Five Rules about Video Poker Pay Tables

I wasn't always good at video poker, but after some trial and error sessions, I came to realize that there are always five things to remember. The first is that a bigger bet always provides me with better odds. Now, this might seem a bit counterintuitive to you, but trust me when I say that it adds anywhere from 1% to 2% of the total payout percentage of any given machine. This might not seem like much, but if you're starting with a game that already offers 97%, then you're looking at the possibility of a 99% return - and that's fantastic as far as I'm concerned.

No Two Are the Same

Next, I always remember to look at the video poker pay tables whenever I move on to a new game or even the same one with a different software provider. For instance, Jacks or Better is a title that is offered by no less than three different software developers, but that doesn't mean that the payoffs are always going to be the same. As such, you should always take the time to make sure that you've chosen a title that is going to be worth your time.

Remember the Small Details

Next, you're going to want to make sure that you pay attention to the smallest details of the video poker pay tables. For instance, while you might get excited because Machine A will award you much more than Machine B for anything starting at a Full House and going up, you have to consider how many times you'll actually be able to build these hands. Rather, it's often better to choose a title in which you'll receive better prizes for pairs, three of a kind, and four of a kind. This is where the majority of your wins come from.

Remember the Volatility

I discovered volatility on my own one day, and this really changed things for me for good. Here's how I figured it out: the options that offer up a huge reward for the hands with the worst odds were also those that didn't provide any winnings hands for a long period of time. However, the ones that offered moderate prizes for everything - including a high pair - tended to provide wins much more frequently. Over time, this is what I wanted, so I now make sure that I stick with highly volatile options.

Casinos Mix Things Up

Last, but absolutely not least, is a lesson that I learned the hard way. I found Aces and Eights that I really, really loved and that seemed to provide me with plenty of cold, hard cash. However, one day, I noticed that something had changed and I wasn't bringing in the cash like I once had. Upon further review, I noticed that the venue had completely changed the video poker pay tables for all of their machines. I was quite dismayed, but the fact is that they have every right to do so. As such, be sure that you look things over each and every time you decide to play.