Video Poker Books Every Player Should Read Before Playing

Video poker is an electronic casino game that’s based on five card draw
poker. The video poker machines are about the same size as slot machines.

The first video poker machine appeared in 1970 when personal computers were
starting to be produced.

Video poker machines started to pick up in popularity in the 1980’s. The
machines were easy to find and were less intimidating than sitting down at a
table with live players.

Full pay variations of video poker include:

• Jacks or Better
• Bally’s All American
• Tens or Better
• Joker’s Wild
• Deuces Wild
• Bonus Poker
• Double Bonus
• Double Double Bonus

Low Pay variations of video poker include:

• 9 / 5 Jacks or Better
• 8 / 6 Jacks or Better
• 8 / 5 Jacks or Better
• 7 / 5 Jacks or Better
• 6 / 5 Jacks or better
• And progressive
  jackpot games

Video poker machines can be found in the large majority of gambling
establishments and players have to identify which machine offers the best
schedules since casinos don’t regularly advertise payback percentages.

These books will teach you how to identify those machines and the strategies
to win.

1 – The Video Poker Edge: How to Play Smart and Bet Right

The Video Poker Edge was written by Linda Boyd and originally published in
2005.

Linda Boyd was a mathematics educator for a number of years before moving
onto playing blackjack and live poker, and then eventually to video poker. She
used for gaming experience and her mathematic background to write this book in
an easy to understand format that lays all the math equations out in tables and
step by step examples.

The book starts with some background information on the game of video poker.
After this, it gives you 8 common video poker games and information on each one.
Information includes every common hand the machine deals and the right response
to each one.

In the back of the book, there are removable strategy cards that can be used
in the casino for reference.

2 – Frugal Video Poker

Frugal Video Poker was written by Jean Scott and Viktor Nacht and was originally
published in 2006.

Jean Scott is best known
for her book The Frugal Gambler published in 1998
and since then has continued to write frugal gambling books. She also has a
video poker software program and a pocket-sized guide to go along with the
Frugal Video Poker book.

The software program is also called Frugal Video Poker and is an at-home
tutoring program to give you real life experience without losing your money.

The pocket sized guide is called The Frugal Video Poker Scouting Guide and
takes the most crucial information from the book and software and puts them into
a small book that easily fits in your pocket so you can take it to the casino
with you.

Viktor Nacht started as a professional blackjack player and webmaster for
publishing houses like the Playboy Enterprises. He moved to Vegas to continue
his career in blackjack and also pick up video poker. He has since purchased
Arnold Snyder’s publishing company and established several gaming websites.

The book starts with information for the beginner video poker player and
walks you through the basics of the game and information about good and bad pay
tables. After you learn to distinguish between the two you’re taken through how
to maximize each machine’s potential and bridge concepts for improved payout
results.

The book also talks about tournaments, progressives, promotions, and new
games.

3 – Video Poker Optimum Play: The Strategies and Tactics of Advantage Play

Video Poker Optimum Play was written by Dan Paymar and originally published
in 1998.

Dan Paymar is a video poker author with a background in computer programming
and engineering. His background helps him better understand how the video poker
machines work and how to get a step ahead of them.

Video Poker Optimum Play is now in its 3rd edition and Paymar also made a
trainer program called Optimum Video Poker. The trainer teaches you strategy
charts and the different choices you have for each hand. It also has an
extensive bankroll requirement feature.

This book is better suited for players that already understand the basics of
video poker and have some experience playing it. The book focuses on the where,
when, and why of playing and the mathematics behind it. You’ll learn about the
most common errors, coupons, evaluating promotions, and advantage play.

4 – Million Dollar Video Poker

Million Dollar Video Poker was written by Bob
Dancer and originally published in 2003.

Bob Dancer is a well-known video poker player
and writer but he is best known for turning $6,000 into $1 million.

This book is more of a story than a strategic guide. You’ll read about
Dancer’s memories of the 6 years it took him to get to $1 million is winnings
and some of the ups and downs he faced while playing video poker.

5 – Video Poker for the Intelligent Beginner

Video Poker for the Intelligent Beginner was written by Bob Dancer and
originally published in 2009.

Dancer wrote this book to help beginner video poker plays get on the fast
track to the upper levels and bigger wins.

The first thing Dancer teaches you is about identifying the highest return
machines. After you master finding the right machine he goes on to explain the
strategies to use for each type of machine to maximize your profit. He includes
tables that break down the strategies into easy to understand steps.

The book also covers topics like team play, casino promotions, scouting,
tournaments, and slot clubs.

Dancer adds a section to talk about Video Poker for Winners! , which is his
software program that deals with your bankroll, profit potential, and promotion
analysis.

6 – The Video Poker Winner’s Guides

Video Poker Winner’s Guide is a 6 book set written by Liam W. Daily and Bob
Dancer.

1 – A Winner’s Guide to Jacks or Better

The first few chapters of this book are to explain the basics to beginners
that have little to no knowledge about video poker. The Authors explain how
Jacks or Better is the easiest machine for beginners to learn on and helps build
their confidence as a new player.

After this the book covers:

• 8 / 5
• 9 / 5
• 8 / 5 / 35
• 8 / 5 bonus machines
• Flush 6
• Flush 5

How to pick the best game and using slot clubs is also covered in two small
sections.

This book is currently in its second edition which added an addition 128
pages of information about:

• Updated Level 4 Flush
  5 strategy
• User-friendly
  notations
• The difference between
  Jacks or Better and other games like Double Double Bonus, Double Bonus, and
  Deuces Wild.

2 – A Winner’s Guide to Double Bonus Poker

This book is divided into 4 sections, each a different level of strategy. It
ranges from beginner’s strategy to advanced strategy. Every level has practice
sessions and examples for each hand based on your video poker knowledge.

It also covers non-full pay and full pay strategies.

The book is currently in its 2nd edition which fixed a few strategy errors
found in the 1st edition and also added information about  3 versions of
double bonus poker including 9 / 7, 10 / 7, and 10 / 7 straight flush returning
80 units.

3 – A Winner’s Guide to Full Pay Deuces Wild

This book is also dived into 4 sections based on your level of knowledge of
video poker and includes information on 20 / 12 / 9 / 5 pseudo full pay.

You’ll learn different aspects of play including strategy and non-strategy as
well as strategies for non-full pay and full pay.

4 – A Winner’s Guide to NSU Deuces Wild

The authors cover 16 / 10 / 4 / 4 / 3 not so ugly and 15 / 9 / 4 / 4 / 3
pseudo not so ugly with examples and practice lessons in each of the 4 sections
of levels from beginner to advanced strategy.

5 – A Winner’s Guide to Pick’em Poker

This book gives an in-depth look at Pick’em Poker which has a 99.95% return
when playing the full pay version. You’ll learn how to analyze the game, the
perfect move for every hand, and examples of the toughest hands you’ll have to
play.

6 – A Winner’s Guide to Double Double Bonus Poker

The authors cover both the uncommon 10 / 16 full pay version with a 100%
return and the common lesser return version of Double Double Bonus Poker.

7 – Casino Video Poker for the GENIUS

Casino Video Poker for the GENIUS was written by Linda Nowell and originally
published in 2015.

Linda Nowell has been playing video poker since 1990 as a hobby in her spare
time and more seriously starting in 2013 when she retired from her corporate
job. She claims he is not a professional, just a winner and that’s why she gives
great perspective for novice players that buy her book.

Her book is written in a conversation style and covers not only how to win
but also how to prolong your play time without stretching your wallet. Nowell’s
explanations help you learn your own risk tolerance and increase your chance of
a royal flush jackpot win.

The book is separated into 4 parts and has 26 chapters and a glossary of
video poker terms.

8 – Confessions of a Video Poker Winner: Revealing Answers for Casual Gamblers…

Confessions of a Video Poker Winner was written by Greg Perry and originally
published in 2011.

The main focus of this book is for the casual player that doesn’t have time
to invest in mastering the game and plays as little as only 8 hours a year.

Perry teaches you how to spot the best machines no matter where you’re at and
how to stretch your money to the maximum playing time and the minimum losses.

He doesn’t teach you the math behind the machine, he teaches you how to enjoy
playing and not loose through comedic analogies and solid advice.

9 – Beginners Best Shot at Video Poker

Beginners Best Shot at Video Poker was written by Bob Maxwell and originally
published in 1995.

The main focus of this book is on Jacks or Better because it can be found in
most gambling establishments and is easiest to learn.

The author covers the history of poker, the difference between draw poker and
video poker, and how to play Jacks or Better.

You’ll also learn about gambling myths and the best plays to make.

This book is about the size of a cigarette pack and can be kept in your
pocket for quick reference while you’re sitting at the machine. It’s written in
an easy to understand format for people with no gambling experience or people
who are just new to video poker.

10 – Mastering Video Poker: A Professional Player’s Secrets Revealed

Master Video Poker was written by David E. Ulmer and originally published in
2009.

Ulmer takes his years of experience and his over 500 royal flush jackpots to
write this instructional book full of strategies and anecdotes to help you win
big.

He focuses on teaching you how to use casino clubs, credit departments, and
strategy to live life like a high roll, suites and benefits included.

His book is written in a comedic style that allows you to relate the
anecdotes to real world video poker problems and how to capitalize on them.

11 – The Basics of Winning Video Poker

The Basics of Winning Video Poker was written by Edward Allen and originally
published in 2011.

This book focuses solely on the basics of video poker to help you build a
foundation in winning.

You’ll learn the basics to playing video poker and about the machines and how
to find the best ones and which ones to avoid.

The author also includes a video poker glossary to help you learn the
standard lingo and some advice for money management.

The book is 50 pages long and makes for a quick read for people with no video
poker experience to get a step ahead of the other beginners in the casino.

12 – The Video Poker Answer Book

The Video Poker Answer Book was written by John Grochowski and originally
published in 2000.

This book is formatted in a question and answer layout. A question about
video poker is asked and then a list of possible answers is given, after this
you’re given the authors answer and his explanation of why it’s the best answer.

This book has information for both the beginner and advanced player and
answers over 300 questions.

But a lot of the information given from the author is given with mathematical
equations and can be hard to follow.

Aside from this, you’re still able to learn basic strategy to the perfect
plays, and anything in between.

13 – Professional Video Poker

Professional Video Poker was written by Stanford Wong and originally
published in 1988.

This book is one of the first books published on video poker and is out of
print.

While some of the information if out of date it’s still full of charts, math,
and facts. The book mainly focuses on 8 / 5 Jacks or Better and is a good read
if you want some history on early video poker machines.

Conclusion

Read these books for amusing stories, to brush up on your game, or to put
yourself on the fast track to becoming an advanced video poker player.