Optimal Video Poker Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do you play video poker?
A: You are dealt 5 cards. You may hold 0 to 5 cards and then draw replacement cards. The goal is to make one of the hands shown on the payout table.

Q: What are the controls?
A: Press 8 to place you bet. Use 1 through 5 to toggle the hold for any of the 5 first cards. Press 9 when you want to get replacement cards. If the game tells you have made a mistake, you can press 9 again to stay with your original choice or use 1 through 5 to change the cards you wish to keep.

There is an alternate method of controls. You can use the OK button to activate the button indicated by the flashing icon. Use left or right to move the icon left or right. Use up to move from the draw button up to the hold buttons. Use down to move from the hold buttons to the draw button.

Pressing up or down when the game is waiting for you to place a bet will change your bet. The max bet is 5.

Press 0 to toggle between the game play and the strategy table. The line on the strategy table will represent your first 5 cards. This will make it easier for you to understand the game.

Q: Why does the game encourage a bet of 5 coins?
A: Most video poker machines only pay 250 to 1 for Royal Flushes if you do not make the max bet. Most games pay 800 to 1 if you make a max bet, which is usually 5 coins. The payback shown on the payoff table assumes you are betting 5 coins. Betting less will reduce your payback.

Q: What do the abbreviations mean in the strategy tables?
A: You can press any key from 0 to 9 in the strategy screen to get a list of the abbreviations used:

• T, J, Q, K, A stand for Ten, jack, Queen, King, and Ace
• "C" means Card (3C Flush means three card flush)
• "HC" means high card (in Jacks or Better this means J, Q, K, or A)
• "x" means any card
• "i" means inside. For example, 2346 is a 4 card straight but you need an inside card to fill it. Also A234 or AKQJ are also inside straights because there is only one card that will help.
• "i2" means two inside cards are needed to fill a straight. For example 468 needs a 5 and 7 for a straight)
• "i3" means triple inside. For example, 59 of the same suit would be a triple inside straight flush.
• "+" means the same or higher card (J+ means J, Q, K, or A)
• "-" means through. For example, 234-89T straight flush means any 3 card straight flush from 234 through 89T.
• "Nat." means Natural or no wild cards.
• "S.F" means Straight Flush.
• "Royal" means Royal Flush (AKQJT of the same suit)
• "w" means with. For example, 2C Royal w T means a 2 card Royal flush with a ten.
• "**" means no 3c Flush

Q: If I quit will the game save my winnings?
A: Yes you may quit any game and when you return it will be exactly as you left it. This is even true of tournament play.

Q: If I see a machine in a casino with different payouts, how do I determine my odds?
A: Go to the payoff table of the game that closely represents the one in question. Select any line and use the left or right arrow to increase or decrease the payouts. The payback at the top of the screen will change accordingly. You will see that many casino machines are not as "loose" as others. Use this program to make the best choices.

Q: What is a Video Poker Tournament? A: A tournament is very similar to those run in the casinos. The casino selects the machine or in our case the type of game and the amount of time you will play. Your task is to see how well you can do in this amount of time. There is an ending date set for each tournament, so you are welcome to play as often as you want.

Q: The game does not point out my errors in play during a tournament?
A: Yes, the help is turned off so that you can play as fast as you want. You can see the number of errors you made by viewing the stats.

Q: Can I change the payoffs during a tournament?
A: Yes, you cannot cheat by increasing the payoffs.

Q: I ran out of coins during a tournament and the game said the game over?
A: Yes, when you run out of coins in a tournament the game is over.

Q: Does a normal game ever end?
A: No, in the normal play the game will let you keep losing.

Q: I played a tournament but the game did not ask me for my name when I thought I had a high score.
A: If you do not meet the minimum number of hands, the game will not post your score. Normally the minimum number of hands should not be a problem because plenty of time is given. We just do not want players using their initial stake and using that for a high score. You can see the number of hands played by looking in the stats.