Video Poker Doubling Strategy
Video Poker Doubling Intro
When playing video poker on most casino software providers, players will be asked after every win if they want to “double” their bet. You can accept the option and attempt to double your win by taking on the dealer in what amounts to a game of “High Card.”. Five cards are laid out face down and the dealer automatically selects the far left card. The player then chooses which of the remaining 4 cards to turn over, and if the player’s card is higher than the dealers, they double their win amount. If the dealer’s card is higher, the player loses the original win amount and is retuned to the regular video poker game. If they tie, the bet is a push and the player has the option of trying again, or taking the original win amount. Therefore, there is no house advantage (HA) on doubling bets, it is a true even-money/coin flip bet.
When the player wins a double bet, they have the option of taking the doubled win, or again trying to double the entire amount. One other option that players have on some software providers is the “double half” option, where they can choose to bet half the full double amount at any time, with the gameplay being the same as the double option.
When to Use This Strategy
One very important note is that players should only use the video poker doubling option when the doubling bets count towards the total wagering requirement. While there is no house advantage (HA) on these bets, doubling does increase the players overall variance. This is unnecessary and unwanted when these bets don’t contribute towards the overall wagering requirement completion.
The software providers that I can confirm allow video poker doubling bets to count towards the wager requirements are all Playtech and all OddsOn casinos.
The software providers that I can confirm do not allow VP doubling bets to count towards the WR are all Microgaming casinos, both Classic (MGC) and Viper (MGV) versions.
Video Poker Doubling Strategy
The following is our suggested video poker doubling strategy. We make no guarantees that players will profit from this strategy. However, in our experience and the experience of many of our players, this system helps lower the overall house advantage without unnecessarily increasing variance, while at the same time helps to complete the wager requirements faster. Feel free to alter this system in any way you feel may benefit your specific situation.
Cashable Bonuses
For our example, we will assume that the player in question is playing 4 handed JoB VP on Playtech software for $0.25 coins, max coins ($5 total bets). The player is completing the WR for a 100% cashable bonus on a $100 deposit with 15x(D+B) WR, so a total WR of $3,000.
Before beginning play, our player has set a “doubling target” of 2.5 times the amount of his original bet, or $12.50 ($5*2.5 = $12.50). This means that the player will double all wins up to $12.50. So for example, our player holds a pair of queens and is unable to improve on the queens in any hand. So the win is $5. The player will then double that bet being that it is below his $12.50 doubling target. Assuming he wins that double bet, he will be owed $10, still below his doubling target, so he will double again. If he wins this bet, he will be owed $20, which of course is above his $12.50 target. At this point, he will use the “double half” option and continue with the double half bets until he loses. If the double half option is not available at the casino you are playing, then collect all wins when you pass your doubling target and begin a new VP hand.
The player will continue in this same fashion, doubling all bets up to $12.50 then doubling half, until he completes the WR.
Setting a Doubling Target
I recommend that players set a doubling target of between 2 - 5 times the amount of their original total bet (if playing mulithanded VP, the combined bet of all hands is the total bet amount).
A higher target equals higher variance and a higher risk of busting. Therefore, the larger the players total bankroll and tolerance for risk, the bigger the doubling target should be. For players with bankrolls less than $1,000, I would recommend a target of no more than 2.5x the total original bet.
Sticky Type I Bonuses
Before applying this strategy to a sticky type I bonus, make sure you have read and understand the Sticky Type I Bonus Strategy at CasinoBonusPages.com.
Generally, players will set a higher doubling target when playing a sticky type I bonus, as opposed to a cashable bonus, giving them a better chance to hit their sticky target before reaching the WR. I would recommend a doubling target of between 3-6 times the amount of their total initial bet, depending most importantly on the size of their sticky target. The higher the sticky target, the higher their doubling target should be.
Once players reach their sticky target amount, I recommend that they lower their total bet, and either lower their doubling target, or stop doubling altogether. You should then grind through the remaining WR at low bets, thus lowering variance and keeping as much of your profits intact.
Benefits of This Strategy
There are several benefits to using this video poker doubling strategy. For one, it is more fun and exciting than grinding through a large WR playing $3 hands of BJ, without a great deal more risk involved. As always, the opportunity to hit a royal flush is also present as well.
Also, if applied correctly and aggressively, the overall HA can end up being significantly lower than BJ. If we set a doubling target of say 3x our initial total bet, we will end up playing between 60% and 80% of our WR on double bets, which as noted have 0% HA. This can push the HA over the course of the WR to as low as .1%.
Finally, the strategy will help you complete the WR very quickly, depending obviously on the size of your initial total bet, and how high you set your doubling target.
Tips
I would highly recommend that you always choose the same position card when doubling, for instance always select the middle card or the far right card. This has no effect on your chances to win, but is simply for speed purposes, as well as maintaining your sanity. If you always pick the far right card, you don’t waste time thinking about which card to play, and don’t have to feel as though you made a mistake if you pick a random card and lose.
If you are playing at a software provider other than the ones I have verified allow doubling bets to complete the WR, you can always call and ask customer service if they are allowed, although they may not be able to give you a definitive answer. Another way is to check your comp points, if applicable. If you are being credited comp points for your double bets, then it is almost assured that these bets do count toward the WR.
If you make a big hand, say a pat 4 of a kind, or a straight flush or royal flush, you obviously don’t have to double half unless you feel like gambling. Just collect the win and continue on, locking in a nice profit in most cases.
Most casinos offer their software in Play for Free mode, if you want to practice this strategy before risking real money.
Some players will even apply this strategy to casinos where BJ is allowed, given that with a fairly aggressive doubling target, the overall HA is lower than BJ. Most players who do this though, have a fairly high risk tolerance, given that the variance with this strategy is a good bit higher than playing small BJ bets.