While video poker can seem a bit more like a video game or slot machine, it’s a much more lucrative game than most for players who are gambling online or in a casino. Study up on your strategy and take our advice so you’re ready for your spot at the virtual poker table.
1. Play the max – It may seem less economical, but playing the maximum bet allows players the best chance for a major score. On a typical 9/6 machine (a 9 payout on full house and 6 on flush, offering players the highest payout and best chance to win), the pay table offers the following payouts for a royal flush on a Jacks or Better machine:
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• 1 coin – 250
• 2 coins – 500
• 3 coins – 750
• 4 coins – 1,000
However, when a player hits a royal flush at max bet, that 5-coin return jumps up to a payout of 4,000. That’s a huge difference and if you’re playing good strategy, your long-term win will be higher.
Professional Poker Machine is a commercial quality gambling machine simulator, where player goal is to make a new high score, in order to win (virtual) money. The video gaming machines do not operate like a traditional slot machine or video poker game. Instead, they are similar to scratch-off-type lottery tickets with a pre-determined number of winners. New York gaming laws require that video lottery gaming machines in the state must have an average pay prize of 'no less than 90 percent of sales.'
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2. Super strategy – It can’t be stressed enough that practicing Basic Strategy leads to profits. Here’s a simple guide on playing Jacks or Better. If you receive any of the below, keep the highest hand and draw the other cards.
1. Four of a kind, straight flush, royal flush
2. Four cards to a royal Flush
3. Full house, flush, straight, three of a kind
4. Four cards to a straight flush
5. Two pair
6. High pair (Jacks or better)
7. Three to a royal flush
8. Four cards to a flush
9. Low pair
10. Four to an open-end straight
11. Two suited high cards
12. Three cards to a straight flush
13. Two unsuited high cards
14. Suited J-T, Q-T, or K-T
15. One high card
16. Redraw all five cards
3. Seek out those bonuses – Some casinos, especially online, offer differing bonus structures for your play. Don’t be afraid to ask online what those are; sometimes you’ll be rewarded for being inquisitive.
4. Play Deuces Wild and turn the tables – While Jacks or Better may be the most common video poker game, players can actually gain nearly a 1 percent edge on a full pay Deuces Wild machine. Look for games that pay 9 coins for a straight flush and 5 for four of a kind. Play perfect Basic Strategy and suddenly you’re in the driver’s seat. A variation is an 11/4 machine, also a nice option for good players — with a miniscule house edge of only .004 percent.
5. Chart your course – An easy way to get better at video poker is to simply print out a Basic Strategy chart. As a game of skill, this gives you a much better chance at winning. There are numerous online charts that can be printed and fit in your wallet. If you’re playing online, leave a window or tab open for your strategy guide to make sure you’re making the right moves.
6. Avoid this common three-card strategy – Some players keep three cards in an attempt to draw a straight or a flush. This is a losing proposition and should be avoided. Even if you hit a straight or a flush, you’ll have lost too much with this play to make it profitable. Practice Basic Strategy to have a shot at winning. Three cards to a straight flush, however, is a different proposition and should be played as outlined in the list in No. 2.
7. Deep focus – Video poker is a fun game, but to win you must play as optimally as possible. The game is not like roulette, where fate is completely left to chance. Grab a cup of coffee and don’t overdo it on the cocktails. Take a break when needed, and conserve that energy and stamina for some big wins.
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8. Get under the hood – OK, don’t really open the machine, but if you’re playing at a casino, it’s always a good idea to check out the buttons. Those that stick and don’t allow a player to draw a certain card can not only be annoying, but also unprofitable if a player misses a few winning hands because of this malfunction. It’s a common problem and should be avoided.
9. Play your limits – Playing max coins may seem like a struggle, and if it’s too much it’s time to switch to a lower denomination machine. Five dollars per hand may be high for you, so look for a quarter machine instead. Playing a max bet of $1.25 may be more manageable and allow you to play long enough and profit.
10. Don’t be afraid of a breakup – Following Basic Strategy may require occasionally breaking up a straight or a flush in hopes of an even bigger return. If you have four cards to a straight flush but already have a straight, it’s still wise to break up that hand up in hopes for a big draw.
In Australia there are some federal regulations and standards for gaming machines but the majority of the gaming machine rules and regulations are controlled by the individual States and Territories.
These laws vary from state to state and cover everything from minimum return to player, maximum bets, how winnings are paid out and where the games are found. In this guide you can compare all of the different regulations around Australia.
Regulations by State and Territories
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT has a total of 5,200 gaming machines all of which are located in clubs and hotels. Casino Canberra is the only casino in the ACT and does not have any gaming machines.
- Total Machines : 5,200
- Machine Locations : Clubs (5,114) and Hotels (60)
- 24 Hour Gambling : No (5 hour break)
- Cheque Payouts : Winnings over $1,200 are paid by cheque
- Note Acceptors : Accept $5, $10 and $20 notes
- Game Frequency : No restrictions
- Maximum Bet : $10 per spin
- Win Limits : None
- Limits on Lines / Ways : None
- Minimum RTP : 87%
- Regulator :ACT Gambling and Racing Commission
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory has 2,195 gaming machines located in clubs, hotels and the two casinos operating in the territory - Sky City and Lasseters.
- Total Machines : 2,195
- Machine Locations : Clubs & Hotels (1,190), Casinos (1,005)
- 24 Hour Gambling : No (Hotels & Clubs), Yes (Casinos)
- Cheque Payouts : Winnings over $500 are paid by cheque
- Note Acceptors : Banned in hotels and clubs.
- Game Frequency : No restrictions (National Standards)
- Maximum Bet : $5 per spin (Clubs / Hotels), No Limit (Casino)
- Win Limits : None
- Limits on Lines / Ways : None
- Minimum RTP : 85% (Clubs / Hotels), 88% (Casinos)
- Regulator :NT Gambling and Licensing
New South Wales
New South Wales leads the country with 100,500 gaming machines which are located in clubs, hotels and the Star Casino in Sydney.
- Total Machines : 100,500
- Machine Locations : Clubs & Hotels (99,000), Casino (1,500)
- 24 Hour Gambling : No (Hotels & Clubs), Yes (Casino)
- Cheque Payouts : Winnings over $5000 are paid by cheque
- Note Acceptors : Accept $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes
- Game Frequency : No restrictions (National Standards)
- Maximum Bet : $10 per spin (Clubs / Hotels), No Limit (Casino)
- Win Limits (Clubs /Hotels) : $10,000, $500,000 (Inter-venue)
- Win Limits (Casino) : None
- Limits on Lines / Ways : None
- Minimum RTP : 85%
- Regulator :NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing
Queensland
There are almost 50,000 machines found in Queensland in clubs, hotels and four casinos located around the State with Brisbane's Treasury Casino having the most games.
- Total Machines : 47,811*
- Machine Locations : Clubs & Hotels (44,015), Casino (3,796*)
- 24 Hour Gambling : No (Hotels & Clubs), Yes (Casino)
- Cheque Payouts : Winnings over $5000 are paid by cheque
- Note Acceptors : Accept $5, $10, $20, $50 notes. Casinos unrestricted.
- Game Frequency : 3 seconds between game start and finish
- Maximum Bet : $5 per spin (Clubs / Hotels), No Limit (Casino)
- Win Limits (Clubs /Hotels) : $10,000, $25,000 (Jackpot)
- Win Limits (Casino) : None
- Limits on Lines / Ways : Maximum of 50 lines
- Minimum RTP : 85% - 92% (Clubs / Hotels), 90% (Casinos)
- Regulator :QLD Office of Liquor and Gaming
* There is no cap on the actual amount of gaming machines at casinos so the actual number of machines in QLD varies.
South Australia
South Australia has a total of 13,113 machines which are found in clubs, hotels and Adelaide Casino.
- Total Machines : 13,113
- Machine Locations : Clubs & Hotels (12,118), Casino (995)
- 24 Hour Gambling : No (Clubs / Hotels), Yes (Casino)
- Cheque Payouts : Winnings over $1,000 can be paid by cheque
- Note Acceptors : Banned. Machines accept coins only
- Game Frequency : Minimum spin rate of 3.5 seconds
- Maximum Bet : $10 per spin
- Win Limits : $10,000 (Clubs / Hotels), No Limit (Casino)
- Limits on Lines / Ways : None
- Minimum RTP : 87.5%
- Regulator :Office of Liquor and Gaming
Tasmania
In Tasmania there are 3,680 machines locates in both hotels and clubs and at the two casinos (Wrest Point and Country Club)
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- Total Machines : 3,680
- Machine Locations : Clubs & Hotels (2,500), Casino (1,680)
- 24 Hour Gambling : No (Clubs / Hotels), Yes (Casino)
- Cheque Payouts : Winnings over $1,000 are be paid by cheque
- Note Acceptors : Banned in Hotels and Clubs
- Game Frequency : Minimum spin rate of 3 seconds
- Maximum Bet : $5 per spin
- Win Limits : None
- Limits on Lines / Ways : Maximum of 30 lines
- Minimum RTP : 85%
- Regulator :Department of Liquor and Gaming
Victoria
Gaming machines in Victoria total 30,000 and are found in hotels, clubs and at Crown Melbourne which has the largest amount of games in Australia.
- Total Machines : 30,000
- Machine Locations : Clubs & Hotels (27,500), Casino (2,500)
- 24 Hour Gambling : No (Clubs / Hotels), Yes (Casino)
- Cheque Payouts : Winnings of $1,000 or more are be paid by cheque
- Note Acceptors : Accept $5, $10, $20 and $50 notes
- Game Frequency : Minimum spin rate of 2.14 seconds
- Maximum Bet : $5 (Clubs / Hotels), None (Casino)
- Win Limits : None
- Limits on Lines / Ways : None
- Minimum RTP : 87%
- Regulator :VIC Commission for Gaming Regulation
Western Australia
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In WA there are a total of 1,750 gaming machines located at Crown Perth.
- Total Machines : 1,750
- Machine Locations : Clubs & Hotels (N/A), Casino (1,750)
- 24 Hour Gambling : Yes
- Cheque Payouts : No regulations
- Note Acceptors : Unlimited
- Game Frequency : National Standards
- Maximum Bet : $225
- Win Limits : None
- Limits on Lines / Ways : None
- Minimum RTP : 90%
- Regulator :Department of Gaming, Racing and Liquor