Video poker is a unique casino game in that it is a game that the player can actually win. The House edge in video poker with perfect video poker strategy is extremely low, and in some cases, can shift in the player’s favor. This does not mean you can necessarily make a living playing video poker -- it can be challenging to play perfect strategy. Additionally, machines where you can gain an edge often have low maximum bets.

However, if you play correctly and have an adequate bankroll, you can play video poker for a long time, perhaps indefinitely. Here are some tips for approaching the game of video poker.

Video Poker Tip No. 1: Find a Full Pay Machine

Your video poker machine should indicate how much the machine pays for different hands. If you are playing a jacks or better machine, a machine with no wildcards that begins paying out on a pair of jacks or better, you should be looking for a machine that pays 6 coins for a flush and 9 coins for a full house. These are 9/6, or full pay machines.

Video Poker Tip No. 2: Play the Maximum Coins

Most video poker machines are progressive machines, meaning that they pay a large jackpot for hitting a royal flush. This jackpot can get so high from players paying in on the various machines, that it can make a negative expectation machine into a positive expectation machine if it goes long enough without being hit. However, you can only win the progressive jackpot if you play the maximum amount of coins the machine allows.

Video Poker Tip No. 3: Use Your Comps/Bonus

Comps and bonuses are free promotions that the casino offers to keep you playing. They can be in the form of free meals, shows, hotel stays or bonus money in your account. You don’t have to do anything to get these bonuses other than sign up for them and play, so make sure you take advantage of them.