Video Poker Forum

I was just at Trump plaza and played at a JOB machine that had a sticker that said "double down".  I really hadn't noticed it before, but a little button popped up before you even drew your 1st 5 cards giving you the option. 
 
Wouldn't it make more sense to double down when you got your first set of 5 cards.  How much does doubling down cost?  An extra 5 coins?
 
Was wondering if you would gain any advantage when using basic strategy of JOB VP.  I was afraid to play it.  My memory of doubling down in my blackjack days wasn't a positive one. 

The "double" option allows you to double your last win. I believe it appears after any winning hand. So, it is nothing like the BJ double down where you are betting before the hand is complete.
 
Doubling is an even bet (100% payback over time). A card is displayed and you pick another card from 4 available cards. If you beat the rank of the displayed card you double the win.

The "double" option allows you to double your last win. I believe it appears after any winning hand. So, it is nothing like the BJ double down where you are betting before the hand is complete.
 
Doubling is an even bet (100% payback over time). A card is displayed and you pick another card from 4 available cards. If you beat the rank of the displayed card you double the win.
 
Thanks, shadowman.  In other words, you won't gain any EV advantage doubling down using perfect strategy.  Right?
 

   
Thanks, shadowman.  In other words, you won't gain any EV advantage doubling down using perfect strategy.  Right? 


 
That's true, it's not an EV advantage but you might lose less money. Assuming a negative return game like 9/6 JOB then the double is actually a better bet then playing another hand. However, it does increase variance and you don't get any comps or points which can be turned into CB or freeplay. Now, if it's something like 8/5 JOB then the double becomes a much better bet.
 
The reason you lose less money is you play fewer hands during a session at the EV of whatever game you are playing..

Thanks, again.  Are you 100% sure that the doubling down is not eligible for cashback or comp pts?

Are you 100% sure that the doubling down is not eligible for cashback or comp pts?


 
I can only say that I've never comps accrued for doubling in any casino I've been in. That still leaves lots of casinos.
 
However, I suspect it's a function of the machines themselves.

Most comping programs are coin/wager driven.  Since doubling occurs within the hand, it can not impact the wager.  Therefore doubling will not generally impact comps.   

I think the "within a hand" view is questionable. The poker hand has completed. You have won X amount of credits. They are YOUR money. You now have to decide whether you want to bet those X credits and double them using a different game.
 
So, the machine *could* treat this as a different bet. However, like I said before, I've never seen this done.
 
Also, on older machines one had to say yes or no to the double option. On newer machines the double option is a separate action (a button on the screen). If you just continue to press max bet you can ignore the double option completely.
 

Sometimes i do the double up mostly when dealt 2 pairs on ddb and if i don't get the FH. I agree with shadowman that ive paid attention to and have never seen any points accumulate when i do this.