Video poker is a bit like slots. The player is dealt five cards. The objective is to obtain as a poker hand ranking as possible. In the endeavor the player is allowed to hold any of the dealt cards and replace the others. In the normal mode the player clicks on the cards he wants to hold, thereby freezing them. Then he clicks on the "draw" button to replace the remaining cards. Based on the variant of the video poker game being played and the payout table provided there is an optimal strategy that dictates which cards should be put on hold in a given situation. If the player knows and employs the optimal strategy then he will increase his chances of winning. With optimal strategies the average payout ratio for most video poker variants is between 98% and 99%. If optimal strategy is not employed the average payout ratio will be lower.

All players do not have the inclination to learn the optimal strategy. The issue is compounded by the fact that there are so many variants of video poker and each of them has a different optimal strategy. To overcome this problem many online gaming software providers have built in the optimal strategies into the computer software. Based on the strategy the software automatically puts the desired cards on hold. Therefore the player automatically plays according to the optimal strategy. This feature is known as Auto Hold. Since the online casino is helping the player it takes a bit back. Games with the Auto Hold feature are played on a second payout table that offers a slightly lower average payout ratio. Online casinos give players the choice whether they want to play with the Auto Hold feature activated or in the normal mode.

The question therefore arises whether a player should opt for the Auto Hold feature or not. If the player knows the optimal strategy for the particular variant of video poker he is playing perfectly then he should not play with the Auto Hold activated but should take advantage of the more favorable payout table. However most players would not be well versed in the optimal strategy. They should play with the Auto Hold activated because they will lose much more through incorrect play than through the second payout table. Another use of Auto Hold is with the Auto Play feature. The Auto Play feature plays a large preset number of games without manual intervention. This can be done only because of the Auto Hold feature.

The Viper software from Microgaming offers the Auto Hold feature in the Power Poker versions of video poker. In the normal state the Auto Hold feature is turned off. The player should use the Games Menu after opening the game. In the Games menu he should select Options and click on Auto Hold in order to activate it.

Comments

 Add Comment

Add Comment