Finally.. a strategy I can live with.

[FloridaPhil]

I occasionally post my efforts to find a recreational VP strategy that meets my personal goals considering the options we have in Florida.  My goals are to be able to play minimum 2-3 hour sessions with a bankroll of no more than $300 and have a decent chance at a single non-royal payout of at least $400.  Try as I might, I can't get away from DDB.  I just love the big payouts, but the dry spells can be expensive. I also like to play bigger denominations, but my budget only allows quarters if I want to play for any length of time.  I learned the hard way that the casino's big advantage is busting you before you win.  Also, once you win you tend to give it back and leave busted again.   My current strategy is doing much better than anything else I've tried.  I still lose but I think it puts me in a better position cash management wise.  It goes like this.  I only play DDB.  I only play $20 bills.  I start with .25 which gives me 80 credits.  I play until I lose the $20 or until I get a 4-of-a-kind. If I get a 250 coin payout, I switch to .50 and play until I hit again or I lose my original $20.  If I get a payout over $100, I switch to .50 and play down to the closest round $100.  At that point I cash out and put the ticket in the back of my wallet.  I then start the whole process over from the beginning.  This strategy allows me to play longer, have a better chance at a good jackpot and protects my winnings.   My firm rule is - walk out with the white ticket money!!  No exceptions to this.  Just get out....  It's not elegant, but it has been better than anything else I've tried. 

[BillyJoe]

As a fellow FLA resident, Phil, I commend you for being able to leave the Tampa wig-wam with anything. 
If you are interested in another strategy, I kinda like this one. Only expect to win $500 on a VP session regardless of the denomination or games that you play. When you get $500 up, you MUST QUIT that session right then - no exceptions. Leave, go eat, anything. Now this does not play into your 2-3 hour requirement, because you may hit right away, or you may have to play a long time, dipping into your bankroll for that session. It makes sense to me, though, because it sets a reasonable and attainable expectation of wining money on VP.
I, of course, don't use it.

[FloridaPhil]

$500 is a good cutoff, but on a really good day I can go up $1,500 or more.   The real trick is putting the winning tickets in your wallet.  I play to break even and after that only good things can happen.  I play mostly at the Tampa and Hollywood Hard Rocks.   I have enough points to eat all the free lunches I want and even though the games aren't as good as Vegas, I have fun and enjoy my time.  I like Hollywood better, especially since they built the new parking garage.

[BillyJoe]

I'm close to Tampa, so I play there once in a while. I have been to Hollywood, but not in quite a while. I am Elite status, but I don't find the 'perks' all that inviting.

[FloridaPhil]

Before the indians went to Vegas slots I had to drive all the way to Mississippi to gamble, so for me it's a good thing.  Actually, the odds at the Florida Hard Rocks are better than Biloxi.  I can fly there for free anytime I want, but the odds are so bad it's a joke. Once the 5 year deal is up with the tribe I think Florida will open up all the way.  We could use some competition.

[Lucky Larry]

While it doesn't always work I try to bank in the wallet any big hit ticket. Then I play the remaining bank roll for the trip. Several times I've kept a ticket for two days and cashed out when I leave or I''ll keep tickets equal to my bankroll with the feeling that I'll "break even" for the trip. Part of the problem is that it is hard to quit when one of us is still is playing so no going back to the room, going to eat, etc.   

LL