With which game should I start?

[Mudfrog]

As a complete newbie to both VP and the site (like the site and forums by the way) I'm wondering if anyone might be willing to offer advice regarding one simple issue: Which VP game should I try and learn first?
 
I have read a few comments already regarding some games being negative EV with optimal play. And I know I definitely need to check the paytables or I'm potentially just giving money to the casinos. So, with respect to trying to balance expected value against strategic complexities of certain VP variants, where should I start?  
 
By the way, the one limitation I may have is that I live in sw Ohio and, thus, the riverboats in southeastern Indiana are my closest and likely to be most visited destinations.
 
Thanks for any and all comments. I really appreciate it!
 
~Frog

[MikeA]

Personally, I'd say to start with full-pay DDB (10/6) at a low denomination.  It has one of the highest Variance factors (42%) but has strategy that is about the most simple to learn.  JOB probably has the easiest strategy and one of if not the lowest Variance (19%) but at 9/6, it has a negative expectation unless you factor in comps you might receive.DB at 10/7 would be my second choice.  It has a strategy that is more complex than DDB however, it has a considerably lower Variance at 28%.Your mileage may vary.

[shadowman]

Most people advocate jacks or better (JOB) as the best game learn first. It's easier than most games and what you learn carries over to many of the bonus games. However, I think you should also determine the best paytable where you will play most often. If that is a wild card game of some kind then I would start with that game. The following link contains a list of the games for casinos in the midwest (and Indiana).

http://members.cox.net/vpfree/M.htm

[bigboy]

Most people advocate jacks or better (JOB) as the best game learn first. It's easier than most games and what you learn carries over to many of the bonus games. However, I think you should also determine the best paytable where you will play most often. If that is a wild card game of some kind then I would start with that game. The following link contains a list of the games for casinos in the midwest (and Indiana).

http://members.cox.net/vpfree/M.htm

 
Many people find 8/5 BP to also be an easy game to learn. 9/6 JOB does have the greater payback% though.

[Mudfrog]

Thanks for the feedback and the link - all was very helpful. Turns out that 9/6 JOB is looking to be my likely starting game. Thanks again, I appreciate it.

[vpguy3]

For variety you may also want to practice some Deuces Wild. I found the strategy required with DW helped me think differently about strategy plays for many games. I would advise that you practice hard on just a couple of games and once you are playing 99%+ accurate on those begin to branch out until you find a basic portfolio of games you can excel at. You won't get rich but you'll minimize losses while having fun.

[alr849]

Your probabily like 99% of the people that go to casinos. You go once in a while and hope you win some of their money.
Unless you plan on putting many, many thousands through the machines each year, don't worry so much if you can't play full pay machines.
 
Most casinos don't have them anyway. Remember this point :
 
THE CASINOS PLAY THE LONG TERM..... 24/7 365 DAYS OF THE YEAR.
 
99% of the gamblers play the machines for just a fraction of the life of that machine - THE SHORT TERM.
 
You can beat them in the short term on ANY pay table.
 
On DDB your not playing for the full house, your playing for the nice four-of-a-kinds !
 
Sure, you should always play the best paying machines, but to the average player, IT MEANS NOTHING AS TO WHETHER YOU WIN TODAY.
 
So go for it ! And if you happen to get lucky and win, take your winnings home.

[oej719]

You forgot to tell them to get there free gas card.

[Mudfrog]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the additional feedback!
You pretty much nailed me on the head; a couple of times a month is probably the most trips I can manage and I simply want to increase my chances of winning a little of the casinos money. Fortunately, I'm blessed with a pretty prosperous business which keeps me fairly busy most days. Nonetheless, it's always more fun to walk away with the casino's money if I can manage it.
 
Thanks again.

[wilcoxfun]

I play in southern Indiana in either Aztar in Evansville or Caesars near Louisville.  Caesars has full pay machines in JOB but Aztar has dumped their full pay machines.  They had at one time some very good 9/6 Jacks or Better and a triple bonus 9/7 which I really liked but no more.  So if you are planning to go to a place with full pay machines go to Caesars.