Video Poker is one of the most popular casino games, and players are always looking for a way to increase their winnings. The idea of video poker, or casino games in general is pretty simple. The more money you risk, the higher the reward.
So, does this mean that you should bet the max on video poker?
Well, there are many things to consider when creating your strategy and there are no certain rules about which strategy is best just because video poker is a game based on an RNG (random number generator).
Let’s go through some of the advantages and disadvantages of placing max bets on video poker.
How Video Poker Works?
Video Poker is actually quite similar to slot machines, as you can see here, at least what’s happening in the background. Video Poker machines are based on software that shuffles the deck randomly until you hit the deal button.
This means that every hand of video poker will be totally randomized and there is no way of predicting the outcome of each hand.
So, what does this mean for your bet? Should you max it out or play it casually?
Benefits of Maxing Your Video Poker Bet
When it comes to video poker, all games give you the option to play for 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 coins. The payout for each hand depends on how much money you are willing to risk. This rule applies to every outcome, except one.
If you manage to get a royal flush, you’ll be paid 200/1 odds for a bet of 4 coins or fewer. However, if you place a max bet, you’ll get an 800/1 payout which is significantly more.
In video poker, all bets progress the same way as the amount you are willing to bet, except for the royal flush, where the odds can be different depending on the amount you bet.
On the other hand, betting the highest amount can significantly boost your payout, but you also increase the risk of losing your budget quickly.
Negative Sides of Maxing Your Video Poker Bet
Gambling is more than just percentages. Now, even though betting the max amount can potentially lower the house edge, it is not all about percentages.
There are many things to consider before deciding on your bet amount. First and most important is your gambling budget or bankroll.
You don’t want to squeeze your bankroll in a couple of hands and if you land on a few unlucky losses, you’ll be left empty-handed.
That is why it is better to manage your bet limits based on your goals, and bankroll. Additionally, video poker can be considered a game of luck in the short term, and the more you play the greater the impact will be from your skills.
In other words, your goal should be to extend your gambling session, and the best way to do that is to manage your bankroll and place bets according to what you have.
Final Words
So, should you bet the max amount on video poker?
Well, not really. In fact, you should focus more on enjoying your gambling session rather than getting involved with too much risk that will make things uncomfortable.
Even though the higher payouts might be tempting, it is always better to make a strategic plan on how to balance out your betting, rather than chasing something that might never come.
So, the next time you play video poker, remember not to worry about betting the max amount on every hand. It all comes down to the cost of playing poker per hour. If you deploy an aggressive betting strategy, it will cost you more to play this game since you’ll lose more money per hand.
This means that it is better to save money and bet the lowest amount, rather than chasing the increased payout that won’t make up for the extra money you are putting in per hour.
