Video Poker strategy

How to use this Video Poker strategy

To make this strategy easy to use, we've divided it up into sections, each one dealing with the number of significant cards in the hand you're dealt.

Within each section, we advise you on what to do and what not to do

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Some example hands

NB in all cases, High card = Jack and higher, Low card = 10 and below.

• Let's say you're dealt K♦, J♥, 9♠, 3♠, 3♥. In this case, you should look under the '2 card hands' section (as the two 3s are the most significant cards) and read the instructions under do and do not.
• If you're dealt Q♠, J♥, 7♣, 6♣, 3♣, look under the '3 card hands' section (as the Clubs are the more significant cards).
• Some hands may come under more than one category e.g. A♦, A♣, J♠, 10♠, 9♠ comes under '2 card hands' (pair of Aces), '3 card hands' (3 to a Straight Flush) and also the 'Confusing hands - how to rank them' section which tells you how to separate hands which may not be straightforward.

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2 card hands

Do

ANY pair is better than 1 or 2 high cards, even if the 2 cards are suited and connected.

If you don't have a pair (high or low) hold up to a maximum of 2 high cards, ranked from low to high (eg Q,J rather than A,Q) - unless you have two or three suited high cards, in which case hold the suited high cards.

Do not

Don't hold a single high card with a pair.

Don't play just 2 suited and connected cards.

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3 card hands

Do

Hold three suited and connected high cards (10, J, Q or higher), unless you also have a High pair.

Do not

Don't hold 3 suited low cards (lower than a 10) if you also have a pair (high or low).

Don't hold 3 suited cards hoping to get a flush.

Don't hold 3 connected, unsuited cards, hoping to get a straight.

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4 card hands

Do

Hold a 4 card open-ended straight (connected, unsuited cards) unless you also have a pair (high or low).

Hold a 4 card flush (suited, not connected) unless you also have a high pair.

Do not

Don't try to draw to the inside of a straight. Only draw to a straight that's open at both ends.

eg if you have 2, 3, 5, 6, Q, don't hold 2, 3, 5, 6 hoping to draw a 4. A straight like 6, 7, 8, 9 can be completed with both a 5 and a 10 so your chances of winning are much higher.

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5 card hands

Do

Break up a 5 card straight or flush if you have a chance of a Royal Flush. e.g. if you had 8♦, 10♦, J♦, Q♦, K♦, discard the 8 and hope for the A♦.

Do not

Don't break up a 5 card straight or flush in an attempt to get a straight flush. The hand is already going to win, so it makes no sense to risk it for the small chance of a higher payout.

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Confusing hands - how to rank them

Do

Sometimes you'll be faced with hands that give you a number of possible outcomes. In that case, you should rank them in this order (all based on probability - trust it!):

1. High Pair
2. 3 cards of a Royal Flush
3. 4 card Flush
4. Low pair
5. 4 card open-ended straight

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No significant cards - just dump them!

Do

If you haven't got at least a single high card or a low pair, just discard all 5 and draw some more.

Do not

Waste money on a lost cause!