One of the reasons for the popularity of Video Pokers is the fact that someof the games return over 100 percent and other full pay games offer closeto 100 percent over the long run when you play correct strategy. Unfortunatelya few mistakes when playing can wipe out the little advantage that you have.It is very important that you lean the strategy for each game and play themcorrectly. Each video poker game has its own strategy. For example you cannot use the strategy for Jacks or Better when playing Deuces Wild.

Learning a new game or playing correctly at the casino is really quite easywhen you use a video poker strategy card. A strategy card will show you thecorrect way to play each hand that you are dealt. By following the cardsadvice you will keep the hand that offers the highest possible return. Tolearn a new game it is best if you practice at home using video poker tutorialsoftware along with a strategy card to show you the proper play. I recommendusing Tutorial software such as Zamzow's BDPWinpoker or Frugal Video Pokerand strategy cards generated fromTomski's VPSM Video Poker StrategyMaster. The software will let you know when you made a mistake and youcan check the strategy chart to see the reason for your error.

When you are ready to head for the casino to play you can take your strategychart along with you. When you are dealt a hand that you are unsure of, youcan look up the proper play on your strategy chart.

VPSM generates a basic strategy and an advanced strategy for most video poker games. The recreational or beginner player will find the basic strategyeasier to use because it does not involve remembering a lot of penalty cardsituations. The advance strategy will add a few hundredths of one percentto the total return. The gain is very slight and the basic strategy shouldbe more than adequate for most players.

Tomski has given me permission to post the basic version of the strategiesfor three of the most popular games generated by his VPSM program. I wantto publicly thank him for his generosity in allowing me to share these withyou. The games are:

Jack or Better
Deuces Wild
Double BonusPoker

To use the charts all you have to do is look at the hand that you are dealt.Starting at the top of the chart you will look down until you come to thathand. The hand closet to the top of the chart is the correct play. VPSMcolor-codes the hands to make it easier to see the correct play. I have triedto duplicate the colors as closely as possible. The colors and abbreviationsare as follows:
Red for Royal Flush (RF)
Blue for Straight Flush (STFL)
Pink for Flushes
Green for Pairs, Full House (FH), 4-of-a-kind and3-of-a-kind
Brown for Straight (ST)

When you see the small letter (s) that means the cards is the same suit.Example, QJs would be the Queen and Jack of the same suit.

Lets look at an example of theJacks or Better strategy.You are dealt the following hand: 3 of hearts, 9 of hearts, 3 of clubs, and6 of hearts and Queen of hearts. You have a low pair but you also have afour-card flush. Looking at the chart you see that the four-card flush iscloser to the top of the chart than the low pair. The four-card flush isyour correct play.

Strategy charts are a valuable tool you can use to improve your game becausethey will help you play every hand correctly. Don't hesitate to bring themalong with you to the casino. If you find a hand that you are unsure of howto play, take a second to look at the chart.

.Until next time,remember:
Luck comes and goes...Knowledge stays forever.

~Bill Burton

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