Bad video poker sessions

[MikeA]

Rascal has it right. 
 
I'm just starting serious VP play but have played Blackjack for years.  That term "The Long Run" starts tasteing sour after you hear it about a million times.  I'm an "Eagles" fan but turn off the music when they play that song, "The Long Run!" 
 
"Variance" is the factor that drives us nuts in casino games.  It is that percentage of results (both negative and positive) that deviates from the calculated expectation.  In Double Bonus that expectation is 100.17% meaning that over an infinite amount of time, your play should yield you a whopping .17% profit over the machine.  But, on any given session whether it be days or weeks, variance could render you with a huge loss or a huge win...but over time, it should average out to around +.17%. 



 
One thing that I have noticed is that we "players" as a group, tend to have a bit of selective memory when it comes to session results.  We tend to remember the "bad beats" and loses much more vividly than we do those that came out in our favor.  Because of this, if you are feeling beat up, you might consider keeping records by session with a total representing that which you have won or lost over time.  If you are "way down" then it might be because you are playing against bad table rules (or in the case of VP, bad pay tables).  Or you might be making Strategy mistakes.  Chances are though that you are closer to even than you might think.

[hornhighyo]

Since Harrah's took over the Horseshoe in Bossier City, we have had all bad luck and after 2 trips we will not return there.  I know it seems strange, but the exact same thing happened when we lived in Las Vegas and our all time favorite casino (The Rio) was bought by Harrah's.  It was like a giant switch was turned off.

[JHock12]

I recently returned to NJ from my annual trip to Sin City and I lost my shirt.  I played vp and slots for 5-plus days and hit only 5 quads and no kickers.  Couldn't even hit any horse races or NFL parlay cards.  The food and weather were good, though.  Oh well, back to the Borgata and Caesars/Bally's/Showboat and see you next year.

[vpguy3]

I recently returned to NJ from my annual trip to Sin City and I lost my shirt. I played vp and slots for 5-plus days and hit only 5 quads and no kickers. Couldn't even hit any horse races or NFL parlay cards. The food and weather were good, though. Oh well, back to the Borgata and Caesars/Bally's/Showboat and see you next year.

     Sorry for your bad luck, but just goes to show you; I also just returned from LV and I had a great trip. I hit everything on the 10 play, DDB paytable more than once except the straight flush and natural RF, didn't hit either of those. I played at the MGM, Wynn and Mandalay Bay and hit quads at each. I was even dealt four J's on a .25, 10 play, DDB at the MGM. Lady luck is fickle indeed!

[knagl]

I do recall one Las Vegas trip where I had the worst VP streak I've ever had.  I couldn't hit anything, anywhere.  I went three days without a quad, playing a lot at a bunch of different casinos.  I wasn't having fun playing VP, which is odd.  At one point I switched to playing slots just because they were more fun (I was actually winning some of the time!).  I finally broke out of the slump, but it felt like it lasted a long, long time...

[Eduardo]

I hope when I start to play for real that I start on a good streak and not a bad slump.  I'm practicing a lot but I know there is still a lot of luck in being able to hit big or just not have many chances.

[JHock12]

I have noticed when I try too hard I lose, but when I have a good buzz working and/or I am relaxed I do much better.  Have fun and enjoy the surroundings and you can't lose.