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Video Poker Myths
If you are not already aware
that there are many myths that surround all gambling games,
well, you are now. Video poker is no exception to this.
Below, we have provided you with the more commonly known or
asked about myths involved with video poker, and the real
truth behind them. By reading through this section you will
also get a better feel for the game whether you plan to
gamble online or at a casino in Las Vegas, or whether you
are betting a nickel or much more.
Myth: The machines are set to a
specific payback, so the way you actually play does not
matter one way or the other.
Fact: This excuse for not learning how to be a winner
can only come from a player that is rather non ambitious. If
you think about it this way, you might as well not play
poker at a table either since the cards are shuffled. Skill
is a large factor when playing video poker, just like it is
playing at a table. Good games can only happen because the
majority of players give up about 2% of the potential
payback by not learning a pin-pointed strategy.
Myth: You can't possibly beat the
games, because they are random.
Fact: "Random and "beatable" do not mean the same thing
and are not the same word. Let's say you were banking a
craps game with trusted dice. The outcome of each event
would be random, but the house edge would convince you that
you would be a winner in the long run. You will find that
some video poker games will give you the same chance to bet
on the winning side of the game.
Myth: You should always look for a machine that hasn't
hit recently. It should be due.
Fact: Just like slot machines. These machines do not
have a memory they are random. You have probably heard that
a royal flush occurs about once every 40,000 plays. That
doesn't mean that a machine can be "due" to hit. No
matter how recently or how long its been it has been since a
machine has paid a jackpot, the random number generator used
to shuffle the deck has no memory. Yes, any machine can run
hot or cold for short periods of time, but there is no way
to effectively tell when such a streak will take place.
Myth: If you want to bet a total of
25 cents, play five coins on a nickel machine rather than
one coin on a quarter machine.
Fact: If the two machines have the same payoff rate,
that is good advice. You will often find though, that you
will be confronted with full-pay quarter machines and only a
short-pay nickel machines. You will give up around 1.5 % of
the long term pay back by playing only one coin (because you
will not qualify for the royal flush jackpot) , but a
short-pay off rate is most often more costly. If you are
going to play anyway, it's more advantageous for you to play
1 quarter on a full-pay machine than 5 nickels on a
short-pay machine. No matter what, video poker is most
always better than the reel slots, however, it is best for
you to always play five coins on a full-pay game. |
