[Gonzopozo]

Oh Those Flushes

Regular video poker players know that flushes – or the option to “go for” a flush is a fairly regular occurrence.

Here’s some “expert strategy” tips on the correct play to make when confronted with some less than obvious flush draw decisions….

4-card flush with a high (jacks or better) pair? – save the pair

4-card flush with a low pair? – go for the flush (draw one)

4-card flush OR 4-card straight? – go for the flush

4-card flush with 1 or 2 suited high cards? – go for the flush

4-card flush with 3 suited high cards? (three to the ROYAL)? – GO FOR THE ROYAL

3-card straight flush within a 4-card flush? – go for the flush (forget the straight flush)

3-card flush? – most games (standard flush payoffs) you should get 5 new cards


Those are the “mathematically correct” plays. The expected values of each play will not necessarily be realized without literally thousands of hands, if not more. And don’t forget, on most machines even with perfect play the casino still has the advantage.

G

[cluster]

Thanks for the tips

www.silverchance.com

[louis]

I'm not too up on video poker, is it pretty much like the table version albeit with computerised opponents or is there a little more to it?

Judging by those plays it sounds a little different from your standard Texas Hold'em.

[hdporter]

Video Poker bears little to its table counterpart. There are no opponents. You place an initial wager on the outcome of your final draw poker hand (there are a few games that are of stud or other varieties; most are draw).

For example, many are Jacks or Better games and return a bet on a high pair. A trip may return 3 bets, a full house 9. But the actual payouts vary from one machine to another and from game variant to another. For example, on a "straight" draw poker game, quads typically pay 25 bets. On "bonus" games, quads will pay more, with an offsetting lower return for lesser hands.

A good or "playable" game has a paytable that's dependent upon the overall structure of the game. Each variant has a paytable which is known as "full pay", representing the strongest paying paytable for that variant typically found. These paytables usually return very close to 100% of your bet theoetically - based upon expected hand distribution, when played with a strategy that's optimal for that paytable.

Those optimal strategies are computer generated. You can purchase a prepared strategy for a game, or there are inexpensive commercially available pc software programs for this. One notable program, including a practice tutor, is Frugal Video Poker - developed by Jim Wolf and endorsed by Jean Scott, a notable gambling author.

Finally, video poker also differs from table games inasmuch as casino treat it, and comp it, similarly to slot play. This means that there are frequently cash incentives and other promotions that potentially make video poker a very attractive play in the casino -- for the knowledable player.

[louis]

Ah I see - doesn't sound up my street by any means, but I guess it goes down well enough with the masses to warrant them installing God-knows how many video gambling machines.

Thanks for the explanation hdporter - I know Hold'em, but I'l be damned if I know video poker!