Single line $ vs. three play .25

[Mr.Dawes]

I mainly play single hand max coin .25. But on occasion I will play dollar max coin single hand for 30 minutes or so per trip. I am considering trying three play max coin .25 on my next trip instead of dollars. The advantage to dollars is that the casinos I have available to me offer better paytables for dollars than quarters. Are there any advantages to quarter three play, other than costing less than dollars? Is it true that multi play games have an effect on variance?Thanks for any thoughts.

[Vman96]

If it's the same paytables, 3 play quarters is lower variance than dollars. Probably even five play quarters is lower variance than dollars, even though $6.25 is on the line vs. $5.

Another benefit of multiline quarters, you're only getting tax forms with dealt/multiline big hits.

I would focus on the higher paytables myself though. Multi line is not that much more fun to me.

[Mr.Dawes]

Thanks for the feedback. Unfortunately I went to Biloxi this weekend and at The Pearl, The IP and Boomtown all of the three play machines had lower paytables than the single hand machines so three play is out as an option.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=Mr.Dawes]The advantage to dollars is that the casinos I have available to me offer better paytables for dollars than quarters. [/quote]This seems to vary around the country.  In the Southeast, you rarely find good multi-line quarter games.   At the dollar and above level, some of the best games in Florida are
multi-line games.  If you factor in comps and potential winnings from
drawings and such, I expect you could find an advantage game
if you are willing to stomach the risk.  I rarely play multi-line games because the swings are magnified and as you know I hate losing more than most players.  If you are going to take a shot at a dollar machine for 30 minutes, I don't think the odds and variance matter as you are looking for a luck hit.  if you are going to play for an extended period, I would play the game with the best odds.  As always, I'm sure others may have different opinions.

[alpax]

Video poker is a game where you come up losing about two out of every three play sessions/vacation trips of a few thousand rounds played on average even at the best pay schedules. That is the reason those who play it more seriously than the average recreational gambler have to see the long term perspective since it is not possible to play out the long term in a single day or even a week unless they have access to 100 play games.

I too would take the better single line pay schedule over the multi line option if I was in Mr. Dawes situation.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=alpax]That is the reason those who play it more seriously than the average
recreational gambler have to see the long term perspective since it is
not possible to play out the long term in a single day or even a week
unless they have access to 100 play games[/quote]I get this.  I own a lot of stocks.  If I was constantly buying and selling just to keep from losing on a daily basis, I would never make any money.  I consider the stock market to be a long term investment, so I buy the best value, diversify my portfolio and let time do the rest.  As it turns out, I do not have the same long term confidence in video poker which is something my family is very happy about.

[Mr.Dawes]

I too would take the better single line pay schedule over the multi line option if I was in Mr. Dawes situation.I have decided that this does make the most sense. I was leaning toward the three play idea because I thought it might more fun. However, I am not willing to go to even lower paytables than the single line machines offer. Thanks to all for the input.

[Lucky Larry]

Mr. Dawes,
What is the pay return difference between the $ vs 25¢ - 3-play? If say 8/5 $ bonus vs 7/5 - 25¢ you have to consider what you enjoy playing.

My first decision making matrix includes: % return; denomination; game variance; size of bankroll.

I generally only play multi-line hands but we have access (La.) to games like 9/6 DDB, 8/5 Bonus and 15/9/4 Ugly deuces all about 98% return on all denominations 2¢-$1 on 50/100 play. I've occasionally played at other casinos 9/5 DDB multi-hand 25¢ vs 9/6 $DDB for the extra chances to hit a big hand. It's all in what you like and are willing to risk. On the other hand I rarely play DDB because I like the low variance of the Deuces options.

Recently, I've moved from 25-50 play 5¢ to 10-15-20 hand 25¢ on the same games/return and the results have been nice. 3 Royals on my past trip. I start with 10-15 hands and move up based on play.

Recommendation: before I made the change to 25¢ I spend night after night taking my same "virtual bankroll" and practicing using it as the starting point for practice using 25/100 play download options on my iPad. I tried to play 100-400 hands each night. This allowed me to get a feel of how the play might differ from my 25-50 hand 5¢.

[Mr.Dawes]

Mr. Dawes,
What is the pay return difference between the $ vs 25¢ - 3-play?

Dollar single hand 9/6 DDB (98.98) vs. quarter three play 8/5 DDB (96.79). Thanks for the practice recommendation. If I find better paytable options I will give that a try.

[Lucky Larry]

[QUOTE=Lucky Larry]Mr. Dawes,
What is the pay return difference between the $ vs 25¢ - 3-play?

Dollar single hand 9/6 DDB (98.98) vs. quarter three play 8/5 DDB (96.79). Thanks for the practice recommendation. If I find better paytable options I will give that a try.
[/QUOTE]

I'd probably stick with the 9/6 $DDB. Since DDB is streaky you might check the Deuces Wild, DW Bonus option pay returns. If they are also in the 98-99% range I'd recommend learning them as well. Their low volatility may give you a good option when your DDB timing is not good.

Best wishes.