Beginners Strategy

[jeffbrownperson]

Hello everyone. I would like to know if there are some beginners strategy that I can have in order to really get things going in this one. I just hoped that things would work out well and that I would be able to learn more in this one. Thanks!__________________________Pokerstars

[New2vp]

Hey there JB, You might find what you want on the following website:http://wizardofodds.com/games/video-poker/Look under Playing Strategy.  You will find what is called:some "simple" strategies and "basic" strategies for a few games, as well as what the author calls "intermediate" and "optimal" strategies if you find that you want to learn a little more.If you look around that website, you can also find some practice games and other links.  There are also some tips on this website if you look under the "Learn" section.Another thing to do would be to explore this forum under the "Software" heading to see if you would like to learn strategies from what are called various video poker "trainers."  Some have some free trial offers to see if you like them.Best of luck!

[jim18]

On this website you can play games in a training mode.  This will help you to learn basic strategy.Over the years I have purchased strategy cards, produced by Bob Dancer, printed out strategies from Wizard of Odds, subscribed to “Strictly Slots Magazine”, and read hundreds of postings, many from so called VP experts on this site.Is this enough to make a player successful?  I do not think so.My conclusion is that VP for 99 % of the population should be treated as entertainment.  There are a number of reasons for this conclusion, but some of them are bank roll limits, pay back schedules that are poor in the denomination you can afford to play at, and the RNG (random number generator).In the short run, the most important factor that the casual gambler has to respect is the RNG.  The player does not control this.  Rather, it controls the player.Recently, a player posted on this site that he went to Harrah’s Casino in AC.  He admits to playing a game with 97 % accuracy (this is low), and it appears that the game of his choice was a poor pay schedule.  Even so, this player won $20,000 on one hand.  The next day, he again played at the same casino, and had about 10 more jackpots of $1,000 to $10,000.Sure, I agree that his results are statistically unlikely.  My conclusion is that the RNG, for the short run was good to him.  Not some other reason for winning.And, if you look closely at the stories of certain people on this website, you will find that you are not going to duplicate the circumstances under which they play - and allegedly win.  For example, do you play JoB, at the dollar level, with a progressive jackpot of $9,000 to $28,000, have a bankroll of more than $50,000, and a team of other expert players taking up all the seats at the progressive machines, thereby giving you a lock on winning the jackpot before someone else can win?Finally, strategy is very important to reducing your losses, but the clue as to being a winner, well that is something that seems illusive, kind of like mankind’s search for perfection in an imperfect world.Keep us posted with your progress and your observations.  Maybe your fresh set of eyes can see a path to winning.  That is a story I would like to read more about.

[Frank Kneeland]

Welcome Jeff!My advice may be the least welcome, but may also be the most useful. Using trainer software and pre-generated strategies is fine as a short cut, if you could have generated the strategies yourself using a note pad, pencil, and a calculator. If you skip the math behind strategy generation you'll never have faith in what others tell you and moreover you'll never be able to distinguish fact from fiction or preference from perfection.In the world of video poker there is the long route and there are many short cuts...only problem, they do not lead to the same place, nor will the journey be as favourable even if it is shorter. As a complete beginner you should make your own first strategy by hand, before you even consider learning the strategies of others or using software to create them for you.Many may disagree and say that knowing the math is not required.My stance is firm on this. More information and a deep understanding of anything CANNOT hurt you, it can only help. And if more information makes the task less fun, so be it. Good information and understanding should not be able to ruin the "fun" of anything truly worthwhile...and anything worth doing is worth doing well.~Frank Kneeland

[Eduardo]

Using trainer software and pre-generated strategies is fine as a short cut, if you could have generated the strategies yourself using a note pad, pencil, and a calculator.
 The real pros don't have to use a calculator, and we have pens (erasers indiate the possibility of error).

[JIMDUECE`SWILD]

Well JB, Welcome to VP website.

[Lucky Larry]

On this website you can play games in a training mode.  This will help you to learn basic strategy.Over the years I have purchased strategy cards, produced by Bob Dancer, printed out strategies from Wizard of Odds, subscribed to “Strictly Slots Magazine”, and read hundreds of postings, many from so called VP experts on this site.Is this enough to make a player successful?  I do not think so.My conclusion is that VP for 99 % of the population should be treated as entertainment....


Welcome to the forum Jeff.

Jim's posting is right on for many of us. My advice use a training program (several are free or relatively cheap) and practice to get better. Then you need timing luck.

Best wishes.

[EricRayS]

Yeah, a video poker training program is the way to go.

[BillyJoe]

Hello everyone. I would like to know if there are some beginners strategy that I can have in order to really get things going in this one. I just hoped that things would work out well and that I would be able to learn more in this one. Thanks!
__________________________
Pokerstars

My advice to you is to decide, up front, what would be more entertaining for you to play. If you have a modest casino bankroll, and would like to play for a long time on it, then lower volatile games like JOB or Bonus Poker would be a good place to start. If you want to take some bigger chances, and try for more substantial payouts, then a game like TDB fits, understanding that you may not get those premium hands before your bankroll is exhausted.
The thing to remember, though, is that EVERY GAME in a casino has a player disadvantage, some just more than others. If the player had the advantage, then the game would be removed from the casino - guaranteed. You may read about "100% + paybacks", but that is with perfect play all the time, and in the very long term, probably longer than you would be able to play.
Good luck in your quest - I wish you much success.

[shadowman]

Recently, a player posted on this site that he went to Harrah’s Casino in AC.  He admits to playing a game with 97 % accuracy (this is low), and it appears that the game of his choice was a poor pay schedule. 

 
I think you misunderstand what accuracy means. In this case it does NOT mean a person is playing 3% below the expected return. It means the person is making 97% correct decisions. Each of those errors may have a big cost or a small cost. If they have a small cost then they might be reducing the expected return by .1% or less. That would pretty darn good. Most VP programs show both accuracy and cost.