Video Poker Forum

Situation:   I am 1k tierscore away from reaching Diamond Status for 2011.  My wife has given me the green light to the casino for 1 more time this calendar year and will take place the Day after XMas at the Joliet Harrahs.  Please let me know which option is going to be the best with the least amount of risk (order that I think are least to most risk)
1.  $1-3/hand Video Blackjack (9/10 skill wise)
 
2. $1 Jacks or Better 5 coin/spin 8/5  (9/10 skill wise)
 
3. $.25 Jacks or Better 5 coin/spin Sequential Royal 6/5 (9/10 skill wise)
 
4.   $.25 Double Bounus Poker 7/5 5 coin/spin (5/10 skill wise)
 

Granted it will take me all day on the $.25 cent machines, I have put lots of time in on JoB.
 
Thoughts or other ideas?
 
Thanks,
TS

Tierscore, Depends on what the video blackjack rules are. If it's standard 3/2 and regular rules (resplit Aces, double any two cards) then you have a 99%+ game on your hands. If there are major restrictions then it may be worse than 8/5 JOB. That being said, I'd probably opt for choice #2 on your list -- it appears to be the least bad of a set of not-so-great games. Good luck reaching Diamond!

Tierscore, Depends on what the video blackjack rules are. If it's standard 3/2 and regular rules (resplit Aces, double any two cards) then you have a 99%+ game on your hands. If there are major restrictions then it may be worse than 8/5 JOB. That being said, I'd probably opt for choice #2 on your list -- it appears to be the least bad of a set of not-so-great games. Good luck reaching Diamond!





 
 
Hello Tomcat,
 
Thank you for your input.  The VBJ machine is pretty bad.  No splitting or doubling down at any time.  Looking like option 2.
 
TS

Any other suggestions/comments from the VP community?

Vpfree2 lists a $1 9/6 DDB progressive. That would be your best return game but it clearly is higher variance.
 
http://www.vpfree2.com/casinos/by-region/mid-west.html
 
If you already know JOB then learning DDB is not difficult.
 
Also listed is a $1 deuces game that has fairly low variance (about the same as DB). Deuces games are pretty easy once you get to know them. However, if you've never played one then it might take longer to learn than DDB.
 
Otherwise, I think #1 is probably the best to minimize your losses (guessing that it's at least as good as 8/5 JOB).

I can rack up the points pretty quickly of 3-play DDB .25cents, so I would opt for that if its available, other than that option 2 looks like your best bet.

Get a few cards made and leave them in high limit slots....

I reached the rest of tier rapidly playing a ten play $ machine at Windsor I had big wins supply bank roll and little time to play. So glad I do not have to return until NEXT year. You have to go for it when you are that close! Quarter play would take too long. We enjoyed Joliet's Diamond Lounge. Windsor requires some 50K tier pts to be able to use their diamond lounge. INSANITY is my more civil term for this greedy requirement! This is the only Harrah's casino property that I have ever heard of that makes the access to their diamond lounge above the standard 11K, the tier requirement for diamond status.Also, In Oct, I won $7K in three great hits on my first trip to Joliet on one machine, TDB, .25, .50 and $ denoms. There is a bank of six Game Maker machines in front of BLUE BAR, with blue neon type lettering. I played end machine closest to that bar and could see BLU over my left shoulder. Machine no. in silver label and black lettering on front mid right:  9 C 0 1/11 800  Two VP.Com members tried this machine since and had nothing great to report.

Thank you all for the help and advice in regards to this personal challange.  I will be sure to report back on the outcome

Tierscore,I had the same situation last week,  I needed 600 tier points to maintain status at a favorite resort casino.  I needed $10 coin-in for VP or $5 coin-in for slots to earn a tier point.  Of course I chose VP so needed to bet $6000. The game that I decided on was STP, Deuces Wild, $1 coin, 3 or 5 lines. This seemed to be a moderate variance with the opportunity for some nice payoffs.  I tried it at the casino last week.  It started poorly, but after a break, and on about my 4th machine, I  found one that was paying well.  Unfortunately, since my bankroll was low, I had changed to $0.50 coin when I hit 4 2's.  I changed back to $1 coin, and it kept going, everything except a Royal.  I could see my goal in sight and reached $6000 bet up about $100.  So I think that my game choice worked as expected.  Of course, it is great good luck to get 4 2's within several hundred hands.I switched to STP DDB, still $1, but a single line, vowing not to fall below break even. I was near break even when I hit a couple of nice hands, so added a second line.  About my third bet I drew to a single A and --- 'reeept' --- there sat 4 A's and a 4 in that second line.  A very nice Christmas present!Good luck to us all in the new year;Vol