Video Poker Forum

Hi everyone. New to the forum but not new to VP. I understand pay tables for the most part and game percentages, however is that the only factor in how machines play? In other words am I to believe that the exact same pay table at Casino A will pay/play same as Casino B? I ask because the casinos (2) driveable for me are very hard to win at VP. Is the main problem that for example DDB where I play is 8/5 vs 9/6 at most casinos? Is that difference enough for these machines I play to be terrible? I can’t hit anything at these casinos but I have some success in Vegas and even Biloxi. My buddy and I both feel the same way. They are both Indian casinos and my trust is waning. Sorry for the length but I sure would like some understanding.Thanks!

MBBama wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 30, 2025 12:42 am

Is the main problem that for example DDB where I play is 8/5 vs 9/6 at most casinos? Is that difference enough for these machines I play to be terrible?

That would certainly be a significant factor. The loss rate of 8/5 DDB is more than triple that of the 9/6 version.

onemoretry wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 30, 2025 5:05 am

MBBama wrote: ↑

Mon Jun 30, 2025 12:42 am

Is the main problem that for example DDB where I play is 8/5 vs 9/6 at most casinos? Is that difference enough for these machines I play to be terrible?

That would certainly be a significant factor. The loss rate of 8/5 DDB is more than triple that of the 9/6 version.

Yes. Winning sessions are rare enough at 9/6 DDB. When the house advantage triples with 8/5, the chance of winning is more on the order of exponentially small (i.e. not three times as infrequent, but nine times). The longer the session, the more certain a loss.
Every time you hit one, you are giving away 11% return on each full house and over 16% on every flush. At that point you are playing the Big Wheel or penny slots. You will likely soon be negative and need a large payout hand to appear very early on to overcome this and come home ahead.

Ditto! Those early on hits are great, but almost nobody packs it in at that point.

I fully agree, when I play at my home casino (Hard Rock, Hollywood Florida) if I don't change games often, it seems like I can never hit a quad, forget Royal Flush! I've gotten to the point where I don't travel thirty minutes down to play there anymore and I fly eight or nine hours to Vegas. I've done it five times in just 2025 alone! Vegas is getting hard also to make money and I've had to play quarters just to last the five days there!

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like the pay tables are eating me and my buddy alive. He hasn’t hit a jackpot at these loser places in over 2 years! Saturday I bet I held 3 oak over 100 times and NEVER goth the quad. It’s really getting old and $$$$.

Now this is what you won’t believe……one of the casinos with already horrendous VP had the nerve to ELIMINATE using free play on VP!! talk about greedy!

Eliminating free play on video poker is becoming more common.