Starting Credits

[clwn2]

I have heard many different approaches to this game but one thing I have not heard much about is how much other players feed into the machine?  I have always favored putting the smallest amount in I can and keep feeding the machine when the credits run out.  If I hit a big hand I will cash out and start the process over.   I am starting to think that this is the wrong approach.  I usually like to start with 80 to 100 credits depending on denom.  That would be a five spot for nickels and $20 for quarters.
 
Replys to this post will be appreciated... 

[marie meijer]

I find it more convenient to put a $100 bill into a .25 or .50 machine with a mental note to consider another game or machine if half disappears. I find feeding small bills into a machine distracting and prefer to focus on "perfect play". Usually, I have the bills on hand from previous wins. Today, Motor City claimed $200. and rewarded me with $13 mailed bonus, mailed offer of MILLION DOLLAR VIDEO POKER paper back and mailed $9. breakfast buffet. Last week it was b'day logo tumblers, Valentine candy and breakfast buffet besides the $ bonus. They opened their new video poker area on Valentine's Day. It's nice and looked like many of the same machines I have seen or played before. I talked with a gal who rode a bus from Cleveland and she said it is too late for OHIO to open casinos - her rationale: all the other states already have them. Hey BUCKEYES, you are always welcome in DETROIT casinos! Same goes for our Canadian neighbors, as the exchange rate is now to your advantage and your dollar should go further in Detroit casinos.  MI economy appreciates your patronage! The three Detroit casinos are in heated competition and mailing lots of interesting offers. My car knew the way to nearby MGM so I could collect $25 mailed bonus. I put $100 into my famous and favorite STP .25 DDB ten play. I walked out with over $3, 350. and NO W2Gs! Highlights included two royals bringing my total for the year to four,  dealt four kings, and awak. The elusive ten multiplier yielded good stuff as well. Definitely one of my better days and have to admit I have lost the last few times. I have learned to start with .25 and .50 machines and when I win something great, move up to 1.00 machines. I really prefer and love to play on THEIR money! If I begin on a $1.00 machine, my bankroll might just disappear too fast or NOT. I so enjoy reading your posts at this site and find them really helpful or entertaining!

[MikeA]

The only answer to this question really boils down to what is convenient for YOU.If I'm playing a coin dropper, I put in the smaller amounts.  Usually enough for 100 credits.  If it is TITO, I'll either feed in a previously printed ticket or plug it with whatever is handy.  It's a good place to get rid of those unlucky $50 bills <LOL>

[EDC1977]

 Sorry Mike, ATM's only divvy out 20's. That's where I usually start unless I want to be brave and try one of those dollar machines. Then I'll hunt down a Grant or a Franklin. Unlike Marie, I don't find playing 80 credits at a time such a nuisance. A lot DEFINITELY has to do with bankroll size.

[clwn2]

Thank you Marie for your entertaining stories.  It sounds like you have a good deal of fun at the casino. 
Congrats on your win.  It is especially nice when Sam does not get a piece

[clwn2]

In regards to my post that started this thread.  I have been playing VP for a long time.  It is scary when I consider I have been playing about as long as Bob.  I played my first machine in 1990 at a 7-11 in Vegas during a brief trip.  Needless to say, some of my ways are old and outdated.  It seems that I have become a student of playing more intellegently.  I know I machine hop too much and that I don't put enough into each machine.  I am gullty of using one twenty at a time in $1 machines hoping for the big one when in reality I get much more enjoyment using five twenties in a quarter machine. I think my chances will improve if I use more credits per machine.  After all, how many times have you(anyone) hit the big one in just a few credits?  I know that I have not had that many big hits early on.  This probably does not have much basis in fact but I intend on testing this theory out this year.     

[shadowman]

Moving machines will not reduce your ER. Putting in multiple twenties instead of a $100 bill will not reduce your ER. I've hit early, I've hit late and I've hit just about everywhere inbetween. Every hand has the exact same chances of producing a big jackpot. Good luck with your new theory.  

[MikeA]

In regards to my post that started this thread.  I have been playing VP for a long time.  It is scary when I consider I have been playing about as long as Bob.  I played my first machine in 1990 at a 7-11 in Vegas during a brief trip.  Needless to say, some of my ways are old and outdated.  It seems that I have become a student of playing more intellegently.  I know I machine hop too much and that I don't put enough into each machine.  I am gullty of using one twenty at a time in $1 machines hoping for the big one when in reality I get much more enjoyment using five twenties in a quarter machine. I think my chances will improve if I use more credits per machine.  After all, how many times have you(anyone) hit the big one in just a few credits?  I know that I have not had that many big hits early on.  This probably does not have much basis in fact but I intend on testing this theory out this year.     SM and I post at virtually the same time <LOL>  sorry for the redundancy.I'll probably stick my foot in my mouth (again) when I say this, but CD (correction....CLWN2  sorry), there is absolutely no reason NOT to plug a $1 machine with $1 at a time.  Or switching from that machine to the one next to it or to the one in the next casino down the line.  You will not suffer loses by switching after one pull on a machine if you don't hit.  Or switch to another machine if you do hit!If you get more mileage out of your entertainment dollar by following those practices then to do anything OTHER than that would be absolutely WRONG!Oh the other hand, picking one machine regardless of the denomination, location or the time of day and playing it exclusively without breaks will not change your chances of hitting either.  Of course I'm assuming that you are playing "real" VP machines (Class III) and that you are playing the same paytables and playing with good Strategy.Seriously, if changing machines and playing different denominations yanks your chain, then by all means do it.  It will NOT hurt your chances of hitting the big one in the least.  And, playing the superstitions can add pleasure and if you think it works, then by golly, it does!Go For It!!!!!

[New2vp]

I actually hit a royal on my very first hand in a session last month (just on-line here, not in a casino); it was on 5-play Quick Quads.  If a royal hits every 40,000 hands, that would mean that on average one would hit on the first hand of 5-play about every 8,000 sessions.  I'm fairly sure that I haven't had anywhere near 8,000 sessions (here or anywhere)...but, like SM said, it could happen anytime and it doesn't much matter how you insert your bills.  Like Mike says, do whatever feels best! 

[EDC1977]

  CLWN2, it doesn't matter how you deposit the bills into the acceptor, it's going to eat them all just the same. The beauty of randomness is just that! I recall a recent trip to LV when my partner and I went to eat at one of the many infamous buffets. He had to drop a deuce so I sat down at a $1 vp machine, put in $5 and hit a boat! 9x return so I cashed out and thanked the South Coast for being such gracious hosts!Individual random event every cycle! I could have just as easily gotten diddley poo! 
     Sorry, that should have read SouthPoint