Why a Recreational Forum?

[FloridaPhil]

Like it or not, the vast majority of video poker players must play negative expectation games if they want to play video poker at all.  In recent years, video poker odds all over the country have been downgraded.  Today the best paying video poker games exist mostly at the higher denominations where many recreational players are kept away due to bankroll limitations.   Does this mean only high rollers play video poker?  Hardly...  At the casinos where I play the most popular video poker game by far is 8/5 quarter double double bonus.  Surely there must be a reason players love to play a game where they are virtually guaranteed to lose?All players want to win.  Recreational players do as well, but they know from experience or choose to ignore the fact that winning long term is not a realistic option on the games they are forced to play.  To enjoy the game or extend their play, these players often use unconventional strategies to limit their loses or adjust the game to fit their personal preferences.   Many members of this forum would like to discuss these strategies out in the open, but they are intimidated by members who consider any variation from the math to be foolish and will quickly tell you so.  When I found this forum a number of years ago, I found myself in the middle of this debate.   I asked the web administrator if we could have a Recreational Forum free from math and criticism of our personal choices.  He obliged and it turned out to be popular.  Unfortunately, some forum members didn't read the forum description and proceeded to recreate the confrontational atmosphere we were trying to avoid in the first place.  This description is clearly labeled under this forum's title.Recreational PlayThe lighter side... playing for entertainment, less concerned about "the math."I am not the web administrator of this forum and have no desire to be.  I am not trying to become the moderator or the resident expert of anything.  My only desire is to have some place on the web where average recreational players like myself can discuss issues important to us without being held up to ridicule.   If no one else has this desire except me, the Recreational Forum will die and the remaining members can enjoy their discussions without concerning themselves with subjects they consider dangerous or silly.   I suspect there are enough members of this forum that feel the way I do to keep it up and active.  I only hope the other members try to understand our side of this discussion and let us all get in on the fun.

[OTABILL]

Like it or not, the vast majority of video poker players must play negative expectation games if they want to play video poker at all.  In recent years, video poker odds all over the country have been downgraded.  Today the best paying video poker games exist mostly at the higher denominations where many recreational players are locked out due to bankroll limitations.   Does this mean only high rollers play video poker?  Hardly...  At the casinos where I play the most popular video poker game by far is 8/5 quarter double double bonus.  Surely there must be a reason players love to play a game where they are virtually guaranteed to lose?All players want to win.  Recreational players do as well, but they know from experience or choose to ignore the fact that winning long term is not a realistic option on the games they are forced to play.  To enjoy the game or extend their play, these players often use unconventional strategies to limit their loses or adjust the game to fit their personal preferences.   Many members of this forum would like to discuss these strategies out in the open, but they are intimidated by members who consider any variation from the math to be foolish and will quickly tell you so.  When I found this forum a number of years ago, I found myself in the middle of this debate.   I asked the web administrator if we could have a Recreational Forum free from math and criticism of our personal choices.  He obliged and it turned out to be popular.  Unfortunately, some forum members didn't read the forum description and proceeded to recreate the confrontational atmosphere we were trying to avoid in the first place.  This description is clearly labeled under this forum's title.Recreational PlayThe lighter side... playing for entertainment, less concerned about "the math."I am not the web administrator of this forum and have no desire to be.  I am not trying to become the moderator or the resident expert of anything.  My only desire is to have some place on the web where average recreational players like myself can discuss issues important to us without being held up to ridicule.   If no one else has this desire except me, the Recreational Forum will die and the remaining members can enjoy their discussions without concerning themselves with subjects they consider dangerous or silly.   I suspect there are enough members of this forum that feel the way I do to keep it up and active.  I only hope the other members try to understand our side of this discussion and let us all get in on the fun.









Well said. Many folks play Video Poker for entertainment and budget a certain amount of money to spend for a night out whether for dinner, concert or gaming (VP or otherwise). Amateur golfers spend lots of money to play their favorite sport. They try to beat the course everytime they are playing without any hope of coming out monetarily ahead like their professional counterparts. Nobody berates their decision to do so nor any suggestions they may make to save money on clubs, green fees, etc. Seems to me the same should apply to recreational VP players.

BTW, we have essentially stopped playing VP at local casinos due to the ubiquitous smoke.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=OTABILL]BTW, we have essentially stopped playing VP at local casinos due to the ubiquitous smoke.[/quote]Smoke, one of the true scourges of casino life.  This is the main reason we prefer to play in Colorado, the entire state is smoke free. I can see why the WWII generation smoked, but why a younger person does is beyond me. 

[Galeygoo]

That just cracks me up.  Colorado is smoke free but dope approved.  Talk about an awful odor..  YES; I know the difference, BUT STILL....geez

[Krystal71270]

Hi, have fun all!

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=Galeygoo]Colorado is smoke free but dope approved.[/quote] I find this amusing myself.  If they let people smoke pot openly in the casino, the place would be a lot quieter and the food courts would be packed. Seriously, Colorado is a great place to play video poker.  We play there a week each spring.  The air is a bit thin for our old lungs, but it's well worth a visit.  Blackhawk and Cripple Creek are our favorites.  If you haven't been there, check it out.