Double up

[Looney003]

Is there a game with the double up option or a way to turn it on in any given game?

[Tedlark]

 Avoid this temptation, around my neck of the woods we call it: "The Sucker Button."

[shadowman]

Ted, sorry but I can't agree with this. While many players do overuse the double up option, it is still an even bet. If you are playing a negative game then you can actually reduce your loss rate by using this option.
 
For example, assume your playing dollar 9/6 DDB which has a house edge of 1%. If you play 600 hands/hour that means $3000 through the machines and an average loss rate of $30/hour (1% of $3000). Now, if you take the double option after each bet you will reduce your number of hands played by some factor. If you now play 400 hands/hour and 400 doubles/hour you will lose $20/hour instead of $30/hour.
 
I realize that doubling also increase volatility as well. This can be kept in check by not doubling hands that are quads or better. This is a very low percentage of hands and will keep the volatility more reasonable if that is important to the player.. 
 
Once again, this is only true for negative games. It works just the opposite for positive games and reduces the winning rate.

[Tedlark]

  I see your point shadow but I am from the school of thought that says to take the win if you atleast doubled your money. I wouldn't even use the double up if I had a paying straight or better but that's just my style of play. Remember this past July 4th weekend when I was dealt quad aces with a 4 on 10 play and the machine asked me if I wanted to double up? I about cracked up at that one.

[shadowman]

I play an old machine fairly often where you are asked whether you want to double after each hand and you must answer yes or no. Occasionally anyone who plays this game gets distracted and forgets to press "no". When they get back to playing and if they go to hold the first card ... well, that is the "yes" key.  I've done it myself. So far I've never done it on a big winner. I've heard about people accidentally pressing it on a RF.

[swivet]

Most casinos will let the slot attendant turn off this feature.  It is almost always a dipswitch setting.  Try asking, if you hate it.

[shadowman]

Several player's have requested this feature be removed and the casino claims it can't do it (or doesn't want to do it). Keep in mind the machines are NOT IGT machines. They are built by Atronic.

[marie meijer]

log on  www.freep.com/pilarski  to read Mark Pilarski's column in yesterday's Detroit Free Press "Double up bets among the best". He has other interesting weekly columns as COUNT WINNINGS BEFORE YOU LEAVE.  Someone got to his car and realized the cashier had not given him the right amount.  When receiving hand pay, I say "slow down, I'm a little excited"- where do they learn to handle money and count so fast! Elsewhere, I have read NOT to count your $ from TITO in front of others, ditto atm funds. You should count your $ in your car instead of flashing bills in public, for your own safety. Other columns refer to Detroit area casinos and other gambling issues. I used to do very well in doubling up once or twice per hand convinced of a tad of ESP and compulsively would not double over X amount and NEVER on quads or royal. In recent years, I have preferred to focus on the play instead of interruptions of double feature.Gotta scoot and hit Motor City Casino while my guys go boating/fishing/water skiing.

[Tedlark]

Don't forget the yogurt Marie...

[EDC1977]

Or the trail mix and snack bars.