Jacks or Better

[lindyjohn]

I like playing VP single to 100 play but some of you folks prefer other video games. Seems like I win less than you hit but who wins more in the end? Maybe I need to change VP games. I may need other bonus poker games?

[alpax]

Nope keeping playing Jacks or Better...

If you are playing 7/5 or 8/5 stop playing video poker...

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=alpax]If you are playing 7/5 or 8/5 stop playing video poker.[/quote]  Alpax is being facetious, but that's actually pretty good advice. What he is saying is those odds are so bad they eat up your money faster than you can win it.  Whatever game you choose, paying attention to the odds pays off.  You may not be able to find full pay games in your area, but you can find better games if you look.  If you play negative games there will be a cost to play them.  Once you realize this, you can decide for yourself how much you want to pay to play.If the odds are equal, sticking with Jacks or Better is also a good idea.  Many people get sucked into Double Double Bonus or some other high variance game because they see the big jackpots.  What they may not realize is the rate at which these games will clean out your wallet during the frequent long dry spells.  Jacks or Better is not the most exciting game, but it's a lot kinder to your bankroll. Personally, I like plain Bonus Poker a little better.  It's essentially the same game as Jacks but it pays a little more for quad aces.  Try it, you may like it.

[onemoretry]

Personally, I like plain Bonus Poker a little better.  It's essentially the same game as Jacks but it pays a little more for quad aces. 
And for 2s, 3s and 4s, as well.

[Lionqueen]

I would play JOB I but our paytable is 8/5 so I avoid it. Our casino put in some dollar progressives with the same pay table on DB as DDB - 8/5. I've pointed this out to 2 attendants and they have no idea what I'm talking about. I play a lot of DB if the paytable is 9/6.

[alpax]

Much appreciated Phil for elaborating the nature of 8/5 Jacks or Better for the OP, most casinos offer this on the low denomination options. You find yourself losing pretty much everyday and when you hit the Royal, it gives you only half your losses back on average. It does not provide a good feeling to the player, makes them think it is a money grab very quickly. One downgrade 9/5 and 8/6 makes it bearable if you consider the comps you receive as a necessity and the money lost to be cost of entertainment.

However "8/5" is a whole different story for Bonus Poker, as it is the full pay table so it is a solid choice if that is the best the casino offers.

As for the Bonus games, based on the vibe I see here, you will be loved if you play Triple Double

I would play JOB I but our paytable is 8/5 so I avoid it. Our casino put in some dollar progressives with the same pay table on DB as DDB - 8/5. I've pointed this out to 2 attendants and they have no idea what I'm talking about. I play a lot of DB if the paytable is 9/6.

They are minimum wage employees trained like a monkey to perform limited set of skills. You have to take the discussion to the VP of slots at the casino.

As for the games, I would say if 7/5 Bonus Poker is available, I would go for that, less variance but similar return.

[Lucky Larry]

I would play JOB I but our paytable is 8/5 so I avoid it. Our casino put in some dollar progressives with the same pay table on DB as DDB - 8/5. I've pointed this out to 2 attendants and they have no idea what I'm talking about. I play a lot of DB if the paytable is 9/6.

Having dealt with a number of hosts and 5-6 different Director's of Slots directly understand that only a small % of casino staff understand or play VP. Only one of the Slot Directors I've worked with was supportive of the VP players. One openly stated his casino was losing money because of VP players killing the "house edge". He reduced pay tables and then reduced the number of machines by 90%. He also lost a dozen or more $M coin-in players who moved to another casino. His replacement has continued the reduction based on the reduced VP play. The Isle which at one time had 10 50-100 play machines now has one. Since couples/friends can no longer play together or the machine is always being played they have quit coming. Thus, a "self-fufilling prophesy". .

[DAAnMAAn]

The tighter the slot directors close their fingers, the more players are lost thru the hands. Intelligent video poker decisions need to be made by people who understand and read the video poker books. Good promos/games will bring about increase in business. Most people are not pro's, the few that are still are victim to variance. Progressives only pay out the percentage to the person who hits it. Start putting in the good paytables with fast meter rises and everyone wins. How exciting would it be if you found a .25c 9/5 jacks or better with, say, a $10k royal? the ER is 121.9%, but only one person is going to get it. Meanwhile, all the other players are dumping coin in like fiends, drinking, eating, and appreciating the OPPORTUNITY for such a positive play. And meantime, casinos are making bank. Why is this so hard for some of the directors to understand???Damn, I wish I had the funds to open a video poker bar here in Vegas.

[Mkhira2]

I play JoB. There is a single 9/6 machine at a local casino so I visit that as often as I can. Lucky for me, it's never been taken.

[Lionqueen]

Larry, the same happened here. Machines reduced by about 90%, paytables reduced, all 50 & 100 play removed. Keno was separate now it is on the VP machines. A lot of good players quit going because they were tired of competing against the 5 cent Keno players. This went on for years until they recently removed Keno from about 1/3 of the machines and put in some new 5 & 10 play. I was invited to participate in a discussion group with the managers and was really excited about it then it was suddenly cancelled. My voice is in the surveys and I answer every one.