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Contributing expert Bob Dancer writes:
Here’s a good general rule: If you’re a strong player, never double up. If you’re a weak player, double up every time.
The double up feature is a 50-50 bet, meaning neither you nor the casino has the advantage. The way video poker players express these things, it’s a 100% game. If you’re a weak player, say one playing at a 96% rate, then if you can double up, you’ll be playing a 100% game a fourth of the time and a 96% three-fourths of the time. Your net loss will be smaller. You’ll get more time playing for the same investment. This won’t turn you into a winner, but it will make you less of a loser.
Good players never play when the casino has the advantage. If these players are earning 100.3% (including the value of the slot club and promotions), then playing "only" at a 100% level is a waste of time. It slows down their win rate.
If you don’t know whether you have the advantage or not, it’s safe to say you don’t. Only a small fraction of video poker machines, played by players who really know how to play, ever give the player the advantage. These players know who they are!