10 Typical Mistakes Beginners Make in Video Poker and How to Avoid Them

Video poker is a game of skill and chance, offering a unique blend of excitement and strategic thinking. Despite its seeming simplicity, many beginners fall into predictable traps that significantly lower their odds of success. Understanding and avoiding these common pitfalls is crucial for anyone looking to improve their game and play more efficiently.

Neglecting to Learn the Game Properly

One of the most frequent mistakes new players make is diving into video poker without a clear understanding of the game’s rules and mechanics. While the interface may appear similar to slot machines, video poker requires strategy, probability knowledge, and attention to detail.

Failing to grasp the basic differences between variations like Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, or Bonus Poker leads to poor decisions. Each version comes with its own optimal strategies and payout structures. Jumping between them without mastering any particular variant often results in unnecessary losses.

Another common oversight is not studying pay tables. These tables display the payout for each winning hand and vary significantly between machines. Learning to identify full-pay machines – those offering the best returns – is essential for maximising potential winnings.

Underestimating the Role of Strategy

Unlike games based purely on luck, video poker rewards informed decisions. Using strategy charts tailored to the specific game version is critical. These guides help players determine the optimal move for every possible hand combination.

Beginners often rely on gut feelings or guesswork, holding the wrong cards and discarding potential winning combinations. For example, keeping a pair over a four-card straight or flush may seem counterintuitive but is statistically correct in many scenarios.

Learning and applying a proper strategy not only increases the return-to-player percentage but also helps build consistent gameplay habits, crucial for long-term success.

Poor Bankroll Management

Another frequent mistake is failing to manage one’s bankroll effectively. Many beginners play stakes that are too high for their available funds or chase losses in an attempt to recover quickly, leading to rapid depletion of their resources.

Good bankroll management involves setting a clear budget, choosing the right denomination, and deciding in advance when to walk away – whether ahead or behind. It’s not only about prolonging playtime but also about maintaining control and avoiding emotionally driven decisions.

In addition, understanding variance – the ups and downs in winnings – helps players anticipate streaks and plan accordingly. Video poker can be volatile, and even the best strategy won’t prevent temporary losses. Patience and discipline are key attributes for any successful player.

Ignoring the Impact of Bonuses and Comps

Many venues offer loyalty rewards, cashback, or promotional bonuses for video poker players. Beginners often overlook these advantages, missing out on valuable additions to their overall returns.

Signing up for a player card and using it consistently ensures that your gameplay is tracked, and you receive appropriate rewards. While these extras won’t guarantee winnings, they can significantly reduce the cost of play over time.

Additionally, some promotions target specific machines or time slots. Being aware of such opportunities and adjusting your play accordingly is a smart way to stretch your budget and increase value.

Misunderstanding Pay Tables and RTP

Pay tables are not just decoration; they define the odds and profitability of a video poker machine. Beginners often choose machines at random, not realising that even slight differences in pay tables can dramatically affect long-term returns.

For instance, a full-pay Jacks or Better machine typically offers a 9/6 table (9 coins for a full house, 6 for a flush). Any deviation from this – such as 8/5 – can lower the RTP (Return to Player) by several percentage points. Over time, this impacts your potential profit or loss.

Learning to identify and prioritise full-pay machines is a fundamental skill. Many experienced players will walk through an entire room to find the best pay table. Beginners should adopt the same diligence if they are serious about improving their outcomes.

Failing to Maximise the Royal Flush Payout

Playing fewer than five coins per hand – often to conserve bankroll – is a common mistake. However, this approach sacrifices the enhanced royal flush payout, which is only awarded when betting the maximum number of coins.

On most machines, the difference between betting four and five coins is not linear. A royal flush with five coins often pays 800-to-1, while with fewer, the return drops sharply. This bonus is a major contributor to the overall RTP, and skipping it significantly reduces your edge.

If bankroll constraints are a concern, it’s better to play a lower denomination at max coins than a higher denomination with fewer. This allows you to maintain optimal returns without risking more than necessary.