poker games

Joker Poker Strategy

There are a few variants of video poker you can play at casinos like English Harbour, and each has its own strategy to follow if you want to optimize your chances to win. One very popular form of video poker is Joker Poker. In this game there are two wild cards in the deck that you can get to improve your hand. This changes a lot of things about the game and how you should make your decisions when drawing more cards.

Joker video poker games will usually require that you get at least a pair of kings to get paid for the hand. This bigger hand is required to make up for the number of winning hands that the jokers will provide. So when drawing more cards your decision making will be different than the regular Jacks or Better games. If you follow these basic rules you’ll be playing optimum strategy Joker Poker. These rules can be separated into two groups, hands that have a joker in them and ones that don’t.

If you are dealt a hand with a joker in it you should;

Hold all hands that are three-of-a-kind or higher, except four cards to the royal flush.

Hold any four-card straight flush and a four-card flush if it includes K, A, or both.

Hold three cards to a royal flush.

Hold a paying pair of high cards (King, Ace).

Hold any three cards to a straight flush.

Hold any four-card flush without King or Ace.

Hold consecutive four-card straights.

If not dealt any of the above, keep the Joker only. If you are dealt a hand without a joker in it you should;

Hold all paying hands, except hold a four-card royal flush.

Hold any four cards to a straight flush and any three cards to a royal flush.

Hold four cards to any flush.

Hold any pair of 2's to Queens.

Hold any three cards to a straight flush.

Hold any four-card consecutive straight.

Hold two cards to a royal flush if one of the cards is an Ace or King.

Hold unsuited King and Ace.

Hold King or Ace alone.

Hold two suited royal flush cards lower than King or Ace.

If not dealt any of the above, draw five new cards