Pay Tables

[FloridaPhil]

No argument from me.  I do have a problem with the statment that anyone can make million of dollars playing video poker if they follow a certain strategy.  I can't imagine how much money has been lost by people reading that and thinking they can duplicate the same feat.  Very sad...

[joechgo]

No argument from me.  I do have a problem with the statment that anyone can make million of dollars playing video poker if they follow a certain strategy.  I can't imagine how much money has been lost by people reading that and thinking they can duplicate the same feat.  Very sad...I can't address the "make millions of dollars" comment, but I here is what I can say.  If you play a Full Pay Deuces Wild Game (100.76%) and you play perfect strategy and you play enough hands (such as 5,000 hands per day, a few days a week, for years), you will make money.

[FloridaPhil]

In what time frame... days, weeks, years, decades, infinity?   The numbers say you will, but the numbers also say there is a possibility that you won't.  Look, I know it's possible to make money playing video poker.  What I'm saying is that a lot of players around the country read this stuff, ignore the odds, play terrible and bet the house on a dream.  I guess we can't be everyone's Mommy, but I would think twice before I would advised a family member or close friend to start playing video poker as a career. 

[BillyJoe]

[QUOTE=FloridaPhil]No argument from me.  I do have a problem with the statment that anyone can make million of dollars playing video poker if they follow a certain strategy.  I can't imagine how much money has been lost by people reading that and thinking they can duplicate the same feat.  Very sad...I can't address the "make millions of dollars" comment, but I here is what I can say.  If you play a Full Pay Deuces Wild Game (100.76%) and you play perfect strategy and you play enough hands (such as 5,000 hands per day, a few days a week, for years), you will make money.[/QUOTE]
Doubtful - you can STILL lose.. The pay tables reflect the universe of play on that game. If you played that game on that machine forever, the mathematics would support a positive return, but no one can do that.

That said, the better the pay table, and the better the player, the better the OPPORTUNITY to have positive returns.

[chattycattty]

Once you have learned to play the game, you need above average luck to win. While playing optimal pay tables and optimal mathematical strategy certainly improve your chances you still have to be lucky to win. Without luck you are simply not going to get enough royals and premium hands to offset the difficult stretches that the RNG makes us all go through.

[FloridaPhil]

Post unable to migrate

[EDC1977]

I do support BillyJoes comment. You increase your opportunities to win by being an AP playing optimum paytables.

[FloridaPhil]

I agree that positive odds, perfect play and unlimited bankroll are most of what you need to win long term.  What I am saying is that there is no guarantee.  You must also have the right hands apppear on your machine in your lifetime.  I don't think anyone would argue with that. 

[olds442jetaway]

Right and unfortunately long run or long term can be more than a lifetime. For instance my average over the last several years of hitting Royals every 175k hands with nearly perfect play. Luckily, some of the other premium hands continue to come in on schedule to keep me sort of in the mix.

[BobDancer]

That said, the better the pay table, and the better the player, the better the OPPORTUNITY to have positive returns. Correct --- assuming you add in the slot club, mailers, promotions, etc., to BJ's statement! (Which would not be against the spirit of the point he was making.)You might get it to 99% of players who play a particular game under particular conditions will be ahead $xxx after so long. You will NEVER get 100% of players will be ahead. There will always be some variation in results.If you're looking for a guarantee you'll be ahead, you're not going to get that in the gambling world. If you want to know how to improve your chances of being ahead, the technique is fairly well known (and I've been writing about it for years) --- but actually studying and practicing enough to implement it is more than most want to endure. Some have called the technique "anal" and "no fun." Whatever. It works and I'd rather work hard at this than go out and find a job somewhere.BTW, to my knowledge, nobody has EVER claimed that all players can become millionaires playing video poker. I certainly didn't. In the book I make it very clear that there was considerable luck during that particular six month period. But I also claim that being knowledgeable and disciplined enough to take advantage of that luck aren't skills that most people have. It's the old, "the harder you work, the luckier you become" that works in most areas of life.I also said in the book that I was willing to bet big money that I would be ahead at gambling 4 out of the next 5 years after the bet is made. I'm still willing to make that bet --- and I think someone would be a fool to take the other side. This is not rocket science folks. The methodology works. Bob