Why I Play VP my Way

[buffalochips]

Also, Does anyone have a true story of any casino--outside of Nevada--that has formally declared their paytables to represent anything other than what they must pay--per made hand??? There might be more than one reason why most are fake boats docked in relative jurisdictional gray waters..

[FloridaPhil]

I'm not exactly sure what you are asking.  Here is my understanding.Video poker is the only slot that I know of where the theoretical return (odds) can be calculated from the pay schedule shown on the front of the machine.   I believe this is one of the main things players like about VP.  In order for the theoretical return to be meaningful, you must make some assumptions.  You must believe the games are fair and random and you must believe the odds calculations are accurate.    My understanding is that theoretical returns are calculated using proven mathematical formulas and simulations.States like Nevada have Gambling Commissions that police the games and periodically run tests checking the fairness and randomness of the games.   Some States like Florida do not.   Many Native American casinos are on native lands and are self regulated.  If you are concerned about the fairness of the games, I would only play in those States with an active Gambling Commission.Keep in mind that your short term results may be significantly different than the mathematically calculated odds.   The longer you play, the closer they will be.  The accuracy of your play also affects your actual return.   Every error you make against computer calculated hand strategy costs you money.  The bigger your bet or the more errors you make, the bigger the financial penalty. I believe what I have stated above is accurate.  Others on this forum will be quick to correct me if I am wrong.  If this doesn't answer your question, please try restating it.

[buffalochips]

Fairness/randomness I believe are problems across the country....[Thanks for the insight]..When I had multiple runs of 10-15 blanks in a row, miss 4toflush multiple times then get a flush dealt [same with 2pairs to fullhouse], get ridiculous amounts of 3ofkinds dealt in a tdb game with no quads....you've probably seen/heard these stories before---but not from all casinos...It's hard to believe in returns based on paytable...as an applicable nationwide expectation[and that's without re-mention of tax skims LOL}

[FAA]

The dealt flush phenomenon is an interesting one. I'd be wary. I don't recall much winning on those sessions. This is a brutal game to play for over two hours in general too.

[FloridaPhil]

Randomness means anything can and will happen.  That said, I have seen some things lately that have also got me questioning the fairness of the games.  Players usually question the games when they are losing.  The anomalies I have seen are on the winning side, so I'm not complaining.   As there is no way to prove it one way or the other, I am forced to accept what is dealt or quit the game.  So far I am still playing.

[onemoretry]

.I don't recommend anyone play single coin unless they are willing to accept the consequences.  Somehow, I can't see how the fact that a player is praying not to get a short coin royal flush could be interpreted to suggest they are willing to accept the consequences.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=onemoretry]Somehow, I can't see how the fact that a player is praying not to get a
short coin royal flush could be interpreted to suggest they are willing
to accept the consequences.
[/quote]Playing single coin allows a player to play more hands with the same amount of money as a max coin player.  A single coin player is trading the royal bonus for more hands played.   Single coin players do not care about long term return, they only care about what happens today.  I know this is hard for math guys to understand, but this trade off is done all the time and players wouldn't do it if they didn't like the results.  Here's what I don't understand.   Golf is enjoyed by millions of people.  Does everyone who plays golf expect to make money at the game?  Hardly.  Do they enjoy paying the fees to play?  It's part of the game.   Why is video poker any different?  The professionals of VP are motivated by profit alone, most players just want to be entertained.   Hardly anyone has the skills and opportunities it takes to profit from VP and they enjoy the game anyway.  Do you think all the weekend golfers are ranting on the Internet because they can't play in the Masters?  I think you should enjoy the game for what it is, a game.   If you want to play more hands with your money, you might play single coin.  Just know that you will eventually see a short coin royal and "Pay the Piper".  I can't make it any clearer than that.

[onemoretry]

I think you should enjoy the game for what it is, a game.  
I'm not so sure that sitting there playing video poker and praying like mad not to hit the best possible hand, a royal flush, can be enjoyable.

[FloridaPhil]

I understand both sides of this coin.  You play VP for two years and don't hit a Royal Flush. You start to think you never will.   You are playing 8/5 DDB at $1.25 each time you hit the button.  You go through $300 a trip and all you see are quads.  You like to play VP, but the cost is getting to you.  You realize you can play the same number if hands with 1/5 the money.  Its the same game, so you play single coin quarters.   Then one day up pops your royal and you are paid $62.50 for a $1,000 hand.   You switch back to max coins and starting losing big again.  Sooner or later you have to make a decision.  Do you want to play more hands cheap or do you go for the royal?   The game you are playing is big time negative anyway, why not go the cheap route?   There is no right or wrong solution.  It's up to each player what choice they make.

[Tedlark]

[quote=onemoretry]Somehow, I can't see how the fact that a player is praying not to get a
short coin royal flush could be interpreted to suggest they are willing
to accept the consequences.
   Playing single coin allows a player to play more hands with the same amount of money as a max coin player.  A single coin player is trading the royal bonus for more hands played.   Single coin players do not care about long term return, they only care about what happens today.  I know this is hard for math guys to understand, but this trade off is done all the time and players wouldn't do it if they didn't like the results.  Here's what I don't understand.   Golf is enjoyed by millions of people.  Does everyone who plays golf expect to make money at the game?  Hardly.  Do they enjoy paying the fees to play?  It's part of the game.   Why is video poker any different?  The professionals of VP are motivated by profit alone, most players just want to be entertained.   Hardly anyone has the skills and opportunities it takes to profit from VP and they enjoy the game anyway.  Do you think all the weekend golfers are ranting on the Internet because they can't play in the Masters?  I think you should enjoy the game for what it is, a game.   If you want to play more hands with your money, you might play single coin.  Just know that you will eventually see a short coin royal and "Pay the Piper".  I can't make it any clearer than that.







[/QUOTE]

There is absolutely no way you could compare playing golf to playing video poker, especially with your perception of "recreational" players. Recreational golfers are not making wagers every time they step up to address a ball but recreational video poker players ARE making wagers every time they play a hand.

Phil you are trying way too hard to sell your recreational video poker play argument.