Surviving in the Real World of VP

[FAA]

Yeah, cycle is key. Give me a hot dollar machine over a cold quarter machine.

[FloridaPhil]

What's important is that you enjoy the game however you like to play it.   There is no need to risk a lot of money to enjoy playing this game.   In some casinos the best odds are currently available only in quarters. Players are also different.  Some like the excitement of taking big risks, others just want a nice day at the casino.  Grouping them all into one basket and using the same rules for everyone is ignoring their personal motivations.  The video poker tent is big enough to include everyone. 

[onemoretry]

Rules? Playing strategies aren't rules - they are just a way to play the game.

I am a recreational player. i try to minimize the cost of my recreation by playing video poker as close to computer perfect as i reasonably can. But, striving for that level of play does not make me a pro.

What i do not understand is the notion that a recreational player would abandon, or not even bother to learn, the playing strategies that minimize their costs.

[alpax]

Rules? Playing strategies aren't rules - they are just a way to play the game.

I am a recreational player. i try to minimize the cost of my recreation by playing video poker as close to computer perfect as i reasonably can. But, striving for that level of play does not make me a pro.

What i do not understand is the notion that a recreational player would abandon, or not even bother to learn, the playing strategies that minimize their costs.

Most of the other games at the casino have strategies revolved too, sadly most people do not learn those strategies.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=onemoretry]What i do not understand is the notion that a recreational player would
abandon, or not even bother to learn, the playing strategies that
minimize their costs.[/quote]I agree.  I'm pretty sure I can match most members on this website in regards to perfect play strategy and I use it to the best of my ability.   I own three separate copies of Dancer's VPW software and most all his books.  I train with his software most every day and consider it essential even though I play video poker strictly as a hobby.  If you are interested in maximizing your return and limiting your loses, it's the way to go.However, there are players that occasionally choose to go against perfect strategy for their own reasons and I'm saying that's OK with me.  For example if you want to play longer with the same money and are willing to suffer through short coin royals, you can play single coin. That's not being stupid, that's changing the game to fit your personal preferences.  Or, suppose you like to see more royals so you play all three card royal flush draws even though you know the math says it costs you money to do so.  It's your choice and your money, so you make it.   This game has no rules.  What's stupid is not learning the "why" of perfect strategy and playing by hunches or superstition.  If you know what you are doing and choose another path, I'm not going to go off on someone because they do.We've talked about this subject on this forum many times before.  It keeps coming up because Bill Ryan drops by, reads part of some old post I made and decides to fire off some half illiterate post rehashing the same subject.  It's fine with me as I enjoy controversy.  Unfortunately, it bores everyone else.

[FAA]

They love to program the three card RF draw with a pair. I never rise to the bait. As reported here, it does pay off.

[FloridaPhil]

So much of this game is up to luck.  Many players desperately want to believe that math controls all outcomes and entitles you to win.  Unfortunately, most discover this is not the case.  Math strategy is the best we have so I use it, but I don't believe in it enough to bet my bankroll on it's reliability when it comes to VP.   If others want to, that's their business.  Quarter play works just fine for me.  If it doesn't work out, no big deal.

[billryan]

You had me when you claimed you and your wife were winning. No point discussing anything with a deluded egotist.
I'm amazed how little new blood this site attracts, compared to others, but then I ask myself what a new person would get out of it.
One bad apple really does spoil the whole barrel.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=billryan]I'm amazed how little new blood this site attracts, compared to others,
but then I ask myself what a new person would get out of it.[/quote]Then why do you keep coming back?   I'm sure there are plenty of other websites you can haunt.... 

[FAA]

Come on, VP is a fairly esoteric hobby compared to most others. Water seeks its own level.