Taxes

[MikeA]

I'm sort of stuck at around 700 to 750 per hour according to VPW.  Seems that if I try to increase that rate, I do start making errors.  Not errors in decision making but rather "mechanical" errors like hitting Deal before I've made sure that the correct cards registered "hold".  Depending on the game's paytable, slower is better <LOL>

[EDC1977]

 I'm not so sure Mike, but I think for the benefit of ones wallet, slower is better. Who's gonna win more? You can't win if you don't play and your chances increase as the # of hands per hour increase. I've been doing this VP gig about 10 years now but can honestly say I've only been paying close attention the last 5. A friend from my bowling league asked what software I was practicing with and I couldn't give an honest reply. I didn't pay attention to paytables, strategy or game titles for that matter. I didn't care if it was NSUD or STP, I just knew it was a fun way to pass the time in a casino.

[MikeA]

Well, there are a couple of reasons to play fast under good circumstances.  Good Circumstances meaning that you are playing on a machine that either is over 100% payback or that is over 100% with the comps and cashback and bounceback tossed in to the total.Playing faster gives you more hands in the least amount of time.  Comps are not based on time as a general rule;  at least not with VP and Slot Machines, but rather on the number of coins you've wagered.  And, with positive expectation games, you give yourself more opportunities in a shorter amount of time to hit those hands that keep you at or above 100%, the "Jackpot" hands.Conversely, playing on a short paytable machine changes the priority of fast play considerably.  You want to win on those machines of course, but entertainment has to be a much more important reason for playing and if you are playing for entertainment only, the playing the longest on the smallest amount of money is my goal.  I myself, will play short-pay if that is all that is available and it isn't "too" shortpay, but I am very conscious of the bankroll that I've decided to play with and if I make any kind of substantial win, I cash and kill time some other way.  That's what I meant in that other post.

[shadowman]

I understood what you meant and I agree 100%. I have no problem with people playing for entertainment. Not everyone wants to memorize VP strategies or simply doesn't have good games available. If everyone knew how to play VP perfectly there would be no positive games or the lines behind them would be very long.
 
BTW, when I was playing those 3-play machines I mentioned it had a effective payback of around 101.5%. That's a good reason to play fast.

[EDC1977]

 Wow! 101.5%. The only reason I bothered to buy software was of course to maximize my winnings, minimize my losses and of course find the most direct path to that coveted RF. I remember as a pup rookie, being dealt a 4RF would get me all giddy only to draw a flush or straight. Now I know that the odds are small unless I keep stats on roughly how many hands I'm playing etc. Reality is, it's still 80% entertainment to me and I don't mind staying up til wee hours just killing time as though I was playing a slot machine and sometimes, I still do!

[jm002546]

  I'm like Ed - I'm playing for fun.  At less than 1 cent per hand expected return what else can you call it?  And like Mike said, playing faster leads to more errors, mechanical or otherwise.  I'm not sure that most players are  aware of all the errors they make.  So I play slow after my first few minute burst, if for no other reason than to lengthen my losing sessions,which I normally set at $40. I have quit feeding 100's.

[MikeA]

  I'm like Ed - I'm playing for fun.  At less than 1 cent per hand expected return what else can you call it? I don't really consciously slow down my speed when playing short pay machines.  I mean, I keep the same rhythm.  It's just more comfortable for me to maintain the pace I'm used to playing at.  But, I definitely don't get as many hands per hour.  The slowdown comes by playing one-handed while drinking a cup of coffee.  Or when I stand back from the machine for a smoke break....I don't smoke at the machine unless those on either side of me are also smoking even when I'm trying to maximize my play.  And, I will often cash out and move around the casino just taking in the spectacle...maybe watching a Blackjack table or even buying in for a couple of hours if the game is a good one.And, I "see" the mistakes that JM eluded to just as I'm hitting the deal button...like a flash of panic when I've held two high cards and too late, see that I missed a low pair!  I hate it when that happens!  <LOL>  Or when at high speed play, a button doesn't register.  That is even worse!  But, even that slows me down because I will definitely cash out and start looking for a better machine when that happens!

[jm002546]

  You mention a "better machine".  Rather than take an end machine I will first look at the clarity of the screen and the glare factor. Plus, I assume the end machines are more worn from increased play.  And if the machine has poor touch or no hearable win notice I move immediately.   Mike, I met a guy at Gold Coast recently that had just 1 table he played. He listed the oddest set of rules I have ever heard. 1 to 1, 7 card Charlie, double any card, I can't even remember most of them, never heard of some. I advised him to check wizard of odds for the rule effects. They put in those "confusing" rules to confuse you. I'm betting he was playing way under 99.  

[duckhunter]

Taxes, I hate taxes especially when they are not used for what I feel like they should be as probably do we all.  The main thing I have found out about reporting your winnings are their are several things to consider.  I cannot quote all the rules without looking them up but if you go to the IRS web page and look up gaming you will be surprised. (they will even send you a booklet)  What I have found is that  the W2's do is raise your tax bracket.  Like you are at 150,000 gross and you gamble 50,000  that you have to claim (w2's) then you are in the 200,000 tax bracket, then when you turn the page to line 37 you are in  another bracket.  sucks.   I like I have posted before I have lines of credit and write markers and checks at the Casinos for proof of being their,  I kept a ledger with stapled receipts for buffets, rooms and etc., also if anyone goes with us I write that too. If audited I hope this will help.  Also I have a dream that if I hit a jackpot of over 50,000 I can write most of it off as showing I had loss that much.  (taxes- I am a worker and have never talked to another worker that was for foreign aid  unless  like a flood or something disaster like that, why are we helping people that hate us, when they hung the solders on the bridge and pulled their dead bodies through the street- the next day that country would have been glass ( mad now, we are in America we have old people that have to decide between food or medicine ?, yet we are rebuilding Iraq what is going on).

[EDC1977]

 Jm, I've never even heard of 7 card Charlie so I'll stick to VP instead. For me; paytable,glare,working button functions and proximity to noise(read:bar bands,nightclubs,exit to a theater or indoor show). I don't play snail slow but I do like to stay at a comfortable pace.