Strategy Facts 101

[FloridaPhil]

Before we discuss mine or anyone else's recreational VP strategy, I think it might be a good idea to state what we believe for certain.  To long term players these may seem obvious, to beginners not so much.  I believe the following statements are true about an honest RNG VP game: 

It is impossible to predict what the next hand will be.  In other words, past results are not an accurate predictor of future results.
You can never know when you are in a winning/losing streak until it's over.
No matter how large your bankroll is, if you play negative expectation games long enough you will eventually run out of money.
If you play quarter VP, you will not win over $1,000 on a single hand.
Does everyone agree with these statements?  Want to add any?
 

[New2vp]

It is impossible to predict what the next hand will be.  In other words, past results are not an accurate predictor of future results.
You can never know when you are in a winning/losing streak until it's over.
No matter how large your bankroll is, if you play negative expectation games long enough you will eventually run out of money.
If you play quarter VP, you will not win over $1,000 on a single hand.
Does everyone agree with these statements?  Want to add any?Although I don't know where you want this thread to lead, I might add:5. A money management strategy can affect your session results, but will not affect the expected value of a game.  (Assuming that you take into account that less-than-max-coin play generally has a different expected value than max-coin play.)1. I agree for the most part with 1.  Dealt cards should be independent of past results; drawn cards will be independent unless someone decides to employ a different playing strategy that is dependent on past results.2. Agree.  I might have stated you can never know when your current winning or losing streak will continue.3. Generally agree.  You will tend to lose more money with more play.  Because I'm old though, as long as I play low denomination, I could probably play until I die without losing ALL my money.4. This is the most troublesome, though again I don't know where you are going.  There are a few single-line non-multiplier games  with higher jackpots (Five Aces, 6000 coins; Deuces and Joker, 10000 coins).  There are single line, non-multiplier progressive games where you can win more than 4000 quarters.  And certainly almost any multiplier or multiline quarter game allows wins of over $1000, but I suppose that you might not count multiline games as a "single hand."

[FloridaPhil]

I'm only discussing single line VP here.  I thought there may be a VP game somewhere paying over 4,000 coins a hand, but so far I have not run into it myself. Remember, this discussion is all for fun.  
 
Anyway, let's assume you are playing 8/5 quarter Jacks at 800 hands an hour.  With perfect play that's an average loss of about 3% an hour or about -$30 an hour.    You would average about two quads in each hour at $31.25 each or $62.50.  But, what if you switched to DDB at a predetermined interval and returned to JB at another predetermined interval?  If you hit a quad in DDB, each one could pay a minimum of $62.50 up to $500 on just one hand.  The problem of course is when to switch to DDB and when to return to Jacks.  Our first rule states that when quads happen is not predictable, but if you hit just one of the right quads the possible outcome could make up for many long hours of JB losses.   This works for me on a number of levels.  First, it keeps me playing Jacks about 90% of the time instead of sitting around yearning to play 8/5 DDB which has even worse odds.  This also helps me through the long slow streaks due to the 2 pair payout in JB.  Finally, it allows me to play longer which gives me a better chance at a Royal.  I don't always play this way on short 2-3 hour sessions, but if I'm going to be in the casino for more than a day or so, it has worked so far. 

[OTABILL]

I'm only discussing single line VP here.  I thought there may be a VP game somewhere paying over 4,000 coins a hand, but so far I have not run into it myself. Remember, this discussion is all for fun.  
 
 
 I assume you are talking about quarter machines where the max bet is 5 coins. We play progressives where royals start out at 4000 coins ($1000) and increase until they are hit after which they reset at 4000 coins. Progressive royals often reach $1200 and greater triggering WG2s. While we stick to DDB, I have seen similar progressives for TDB, deuces wild, JOB, etc.

[FloridaPhil]

We also play progressives when we can find them and the numbers get high enough.  Most Florida casinos are currently controlled by the Indian Tribes and they are definitely not into Video Poker.  They have lots of machines, but the odds are poor and I have yet to see a VP progressive.  Most of the machines have sticky buttons and are in bad repair.  We are convinced they do not maintain the VP machines on purpose as all the regular slots work fine. We are praying that Florida will open up casino gambling so we can get some competition going.  Right now the Indians have it all to themselves.
 
We spend a lot of time in Biloxi.  The Beau Rivage runs two quarter progressives, one at the bar for JB and one in the rear for DDB.  They get pretty high sometime.  The strategy I described above is the one I'm currently using when there are no greater opportunities around.  It works pretty good for us.
 

[OTABILL]

We also play progressives when we can find them and the numbers get high enough.  Most Florida casinos are currently controlled by the Indian Tribes and they are definitely not into Video Poker.  They have lots of machines, but the odds are poor and I have yet to see a VP progressive.  Most of the machines have sticky buttons and are in bad repair.  We are convinced they do not maintain the VP machines on purpose as all the regular slots work fine. We are praying that Florida will open up casino gambling so we can get some competition going.  Right now the Indians have it all to themselves.
 
We spend a lot of time in Biloxi.  The Beau Rivage runs two quarter progressives, one at the bar for JB and one in the rear for DDB.  They get pretty high sometime.  The strategy I described above is the one I'm currently using when there are no greater opportunities around.  It works pretty good for us.
 
 All casino's in AZ are Native American. Not familiar with most but the 7 in metro Phoenix all have VP quarter progressives. Paytables & progressives vary. Base payouts on the one we prefer for DDB are 7-5-4. However there are progressives on the royal, AWAK, Aces, 2,3,4WAK, and 2-3-4. When they get high enough, the payback percentage improves. At another casino, with only the royal being a progressive, the paytable is 9-5-4. Others vary as well depending on the game and/or denomination. These casinos are owned by different Native American communities and they compete with one another. I think the problem you have in FL is the lack of competition in a small area, not who owns them. In fact, we have an issue here where one community is trying to build a new casino  and another is their most vociferous opponent.

[FloridaPhil]

The Indians cut a five year exclusive deal with the Florida legislature a few years ago, so they can do whatever they want at the moment. Florida is perfect for casino gambling; lots of seniors with money, well healed tourists, Etc.  Disney is trying very hard to keep gambling out of Orlando.  This is crazy as the Tampa Hard Rock is only about an hour's drive from their front door right now.   The parents of all those kids at the parks need some fun too. Then there are the people who think all gambling is bad.  I am a person of faith and I don't see anything about Video Poker in the 10 commandments.  Most people who frequent our casinos are senior citizens just looking for something to do.  If you are prone to excess, there are already lots of troubles you can invent for yourself.
 
Florida needs two things before it becomes a decent gambling destination...  a gambling commission to keep things honest and more quality competition.  I believe this will happen in time. 
 

[onemoretry]

I'm only discussing single line VP here.  I thought there may be a VP game somewhere paying over 4,000 coins a hand, but so far I have not run into it myself. Remember, this discussion is all for fun.  
 There are some joker wild pay tables with a 4700 royal flush.