One Eyed Jacks Question(s)

[Rayser]

I have been learning the correct strategy for one eyed jacks, as it is the best payback scale at a casino near me (100.24%).  Some might think it's a boring game, but I like it.  Haven't got a royal flush yet, but have just been studying and playing it for last month or so. This brings me to a question I have.  Since the Jacks of spades and hearts are wild, can you get a Natural Royal Flush which includes those cards, or will the machine default to the Wild Royal?   I also have a second question, is there any positive strategy in a double up feature on poker machines?

[shadowman]

Both heart and spade royals with their suited wild jack are considered natural royals and pay the full 4000 coins.
As with all other games I am aware of, the double up feature is a 100% return. Hence, in the case of OEJs it is lower than the return of the game.
 
Not sure why you mentioned "boring" as OEJs requires one of the most complex optimal strategies of all VP games. I would claim it is one of the least boring games.

[Rayser]

You know, you are right, I find it exciting and challenging as the strategy is very complex.  I particularily like the thrill of hitting the bigger hands, which I feel are more common than in JOB poker or variations of same. Got 3 straight flushes last night, (and oh so many near misses on RF and SF).   My wife tried watching me play, but was not interested as the strategy was so foreign to her and I was bleeding money while she was watching, and I didn't get any big hands. I guess that is why I mentioned boring  The thing is, one big hand puts you back over the top. Thanks for your quick response P.S. I think (correct me if I am wrong), If you use the double up feature, you are not getting any comp point credits for the money you are risking. 

[shadowman]

Since I don't know your casino I can't say anything about the comps points. Where I've played (Hinckley and TI) the double up does not accrue any points.


 
OEJs is a fairly high variance game which leads to the swings you mentioned. Like any game the long droughts can get boring. However, you get premium hands (SF and better) every 366 or so hands which is better than most other games. My last session I had 7 wilds in 7 hours of play which is the best I've ever done. So, it can be very, very exciting as well.

[Rayser]

Actually, you are the one that turned me on to OEJ, I was not aware that any casino in the midwest had video poker approaching 100% return, until I read some old posts from you. I thank you for that! I am assuming that VP is more than just a hobby for you, if you don't mind me asking, what type of a bankroll would one need to eke out a profit, taking into consideration the volatility of the game?   I have been using a video poker tutor program for OEJ, played 5000 hands so far, and had two losing streaks of - $700.00 (using $1.00 denomination) but am up $4800.00 for those 5000 hands dealt. (a bit above the theoretical return because of good luck on the tutor program).   I guess what I am asking, is how much of a losing streaks could I expect to endure? what is typcal in your experience?

[Rayser]

oops just read an old post from you where you indicated that 20,000 credit swings would not be unusual.  I couldn't afford that on a dollar machine if I was on the wrong end of it.

[shadowman]

I had two rather long losing streaks this year. One was 10K credits and the other was just over 7K credits. Of course, I had some nice winning streaks as well. The game itself is barely positive, especially considering the complexity, but much better than anything else around. Best to stay well within your bankroll.


 
BTW, it's almost impossible to determine the bankroll without taking into account player's club extras like freeplay and cash back.

[DaBurglar]

The "double up" feature never adds value to your players club rating or points or comp dollars or any of that stuff.....UNLESS, you make prior arrangements via a host or casino boss to have your play, ALL  of your play including the double ups taken into account.   But know this, the only time a casino will even consider including your use of the double-up feature added to your rating/comp points is if you bet credits valued at $1 or greater.....this my former slot supervisor friend told me as of last May, but bear in mind she only worked in Reno during her 17 years in the business. it never hurts to ask, and in my opinio, given the competitive nature of the business, even if you wager quarters primarily, if you bet enough of them, I would say there might be at least SOME casinos out there willing to take into your account of wagering on Double Up.  Who knows.....  One eyed jacks is a cool game, i play it too once in a while, but not in AC casinos, I dont trust them right now. I have also had good success (in this case INCLUDING a couple AC casinos) playing USA Poker where the paytable offers 9-9-9 on straight-flush-fullhouse hands, but the 9-9-9 only exists in dollar or more per credit machines, you'd never find 9-9-9 for quarters or nickels.  Also make sure your USA poke rmachine has a straight flush max payout of at least 500 credits.....a few dollar machines USA poker I have found have had 800 or even 1000 max payout for straightflushes...very cool indeed.  One eyed jacksUSA PokerWild Sevens These games can be a lot of fun if you have the bankroll, and right paytable...and if your casinos' are not rigged (ha ha)

[Rayser]

Have not heard of Wild Sevens game.  Have heard of USA poker, but don't think I have seen one here in the Midwest or in Vegas where I go.  They sound interesting,  are they found only in atlantic city area?

[shadowman]

Wow, if you found a USA Poker game that pays 9,9,9 without shorting something else that is a huge game. Maybe you meant 8,8,8 which is the standard game.
 


The full pay game returns 200 for the SF and 40 for 4oak. These are the items usually shorted on the less than full pay games.