You Really Can Beat Video Poker Machines

Is video poker beatable? Yes, but only if you play all your cards right!

There’s no more mysterious industry than casino gambling. On the one hand, they want you to think you can win lots of money every time you play. On the other hand, they want players to believe there’s no such thing as a beatable game. So which is it?

There are only two casino games that have been classified as ‘beatable‘ throughout history. The first won’t surprise you. It’s blackjack. Most casinos have tightened up the rules and pay tables, as well as reshuffling the deck too often to make card counting valuable. This ensures very few players make a profit without Lady Luck on their shoulder. The other is video poker. But how can a machine that’s run on a random number generator (RNG) be easy to win?

Is Video Poker Beatable?

Yes, you really can beat video poker machines at casinos. But that doesn’t mean you’re going to win every game, every time. The trick is to play the right games, with the right strategies, and take full advantage of the casino’s comp program.

Beatable Video Poker Games

The house edge can vary dramatically in video poker. I’ve seen games with a theoretical return to player (RTP) of a measly 93%, as well as games that offer up to 99.92%. Your job is to avoid the lower RTPs, and only play the games with at least a 99.5% RTP.

Although theoretical in nature, that RTP makes all the difference in the world. According to long term probabilities, a video poker game with 99.92% RTP will pay back $99.92 for every $100 you wager on it.

As I said, that’s a long-term expectation. Short-term results will vary. You may win a lot one day, and lose a lot the next, thanks to those RNGs. But in the long-term, you can expect the results to be on par with the RTP.

How is Losing $0.08 per $100 a Win?

This is where the comp programs come into play. Casinos are known to be very generous with their comps, especially for loyal members, VIPs and high rollers. If you’re getting regular bonuses and other perks, it makes up for that minimal loss.

At an online casino, you can expect to receive generous bonuses on all your deposits. You’ll also get comp points for every wager you make. Those comps convert to real cash after awhile. As a VIP member, you earn higher comp generation rates, plus other valuable benefits that add up to a lot more than the $0.08-per-$100 you’re losing.

At land-based casinos, the comps can go a lot further. Here, you can earn free casino credits, free meals, free hotel stays, free entry to VIP tournaments, the list goes on. Anything their resort offers can be comped, and for high rollers, they’ll do just about anything to keep you coming back for more.

How to Achieve 99.92% RTP in Video Poker

Just playing a game with a high RTP isn’t going to guarantee you’re getting that much value. You have to work for it, and by that, I mean using an absolute perfect strategy. Don’t worry, there’s no math involved. All you have to do is find the right game, enter the rules/pays into a customized strategy program, and print out the chart for it.

As I mentioned, the highest video poker RTP I’ve come across is 99.92%. That can be found on Microgaming‘s All Aces Video Poker machine. It’s available on all Microgaming-powered online casinos. There are literally hundreds of them, so you should have no troubling finding a reputable gaming website that offers it.

In land-based casinos, Jacks or Better 9-6 Full Pay is easier to find. Full Pay means the Full House pays 9x, and a Flush 6x. These games should have an RTP of at least 99.5%. Once you’ve found one, look at the exact pay table. Whip out your smartphone, input the data, and find a strategy chart to match. Use it religiously, collect on comps, and you’ll find video poker beatable at almost any casino, online or on land.