Video poker is often compared to online slots, and the auto hold feature is a great option for players who choose not to learn the standard strategies that often result in the payouts available.

How the Auto Hold Feature in Video Poker Works

The interface and payout options of video poker work a lot like slots. The ultimate goal is to get the highest poker hand ranking possible. In order to do this, the player can choose to keep the cards they want and replace the others with new cards. In normal games, a player simply clicks on the cards they would like to hold to 'freeze' them, and then clicks 'draw' to replace the remaining cards. Because poker games and their respective payout tables vary, there are situations where it is best to keep certain cards in order to obtain the highest payout. If the player knows this strategy, they can increase their odds of winning a larger jackpot. If not, they can opt to use the auto hold feature in video poker to automatically hold the optimal cards and replace the rest.

Whether or Not to Use Auto Hold

Some players are not comfortable with using the auto hold feature in video poker because they are familiar with the strategy for the particular game variant. In this case, they are making the right decision. But the auto hold feature works well for beginners and those who are new to certain games. When a player knows the optimal strategy for certain game variants, it is best for that player to deactivate the auto hold feature and play his or her cards toward the optimal payout table. Most players, however, do not know the optimal strategy and are better off using the auto hold feature. They may not win as much or as often, but they will not lose huge amounts of money due to incorrect play.

The auto hold feature is a great tool for beginners and even experts who are new to certain video poker games. Some software is more favorable than others, however, and this varies from player to player.