As it’s a game of chance where cards are dealt randomly, you might not realize that good bankroll management plays an important role in video poker. Once you understand how it works, you can enjoy playing this game in a way that suits you.
Choose How You Want to Play
Video poker can be played in various ways. Your first decision is around the version you want to play. Your approach to bankroll management when you play video poker will depend on the version of the game you choose. Deuces Wilds uses the 2s as a type of wild, meaning that they can stand in for other cards to complete winning hands. Jacks or Better is based on the same basic gameplay but the 2s aren’t wild, although the lowest winning hand of two jacks is included on the paytable.
Once you’ve seen which game you want to try, the next question is how you prefer to play. Video poker can be played with a small bet size of just a few coins or you could choose a larger amount if this suits you. A smaller bet amount will help you reduce the volatility level, as you can expect to play more games and potentially receive more regular, smaller payouts as a result.
On the other hand, using a larger bet size means that you might run out of funds more quickly if you get non-winning hands. However, if you get a paying poker hand, then the prize is going to be bigger if you’ve placed a more substantial bet. Look at the paytable at the side of the screen to see how much the different hands pay.
A royal flush is typically the most valuable combination, paying 800x the wagered figure on Deuces Wild Multi-Hand by Playtech, followed by the other strong poker hands like a straight flush, four of a kind, and a full house, each with smaller prizes. Some video poker games also include a jackpot prize, but you might need to place a certain value of wager to have a chance to claim it.
Adopt a Responsible Approach
Sensible bankroll management is a crucial aspect of responsible gambling in any game. By setting a reasonable betting limit at the start, you can avoid running into problems like chasing losses and betting more than you can afford to lose later on. By working out how much you want to play with in a single session or spread over a day, you can more easily work out the amount you want to wager on each hand played.
Since it has a relatively high return to player (RTP), video poker tends to pay out wins fairly regularly. However, with a random number generator making the exact cards dealt totally unpredictable, you can’t expect to see guaranteed wins every time you play. Therefore, having a bankroll limit in place ensures that you only gamble with an amount that you feel comfortable with.
You should look to use the casino’s responsible gambling tools to set deposit and betting limits before you get started. It’s also worth taking a look at the rest of the responsible gambling information, as this helps you to understand some of the other steps to take and warning signs to look out for so that you can play safely and without any worries.
Don’t let the simple gameplay and easy-to-understand layout cause you to think that video poker is a game that doesn’t require a degree of bankroll management. By simply thinking for a few minutes about how you want to play, you can choose the bankroll approach that’s right for you.
