wonderpunter

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[SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Many players often say, ''I've got this, I've been playing video poker for the last few weeks and accrued a whopping 20,000 credits, I must be a whiz. I'm going to knock them dead once I start playing at the [/FONT]online casinos[FONT=arial].'' [/FONT]

[FONT=arial]If this is your thinking then get this thought out your head fast. I'm going to explain why this level of thinking might land you in hot water and how to play video poker like a pro. [/FONT]

[FONT=arial]I'm not going to discuss each hand and its odds since it's outside the scope of this article.[/FONT]

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[SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Normally all the games in the 'free mode' are little looser when your hard-earned cash is not on the line.

It might give you an idea how the game pays out and its rules but it's not the real deal. When you play for real cash or putting your money on the line you have a vested interest in the game.

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[SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Most online casinos' video poker games offer a RTP (return to the player) of between 96% and 101%. The game of video poker is played with a 52 card deck and similar to normal poker, sans jokers.

Video poker paytables is built around the standard winning hands of traditional poker. Before you understand the best strategy you must recognize each winning hand first. There are four suits: diamonds, hearts, clubs and spades. Each suit has 13 consecutively numbered cards from 2 to 10, then from jack to ace.

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[SIZE=3][FONT=arial]The hands in video poker are jacks or better, two pair, three of a kind, straight, flush, full house, four of a kind, bonus four of a kind with a kicker, five of a kind (only applies to wild card games), straight flush and royal flush.

The difference between video poker and real poker is that you're playing against a machine and not against humans. The game of video poker is programmed based on the laws of probability. In other words each game's variant has its own RTP and pays out randomly.

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[SIZE=3][FONT=arial][B]Understand The Basics

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[SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Online video poker machines operate on the ''random shuffle'' principle. Each machine retains a portion of the cash you've wagered. In the industry this is known as ''vigorish'' or house edge. If you don't know the hand ranking of each hand you'll give the casino an unnecessary edge against you.

Only your skill, knowledge, strategy and hopefully a little luck will make you a winning video poker player.

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[SIZE=3][FONT=arial]In live table poker a distinction is made between low and high pairs. When playing video poker the winning hands were altered from a high pair to a pair of jacks or better. If you're playing for quarters and you're dealt one queen, you hold the queen and receive another. If the game is Jacks or Better you've won.

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[SIZE=3][FONT=arial]On most video poker paytables Jacks or Better is the lowest winning hand. Three of a kind are three cards of equal denomination regardless of suits. But the hand that most novice players normally miss are straights.

A straight is a five-card series of consecutive numbers, suit is not taken into account. Unlike table poker a straight with a higher numeric value trumps a straight with a lower value.

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[SIZE=3][FONT=arial][B]Tips That Will Stand You In Good Stead

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[LIST][*][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]If your favorite video poker game is Jacks or Better study its paytable first. How much does it payout for a royal flush,four of kind, full house and so on at different bet levels.
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[LIST][*][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Determine your risk tolerance. Your risk tolerance is how much cash you're prepared to risk. The word risk is derived from the Latin word [I]riscare[/I] which means to dare. Never play with worried money or cash you can't afford to lose. If your bankroll is $500 play with $50 per sessions. Lock away 30% of your profits, play with the rest and don't deviate from your budget. The last thing you want to experience is 'gambler's remorse'. Ask yourself, ''am I emotionally capable to handle a huge loss?'' If the answer is yes than there's no need to worry.[/FONT][/SIZE] [/LIST]



[LIST][*][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Play a video poker game that's in line with your budget. Choose a game that matches your needs rather than a popular game. If you want to play Double Bonus video poker study the game's odds, strategy and payouts by heart before you play it for real cash. Set yourself a realistic goal before you start playing. Be clear how much you're prepared to win and to lose. If you want to win a $1,000 play at a quarter level or higher. A royal flush win of $4,000 quarters equals $1,000.[/FONT][/SIZE] [/LIST]



[LIST][*][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Don't become addicted. Some studies indicate that video poker carries a high risk of gambling addiction. Then again addictive behavior starts with the individual and not the game. If you're addicted to gambling then get help immediately. All casinos in Nevada must have a gambling addiction hotline and other information to help problem gamblers. Most online casinos have a responsible gambling section with various self help tools. Players can set their own betting and session limits. And they can self-exclude (cooling off period) themselves for a certain period to indefinite.[/FONT][/SIZE] [/LIST]



[LIST][*][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Confidence is key. Successful video poker players are confident and know when to quit.[/FONT][/SIZE] [/LIST]
[SIZE=3][FONT=arial]In summary. Video poker is one of few casino games that favors the player predominantly. Over the long haul your skill and the ability to make the right choices makes you a winning and not a losing player.[/FONT][/SIZE]