Strategists in the game of Poker are always using mathematics as the ultimate determinant for winning Poker play.  Alas, these geniuses may be correct.  However, if they were entirely right with their Poker hypothesis, then why do many top-rated Poker players still play hunches?

Talking about hunches, the best hunch that a Poker player can use is one that has a modicum of mathematical statistics as a foundation.  If you can combine these two factors, you may very well have yourself a winning combination. 

One of the most underrated of all Poker strategies is playing for the Poker Flush.  Since there are four suits in Poker (hearts, diamonds, spades and clubs), you have 13 opportunities for drawing cards of the same suit.  Let’s examine the Poker Flush from the perspective of both the table Poker player and the online Video Poker player.

Poker Flush – Not an Uncommon Occurrence

Poker Flush hands are, of course, relatively uncommon, although they appear with much more frequency in Video Poker games.  Poker Flush is a valuable play in the hands of old-time as well as with nubile Poker players.  As mathematical statisticians remind us all too often, the odds of drawing a Poker Flush on the initial draw hand deal are 1 in 509 chances. But, it does happen!

However, you are not looking to draw a Poker Flush, although I would not look a gift horse in the mouth.  You are trying to optimize the cards you have drawn in an attempt to maximize your final hand.  In table Poker, you are involved with a set of different rules for each distinct Poker variation:  5 and 7 card Stud Poker; Texas Hold’em; Jacks or Better; and Deuces Wild or any number of wild card variations.

In the realm of Poker hand rankings, Poker Flush tops a Poker straight, but loses to a Poker full house.  The Poker Flush ranks as the fifth highest Poker hand.  What makes it a good play is that your Poker Flush does not need to be in sequential order for you to claim a victory.  To get a Poker Flush after discarding your draw cards is not an uncommon occurrence.

Poker Flush – A Video Poker Gem of a Play

The Poker Flush is an even better play in the game of Video Poker.  Video Poker has taken the world of online gambling by storm.  In Video Poker, you are playing to attain a certain winning hand that will win you money.  Therefore, you are matching your wits against a set of established criteria.

Since you are dealt five cards that you must play in online Video Poker, Poker Flush is a smart play when you’ve been dealt a relatively useless five cards.  After you’ve been dealt your hand, you can either play or give up.  If you choose to give up, you lose that hand automatically, so the propitious decision is to play with the hand you’ve been dealt.

For example, let’s say you are playing online Jacks or Better Video Poker, which means that you will break even in the game at the very least if you attain a hand of at least a pair of Jacks.  If you were dealt a King (spades), 10 (hearts), 8 (diamonds), 4 (spades), and a 2 (spades), you should discard the 10 and 8, and keep the three spade cards, including the King.  You can draw a winning hand if you get another King, or draw two spade cards, or draw two Aces, Queens or Jacks.

This is a sound strategy in Video Poker play.  It is a good idea to practice your Poker game at a free online poker site,  and you will be well-prepared when you play for pay.