I bought one of those little handheld video poker games a couple of years ago. I have played a few thousands hands on this little toy. Video Poker is tough. On the toy Video Poker game I have gotten four Deuces twice, and a lot of Royal Flushes with Deuces. I have never gotten a natural Royal Flush.
On real Video Poker machines in casinos I have not had all that much luck either. But it is fun to play. I know, screw the fun, give me the money. The usual advice is to spend about two hundred coins and over the course of play you’ll come out ahead. I have never had that kind of patience with Video Poker. I have won enough on Video Poker to think that I am ahead-but I have lost enough on other games to more than offset any wins.
Video Poker is just a fancy Slot Machine. I know, I hear you-you’ve got skills, you’ve got a system, this is no dumb machine, it takes talent to win. Ok, fair enough, Video Poker feels like your in control. But that’s just the lure. Video Poker lets you think you have something to do with the outcome. You do have to pay attention, it is too easy on Video Poker to loss money by tossing out good cards.
I do like Video Poker Strategy. Play a good Video Poker Machine, Bet The Maximum on all Video Poker Hands, and if all five cards are junk, toss them and get a fresh hand. I like Deuces Wild. Do these guides and hints help? Well, they don’t hurt. It makes it more fun to sit and ponder if it is better to keep a pair or to toss them and hope for something better. I am not a great Video Poker player and I can sit down at a machine and stay there for an hour. I may not win anything, or win only a small amount while playing Video Poker, but I am having more fun than someone who drops their whole bankroll on one hand of real Poker.
I am still playing the toy Video Poker game and I still have not won with a Royal Flush. But I have pretty much gotten the Simple System down. I travel a bit and end up near Casinos on a regular basis. But really, I am not as tempted as I once was. I do like playing Video Poker- and when I win a hand or two? I stop, cash out, and go home.
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