Auto Hold/Double-Up in Cali??

[K.Whitehorse]

I'll make this short: I used to live in Oregon, which has video poker in every bar, resturant, club ect. as part of the state lottery. These machines offered two features that I would grow to love: auto hold and double up on wins! I've since moved to northern california, which has plenty of casinos, but none seem to offer either feature on their machines. I've been to atleast 10 in the area, and they're all the same. It's weird, but without these features, I find I don't enjoy the game like I used to. I've never been to vegas, so I'm not sure if these features are common or not, but hopefully someone knows of a casino in CA that offers the type of machine I'm looking for? thanks.

[oej719]

They are few and far between. I am just the opposite. I do not enjoy auto hold and it messes up my playing.

[faygo]

Autohold uses , for lack of a better word, Generic Strategy. Be careful as they will not always make the proper hold for the game being played. For example they may hold both pairs in DW every time when the correct hold(because of the return for the full house) might be to hold just one.

[clwn2]

I am not positive but I believe that Barona Valley Ranch(San Diego area) has some VP machines with the autohold option on them.  I find that they make a lot of "less than perfect" holds especially in hands that have high card choices.  I am speaking about non-wild card games.
I know that it is easier to play machines with autohold especially if you like to play fast.  However, it is not a good choice if you are interested in long term results.  It is obvious that they are programmed to play that way for the benefit of the casino.  On the other hand, if you do not know anything about strategy and play at the recreational level, then this is the way to go.

[shadowman]

If I remember correctly the return of the VP in Oregon is limited to 92%. As such, having autohold make the correct plays would not impact the rather large edge the state has allotted for itself. However, you will find that autohold on better paying machines will typically reduce your return over playing expert strategy.
 
As for double-up, many VP machines now have that as a touch screen option (and corresponding button). This way only the folks that wish to double-up are impacted. However, I believe it is still an option that must be enabled when the machine is set up. One reason casinos don't enable this option is it gets activated in situations that surprise those who don't realize it is active, like on a dealt RF.

[EDC1977]

    The autohold can be such an onus if you are playing for return %. The double up feature is also a nuisance but for my friend, she enjoys the autohold. Last time we went, Barona still had autoholds in one bank of slant tops.

[stueungar]

     I played at Barona tonight.  Every single machine from $1 up have autohold.  Probably 25c also but I know for a fact all $ and up.  I had no idea about Oregon K.Whitehorse.  Video poker everywhere huh?  What denominations are around?  $1?  $2?  DB?  DDB?  Do they offer Bonus Poker Delux?  I like that game.  How are the pay tables?

[K.Whitehorse]

     I played at Barona tonight.  Every single machine from $1 up have autohold.  Probably 25c also but I know for a fact all $ and up.  I had no idea about Oregon K.Whitehorse.  Video poker everywhere huh?  What denominations are around?  $1?  $2?  DB?  DDB?  Do they offer Bonus Poker Delux?  I like that game.  How are the pay tables?

Game King and Bally games are what you'll find in oregon, and yes, the machines are everywhere!!Prior to living in oregon, I had never played video poker, so I had no idea that most places wouldn't offer a double-up or auto hold option. Based on what I've read though, these options sound like a bad bet?
BTW, thanks to everyone else for the info. If I'm ever in the SD area, i'll stop into barona and check out what they've got.