Why do people think they can make money playing VP

[Vman96]

I doubt they play in states with predatory taxes, either.

If the offer/promo was good enough, they would. It really all boils down to the bottom line. After valuing everything, do you make enough money to make it worth your time vs. a normal job? In many situations in casinos it's, "No, it isn't." But the better APs seem to know the situations where, "Yes, it's worth my time." I can't remember where Bob Dancer actually draws his cutoff, but I sorta doubt he bothers with scenarios worth less than a net $20/hr to him.

[billryan]

Having six percent of any handpay lost forever would seem to me to be a deal breaker.
You can use losses to make up most of the taxes due on the tax forms, but not in some states.

[wildman49]

Even if you play 99% whatever there are other factors that comps can't cover. Gas, atm fees, credit cards fees and the biggest wg taxes (they count those into an ER)? It's 6% where I play and you can't reclaim state taxes.Very true SPX, I have made 71 trips to the casino, it's 68 miles round trip. The $35 gas cards I get once a month don't cover it. I have had $3385 in free play YTD and that's the only thing keeping me in the black for the year. One really has to grind it out to just break even and if the royals don't come in on time, your in the hole easy.

[notes1]

seems to me there are enough posters on this site, who advocate one can make money, in the current conditions of VP. why not just post their last 12 months net results?   

[FloridaPhil]

Anyone can make money playing video poker over a short time span of a few years.  I did it for over two years playing mostly single coin quarters on 96% machines and I even posted the photos on this website to back it up.  So much of the profit is tied up in a very small number of hands.  If you get lucky and hit more than your share, "Voilà"  instant hero.  Anyone who claims to make a profit over a lifetime needs all the math they can conjure up to prove that claim.   I suspect we'll be waiting a long time before that happens.

[billryan]

seems to me there are enough posters on this site, who advocate one can make money, in the current conditions of VP. why not just post their last 12 months net results?   

Sure, right after you post your tax returns for the past three years.

[notes1]

[QUOTE=notes1] seems to me there are enough posters on this site, who advocate one can make money, in the current conditions of VP. why not just post their last 12 months net results?   

Sure, right after you post your tax returns for the past three years.[/QUOTE]

a little sensitive on this subject? never asked for tax returns.

I have posted all my trip results dating back over the past year.

I have no problem stating I have lost money, others have also done so, including DB and olds.

among those who seem the most reluctant to do so, are those who claim one can make money.

[FloridaPhil]

If you are going to sell folks the idea that real money can be made playing video poker, it will only work if your potential customers believe it's true.  This isn't as difficult as it sounds as players desperately want this to be a reality.   It's only in time that they start to have real doubts. It's a fact that $100,000 plus video poker jackpots are won. How much is lost before and after is anyone's guess.  I think it's up to each person to make up his own mind on this subject and I don't think it's bad to have either opinion.  Long term profit at video poker requires skill and determination, but it also requires a large amount of luck to boot.  Without luck you're just another poor sucker trying to live a dream... 

[olds442jetaway]

Knowing when to foldem is probably the biggest obstacle vp players face including of course myself. vp is just one big sine curve tilted down a little about 5 degrees or so. The highs and lows however can be dramatic. I looked at my trips for the last 2 years and I was at least a hundred bucks ahead in 87% of the trips. Some of the trips I was ahead close to a grand. We all know how I ended up chasing the royals. Negative 50k or more in each of the last 2 years. Even last nights trip turned out the same way. I was up 163 bucks at one point, yet finished down several hundred. This pattern gets repeated over and over by most players. Unfortunately, the thrill of playing and having money at risk for a potential windfall out weighs common sense for most of us. I'm speaking of course for myself here, but I bet more than want to admit it are up substantial bucks at some point during the session. I actually did hit a Royal last nite on a 2 cent spin poker game playing joker kings. It was not on the center deal line though, so it has still been since Jan since I have hit one single line or on the deal line on multi play machines. By the way, that eighty bucks vanished pretty fast right after.

[wildman49]

Knowing when to foldem is probably the biggest obstacle vp players face including of course myself.Olds it took me years to learn discipline. I can say over the past 2 years I can make it 9 out of 10 trips without being stupid. Even now I would say 2 or 3 trips a month I walk in play off my free play only and walk out the door with whatever I win off it. Most including my wife have to play while I add the money to bankroll for another day trip down the road. On some trips I can go and just play on the comps and when they are gone I am gone. It has helped me play near even the past 2 years. 800k coin in the last 2 years am down $400.00 not including food vouchers, gas cards, free rooms and gifts. Its not easy to play like I do but it works and I plan to stick with it.Last night wife and I went for 3 hours of play, I had $35 in free play. Played 9/6 jacks on nickels, played some triple play DW one coin (.75) a hand hit deuces twice for $50 each and played .30 a spin penny slot players party on the same machine for an hour. We eat on  voucher and I left up $10. Great time for never opening my wallet, but playing tight  I can't do  every trip. I have been off work the last 6 days and was down $400 for all the play and trip up to northern Michigan. Sometimes taking a break from max betting is needed as it can take the fun out of playing with to many losing trips in a row.Try to find something that works like hitting singles and doubles and forget about swinging for the home runs as they don't come along all that often.