The myth of playing 5 coins in video poker.

[FAA]

As others have pointed out, playing less than full coin, but more than
one, is the least sensible way to play. You are giving the casino an
increased advantage, and are exposing more of your bankroll to that
casino advantage than you need to.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thanks. This is well reasoned and articulated. Most hands are losers. Go min or max. Two, three and four are wishy washy. Plus they confer no RF bonus benefit in the event that it does happen, while draining bankroll in the meantime! Yikes. That is a BAD EQUATION. The next time I am at a dollar JOB, I'll set the bet on one and leave it there. In the last three minutes, assuming I am break even, I will do a few max bets. The hell with the damn comps already. I can buy my own meal off site.

[BobDancer]

In the last three minutes, assuming I am break even, I will do a few max bets. The hell with the damn comps already. I can buy my own meal off site.

The last three minutes (or first three --- or any other time period) ARE NOT SPECIAL. It's all part of a long life-time journey at gambling. Making inferior decision because you are ahead or behind since you got out of bed this morning is strategy that does not  produce long term winners. Insofar as "the hell with comps," some of them have real value. Getting a $20 meal comp means spending less money for food elsewhere --- assuming the food is of acceptable quality and you don't have "more than you can possibly eat" anyway.If you're playing, say, $1,000 coin-in and you get a $20 food comp out of it in addition to whatever your score is, that's 2% in extra value. It doesn't make a 97% game playable, but it can make a 99% game viable. It's not "real money," but it's close. It's much closer than another logo ball cap that casinos sometimes give away. Silverton used to have a promotion where it took $2,000 in coin-in to get a $50 food voucher. Their best game was 8-5 Bonus 99.2%. This made the game playable for me --- including the fact that I needed to play a certain amount per month to keep the mailers coming anyway.It all adds up. I, for one, value comps --- depending on what they are. It doesn't make it to my tax return --- but it greatly improves the quality of life.

[BillWFord]

This is a reduction of 1.36%, which is quite a bit less that a 2% rule of thumb

What is the 2% rule ???

I got it.

thanks to Royal flush and New2vp

[FAA]

Yes, Mr. Dancer, no portion of the session outweighs any other portion. But having kept my head above water for an hour or two does increase my risk appetite just before shutting it down. We're navigating perilous negative games as our nerves frazzle. Regarding comps, I was frustrated by losing when writing. My handful of casino meals on the house have been wonderful. My 2017 loss enabling such experiences is horrific. I'll just keep on grinding as I await the RF to even the ledger.