Simple Joker Wild Strategy for Casual Video Poker Players

Thousands of video poker players diligently look for the best video poker games. They learn and regularly practice the proper strategy for the games and pay tables that are available. They do everything they can to maximize each video poker session they have in a casino. 

Most casino video poker players, however, simply want to relax a little and have some fun playing video poker. They may have heard that video poker has higher returns than standard slots so they choose to play video poker. 

They expect to lose, since casinos have the edge. They just want a shot at winning something without a lot of effort. 

Previous articles covered simple video poker strategies for Jacks or Better and Bonus Poker, as well as Double Bonus Poker. This article is for those casual players who like to play Joker Wild. It shows a very basic video poker playing strategy which will help the player win more than a random player. With fewer and much simpler lines, it can be easily learned and mastered.

Contents

1. What this simple Joker Wild strategy is and what it is not
2. How to use this simple Joker Wild video poker playing strategy 
3. Definition of terms
4. Video poker games that this strategy applies to
5. The simple Joker Wild video poker strategy chart
6. Summary

What this simple Joker Wild strategy is and what it is not

The simple Joker Wild video poker strategy presented in this article is:

• A real, mathematically developed, video poker strategy that shows the best holds in the proper sequence that allow the player to win more.
• It is simple to learn and remember when playing in a casino. A short (several minute) review of the strategy before playing in casino games should be sufficient for most players to master it.
• As with any video poker game, always play the maximum of five credits per hand. The royal flush will then pay 800-for-1 (4,000-for-5) rather than 250-for-1 if less than five credits are bet.

This simple Joker Wild video poker strategy is not:

• A strategy that will get the highest possible return. It will get a reasonably good return with very little effort required to learn the strategy.

How to use this simple Joker Wild video poker playing strategy

This strategy works in the same way as more complex strategies used by advanced video poker players. The strategy is in two parts: hands with a joker and hands without a joker.

• Start at the top line of the strategy section (With/Without Joker).
• If the hand that was dealt is described by that line, hold the cards indicated.
• If the dealt hand is not described by the line, move to the next lower line in the strategy and repeat the previous step.
• If you reach the last line and it does not describe the dealt hand, do not hold any of the cards dealt. Draw five new cards.

Definition of terms in the strategy

To properly use the strategy, the player must know the terminology used.

• Royal flush: the Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10 of the same suit – (Spades, Clubs, Diamonds or Hearts). They can be in any sequence. 
• 5 of a kind: because the Joker can be any card, a 4 of a kind with a joker becomes a 5 of a kind.
• Straight flush: Five cards of the same suit that are sequential (but not necessarily in order). E.g. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 of hearts or 9, 5, 7, 8, 6 of clubs.
• Flush: five cards of the same suit – e.g. 3, 6, 9, 10, jack of diamonds.
• Straight: cards of different suits that are in sequence (though not necessarily in order).
• High cards: Ace, King, Queen, Jack (but not 10 or less)
• If less than five cards of the hand, there can be gaps in the sequence but the sequence must be able to be completed with five cards.
• Natural Royal Flush: a suited ace, king, queen, jack, and 10.
• Joker Royal Flush: four cards of a royal flush along with the joker.
• There is one Joker in the deck. It can represent any suit or rank. For example, with a 4, 6, 7, and 8 of hearts along with the joker, the joker becomes the 5 of hearts for a straight flush.

Video poker games that this strategy applies to

This simple strategy applies to Joker Poker games with the following pay table. It could also work as well with similar pay tables.

Example pay table:

The simple Double Bonus strategy chart

Hands with the Joker:

1. 3 of a kind or higher – except always hold a 4-card royal flush 
2. Any 4-card straight flush
3. Any 4-card flush with an A and/or K
4. Any 3-card royal flush
5. High pair – W-K or W-A (hold W-A if dealt W-K-A)
6. Any 3-card straight flush
7. Any 4-card flush
8. Any 4-card open straight – no gaps
9. Joker (W) only

Hands without the Joker:

1. Any paying hand – except always hold a 4-card royal flush 
2. Any 4-card straight flush
3. Any 3-card royal flush
4. Any 4-card flush
5. Low pair (2-2 thru Q-Q)
6. Any 3-card straight flush (e.g. 4, 7, 8 of diamonds)
7. Any 4-card open straight – no gaps
8. Any 2-card royal flush with A and/or K
9. Unsuited A-K
10.  Lone A or K
11.  Any 2-card royal flush
12.  Draw five new cards

Summary 

Not every video poker player is willing to spend a great deal of time learning and practicing video poker strategy.

There are thousands of recreational video poker players who just want to play the game without spending a lot of time and effort. This article presents a simple strategy for Joker Poker that is easy to learn and use in a casino. Users may not achieve the same return as those players who use a more complex strategy, but they will do better than the masses who simply go with their gut.

If you are one of these casual players who likes to play Joker Poker, consider trying this simple strategy. It will not take long to learn – and you may be very pleased with the results.

If this article interests you, keep reading. Alternatively, explore other topics like how to win at slots. Other topics that might interest you include blackjack strategy and roulette strategy.