• For instance, Bonus Poker offers better payouts for four of a kind wins than other machines, while Tens or Better pay out from a lower winning combination: a pair of tens. You can also try out progressive jackpot games if you want the chance to win big; this extra side bet gives you access to an extra jackpot that is randomly triggered.
• When setting the blind structure for your tournament keep in mind that you're playing at home, not in a high stakes casino. Blinds of more than a 2x jump can be a little too big for a home poker game.

1. Online Casino Poker
2. Casino Poker Video
3. Free Video Poker Like Casinos
4. How To Play Casino Poker

In this article, I am going to explain how to beat video Poker machines by:

• Playing smarter
• Playing slower
• Picking the best games
• Reducing the house edge
• Avoiding the stupidest mistakes

Video poker games. If you want a better chance of winning, then video poker is your best bet. # 4 Difference: Slots are More Relaxing to Play. Earlier we discussed how video poker features a lot more strategy than slots. But on the reverse side, slot machines are more relaxing for people who don’t care about strategy or a higher return.

In case you already know all of this and can’t wait to play some of the best video Poker games - this is the site you should visit.

However, if you’d like to know how to play better with a helpful video Poker strategy - continue reading.

What Makes Video Poker Special?

Since it made its entry into the Casino scene back in the 1970s, video Poker has gone from strength to strength to become one of the most popular gambling games.

Do you know why?

Video Poker is one of the few Casino games that not only offer some of the highest odds in Casino gambling but it gives you also the chance to influence the game’s outcome.

Yes, your skills can make a difference.

As if that’s not enough, video Poker is popular also because it brings into the mix a low house edge (profit to the Casinos) while still giving you, the player, a chance to win big (in Jackpot proportions).

Better still;

Video Poker gives you that much-craved anonymity in the sense that you can play alone and without the psychological pressure of a live Poker game.

In other words, you don’t have to deal with pit bosses, dealers, or fellow players who dissect and even irritatingly comment on your play.

While these are just some of the few godsend advantages that video Poker brings into your playbook, the biggest question remains: how can you beat video Poker machines?

You may have probably come across an adage in the betting circles that states:

'The house always has an advantage.'

It may be hard to refute this, but video Poker is almost an exception to this rule.

It doesn’t matter whether you play Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, or any other video Poker variation.

With the right skills, strategy, knowledge and an element of luck, you can beat video Poker machines hands down.

The fact that you are playing against a machine and not against other players is an advantage that makes video Poker machines very beatable.

Add this to the fact that you’re almost five times more likely to hit a big Jackpot (aka. the Royal Flush) when playing video Poker makes it one of the best games out there.

In fact, you should seriously consider moving from traditional Slot machines to video Poker machines.

But before you blindly jump ships, here’s the strategy you should follow to beat video Poker machines.

Learn the Rules of Video Poker

Playing video Poker is simple.

While there are various variants of video Poker, they have one thing in common: they’re all based on simple mechanics of five-card draw Poker.

Video Poker uses a standard 52-card deck.

After you make your wager and press the 'Deal' button, the machine randomly gives you five cards.

At this point, you need to choose which cards to keep and which cards to throw away or discard.

To keep them, tap on the pictures of your chosen cards on the screen.

Once you have made your pick, press the 'Draw' button for the machine to randomly replace the discarded cards.

In this exciting game, your winning is based on ending up with a Poker hand such as flush, straight, two pairs, or even a royal flush.

Always keep in mind that the amount that you win per hand depends on the Poker value of your hand and the posted pay table of the machine you’re playing.

One of the most important things to know on how to beat video Poker is that you have to make a wise decision on which of your dealt five cards to keep and which ones to discard.

Remember, making the right decision from the word go will give you the best chances of winning even a Jackpot.

Video Poker Basic Strategy

The gravest mistake that you can do in your quest to beat a video Poker machine is to attempt playing by just…guessing.

You will lose a lot of money on a simple game that gives you a real shot at winning.

Remember, having the right skills and using an optimum video Poker strategy will not only give you a higher chance of winning millions, but you will also enjoy the benefits that come with winning, such as comps that are set aside for Casino’s best players.

Keep in mind that you should also thoroughly practice on your computer before risking real money on a real video Poker machine.

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Choose the Right Pay Table

One of the best things about playing video Poker is that the machine allows you to know the expected return before you even start to play.

Video Poker is incomparable to any other game because unlike quite a few new slots, it is the only game that shows you the expected return on your money on the pay table.

It is therefore crucial that you do your research to identify the best video Poker machines that offer good paytables.

To find the most generous machine, you should understand that the return on a particular video Poker machine is based on the machine’s pay table.

For instance, Casinos average a profit of about 3 percent on each play on a video Poker game.

This profit is known as the house edge.

Now if the Casinos get 3%, you as the player should get a return of 97 percent, which can vary depending on the machine’s pay table.

That’s why you need to check out various machines and their pay tables before you play at the video Poker with the highest returns.

For example, you increase your chances of beating a video Poker machine if you choose a game with a paytable that offers 99.54 percent return than if you pick a video Poker with a paytable that provides a 97.29 percent return.

In other words, the 99.54 percent machine only keeps 0.47 percent house edge while the 97.29 percent machine keeps 2.71 percent.

In this case, choosing the 99.54 percent is the better option as it offers you close to full pay.

On the contrary, you will lose your money almost six times faster if you play on the 97.29 percent machine.

There is, consequently, no doubt that searching for a good machine will pay.

You should not fall prey to using machines that are lousy or machines that offer terrible paytables.

How to Beat the Jacks or Better Video Poker

Each video Poker game has its own strategies.

For instance, the strategy that will help you win on Jacks or Better is different from that which will help you succeed on Deuces Wild.

And because learning all the strategies on the book might be tiresome if not impossible, let’s look at how to beat video Poker Jacks or Better.

Even though Jacks or Better offers one of the lowest returns, especially when compared to games such as Deuces Wild, Double Bonus Poker, and other variations, it remains one of the most enthralling and rewarding video Pokers games, at least according to the majority of video Poker players.

Therefore, here are some crucial tips that will possibly help you win big and beat the video Poker machine while playing Jacks or Better.

Always Play the Max

It is always imperative to play maximum coins.

This is because Jacks or Better video Poker machines offer top payout for a royal flush (the Jackpot).

Playing maximum coins gives you the chance to get a bonus win when you hit a royal flush.

Even though you can bet between one to five coins per hand, you only stand a chance to get the bonus on a royal flush when you bet five coins per hand.

On the contrary, you can consider dropping down to a lower coinage if you aren’t comfortable with the five-coin bet.

The only difference is: you will not play for the Jackpot.

Find the Best Pay Table

As noted above, finding the best pay table is crucial if you are serious about beating a video Poker machine.

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Online Casino Poker

With regards to Jacks or Better, there is a myriad of pay charts available.

Although each pay chart offers a different house edge, you should always consider going for a 9/6 (or more) pay chart when playing Jacks or Better video Poker.

This is because a 9/6 is a fair return that offers full house pay on nine coins and flush pay on six coins.

Playing on a pay chart that offers less the 9/6 pay chart is a risky move and clear indication that you are playing with a bigger house edge.

In this case, you are giving the Casino more profit (money) per hand, thereby losing your money faster than you realize.

Slow Down

Like almost all Casino games, you should always remember that video Poker machines are designed for one main purpose: make a profit (house edge) for the Casino.

Either way, the more you play, the more you lose.

It is, therefore, advisable to apply what I call 'a slow-down strategy' when playing Jacks or Better.

No one will chase you and no one will call the clock if you take some time to decide what cards to keep.

Even better:

You can play and go on a break anytime you want.

The key is not to rush and not to play for volume. Video Poker, unlike online Poker, is a gambling game where the greater the number of your hands is, the higher are the chances that you will lose your money.

If you play Poker, you know that the key to being a winning player is 'to play fewer hands.'

Video Poker is different.

In video Poker, you don’t need to play fewer hands - you need to play slower hands.

This will help you in lessening your hourly losses, hence giving you the opportunity to play for longer and increase your chances to hit a royal flush or to put together a sizeable win.

Even though this is nothing but common sense, many players often ignore this basic gambling principle and therefore lose a lot of money within a very short period.

You need to take complete control of your hand-per-hour to get the chance to extend your playing time and minimise your losses at the same time.

Join a Player’s Club

More often than not, the player’s clubs are created and designed to get you and other players to play more and longer to get comps.

While this may seem like a negative, it shouldn’t be your ground of not joining them.

The Player’s clubs are your best chance to earn special bonuses that Casinos give only to their most valuable players.

This works to your advantage in the sense that it helps you reduce the house edge in the long run.

I strongly recommend you to browse through the best Casinos online and choose the one that has the best advantages when it comes to long-term video Poker playing.

Play the Progressive Jackpot Video Poker Machines

One of the main reasons why almost all Casinos offer progressive Jackpots is to give players an added chance of reaping big on a relatively small bet.

Jacks or Better video Poker games are known to offer some of the best progressive Jackpots out there, but you only stand a chance of winning if you use the best strategy.

The problem is, many progressive Jacks or Better video Poker machines use terrible pay tables.

You should be vigilant to ensure that you only play progressive Jackpot on machines that offer a comparatively good pay table.

Remember, progressive Jackpots offer players the chance of winning phenomenally big. It could be you.

But if you pick a video Poker game that gives you no chance of winning, then you won’t get a single chance to beat the game.

Keep an Eye on the Bonuses

There are always a lot of promotions and offers not just on the Jacks or Better video Poker, but on other games too.

By targeting the right promotions, you stand a bigger chance to beat video Poker machines since you get free money to play more games.

Don’t ignore the bonuses to play video Poker and don’t be afraid to use a Casino’s live chat feature to ask if there’s something for you.

Only last month, I received four bonuses only because…I asked for them.

Sometimes, online Casino websites are so bad that it’s nearly impossible for an average user to find all the promotions or all the latest Casino bonuses that are running at any given time.

If you want a bonus, ask for it. Remember: fortune favours the bold.

Be bolder.

Things to Avoid

And now, a few practical and simple tips to win at video Poker online.

The Kicker. When you play Jacks or Better video Poker, you should always avoid the widespread blunder of retaining a kicker.

Many players mistakenly think that keeping a kicker gives them a higher chance to win with a higher payout.

The Straight / Flush. You should also never attempt to keep three cards in your quest of chasing a straight or a flush.

Keeping three cards with the hope to grab a straight or a flush only leaves you in a losing position.

The only time that you can keep all the three cards is when you can pull off the highly valuable straight flush in your attempt at going after a big payout.

Keep in mind this basic strategy on how to beat video Poker machines: never give up a winning hand in an attempt at getting an even bigger hand.

Conclusion

Playing video Poker games, particularly Jacks or Better video Poker, is one the best choices you can make when you log in to your favourite online Casino.

Video Poker games come with a lot of options and features that not only make them a proper alternative to traditional Slot machines but also give players a real shot at winning big.

Finding a trustworthy room to play online poker can be a monumental burden. That's all the more true if you're just looking for a place to play poker for free. We've listed five of the best play-money poker sites to enjoy and help hone your skills.

Table Of Contents

Are you struggling to turn a decent profit at the poker tables on a consistent basis? Are your results best described as 'somewhere around break-even'?

First off, don't worry because you are not alone. This describes the results of the majority of poker players.

Often, however, it is just a few small strategy adjustments that can take your game from mediocre to amazing — from break-even to crushing it.

In this article, I am going to provide you with seven subtle but highly effective poker tips to take your game to the next level.

Editor's Tip: You can try all the poker tips on one of these free poker sites. Playing online poker for free is the best way to hone your poker skills and practice with no risk.

Try them — your bankroll will thank you.

1. Think About Ranges, Not Hands

One of the easiest ways to spot the difference between average poker players and elite ones is by how they think about what their opponent has.

• Average poker players try and put somebody on a specific hand.
• Advanced poker players think in terms of ranges.

A range is essentially the entire spectrum of hands somebody can have in a specific situation. For example, player X can have a flush, top pair, middle pair, bottom pair, a draw, ace-high or a complete air-ball bluff.

Good players understand that player X will show up with this entire range of hands with various frequencies.

They try and figure out those frequencies and then make the best play.

Average players try to put an opponent on exactly (or some other specific hand) because that's 'what their gut tells them.'

Watch the video below to understand how poker pro Jason Wheeler uses every possible information available to understand his opponent's cards and choose his play.

Poker Tip Key Takeaway: Be Realistic

Think about your opponent's range instead. Nobody has a specific hand in poker — they only have a range.

They will show up with different hands to varying degrees.

2. Ditch Your Favorite Hand

A lot of people have a favourite hand. I know that every time I get dealt the old -suited my eyes light up and I want to play it so bad!

However, in reality, I know that -suited is a mediocre hand.

It makes sense to play it in some spots — late position, for instance, in an unopened pot. But it should almost always be folded in early position.

If you currently have a favourite hand, that's fine — most people do. But don't give it preferential treatment and make bad plays with it.

Winning poker is about math and cold hard logic, not superstition.

Poker Tip Key Takeaway: Be Smart

Playing too many hands is a widespread mistake (see: Five Common Mistakes New Poker Players Make).

One of the best ways to avoid it is to introduce range-based thinking in your reads.

3. Adopt a Consistent Strategy

Another big key to becoming a great poker player (and perhaps one of the most important poker tips you should know) is consistently applying a winning strategy.

It is not okay suddenly to change things up (e.g. to open with -suited from early position) just because you are bored or tilted.

All of your learning, experience and study over the years has given you a body of knowledge telling you how to play this game profitably.

But it only actually matters if you apply it at the poker tables all the time. Every hand counts and every session counts.

Elite poker players apply the same winning strategy over and over again, no matter how they feel or what their recent results have been.

Poker Tip Key Takeaway: Be Consistent

Poker is a long-term game. You need time to build your bankroll and find the right strategy that works for you.

You should not change your strategy after a big win or a big loss (here's why). If you really feel like your approach needs to change, make sure you read Nathan Williams' Handling the Ups and Downs of Low Stakes Poker first.

4. Always Have a Reason

Big-time winning poker players will sometimes break from their standard, successful strategies, but always for obvious reasons.

An average player might start raising -suited in early position because he is bored or wants to make something happen.

An elite poker player will raise with this hand in this position on occasion because he notices the table is playing passively and there are a couple of recreational players in the blinds.

There is a clear reason then to believe that raising -suited in early position (typically a fold under normal circumstances) might be a profitable play in this situation.

If you can produce a well-reasoned argument why deviating from your regular strategy might be more profitable, then it is okay. It is the 'because I feel like it' or 'I am bored' reasoning that has to go.

Poker Tip Key Takeaway: Be Reasonable

Think. Use your experience to analyse the situations, and then understand 'why' you would take one road and not another.

Casino Poker Video

If you don't have enough experience to evaluate different situations yet, you better go back to the free games and grind.

5. Know When to Fold Your Aces

Another clear difference between average poker players and great poker players is the ability to fold an overpair.

You know that little sick feeling you get when you have and a tight opponent raises all-in on the turn? You make the so-called 'crying call', and he turns over the set yet again.

You need to start paying attention to that feeling a little bit more often.

Certain patterns are easily recognisable at the lower stakes — especially when you play online poker — where it is 100 per cent the correct play to fold your overpair.

Good players can let go of any emotional attachment to their pretty-looking hands. Average players get married to their aces or kings instead, and can't let them go even when they know they are beat.

Poker Tip Key Takeaway: Aces Lose Too

Starting with the top of all poker hands isn't enough to guarantee you the pot.

Ask anyone for good poker pro tip, and they will all tell you the same thing: sometimes, you'll need to fold those Aces.

6. Realise Tilt Only Hurts You

Tilt is a destroyer of bankrolls, dreams and poker careers.

I can't tell you how often I receive emails or comments from people who describe to me how they've tilted vast amounts of their bankroll away when things went badly at the poker tables.

The reality of poker is that sometimes things will go badly for you, and there is absolutely nothing that you can do about it.

This is what you sign up for every time you sit down to play.

There's always the possibility you might run terribly. You might run lights out as well, though.

When you allow yourself to lose control of your emotions and throw your strategy out the window, the only person you are hurting is yourself.

All those hours you've spent trying to learn and improve your game were basically wasted because you decided to choose your emotions over reason when it mattered.

Respect the work that you have done. You owe it to yourself to maintain more composure and stop throwing away money when the cards go south.

Free Video Poker Like Casinos

Poker Tip Key Takeaway: Relax

The psychological side of poker can be overwhelming, and you need to be ready to deal with it.

Swings happen and bad beats will come. If you don't know how do deal with this, have a look at the poker tips Italy's poker pro Rocco Palumbo shared with PokerNews at the 2017 PokerStars Championship Prague.

If these tips work for Palumbo, they may as well work for you!

7. Don't Play in Bad Games

One more way average players regularly sabotage their poker results is by stubbornly playing in games that are full of decent-to-good regulars.

If you can't find somebody at the table who is playing very poorly, then you have to ask yourself why it is that you are even there.

If you only play poker for the mental challenge or recreation or pleasure, then this is fine. This poker tip doesn't necessarily apply to you.

But if winning is at all a priority for you, then you need to remember you don't turn a significant profit in poker by pushing tiny edges against good poker players.

You win big by playing against players who are making significant fundamental errors and giving away their money over the long term.

As the classic movie Rounders reminds us, 'If you can't spot the sucker in your first half-hour at the table, then you are the sucker.'

How To Play Casino Poker

Poker Tip Key Takeaway: Choose the Right Games

Don't sit with the pros if you can't beat them. Selecting the right games is key to your successes in poker — one wrong move, and you are out.

Again, there's no shame in playing free poker games or in looking for the easiest poker games to play online if that's what you need.

Final Thoughts

The divide between break-even players and big-time winners is not as wide as many people think.

It is often just a few simple little adjustments you can learn over time that can carry you over to enable you to start winning at a higher clip.

A lot of it has to do with starting to view the game in a much more cold, detached, mathematical and logical way than you presently do.

Emotional and/or superstitious poker players almost always lose or struggle to remain even.

Elite poker players, meanwhile, know they are in it for the long haul and don't get overly wrapped up in each hand or moment. They continue to make the most profitable play again and again, no matter what.

Nathan 'BlackRain79' Williams is the author of the popular micro stakes strategy books Crushing the Microstakes and Modern Small Stakes. He also blogs regularly about all things related to the micros over at www.blackrain79.com.

_{This article was originally published on Feb. 13, 2017. Last update: November 28, 2019.}

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