This is a new Video Poker game created by IGT, which is an interesting variation of the multi-line format. Rather than playing "X" lines of the same hand, Multistrike is played one line at a time and requires you to qualify on the line below in order to move up. The incentive for doing this is that each successive line pays a multiple of the "regular" pay schedule. For example, in a 9/6 Jacks or Better game, the bottom line (Level 1) pays the same as you'd expect from a single-line version of the game, but the next line up (Level 2) pays two times the normal amount, the line above that (Level 3) pays four times the normal amount and the top line (Level 4) pays a whopping eight times the normal amount! To move up, you must have a hand of Jacks or better, but once you've qualified for any higher level, you get to keep any credits awarded for play on that line plus all of the lines below it.

The catch? Oh, don't worry, there is one. To make a maximum bet in this game requires 5 coins per line, which obviously totals 20 coins per deal and, should you fail to get at least a pair of Jacks on the bottom line, the entire amount is lost. This can happen with frightening regularity, but if the game is played with the proper strategy, you'll get ample opportunity to make up those losses (a 4K on the top line pays 1000 coins!) . From a bankroll volatility point of view, it's even tougher to play Multistrike Poker than playing a game of Jacks or Better on a 4-line multi-play machine where you can also get a series of losses that do some damage to your $$$. But at least in the 4-play game, you'll likely hit some paying hands out of the four that are played and that won't happen at Multistrike Poker, unless you can get a decent hand at Level 1.

It's easy to see that "moving up" is the key to victory for Multistrike Poker and, as you may suspect, that emphasis requires some strategy modifications. Before I get too far into this, it's important to tell you that I learned about this game from an article that was written by Bob Dancer, which was published in the February 2003 issue of "Casino Player" magazine. Bob not only described how the game operated, but also explained how the playing strategy for the game could be computed. However, he published only a general strategy for each level in the article, so the strategy chart, with all its faults and mistakes (if any) that you'll find here is my work alone. I like to think it's accurate, but I might be wrong, so I encourage you to get a copy of Bob's article and decide for yourself before you commit any serious $$$ to this game. Now that all the disclaimers are out of the way, let's move on.

Another unique aspect of this game is the "Free Ride" feature that occurs on a random basis as you're playing. This will appear, according to Mr. Dancer, roughly once every 13 hands. What happens is this: As the cards are being dealt on a particular line, the Free Ride symbol may appear and it's telling you that you'll "move up" to the next line, regardless if you qualify or not. This, too, can affect your strategy so it's another consideration for those who desire to achieve perfect play at this game. Unfortunately, a strategy for Free Rides cannot be built into the strategy chart I made, but let me give you some general advice for playing those hands. Since you're guaranteed to move up in those situations, it's really the time to "gamble" a bit, because the better hand you make on that particular line, the more credits you'll receive. Let me explain that. As you'll see on the strategy chart below, which is for the first line, (Level 1 - other levels will appear in later parts of this series) it's preferable to hold any two "high" cards, Jack through Ace, over a "small" pair (2 through 10). But if you have a Free Ride to the next level, the small pair is a much better play than, say, a King and an Ace because you might get a hand of two-pair or a Full House or even a 4K by drawing to a pair. Sure, you can also get those hands by drawing to a King and an Ace, but the odds are greatly increased by holding a pair and, since you already know you're going to move up, this is a good time to "go for it" and try for those extra credits.

Practicing Multistrike Poker

The vast majority of people who play Multistrike poker will not use the correct strategy, which means the casino will have a bigger edge over them than what's possible by using "perfect" strategy (99.79% for the 9/6 Jacks game, according to Bob Dancer, as stated in his article). The problem for even the best players is that each level of play requires a different strategy, although it's fair to say that these strategies are not worlds apart from one another, nor too far removed from a "regular" 9/6 Jacks strategy. In fact, the proper strategy for Level 4 is essentially the normal strategy one would play for 9/6 Jacks. So, if you're already a good Jacks player, there's not a whole lot more you need to learn in order to do well at this game. By the way, Multistrike Poker is available in versions for other popular VP games, such as Bonus Poker, Double Bonus Poker and so on. The same principles I've discussed here will still apply, although strategies will likely be considerably different.

Before you play the game for real-money, you should practice it extensively, either on your copy of "Bob Dancer Presents WinPoker" (BDPWP) or at the Website that IGT created, which is www.multistrikepoker.com/. You'll need Macromedia's Flash plug-in for it to work in your browser, but that's obtainable at the site. To practice for Level 1 play on BDPWP (You do have a copy, don't you? If not, you can get it at www.zamzone.com), you'll need to adjust the pay schedule of the Jacks or Better game to the following:

You can easily see that six credits have been added to each payoff, but remember that this is for Level 1 only! To practice Level 2, add four to each payout and to practice Level 3, add two to each payout. No changes are needed for practicing Level 4.

The Strategy Chart

Comments: Please remember that the chart below is for Level 1 only of a 9/6 Jacks or Better version of this game. In succeeding articles, I'll cover all the other levels, but if you can't wait until then, use your copy of "Video Poker Strategy Master" (also available at www.zamzone.com/), which is what I did. Just adjust the pay schedule as mentioned above, do some judicious editing, then verify it all on BDPWP and you'll be set. Anyway, here's my version:

9/6 JACKS OR BETTER Level 1, Multi-strike Poker (Hands are in descending order of preference.)