Video Poker Optimal Strategy

As the player during the game can make decisions, there is the optimal strategy of the game. The Video Poker optimal strategy allows the player to reach the maximum possible mean value of the game results (but in no way it may guarantee the player's gain). Actually for each variation of Video Poker game and almost for each Video Poker pay table the optimal strategy shall be unique. Besides, depending on the casino online software, the pay tables which reduce the maximum payout percentage might vary greatly increasing the house edge.

Online Casino Video Poker Optimal Strategy The optimal strategies for the most popular Video Poker games and pay tables could be found in Internet. There also exist software products, which calculate and give the opportunity to practice the game for the training purposes in terms of the optimal strategy for the majority of the Video Poker variations.

A strategy, which is the most near to the optimal, possible to be used for the majority of the games like "Jacks or better" and which may give losses of just 0,1-0,2 %, gives the following recommendations for keeping cards (see the list from top downward, as soon as you see the combination that you have - keep the stated cards):

1. Full house or better
2. 4 cards for royal flush
3. Straight, trey or flush
4. 4 cards for run flush
5. Two pairs
6. Better pair (Jack or better)
7. 3 cards for royal flush
8. 4 cards for flush
9. Low pair (tens or lower)
10.4 cards for external straight
11.2 senior cards of the same suit (major)
12.3 cards for straight flush
13.2 senior cards of different suit (offsuit) (if more than 2 senior cards, you should keep lower cards)
14.10/Jack, 10/Queen, 10/King of the same suit
15. One senior card
16. Discard all.
Note: senior cards - from Jack to Ace; external straight - four cards in a row (e.g. 5,6,7,8,) as distinguished from the internal straight, where between the four cards to the straight there is a missing card (e.g. 5,6,8,9).