The last day of June was the 31st day of the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. Another four bracelets were meant to be adorning players’ wrists, but in the end only one was dished out, with the other trio of tournaments requiring an unscheduled additional day!

There were seven other events in play throughout the day, and here is how the land lays after the 31st day of the series.

The poker community was rooting for Erik Seidel in Event #60: $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw because he had a chance of becoming only the fifth player in history to win at least ten gold WSOP bracelets. However, Seidel dropped out in fifth, and it was Jason Mercier who eventually emerged victoriously, defeating Mike Watson heads-up to capture the sixth bracelet of his illustrious career.

Dzivielevski (Not That One) Bags the Chip Lead on Day 2 of the $5K NLHE 6-Max

Yuri Dzivielevski won his third WSOP bracelet earlier this month, and now his brother, Vitor, has a glorious chance of bagging his own WSOP hardware. Vitor Dzivielevski (3,425,000) is the chip leader going into Day 3 of Event #65: $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em (6-Handed).

Only 48 players remain in contention for the title and the $938,244 prize money that comes with the victory.

Pedro Garagnani (3,220,000), Cody Jones (2,855,000), Chuanshu Chen (2,52,000), and Norbert Szecsi (2,345,000) round out the overnight top five.

Others to watch for on Day 3 include Tyler Cornell (2,125,000), Georgios Sotiropoulos (1,960,000), Danny Tang (1,940,000), Leon Sturm (1,690,000), Yuliyan Kolev (1,540,000), Ryan Leng (1,425,000), Artur Martirosian (745,000), and Scott Seiver (615,000).

June 30 at 1:00 p.m. local time is when play in this event gets back underway, so return to PokerNews then to see if Vitor can do what Yuri does so well.

Event #65: $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em (6-Handed) Top 10 Chip Counts

Only 13 Super Seniors Remain; Malboubi Leads Them Into the Final Day

The field of Event #61: $1,000 Super Seniors has been slashed to only 13 from 3,121, and it is Rassoul Malboubi (10,150,000) who is in pole position going into the fourth and final day’s action.

Malboubi is the only player with an eight-figure stack, although Farhad Davoudzadeh (9,000,000) is only a handful of big blinds behind him. Davoudzadeh started Day 3 as the chip leader and built on his previous solid start to continue his quest for poker gold.

None of the remaining 13 players have a bracelet to their name but that will change on June 30 when one of them will become this event’s champion, capturing a coveted gold bracelet and the $371,603 top prize.

Play resumes at 10:00 a.m. local time and continues until only one player remains. Stay tuned to PokerNews to discover who that player is.

Event #61: $1,000 Super Seniors Final Day Chip Counts

Prociak Leads the Final 5 in the NLHE/PLO Mixed Event

David Prociak (21,450,000) leads the final five players in Event #62: $1,500 Mixed No-Limit Hold’em/Pot-Limit Omaha, and looks set to win the second bracelet of his career. Prociak returns to the table with a commanding chip lead over his opponents; his stack is almost double that of anyone else.

David Simon (11,900,000) returns in second place, while Eric Pfenning (8,100,000), Tsuf Saltsberg (6,550,000), and Eran Carmi (3,925,000) are also present and correct.

The final day commences at 4:00 p.m. local time on June 30, a later time that usual due to PokerGO streaming the action. PokerNews will be on hand to bring you text updates alongside the stream.

Event #62: $1,500 Mixed No-Limit Hold’em/Pot-Limit Omaha Final Table Seat Draw

Miller is the Man to Catch in the Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Championship

Event #63: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship was meant to crown its champion, but the scheduled final day ended with six players still in the hunt.

Ryan Miller (2,230,000) leads those six stars back into battle, his stack putting him narrowly ahead of Bryn Kenney (2,035,000) in second place.

Maximilian Schindler (1,910,000), the Day 2 chip leader, is nicely poised in third, while Andres Korn (1,300,000), David “Chino” Rheem (525,000) and Eddie Blumenthal (455,000) have some catching up to do.

The plan is to have these six hopefuls return to the battle from 2:00 p.m. local time on June 30, and play until only one of them has chips in front of them. Who will that player be? Tune into PokerNews to find out.

Event #63: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better Final Day Seat Draw

$600 Deepstack Championship Field Cut to 44

Cade Lautenbacher (7,205,000) goes into Day 3 of Event #64: $600 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack Championship with a narrow lead as he hunts for the second bracelet of his career. Lautenbacher won a bracelet in a $1,000 buy-in online event during the 2022 WSOP, and is now looking to add another piece of poker jewelry to his collection.

Only 43 players stand between Lautenbacher and the Atlanta native achieving his goals. Jonathan Fhima (6,665,000), and Julian Pineda (5,860,000) are Lautenbacher’s nearest rivals, but the likes of Joe Ebanks (5,355,000), Howard Mash (3,940,000), Erik Cajelais (2,660,000), Sacha Cohen (2,035,000), and Joseph Hebert (730,000) will all fancy their chance, although Hebert is the second-shortest stack in the field.

Day 3’s action starts at 10:00 a.m. local time on June 30, and the plan is to play down to five players. Keep your browser locked to PokerNews for all the updates from this event and all other bracelet-awarding tournaments at the 2023 WSOP.

Event #64: $600 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack Championship Top 10 Chip Counts

Kopp On Course to Take Down the $1,500 PLO8 Event

William Kopp (7,500,000) finds himself in the envious position of going into the final day of Event #66: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better with such a commanding chip lead that he could double-up of his last remaining 11 opponents and still not be eliminated!

Kopp’s colossal stack contains 125 big blinds, with the 3,450,000 stack of Michael Rodrigues worth 58 big blinds at the restart! Kopp’s stack could have been even larger had it not been for a controversial ruling in a hand with Mike Linster, but he has little reason to grumble.

Among the returning players are bracelet winner Yuval Bronshtein (2,155,000), Loni Hui (1,335,000), Anthony Zinno (825,000), and Aaron Wallace (580,000).

Play resumes at 1:00 p.m. local time on June 30, and play will continue until a champion is crowned. Stay locked to PokerNews as this tournament draws to a thrilling conclusion.

Event #66: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Top 10 Chip Counts

Brill Bags Big in the Ladies Championship After the First of Four Days

Event #67: $1,000 Ladies Championship saw 1,295 women buy in, eclipsing last year’s record attendance by nine entries. After the completion of ten levels, only 330 of those starter had chips in front of them.

Bernice McLennan (276,500) bagged up the most chips at the close of play, but she is being chased down by some talented ladies, so has much work ahead of her if she is to becoming this tournament’s champion.

Katrina Lim (245,000), Karina Jett (222,000), and Ruth Hall (218,000) each bagged and tagged enough betting tokens for a place in the overnight chips counts’ top ten. The popular Veronica Brill (212,500) is lurking just outside the top ten, while the likes of Samantha Abernathy (185,000), Vanessa Kade (146,000), and Melissa Schubert (97,000) find themselves in a healthy position.

Others to look out for on Day 2 include the 2021 Ladies Championship winner Lara Eisenberg (72,500), four-time bracelet winner Kristen Foxen (59,500), and reigning champion Jessica Teusl (39,000).

The 330 survivors return to their seats from 10:00 a.m. on June 30 to play another ten levels. Join the PokerNews live reporting team then to see which of the ladies shines the brightest on Day 2.

Event #67: $1,000 Ladies Championship Top 10 Chip Counts

Super Turbo Bounty Spills Over Into a Second Day

As predicted, Event #68: $1,000 Super Turbo Bounty did not crown its champion in a single day, as there was not enough time to whittle the bumper 2,854 crowd to a victor. The WSOP tournament directors called time on proceedings when there were nine players remaining, and those players will head back to their seats at 2:00 p.m. on June 30.

Gabriel Schroeder (13,675,000) is the man to catch on Day 2 although anything could happen because almost everyone is short-stacked. Five of the finalists, including Irishman Andy Black (2,600,000), have sub=10 big blind stacks, so expect the action to be fast and furious on June 30 when PokerNews‘ coverage resumes.

Event #68: $1,000 Super Turbo Bounty Top 10 Chip Counts

Stellar Field Turns Out for the $10K 2-7 Single Draw Championship

Some 126 players bought into Event #69: $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw Championship, but that number will likely increase, as late registration remains open until the start of Day 2.

Michael Moncek will not be a late registrant because the two-time WSOP champion bought in on Day 1 and finished the night with a tournament-leading stack of 452,000.

Historically, this event tends to attract poker’s superstars, and this year’s edition was no different. The ten features names such as Galen Hall (298,000), Jon Turner (270,000), Ryan Riess (256,500), Jason Mercier (255,500), and Paul Volpe (233,500).

Lower down the pecking order you find Mike Matusow (216,000), Yuri Dzivielevski (212,500), Daniel Negreanu (201,000), Eli Elezra (196,000), and Johnny Chan (142,000) among many others.

Day 2 shuffles up and deals at 1:00 p.m. local time on June 30, and PokerNews will be on hand to bring you all of the action. See you there!

Event #69: $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw Championship Top 10 Chip Counts

What to Expect on Day 32 of the 2023 WSOP

There will be bracelets galore on Day 32 of the 2023 WSOP

Event #61: $1,000 Super Seniors will 100% crown its champion on June 30, and we cannot wait to see who that champion will be. We will also discover who wins Event #62: $1,500 Mixed No-Limit Hold’em/Pot-Limit Omaha, Event #63: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Event #66: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, and Event #68: $1,000 Super Turbo Bounty.

By the time the curtain comes down on Day 32, everyone will be in a better position to figure out who the champion of Event #64: $600 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack Championship could be.

Event #65: $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em (6-Handed) will continue whittling down its field, as will Event #67: $1,000 Ladies Championship, and Event #69: $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw Championship will do the same.

Two new events take us into the weekend, and what tournaments they are, despite being at opposite ends of the buy-in scale. Event #70: $400 Colossus has the potential to hit more than 15,000 entrants over the course of two starting flights, while the field of the Event #71: $50,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller will read like a who’s who of the poker world.

This article has been updated since its original publication.

Looking for an online casino with a no deposit bonus in the USA? Let’s see what your best options are in 2023.

There are a lot of US casino sites that offer no deposit bonuses and other fantastic bonus offers to play real money games online. Currently these casino games are only available to players in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan & West Virginia, the states with legalized online gambling.

If you are interested in the fascinating history of online gambling in the US, please click here for a brief description of its eventful past.

Instead, if you want to see the best no-deposit bonuses at US online casinos, please see our comprehensive list below.

Online Casino with No Deposit Bonus in the USA

Some online casinos will welcome you with a real money bonus.

Others, if you register at the right time, will let you play with a no deposit bonus or free spins on registration.

On most casino sites, however, you need to make at least one deposit to trigger their welcome / signup bonus. While deposit bonuses are usually less attractive than free ones, they also come with easier wagering requirements and a set of terms and conditions that make it easier to withdraw the money when you win.

Personally, I see these websites serving two very different purposes:

• The US casinos with free real money bonuses that do not require a deposit are perfect for a quick game. You register, claim the bonus, and you use the free money to play. Whenever I want to try a new online casino, I always pick one with a free bonus, and no deposit required.
• The US casinos with a deposit bonus are different. Those are the sites I pick when I plan to play for a longer time and where I plan to explore more sophisticated casino games like online blackjack or internet roulette. When I play on these websites, I know that I don’t get immediate value (AKA. free money), but I also know that I will get a lot of good promotions and freebies when playing.

No Deposit Bonus at PokerStars Casino

PokerStars Casino, one of the world’s best-loved poker & casino brands, offers players an outstanding selection of casino games with a generous no-deposit bonus to match. To claim the offer, new players must create a PokerStars Casino account and opt-in to the promotion to bag a hefty $100 in poker and casino free play. Then, play a hand in a real money cash game or bet $1 in the PokerStars Casino – it’s that simple!

All offers available on PokerStars Casino are correct at the time of writing.

No Deposit Bonus at BetMGM Casino

BetMGM, the self-professed ‘King of Casinos,’ offers players a stunning selection of live table games and hot slots on their dedicated casino site. Moreover, the casino provides new customers with a terrific no-deposit bonus offer where BetMGM Casino will give players $25 on the house in addition to a 100% deposit match up to $1000. The free $25 is available immediately, while players looking to take advantage of the helpful deposit match can do so from a $10 deposit upwards.

All offers available on BetMGM Casino are correct at the time of writing.

No-Deposit Bonus at Borgata Casino

Famous for its enormous bricks & mortar casinos, Borgata Casino also has a phenomenal online casino that allows you to play slots and table games from the comfort of your home. New customers can benefit from a no-deposit bonus at Borgata, with the casino rewarding first-timers with a $20 bonus on the house and a matched opening deposit of up to $1000. For those interested, the $20 no-deposit bonus is available straightaway, while you can utilize the matched bonus dollars for up to 30 days.

All offers available on Borgata Casino are correct at the time of writing.

Social Casino with Sign-Up Bonus in the USA

If you reside in a state that does not allow real-money gambling, you can still take advantage of fantastic sign-up bonuses at social casino sites.

Some may think that social casino games are less exciting than real money ones only because you don’t actually win anything. But that’s wrong.

In 2023, the software houses behind these free-to-play games are at least as big and advanced as those that produce real money casino games.

Think about this: only some people feel comfortable spending their money to play games online. Only some people want to invest their hard-earned cash in games where the house has an advantage.

Whether you play slots or roulette or think you have found a way to execute the best blackjack strategy to perfection, you are always more likely to lose money than to win it.

If you think about gambling as a form of entertainment, social casino games make a lot of sense. All the platforms, graphics, and features you find on the free casino games offered on mobile casino apps like Chumba Casino, PokerStars Play, and Borgata Casino are as good as those you see on real money casino sites.

You know what? Sometimes they’re even better. Find some of the best social casino sign-up offers below.

Sign-Up Bonus at Chumba Casino

Home to over 1 million daily players, Chumba Casino brings the enthralling experience of the social casino to players across the US. With over 100 free-to-play games available on desktop and mobile devices, players can kickstart their adventure with the sign-up bonus of 2 million Gold Coins & 2 million FREE Sweeps Coins available to new players today!

All offers available on Chumba Casino are correct at the time of writing.

Sign-Up Bonus at PokerStars Play

PokerStars Play is the hugely popular free-to-play arm of the world’’s leading poker & casino site, PokerStars. Offering state-of-the-art slots and a great selection of dedicated poker tables, players can win up to 1,000,000 Free Chips when they sign-up and get involved at PokerStars Play.

All offers available on PokerStars Play are correct at the time of writing.

Sign-Up Bonus at Slotomania

Boasting some of the best slot games of any social casino, Slotomania is a free-play favorite with a big sign-up bonus available for players. Offering 1,000,000 coins as a welcome bonus, you can get the action underway immediately, spinning your way to victory at this fabulous social casino.

All offers available on Slotomania are correct at the time of writing.

The History of US Online Gambling & the UIGEA (2006)

The reason why it is SO hard to find a good online casino with a free signup bonus that lets you play for real money in the US comes down to five letters: U I G E A.

Known as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, the UIGEA is the bill that put real money casino games on hold in the US.

Since the Bush administration passed that bill way back in the 2000’s, all the online casinos that offered real money games online had to close their doors to US players.

Or, well, they should have done so because some continued to operate despite the legislation (spoiler alert: don’t play there. Those sites are illegal).

I won’t bore you with the details of every single thing that happened between 2006 and 2023. Instead, here are the most important bits you should know:

• The UIGEA stopped real money gambling in the US in 2006.
• Real money gambling online is now legal (again) in several states.
• If you are in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan & West Virginia, you can play legal casino games online for real money.

Now you know about the legislative framework in the United States and why only a few casino sites offer free bonuses to play real money games to US players!

The promotion presented on this page was available at the time of writing. With some Casino promotions changing on daily basis, we suggest you to check on the site if it still available. Also, please do not forget to read the terms and conditions in full before you accept a bonus.

This article has been updated since it was first written.

In this article, I am going to explain how to beat the video poker machines by:

• Playing smarter
• Playing slower
• Picking the best games
• Reducing the house edge
• Avoiding the stupidest mistakes

In case you already know all of this and can’t wait to play some of the best video poker games – this is the site you should visit.

However, if you’d like to know how to play better with a helpful video poker strategy – continue reading.

What Makes Video Poker Special?

Since it made its entry into the casino scene back in the 1970s, video poker has gone from strength to strength to become one of the most popular gambling games.

Do you know why?

Video poker is one of the few casino games that not only offer some of the highest odds in casino gambling, but it also gives you the chance to influence the game’s outcome — although luck is still the dominant factor here.

Moreover, Video Poker gives you that much-craved anonymity in the sense that you can play alone and without the psychological pressure of a live poker game.

In other words, you don’t have to deal with pit bosses, dealers, or fellow players who dissect and even irritatingly comment on your play.

As if that’s not enough, video poker is also popular because it brings into the mix a low house edge (profit to the casinos) while still giving you, the player, a chance to interact with the game and not just be a passive spectator.

While these are just some of the few godsend advantages that video poker brings into your playbook, the biggest question remains: how can you get your best chances when you play on video poker machines?

You may have probably come across an adage in the betting circles that states:

“The house always has an advantage.”

It may be hard to refute this, but video poker is almost an exception to this rule.

It doesn’t matter whether you play Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, or any other video poker variation.
With the right skills, strategy, knowledge and an element of luck, you can beat video poker machines hands down.

The fact that you are playing against a machine and not against other players is an advantage that makes video poker machines very beatable.

Add this to the fact that you’re almost five times more likely to hit a big jackpot (aka. the Royal Flush) when playing video poker makes it one of the best games out there.

In fact, you should seriously consider moving from traditional slot machines to video poker machines.

But before you blindly jump ships, here’s how to beat video poker machines.

Learn the Rules of Video Poker

Playing video poker is simple.

While there are various variants of video poker, they have one thing in common: they’re all based on simple mechanics of five-card draw poker.

Video poker uses a standard 52-card deck.

After you make your wager and press the “Deal” button, the machine randomly gives you five cards.

At this point, you need to choose which cards to keep and which cards to throw away or discard.

To keep them, tap on the pictures of your chosen cards on the screen.

Once you have made your pick, press the “Draw” button for the machine to replace the discarded cards randomly.

In this exciting game, your winning is based on ending up with a poker hand such as flush, straight, two pairs, or even a royal flush.

Always keep in mind that the amount that you win per hand depends on the poker value of your hand and the posted paytable of the machine you’re playing.

One of the most important things to know on how to beat video poker is that you have to make a wise decision on which of your dealt five cards to keep and which ones to discard.

Remember, making the right decision from the word go will give you the best chances of winning – maybe even a jackpot!

Video Poker Odds

Your best chance of winning at video poker requires a thorough understanding of the video poker odds. This will help you to employ the correct video poker strategy and maximize your chances of hitting that jackpot win! Please find a full list of odds below:

Video Poker Basic Strategy

The gravest mistake that you can make in your quest to succeed in video poker is to attempt playing by just…guessing.

You will lose a lot of money on a simple game that gives you a real shot at winning.

Remember, having the right skills and using an optimum video poker strategy will not only give you a higher chance of winning, but you will also enjoy the benefits that come with the satisfaction of doing everything the right way.

Keep in mind that you are also able to thoroughly practice on your computer before risking real money on a real video poker machine.

Choose the Right Pay Table

One of the best things about playing video poker is that the machine allows you to know the expected return (RTP) before you even start to play.

Video poker is incomparable to any other game because unlike quite a few new slots, it is the only game that shows you the expected return on your money on the paytable.

It is, therefore, crucial that you do your research to identify the best video poker machines that offer good paytables.

For your best chance to beat the video poker machine, you should understand that the return on a particular video poker machine is based on the machine’s paytable.

For instance, online casinos average a profit of about 3% on each play of a video poker game.

This profit is known as the house edge.

Now if the Online Casinos get 3%, the player should get a return of 97%, which can vary depending on the video poker machine’s paytable.

That’s why you need to check out various machines and their paytables before you play the video poker game with the highest returns.

For example, you increase your chances of beating a video poker machine if you choose a game with a paytable that offers a 99.54% return than if you pick a video poker game with a paytable that provides a 97.29% return.

In other words, the 99.54% machine only keeps 0.47% house edge while the 97.29% machine keeps 2.71%.

In this case, choosing the 99.54% is the better option as it offers you close to full pay.

On the contrary, you will lose your money almost six times faster if you play on the 97.29% machine.

There is, consequently, no doubt that searching for a good machine will pay.

You should not fall prey to using machines that are lousy or machines that offer terrible payables.

How to Beat Jacks or Better Video Poker

Each video poker game has its own strategies.

For instance, the strategy that will help you play improved Jacks or Better is different from that which will help you play Deuces Wild.

And because learning all the strategies in the book might be tiresome, if not impossible, let’s look at how to play video poker Jacks or Better.

Even though Jacks or Better offers one of the lowest returns, especially when compared to games such as Deuces Wild, Double Bonus Poker, and other variations, it remains one of the most enthralling and rewarding video pokers games, at least according to the majority of video poker players.

Playing for Max Coins

Naturally, you must always adjust your stakes according to what is right for you, but Jacks or Better video poker machines offer the top payout for a royal flush (the jackpot) when all five cards are in play.

Even though you can bet between one to five coins per hand, you only stand a chance to get the bonus on a royal flush when you bet five coins per hand.

On the contrary, you can consider dropping down to a lower coinage if you aren’t comfortable with the five-coin bet.

The only difference is: you will not play for the jackpot.

Find the Best Video Poker Pay Table

Finding the best paytable is crucial if you are serious about playing on a video poker machine.

With regards to Jacks or Better, there is a myriad of pay charts available.

Although each pay chart offers a different house edge, you should always consider going for a 9/6 (or more) pay chart when playing Jacks or Better video poker.

This is because a 9/6 is a fair return that offers full house pay on nine coins and flush pay on six coins.

Playing on a pay chart that offers less than the 9/6 pay chart is a risky move and a clear indication that you are playing with a bigger house edge.

In this case, you are giving the casino more profit (money) per hand, thereby losing your money faster than you realize.

Slow Down Your Video Poker Play

Like almost all casino games, you should always remember that video poker machines are designed for one main purpose: make a profit (house edge) for the casino.

Either way, the more you play, the more you lose.

It is, therefore, advisable to apply what I call “a slow-down strategy” when playing Jacks or Better.

One of the benefits of playing at an online casino table is no one will chase you, and no one will call the clock if you take some time to decide what cards to keep.

Even better – You can play and go on a break anytime you want.

The key is not to rush and not to play for volume. Video poker, unlike online poker, is a gambling game where a greater number of hands played means a higher chance of you losing your money.

If you play poker, you know that the key to being a winning player is to play fewer hands.

Video poker is different.

In video poker, you don’t need to play fewer hands – you need to play slower hands.

This will help you in lessening your hourly losses, hence giving you the opportunity to play for longer and increase your chances to hit a royal flush or to put together a sizeable win.

Even though this is nothing but common sense, many players often ignore this basic gambling principle and therefore lose a lot of money within a very short period.

You need to take complete control of your hand-per-hour to get the chance to extend your playing time and minimize your losses at the same time.

Play Jacks or Better Video Poker

Join a Video Poker Player’s Club

More often than not, the player’s clubs are created and designed to get you and other players to play more and longer to get comps.

While this may seem like a negative, it shouldn’t be your grounds for not joining them.

The Player’s Clubs are your best chance to earn special bonuses that online casinos give only to their most valuable players.

This works to your advantage in the sense that it helps you reduce the house edge in the long run.

I strongly recommend you browse through the best casinos online and choose the one that has the best advantages when it comes to long-term video poker playing.

Play the Progressive Jackpot Video Poker Machines

One of the main reasons why almost all casinos offer progressive jackpots is to give players an added chance of reaping big on a relatively small bet.

Jacks or Better video poker games are known to offer some of the best progressive jackpots out there, but you only stand a chance of winning if you use the best strategy.

The problem is many progressive Jacks or Better video poker machines use very terrible pay tables.

You should be very vigilant to ensure that you only play progressive jackpot on machines that offer a comparatively good pay table.

Remember, progressive jackpots offer players the chance of winning phenomenally big. It could be you.

But if you pick a video poker game that gives you no chance of winning, then you won’t get a single chance to beat the game.

Keep an Eye on the Video Poker Bonuses

There are always a lot of promotions and offers not just on the Jacks or Better video poker but on other video poker games too.

By targeting the right promotions, you stand a bigger chance to play for longer on video poker machines.

Don’t ignore the bonuses to play video poker, and don’t be afraid to use a casino’s live chat feature to ask if there’s something for you or clear doubts you might have about the terms and conditions.

Only last month, I received four bonuses only because…I asked for them.

Sometimes, online casino websites are so bad that it’s nearly impossible for an average user to find all the promotions or all the latest casino bonuses that are running at any given time.

Things to Avoid in Video Poker

And now, a few practical and simple tips to win at video poker online.

The Kicker

When you play Jacks or Better video poker, you should always avoid the widespread blunder of retaining a kicker.

Many players mistakenly think that keeping a kicker gives them a higher chance to win with a higher payout.

The Straight/Flush

You should also never attempt to keep three cards in your quest of chasing a straight or a flush.

Keeping three cards with the hope of grabbing a straight or a flush only leaves you in a losing position.

The only time that you can keep all three cards is when you can pull off the highly valuable straight flush in your attempt at going after a big payout.

Keep in mind this basic strategy on how to play video poker machines: Never give up a winning hand in an attempt to get an even bigger hand.

Video Poker Strategy Conclusion

Playing video poker games, particularly Jacks or Better video poker, is one the best choices you can make when you log in to your favorite online casino.

Video poker games come with a lot of options and features that not only make them a proper alternative to traditional slot machines but also give players a real shot at some fun.

FAQs – Video Poker Strategy

What video poker game has the best odds?

It all depends on the video poker paytables, but you should probably be looking at full-pay Deuces Wild games if you want a video poker game with the best odds.

Can you cheat at video poker?

You can cheat everywhere, but you don’t want to. You’d risk your winnings, and you can get your account banned. Instead, use proven video poker strategy and tips and land some winnings the right way.

Is video poker better than slots?

In many ways yes. The slots have their own advantages, but as a whole, it is hard to find slots that offer a house edge which would be as beneficial to the player as video poker does.

How to beat Jacks or Better at video poker?

To beat Jacks or Better video poker game, you need to keep two things in mind: you must find games with good payables (9/6 or more), and you have to play for the max. Only betting five coins per hand will give you a chance to land the Royal Flush (the jackpot), and that’s how you win at Jacks and Better video poker.

What is the strategy to win at video poker every time?

There is an element of chance, just like with any other casino game, so you cannot win at video poker every time. You can maximize your chances, though; find games with good payables, understand the rules, take your time when making decisions, and aim for progressive jackpot machines. These would be the winning video poker tips in a nutshell, but you might want to read up on that in more detail, and this is the perfect article!

Can I play online video poker for real money?

Yes, you can definitely play video poker online for real money. Simply pick a casino that offers video poker games and is available for real money play in your region, choose a game you fancy, and use tips to maximize your wins. Don’t forget to gamble responsibly!

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After four-day of play in Event #60: $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw at the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP), a returning Jason Mercier beat Mike Watson in heads-up play to capture his sixth gold bracelet and the $151,276 first-place prize.

It was a repeat showdown of the 2016 WSOP $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Championship, where Mercier overcame Watson to secure his fourth piece of WSOP hardware.

The event saw 548 entries and generated a $731,580 prize pool. Mercier took the lions share, while Watson was awarded $93,495 for his runner-up finish.

$1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw Final Table Results

Mercier Back for Good?

Mercier discussed the unlikely repeat matchup against Watson, saying, “I’ve been three-handed with him four separate times in major events, and I’ve won all four. So he’s gotten second twice and third twice. But in particular, we played heads up for the no-limit deuce bracelet in the $10K in 2016. So it was definitely a bit of déja vu.”

“You know, going into heads up, I was a little worried that he was finally going to get me. But luckily, I ran hot and was able to beat him again.”

Mercier burst on the scene in 2008, racking up at least a million dollars in earnings in nine of the ten years until 2017, ranking him at the time number 11 on the cash leaderboard to go with those five WSOP bracelets. Then he walked away, choosing to take a break from poker to focus on his family.

“After my son was born, I knew things were going to be different,” Mercier he wrote on the PokerStars blog at the time. “Becoming a parent brings about a complete transformation of who you are. I no longer let myself be so concerned with what I want but more so with the well-being of my wife and my child (and future children). Serving and leading my family is of utmost importance.”

In 2022 Mercier returned from his self-imposed exile (now with three children in his growing family), appearing to have not lost a single step from those five years off. He notched a 6th place finish in 2022’s WSOP $50,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha event and 16th in the $10,000 Razz Championship, and earlier this year earned the first place prize in the PokerGO $25,000 10-Game Championship.

Mercier discussed how he was able to continue where he left off despite poker changing so much in the intervening years. “Everyone’s a lot better. The game is different. There’s just not as many people that are drawing dead at the game.”

But he admitted he hasn’t studied up to prepare for the new poker strategies, preferring to hone his skills through play. “I’m not much of a studier. I just kind of play and get my experience by playing more hands. “So it’s kind of like riding a bike, you know? I just hopped back on.”

Day 4 Action

Erik Seidel was masterly in making a run at capturing his tenth-career WSOP bracelet and his second in no-limit 2-7, applying his many years of experience and wiles with a quiet deadliness that left a trail of busted players in his wake.

However, despite finding an early double through Jon Turner, Seidel was the first to exit on the final day after being felted by Watson.

Short stack Turner was next to depart after his stack was collected by Brad Ruben. Ruben had a pat ninety-eight, and Turner was unable to draw winning cards to his 6x5x4x, ending his day in fourth place.

Similar to Mercier, Ruben was on the hunt for his sixth bracelet and was the favorite after coming into Day 4 as the chip leader. But after doubling up Watson in an incredibly close hand, he was suddenly the short stack. His third place bust out would come at the hands of Mercier.

Mercier and Watson Run It Back

Heads-up play was a tight affair, but after ninety minutes, Mercier took the lead when his ten-seven pipped his opponent’s jack-seven.

Mercier extended that lead by taking laying a trap with a jack-nine, and snapping when Watson bet with a pair of queens.

Mercier’s relentless pressure soon backed Watson into a corner, and when Mercier bet to put Watson all-in, he had no choice but to call. Watson still had a fighting chance when it was revealed each had a ten-eight draw, but Mercier drew better, hitting a five.