The Blind Men and the Elephant

[FAA]

If you wish to save a ton of money gambling that first hour, the wish is granted. Just hope you don't hit a quad or above on the quad based games. I don't know about you. The first hour of VP usually equals suffering for me. Gravedigger Hour. I dig a hole way larger than the published estimate. Controlling its depth is paramount. I cheap my way through the cycle until the good times roll, or the eventual quad to be inconsequential. 

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=onemoretry]Wishful thinking?[/quote]Hardly.  Despite what some people say, you can break even or eek out a small win on a negative game long term with a little luck and an ultra cheap play strategy.  The problem with this strategy is that it's not fun for the average recreational player because we would rather chase royals than work on limiting losses.   I don't play cheap anymore because I made the decision to only play games where the odds are worth my time.   If you want to come close to breaking even long term in today's super negative video poker world, you need more than max coin level play strategy.  I'm primarily speaking of quarter recreational play.  When you get into the high denomination video poker stratosphere, comps skew the odds and change the strategy.  If that's where you're at, you need to listen to Bob Dancer.

[onemoretry]

Just hope you don't hit a quad or above on the quad based games.

Don't you wonder about a strategy that causes you to hope you don't hit a big hand?

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=onemoretry]Don't you wonder about a strategy that causes you to hope you don't hit a big hand?
[/quote]If you have a mind set that considers every win a good thing, you avoid that kind of thinking.  If it takes 40,000 hands on average to hit a royal, how much money could you lose before one happens?  Playing ultra cheap reduces your loses to ultra cheap levels and allows you to play many more hands with the same money. The math says playing single coin is better financially than playing max coins on an overall negative game.   If you use a progressive betting strategy, some of those extra max coin hands could become jackpots magnifying your winnings by 5 times. This doesn't work for most players because the whole reason they play video poker in the first place is to experience the thrill of hitting a big jackpot no matter what it ultimately costs.   Gambling dreams are not made from $62.50 royals...  I am not promoting  Cheap Strategy, I'm stating how the math works and why players don't  consider it viable.  Very few players will play cheap like I did, so they have no idea if it works or not.   Personally, I've made the decision to play better quarter games at max coins and accept some loses as part of the cost of playing video poker.  What happens after that is fine with me.  

[FAA]

I cheap out even with the best odds and tables. Why pay $5,000 or more for a $1,000 RF? I don't love the machines that much. I must make that cost/benefit scale as even as possible, ideally by cutting costs to the bone.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=FAA]I cheap out even with the best odds and tables.[/quote]It is difficult to justify playing video poker on a monetary cost basis alone.  It's the same game whether you're playing for a quarter a hand or $100.  Even if the odds are better, the money it takes to play will eventually eat up the difference.  If the comps have value to you it may influence your decision, but most players that play for comps are overpaying. Recreational players play for entertainment.  If you can be entertained for .25 cents a hand, why wouldn't you?   The only people that are hurt by cheap play are the casinos and there are enough dreamers to keep them in business.  I'm not promoting any play strategy.   There is no right or wrong way to play video poker on your own machine, there is only the way that you enjoy the most.

[FAA]

Even if the odds are better, the money it takes to play will eventually eat up the difference. There is no right or wrong way to play video poker on your own machine, there is only the way that you enjoy the most.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Correct. I have lately found the crowds of Sat and Sun afternoons unbearable. I will henceforth go to a more sedate establishment, far from the AC boardwalk bedlam that reigns unabated twelve months a year barring a blizzard. I value the serenity and relaxation of VP. The stress of the boardwalk at its peak defeats the purpose of going in the first place. However, imagine hitting a jackpot surrounded by a sudden mob of well wishers. In lieu of that, just hug the first waitress I see and call it a day?