New here & VP Newbie

[Single_Tasker]

Hi Folks,
 
Just found and joined this forum after watching a Travel Channel show featuring Bob Dancer.
 
Some questions-
 
VP Strategy: Are there 'tricks' or is it all just straight-down-the-line knowing what to hold and what to discard?  For example, Blackjack, has specific hit and pass rules to help improve your 'edge'... is VP strategy the same idea?
 
I downloaded a free VP teaching program that warns of errors and shows a graph of my play allong side a graph of Perfect Play. After about an hour I understood the changes I needed to make and the two graphs showed I was doing near perfect. I played for 2 hours and did really well- won more than lost. Today I played for 2 hours and lost much more than I won. Soooooo... Beside knowing what to keep and what to discard, which in my case didn't keep me on top, what other strategy is there?
 
Thanks!
Bill

[shadowman]

For a given game the rules don't change. However, a small change to the paytable of any game can impact the strategy. Change games and the strategy may be significantly different.
 
In addition, playing perfect strategy only gets you to the experted return (ER) of a game over time. There can be major swings in both directions. Similar to a coin flip where you don't see or expect head-tail to alternate on each flip.
 
Also keep in mind that the expected return is the key. Playing perfect strategy on 9-6 double-double bonus or 9-6 jacks or better will still result in a loss over time. Many good games are stilll negative games so expert play only cuts your losses, it does not make you a long term winner. Perfect play on positive games, those with ERs over 100%, is the key to winning at video poker. These games may not exist where you play.

[royal flush]

good answer to many people play not ull pay machines and the casinos can get away with junk machines just look at the places on the strip and the play they get

[rascal]

In his second paragraph up there, Shadowman calls attention to the "experted return." Novices need to be aware that only experts such as Bob Dancer can be expected to actually achieve the experted return.

[Single_Tasker]

Looks like I'm at square-one.
 
I have no idea which machines to play or how to determine the ER, etc. In fact I have no idea what to expect (winnings) if I learn and follow strategies correctly... Will I have an advantage over the machine? Are folks here actually coming out ahead?... and if so how many have quit their jobs?
 
So please tell me where square-one is and where to go from there- a particular book?
 
Bill

[oej719]

No one comes out ahead on a regular basis. Just play for fun. You might win sometimes but don't count on it. And don't quit your day job or play with money you cannot afford to lose.

[shadowman]

In his second paragraph up there, Shadowman calls attention to the "experted return." Novices need to be aware that only experts such as Bob Dancer can be expected to actually achieve the experted return.
 
I think I may have accidentally coined a new term
 
Of course, it should have been "expeCted return" but it does point out that only a well trained expeRt can expeCt to achieve a games ER.

[shadowman]

Looks like I'm at square-one.
 
I have no idea which machines to play or how to determine the ER, etc.
 
You only need to get the right software program. The ER of a game is based on the paytable and these software programs let you input various values for the paytable and compute the ER for you. Winpoker, FVP, OptimumVP, vipoker, VPfW are all programs that provide this capability.
 
In fact I have no idea what to expect (winnings) if I learn and follow strategies correctly... Will I have an advantage over the machine? Are folks here actually coming out ahead?... and if so how many have quit their jobs?
 
Making a good living playing VP is very difficult. It probably requires more work than most other jobs. However, if you already have a job (or retirement check) you can supplement your income by playing "advantage VP". It requires finding opportunities that pay back over 100% and playing them correctly. In addition, there is no guarantee you will win every year even when playing with an advantage.
 
By "opportunities" I mean the combination of the payback of the machines (ER)  with cashback, comps and promotions.
 
So please tell me where square-one is and where to go from there- a particular book?
 
Bill
 
Any of Jean Scott's books will help. Start with "The Frugal Gambler" as it provides info beyond VP that is basic to gambling.
 

[shadowman]

No one comes out ahead on a regular basis. Just play for fun. You might win sometimes but don't count on it. And don't quit your day job or play with money you cannot afford to lose.
 
Good advice. If I remember correctly Bob Dancer estimates less than 1% of potential VP players have the mental discipline to be successful pros. On the other hand, Bill might be one of them.

[Single_Tasker]

I forgot to mention that I go to Foxwoods in Ct.- I live an hour away. Any machine I should look for?


 
Thanks for all the input.
 
Bill