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Video Poker

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Video Poker Q&A

Frequently-asked questions

General, inc. Jacks or Better

Deuces Wild

Other Video Poker variations   (e.g., Joker Poker)

Dealing

Doubling up

Multiplay (Multihand)

Paytables

Probability

The Double Up Feature

In slots or video poker, when playing with a double or nothing feature, how many times should I try to double? — Joseph R. from Manila, Philippines
It depends on your reason for playing. If you are trying to achieve some winning goal, like doubling your bankroll, then you should keep doubling until you reach your goal, or you reach the maximum number of doubles allowed. If you are trying to play as long as possible on a given bankroll, then I would double only on small wins, and then only once. If you have some combination of both goals, then I would have a mixed strategy. The more important winning is to you, the more aggressive you should be doubling. The more important “time on device” is to you, the less you should be. October 7, 2008

I am a very big fan of using the double up feature of video poker. Is there any limit to the amount of money you can win with double up or is it pure luck. For instance does a game only pay out for instance 99% of all credits doubled, or can you win any amount not matter how much credits has been lost at double up. It is crucial for me to know this.

Any legitimate game maker has the double up feature as a truly fair bet with a 100% return. So you have a 50/50 chance of winning any given bet (not counting ties) regardless of the amount bet or the results of past bets. August 12, 2004

If there is no house advantage in the double up feature in video poker, why do the casinos offer it?

Just to attract customers who like it. It definitely lowers hands per hour, and thus profits, but if they get extra players it may be worth it. Feb. 27, 2004

In your last column you said you liked the double up feature in video poker. How many times is the player allowed to double up and how many times do you recommend?

I understand that at least with some machines the number of doubles is configurable but is usually set to 4 or 5. How many times you should take the double up depends on how good or bad the pay table is and your tolerance for risk. If your goal is to achieve the highest expected return then you should double up the maximum number of times, or at least until a win would put your over the W2G threshold of $1200. When I play negative pay tables online I usually double up to $100 to $1000, depending on how much action I have to grind through and my winning goal. My advice is to ask yourself how much you are comfortable betting on the turn of a card and keep doubling up to that point. Jan. 20, 2004

Is it ever a good idea to "double-up" in video poker?

Sure. The double up is one of the few bets with no house edge. For the same reason I advocate the odds in craps I like the double-up in video poker. However if you are playing a game with over 100% return then I recommend against it. Also, if your stomach isn't strong enough for the extra volatility that comes with the double up feature then you shouldn't play it. It is also interesting to note that in land casinos cash back does not apply to double-up bets but at Playtech Internet casinos you get 0.1% cash on all bets, including the double-up. Jan. 4, 2004

How does multiple doubling up in video poker cut the house edge?

This question refers to advice I gave in my newsletter, suggesting video poker players take the double up option when playing for a bonus at a Playtech casino. Doubling up does not lower the house edge of video poker, but does introduce another bet with zero house edge. For the same reason you should take or lay odds in craps it cuts the overall house edge playing video poker if you take the double up feature. Playtech does count double up bets towards the play requirement, so it gets the player to the bonus with less expected loss. So unless you are playing a machine with a return of over 100% and you don't mind extra volatility then I recommend accepting the double up option. June 14, 2003

What are the guidelines for doubling up on winning hands in video poker? If I do double up and the 5 cards show a winning hand, would that have been my next hand had I not doubled up? - Tim from Springfield, IL

The double up feature is truly fair and has no house edge. This is one of the few times I say you can go either way and just do what you want. From what I know of how slots are programmed the cards you get in the double up screen are not what you would have got on the next hand. Random numbers are constantly being drawn and those chosen at the exact moment you hit "deal" determine what cards you get. Mar. 24, 2002

Certain video poker machines have a 'double down' or double-or-nothing wager feature when you win a hand. I usually avoid this wager, not wanting to risk winnings in excess of my original bet. But I AM tempted to try this wager on winning hands that only pay even money on the original bet. My reasoning is that the machine's usual payback is somewhere in the 96-99% range, which includes rare hands over the long haul; but in this circumstance, this bet would seem to payback an even 100% over a shorter period of time. - Ron from Manchester, New Hampshire

The double or nothing feature in video poker is the only other casino bet besides the odds in craps with no house edge. Whether or not you take it depends on your gambling priorities. Taking will not help you win more but it will allow you to bet more. If you are playing a negative expectation machine (one with a house edge) then taking the double or nothing feature will increase the total money bet at no cost to the expected loss, thus lowering the overall house edge. If your objective is to cut down the overall house edge as much as possible then you should take it as much as allowed. However if minimizing variance is important to you then you should avoid it or perhaps only take it once on small payoffs. If you are lucky enough to find a positive expectation machine then you should avoid the double or nothing feature which would lower your overall advantage. Nov. 4, 2000

Video Poker Q&A

Frequently-asked questions

General, inc. Jacks or Better

Deuces Wild

Other Video Poker variations   (e.g., Joker Poker)

Dealing

Doubling up

Multiplay (Multihand)

Paytables

Probability

The Wizard has answered questions about...

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General Topics

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