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Video Poker combines both Luck and skill. The luck part is the cards that are randomly dealt to the player. The skill part encompasses much more then simply knowing what to hold and what to fold. In this article we’ll discuss some of the things every video poker player should be doing, regardless of their game play strategy.

1. Only Play At Full Pay Machines One of the smartest things any potential video poker player can do is to check the payout schedule before he or she starts playing. The payout schedule tells you how much you’ll be paid for each winning hand. In a Jacks or Better Video Poker game 9/6 is considered full pay. That simply means that 9 coins are paid out for a Full House and 6 coins are paid out for a Flush. Many casinos pay out less then 9/6, meaning that in the long run, you’ll simply win less money.

2. Always Play Max Coins A Mistake many novice players make is to play fewer coins, thinking this will keep them in the game longer. The problem with that theory is many machines will give you proportionately more coins for hitting a Royal Flush with max coins then they will for hitting with less then the max. If you’re worried about going through your bankroll too quickly, play at a low coin size. Or, if you’re really not sure how to play, us a play for free version of the game until you’ve gotten your feet wet.

3. Plan How Much You’re Willing To Lose –And Stick To It. There is a lot of luck involved in winning Video Poker. Unfortunately, too many players keep pumping coins into the machine, thinking their luck is bound to change. Successful players know that some days you have it and some you don’t. Before you start playing, have a set amount that you’re willing to lose, once that money is gone quit playing.

4. Take Your Time Video poker is a game of man against machine. Always remember that there is no time limit. Make sure that you carefully review your cards, with each hand. Take as much time as you need, no one is waiting for you so don’t feel pressured to make your move. Don’t hit that draw button until you’re ready.

5. Take advantage of the “Play for Free” Games Novice players need experience; obviously the best way to gain experience is to play. Fortunately, many online casinos offer “Play for free” versions of some maybe even all of their video poker versions. Take advantage of these and develop your strategy before you plunk down your money.

About the author: David Olsen David has been writing about online casinos and casino strategy for over five years and is considered an authority in the online gambling world. His latest website is all about the many variations of Video Poker and Online Pokerrooms We highly recommend it: Online Video Poker

A slot machine is a mechanical device employing three, four, five or more circular reels of varying dimensions. Each of these reels has several symbols either painted on or attached to it. These symbols can be anything at all, although the most common designs are cherries, bars, and – the jackpot symbol – the number 7. Whatever the symbol on the machine, it makes absolutely no difference to how the machine will play or what and how much it will pay out. All these details are determined by the computer program carried by a tiny chip inside the machine’s electronic brain. You could put pictures of your kids, rocks, spaghetti, cheese, or anything there, and, if they lined up on the pay liner you’d win the top jackpot. In case you have never played a slot machine, or have not played some of the newer slot machines lately, I shall begin by describing how you start.

Players begin play by inserting a specified number of coins, or gaming tokens, into a coin receptacle slot provided on the front of the slot machine, and then pulling the handle affixed to the right side of the machine which sets the reels spinning, The reels come to a stop in order left-to-right on the display screen. The object is to line up matching symbols [matching winning combinations] on the pay line, usually a center stripe painted across the viewing screen. The schedule of winning combinations is usually displayed on the front or just above the machine, indicating the hierarchy of winning combinations and the amounts that each one pays whenever it appears on the active payline.

Instead of a handle, some modern machines employ a button marked “spin” which you press to start the reels turning, and, like the handler pressing it will spin the reels after the coin, or coins, are inserted. Most modern Slot Machines, like the Video Poker machines, also have a button marked “credit”. If the player presses this button prior to inserting coins, instead of paying winners off in coins, the machine will automatically credit any winnings to a credit meter. The credited winnings appear numerically on the machine’s credit meter display, and, as an option, the player then has a choice of playing these credits, or cashing them out. To play the credits, the player can press a button marked “play one credit”, and for each time this button is pressed the machine will deduct one credit from the credit meter and register one corresponding coin as “coin in”. The player may press this “play one credit” button up to the machine’s maximum coin limit.

If, for instance, the machine you are playing takes three coins as maximum, you can press this “play one coin” button three times. These coins are then deducted from the player’s credit meter, and credited to the player’s next pull. When this is done, the machine will usually say “coin accepted” on the display, or, in some cases, the pay-lines on the machine’s display will light up. The effect is the same as if you had put three coins in the slot instead of using the credits you had accumulated. Most of the modern machines also

have another button called “play maximum coins”, sometime also identified as “play three coins” if that machine’s maximum is three coins, or “play five coins” if that machine’s maximum is five, and so on. By pressing this button, the player will automatically play the maximum coins which that machine takes. The player may also cash out these credits by pressing a button marked “collect”. By pressing this button,

the machine will pay out in coins, or gaming tokens, all the credits indicated on the credit meter. These coins then drop to the tray mounted at the bottom of the machine. Believe it or not, there are actually a few strategies that may be employed to improve your odds of winning at slots. I’ve studied these methods comprehensively, and have written an ebook on the subject.

I hope this overview has given you a better understanding of the game, and has piqued your interest in the wonderful world of slot machines.

About the author: Yes it’s true: Ellison Mansfield has made a career out of gambling. He’s flown under the radar for virtually his entire adult life, beating the casinos and stockpiling his winnings. After holding onto these secrets and amassing a private fortune over the past 16 years, he finally decided it was time to come out and share some of his knowledge with the world. Please see insidersystem.com