Video poker is a game of gambling, which means it's very unlikely that you're going to get away without losing any money at all. The best way to look at video poker, similarly to any game of chance, is to consider it a form of entertainment, which you pay to access. This way, if you win, that is simply a bonus on top of your enjoyment. The worst thing a player can do is expect to win every time, it's important to learn to be realistic, as then you will have more fun, and more money left over at the end of the day.
The first thing you need to do before you start playing any game is figure out how much time you have to spend. The amount of time you take gambling is directly related to how much money you'll end up spending. It doesn't matter how good your strategy is, the chances are that the longer you play, the more money you'll end up losing. If possible, start by deciding whether you'd rather play a short or long session.
Next, you will need to set limits on how much you're going to spend. Limiting the amount that you can spend is the most essential part of money management, because if you have run out of cash, then you can't play anymore. Know how long you're going to play for and make sure that you don't go over your cash limit, even if the time hasn't run out yet.
Another important piece of advice when it comes to video poker money management, is to track your wins and losses. Start by noting down how much money you have to start with, then record how much you lose or win with each hand of poker. This way, you will be more aware of how much cash you are losing, and how much you win.
Once you have started a video poker session, you don't have to stay glued to it for your entire allocated time. A good thing for poker players to do is break up their sessions with frequent breaks and pauses. This not only gives you a chance to clear your head, but also breaks up moments of stress. It's easy for players of video poker to fall into a zone wherein they lose all track of time, however scheduling prevents this from happening. Usually, stepping away from the game from time to time will help you to enjoy the game more, and think about your decisions more carefully.
Just like any other game of chance, the biggest problem that video poker players' face, is an ability to recognize when enough is enough. This sense of attachment people develop within a game is what causes the largest amounts of financial problems resulting from gaming. If you want to ensure that you continue to enjoy the thrill of video poker from years to come, be aware of when you should walk away from the machine.