VPFW Trial, and some questions

[Pman]

I'm new, not only to this forum, but to video poker.  I downloaded the trial program, and I think it's great.  It does more than I can understand right now.  However, I have having a bit of trouble learning when to hold or discard a 10 of anything.  Sometimes I hold the ten, and I should have discarded it, then when I discard it, I should have held it.  What am I missing?

[vpguy3]

Wow that's a tough question to answer. Most of us VP regulars would first ask what game you were playing. One thing you will learn about VP is that it is all about pay tables and which games. Strategy will vary depending on what you're playing. One thing all of us will surely agree on is that VP is really fun and offers you some of the best odds in the casino when you play near perfect strategy for the particular game you're playing. I generally tell new players to start with jacks or better and learn strategy for that game and then pick a couple other favorites and get really good at those then hit the casino. Good luck, you've picked one of the best games of chance in the world.

[MARY]

ok when i use the hand ananlyze on deuces wild bonus for
Ac
10c
9c
8s
7s
i got do not hold any
but on
Ad
10d
9c
8s
7s
i got hold Ad and 10d
same thing with Ah-10h with same three card as the above hold Ah-10h i
try As-10s and 9s 8c-7c i got do not hold any??
also on the stategy for duces wild bonus
major error for
Jc
3c
Ac
6c
2s (wild)
when i held Ac-2s (wild)
the "correct hold is 2s (wild)
but on a
6d
As
2c (wild)
3s
5c
i held the 2c (wild)
i got a major error the correct hold is As-2c (wild)?
I know Mr dancer will fix any bugs if there are any with a pacth
 

[shadowman]

I believe you are running in what is called penalty card situations. When you discard cards of the same suit you are holding it is no longer available on the draw. This reduces the number of possible flushes you can end up with and therefore reduces the overall value of that particular hold. It is not unusual for "flush penalties" and "straight penalties" (there are others too but they occur less often) to impact the best hold.
 
Most of the time penalty card situations have very little impact on the overall payback of a game and can be ignored while learning. I don't have VPfW but other games have a "threshold" capability that allows you to ignore small errors.

[MikeA]

Those of you new to the VPW software, look under the tab "Training Style".  The first option in the dropdown menu is "Play Against".  The options are "Perfect Play" and "Strategy".  To start with, you should have this set on "Strategy".  Some of the odd holds you are experiencing may decrease.  With the "Strategy" setting, you will be playing at a slightly lesser than perfect play but will be playing with something that is realistic for most non-geniuses (I include myself in that category!) to remember.
 
Perfect Play setting checks you against the absolute perfect mathematically optimum play and no one will be able to get that down.  If you tried to print off a strategy sheet of the perfect strategy, it would be hundreds if not thousands of pages long for each game!
 
Another thing you might consider is supressing errors that result in a very small amount of loss.  Many of the plays you have errors on are the result in you selecting a "hold" that is less than $.01 less than the best hold you could make. You might consider that insignificant.
 
Undoubtedly though, the main reason you are experiencing these confusing "holds" (I had the same questions when I first started playing) is the Penalty Card considerations already mentioned.  It might help you understand the situations a bit better if you print off the strategy charts for the game you are playing.
 
Another note:  If you select a different pay table but the same game, some of the decisions will be different.  This is because of the higher pay table maybe paying more for a Full House or a Flush than the lower pay table and that could tip the scales toward holding for the flush more often.  I know that is the case when playing 10/7 Double Bonus versus 9/6 Double Bonus.  You hold a high card and matching low cards for a three card flush in 10/7 but hold only the High card in 9/6.

[Eduardo]

I finally passed the beginner level and am so proud. It took too long I think but does sure make me remember. Now I'll try the next one up.Whether you hold a 10 would depend on what other cards are showing for sure. Oh, and the more advanced stuff the genuises posting above said too but at least I want to pretend I can help. Thank you for the example of perfect play Mikea. I was not sure on that!

[Pman]

THANKS! I am learning jacks or better, as suggested.  I have progressed through the intermediate phase, but I'm still having trouble with the contradictions of when to hold for a straight, vs. a flush, vs. straight flush, etc.  Repetition, and patience seems to be the formula.  Oh...and the ability to remember ....Again, thanks to you all for your input...

[Pman]

Excellent information, sir!  I am still trying to learn to decipher the strategy tables.  It looks like greek, but I am making progress.  I am sure the strategy changes with the other cards in the hand, and not just whether the ten plays into it as a straight or flush, or straight flush? Memorizing the differences will be the only way to ensure perfect play, and I don't think I want to work that hard...maybe....I'll see.  Thanks for your excellent tips.... 

[BOOPSAHOY]

I think you can do well without knowing the penalty cards. Its supposed to be fun not a job!!

[MikeA]

PMan....Print out the strategy charts and take a look at the type hands that you are having trouble with.  Sometimes, the charts will make the "rules" clear.  Once you understand the notations, the charts are not difficult to follow.
 
Penalty cards.....I don't pay them that much mind.  As stated earlier, they are advanced "rules" that do not add that much to your expected return.  But they are the next logical progression once you've mastered the basic strategy.
 
Excellent information, sir!  I am still trying to learn to decipher the strategy tables.  It looks like greek, but I am making progress.  I am sure the strategy changes with the other cards in the hand, and not just whether the ten plays into it as a straight or flush, or straight flush? Memorizing the differences will be the only way to ensure perfect play, and I don't think I want to work that hard...maybe....I'll see.  Thanks for your excellent tips....