Harrahs Video Poker Tournament Stradegy Advice...

[spxChrome]

Going this weekend to the Harrahs New Orleans for a Video Poker tournament.  I have played in a few local tourneys but this one is the Millionaire Maker Satellite.  Top 10 get to go to the finals and the winner of the finals wins 1 Million Dollars.
 
So I am wondering what kind of stradegy is used for tournament play.
 
I believe it is DDB 9/6 two 5 minute rounds.
 
Of course in the finals you want to go for broke but in a sattelite I just want to place.  So what do you do with:
 
two pair = break and go for the quads?
Toss flushes if you have 2 to the Royal?
 
Break a 77799 boat for the quad draw?
 
I'd love to hear anyones thoughts or expierences in tournament play.  What do you think it takes to break into the top 10?
 
I play about 800-900 hands an hour.
 
Thanks.

[damule]

spx...
 
     I've never played in a vp tourney, but I can give some practical common sense advise. I would definitely throw perfect play out the window and go for "all" big hits such as you mentioned and add things like holding one ace over a flush or straight as well in DDB. Two 5 minute rounds is such a tiny sampling that strategy is meaningless, you just need great luck.
 
     With that said, best of luck and many quads to hopefully come your way.

[marie meijer]

spx, mule is right, LUCK is that operative word! I have played several fun VP tournaments including Paris, MGM DETROIT and Greektown. The only luck I had was getting third at Siena, Reno and that purse was so small it was not worth returning to pick up the next day. But I did and hit awaks for $1600 playing DDB VP! At your rate of play you will have no trouble finishing in the given time frame. No doubt it will take a royal to win or qualify for the next contest. Aces or low quads would help to accompany that royal! Focus on that royal and forgitabouddasmallstuff. My faulty reasoning believes it helps to arrive early and observe those playing for a few minutes and warm up at a machine elsewhere. I walk away feeling I need a life and have really wasted my valuable time! I cannot wait for next tournament! GOOD LUCK and let us know your impressions! 

[Webman]

Whine to the tournament host as much as possible. It seems to work around here. 

[spxChrome]

I wish I could find out more info on the tournament, I can't even find out where the finals are going be this year.  I know its the 6th year of the event but its like some sort of top secret.  Nothing on the net about the even from any year.

[marie meijer]

Log on to: Bob Dancer Tournament Play Strategy and see what pops up.Log on to: Millionaire Maker Satellite Video Poker Tournament and read about the winner in the Reno final tournament.

[spxChrome]

Holy cow thats like winning $22,000 on a $1 machine in 45 minutes.  Is the finals in Reno every year?

[wilcoxfun]

I have played in a harrahs millionaire maker video poker tournament and it is all about LUCK!  I made some money but did not get high enough to go on.  You got to hit quads or royal flushes to move forward. I hit quads a couple of times no kickers.

[spxChrome]

What was the format? And game?  DDB
 
15 minutes or 200 hands whichever come first?
 
2 rounds?

[spxChrome]

Just to update:
 
Got back from the tourney yesterday and it was fun.
 
It was DDB 9/5 two rounds 10 minute each.
 
 
First round I got special 3's for 800 and with a few hands left I hit quad 6's for a total of 2,135.  This was the highest score I had seen.
 
After watching a few more rounds of 26 other players per round I only saw two scores that were higher.  A 2,900 and a 3,175, both hit the special aces.
 
So knew I had to have a fair 2nd round to make the top 10.  In my second round, it started out very bad.  Hardly any pairs for the first 4 minutes.  Then I finally hit Quad Q and a few more paying hands and ended that round with 1,050.
 
Giving me a total of 3,185.  Not a bad score but I knew it was going to be close to break the top 10.  There were 327 players. 
 
I had to wait until 7pm to announce the winners.  They started at the bottom with 10 place which had a score of 3,350.  Needles to say I just got edged out. 
 
10 through 3 was very close all within a couple of hundred.  1st got like 4,375. 
 
I was shocked but there were no royal hits. Later I talked to the winner and he said hit the special aces and then 800, 400 and Jacks with a bunch of FH.
 
$10K first place prize and he's on his way to Vegas to play for the $1mill. 
 
Now if I can just find were the next circuit even it going to be I can try it again cause getting that close left a sour taste in my mouth.
 
But in my 2 day stay I did manage 1 Royal, Special Aces and Quad Dueces on DW for $7K not bad I guess