the progressive jackpot accumulates.

Horn Bet Variations

The standard horn bet consists of four proposition bets on 2, 3, 11 and 12. The amount on each bet is typically low. For instance, a player wishing to make a £8 horn bet would actually make four £2 wagers on 2, 3, 11 and 12. Because the dealer places proposition bets for the player, referring to these four bets as a single horn bet allows the player to more quickly inform the dealer of his or her wager. Because the payout for each number is rather large, the winnings from a successful horn bet always outweigh the losses as long as an equal amount is bet on each of its four parts.

There are a few popular types of horn bets. One example is the horn low. This wager is identical to the horn bet, except that it places extra money on the lowest of the four numbers. For instance, a horn low might place £4 on the 2, keeping £2 on the 3, 11, and 12. Similarly, a player betting horn high may place extra money on the 12, as well.

Finally a horn high yo bet places extra money on the 11. The horn high yo pays the lowest out of the three horn bet variations, but is slightly safer than horn high and horn low. Bets on 2 and 12 pay 30 to 1 with a house edge of about 13.89 per cent, while bets on 3 and 11 pay 15 to 1 with a house edge of 11.10 per cent.

Horn Bet Tips

While horn bets seem to increase the chances of hitting a large payout, gamblers should exercise caution in placing such wagers. Even when with all four bets combined, the chances of hitting a horn bet are still quite low. Because proposition bets end after one throw, they can quickly deplete a player’s bankroll. Since the horn bet is composed of four such wagers, overusing it can burn through a lot of funds. Still, a player with good money management skills can safely make an occasional horn bet, potentially winning a significant sum of money.

Player Side Area

The player side area is home to several popular bets, like the Pass Line, Don’t Pass Line, Big 6 and Big 8 bets. This area is also home to the field, which is actually a series of several one roll wagers. A field bet is successful if 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 or 12 are rolled. Some casinos do not offer the Big 6 and Big 8 bets, in which case they are absent from the player side area.

Dealer Side Area

The dealer side area includes the place bets and don’t place bets. Although come and don’t come bets are initially placed between the dealer and player sides, they are moved to the dealer side area if they do not immediately win or lose. Hop bets are also held in this area, although they are typically handled by the boxman instead of a base dealer. The hop bet is a single roll wager on a specific combination of the two dice on the next roll. For instance, a player could bet that the next throw would result in a 6 and a 2.

Proposition Box

The proposition box takes up most of the middle of the craps table and typically contains the highest paying bets, although they are also the least likely to be successful. This includes single roll bets like snake eyes, ace-deuce, boxcars, hi-lo, C & E, and world. This can include bets on single numbers, such as the yo bet on 11, or combined bets, like the horn bet on 2, 3, 11 and 12. Also found in the proposition are easy way and hard way bets. For example, if a player wanted to wager that two identical 4s would be rolled together before a 7, he or she would place a hard 8 bet in the proposition box.

Craps Table Tips

The craps table can be confusing at first glance. With such an intricate and complex layout, it can be difficult for new players to figure out where to place their bets. The best way to learn how to interpret a craps table’s layout is to watch others play several rounds before joining. Although new players are advised to make safer wagers like Pass Line and come bets, they should be sure to observe the actions of other players to learn how other bets work.

Super Fun 21 Rules

Super Fun 21 is played with most of the same rules as traditional blackjack, but with a few variations. Two of these rules work against the players while the others serve to aid them. By directing the dealer to hit on a soft 17 and paying even for player blackjacks instead of 3 to 2, the house makes up for the edge lost by the more beneficial rules. Still, the perks granted by Super Fun 21 are considerable.

The largest player advantage is that a hand totalling 20 with six or more cards automatically wins, as does a hand totalling 21 with five or more cards. This rule applies even when the dealer shows a natural blackjack. Likewise, a player’s natural blackjack beats the dealer’s, as opposed to other forms of blackjack in which this would result in a push. Although most player blackjack pays even money in Super Fun 21, a diamond-suited blackjack pays 2 to 1. These means that 15 out of every 16 natural blackjacks pays even money.

Super Fun 21 Tips

Super Fun 21 provides a particularly interesting challenge for card counters. While a high count increases their chances of a blackjack, a low count makes scoring a 21 with five or more cards more likely. As such, both extremely high and low counts present profitable betting opportunities.

For those that have not mastered card counting, basic strategy charts for Super Fun 21 are widely available. Such charts provide players with the most statistically advantageous decision in any given situation. For instance, if a player holds a hard 13 when the dealer shows a 6, the player should stand. However, if the player’s 13 is soft in the same situation, he or she should double down.  Making use of such a chart is one of the best ways to improve one’s long-term chances when playing Super Fun 21.

Spanish 21 Rules

Spanish 21 is played with most of the same rules as traditional blackjack. Players may double after splitting and can re-split Aces. At most casinos, a face card paired with a split Ace does not count as a blackjack.  Some casinos allow redoubling. While most versions of Spanish 21 force the dealer to hit on 16 and stand on 17, some casinos allow the dealer to stand on a soft 17, which increases the house edge.

Some casinos offer an additional Match the Dealer side bet. This allows players to make an additional wager in hopes that one of their two cards will match the dealer’s face up card. How much this bonus pays usually depends on the size of the shoe. For instance, an unsuited match pays 3 to 1 in an eight-deck game, while a suited match pays 12 to 1. The house edge of this bet also changes with the number of decks. While the edge is 3.06 per cent in a six-deck game, this decreases to 2.99 per cent in an eight-deck game.

Spanish 21 Bonus Payouts

While rules may vary between casinos, winning card combinations and their corresponding bonus payouts are usually consistent across all gambling venues.

A player with a total of 21 made up of five cards pays 3 to 2, while a six-card 21 pays 2 to 1. A hand total of 21 consisting of seven or more cards pays 3 to 1.  Similarly, if a player possesses a hand consisting of a 6, 7 and 8 or three 7s, he or she is awarded a bonus payout. If this set is unsuited, the payout is 3 to 2. A suited set pays 2 to 1, while a suited set in spades pays 3 to 1.

A player that holds three suited 7s when the dealer also shows a 7 is usually awarded a Super Bonus of $1,000 for bets under $25. This bonus increases to $5,000 for bets over $25. Additionally, all other players receive an Envy Bonus of $50.

Spanish 21 Tips

Players should usually avoid splitting 7s, as this makes them ineligible for a bonus payout in the event that a third 7 is flipped. Most casinos do not award bonuses for any hands that have been doubled or split.

Myth: Slot machines that have not hit recently are due to pay out soon.

Truth: Slot machines operate based on a random number generator, meaning that they can never be due to hit at a given time. On the contrary, random number generators ensure that each spin has the same chances of winning as the last. Despite what some gamblers might claim, this means that each spin is statistically independent. In other words, the outcome of previous spins cannot in any way influence future spins.

Myth: Betting systems can guarantee wins at the slots.

Truth: An effective slots betting system would depend on an observable pattern in the behaviour of a given machine. Such a pattern cannot exist due to the presence of the random number generator. While some individuals may think they have caught on a game’s pattern over the course of a few spins, this is simply the result of luck. Slots are programmed to return a certain amount of money over long-term play, but individual spins are never predetermined. Even if a game is hard-coded to hit the jackpot an average of once every 8,000 spins, this does not mean that a jackpot is guaranteed after 7,999 unsuccessful spins. The probability of hitting the jackpot remains 1 in 8,000 for every spin.

Myth: Casinos can adjust a slot machine’s chances of paying out at any time.

Truth: Whether online or in land-based casinos, slots are preprogrammed with a specific payout percentage. This cannot be tampered with by the casino while people are playing. In fact, casinos are generally required to publish their payout percentages, which are confirmed by third-party organizations.

Myth: A slot machine’s payout percentage is an indication of how much profit a player can make.

Truth: While slots’ payout percentages do tell a player how much out of every pound is paid back to a gambler, these figures are reached over the course of thousands of spins. Thus, a slot machine with a payout percentage of 93 will not necessarily guarantee a player 93 per cent of his or her wagered money. Instead, this number informs gamblers that out of each £1,000,000 or so, £930,000 will be paid back to players. How exactly this money is distributed is up to the random number generator.

Why to Join a Slots Club

In most cases, there are no disadvantages to joining a slots club. Casinos use them to encourage players to keep gambling, but players can reap impressive rewards for loyal play. This includes regular matching bonuses, faster withdrawals, priority support service, free merchandise and cashback programs. In fact, if one factors in the benefits conferred by slots club membership, the house edge on slots is effectively reduced, often by as much as two per cent. Depending on how much a player bets, his or her slots club may even provide even larger benefits, such as invitations to special live events or a personal account manager.

How Slots Clubs Work

Most slots clubs award players with points in proportion to the amount they wager on slot machines. Many programs use a ladder system, granting improved status to players that accumulate enough points. For instance, a player may receive 1 point for every £10 wagered. When that player reaches 1,000 points, he or she might advance to the next level of membership. With this advancement generally comes better perks, like a more advantageous point conversion rate or special bonus offers. Most slots clubs require members to meet a certain quota to maintain their status, but some allow players to keep their level for life.

Slots Club Cashback Programs

Cashback programs are a common feature of slots clubs. These programs reimburse players for a certain percentage of the total money they have wagered. For instance, a slots club member might receive four pence out of every pound they bet. Most online casinos credit a player’s account with this money automatically, although this is normally only done weekly or biweekly. While many cashback programs reimburse players based on total money wagered, some only consider losses. For instance, a casino might refund 15 per cent of a player’s total lost bets.

Choosing the Best Slots Club

In general, players should choose a slots club with the best perks. However, some clubs may reward certain playing styles more than others. For instance, a casino may offer slots players a smaller bonus that is easier to clear. This is ideal for casual players, but for those who plan on gambling regularly should seek out clubs that offer better long-term bonuses. Of course, one should make sure to join a slots club at a casino with attractive, fun and well-regarded slot machines.