Analyzing a hand with Winpoker on the iPhone IN the casino

So, after many years away from VP (career, kids) I am back frothing at the idea of mindless decompression in front of a good VP machine.

I used to practice with Bob's WinPoker on my Windows XP machine (those were the days, eh? XP?) but NOW I can sit in the casino with my iPhone and analyze any given hand (or game) that I come across.

The question is, in general, is this allowed by casinos? Will I be breaking some nebulous rule by looking up what the correct play is?

Thanks!
Phil

They don't care. Use your program.

Just don't be taking photos around the casino, other than of you hitting a Royal Flushes and other winning hands! They aren't so skittish about the picture taking as they used to be, but they don't like it, and it fact might say something (but they won't break your camera or your hands).

And you can use strategy cards at the tables. No problem.

They know that "In the end, we get it all." LOL, line from the movie "Casino".

Good luck!

There could very well be a problem with using an electronic device in a casino to analyze a hand. I read that Bob Dancer said in his newest book that he would not make the "Video Poker For Winners" computer program available for people to use on a phone or other device because at least in Nevada, it is a Felony to use an electronic device in a casino for such calculating purposes.

Using a printed out playing strategy chart/card may be one thing, but using an electronic device to do any calculations in a casino (at least while you are on a machine) may be a more serious issue for the casino.

RecVPPlayer

that is a very good point. I think in most cases it would be ok to use, but I could just imagine the greedy casinos using that to deny paying out when you hit something big. they have something in common with insurance companies -- their goal is to NOT pay if they can weasel out of it.

Well, a casino person could tell you for sure.

Or just try it. If someone says something to you, say OK, thanks and put it away.

Is there a sign on the machine (or at the front entrance) regarding the use of electronic devices at slot machines? If not, they'd better pay your jackpot, else you call the NGC.

Nevada Statute

NRS?465.075??Use or possession of device, software or hardware to obtain an advantage at playing a game is prohibited.?It is unlawful for any person to use, possess with the intent to use or assist another person in using or possessing with the intent to use any computerized, electronic, electrical or mechanical device, or any software or hardware, or any combination thereof, which is designed, constructed, altered or programmed to obtain an advantage at playing any game in a licensed gaming establishment or any game that is offered by a licensee or affiliate, including, without limitation, a device that:

1.??Projects the outcome of the game;
2.??Keeps track of cards played or cards prepared for play in the game;
3.??Analyzes the probability of the occurrence of an event relating to the game; or
4.??Analyzes the strategy for playing or betting to be used in the game


Point 4 ("Analyzes the strategy for playing the game") and would make it illegal to use "any type of computerized, electronic, electrical or mechanical device, or any software or hardware, or any combination thereof, which is designed, constructed, altered or programmed to obtain an advantage at playing any game in a licensed gaming establishment "


That being said no one has been able to cite an instance where anyone was arrested or denied payout for doing this with an I-pad-like device or smartphone, etc..

Still I'd hate to have my $25,000 Sequential Royal payout denied because I was using my cell phone that had a picture of a strategy card on it that I looked at while playing. If you use a paper strategy card, that is legal but looking at a picture of the same card on your cell phone or a program indicating optimal strategies while playing in a casino in NV is illegal.

Chances are it will never be enforced using a program or strategy card picture on your cell phone at a video poker machine, but it technically is against the law and could leave you open to be arrested and/or lose a big payout. Again little chance, but ask yourself, is it worth taking the chance before you do it?

ST

And so especially in light of Straub66's posting of the Nevada regulation (Statute) in question (I thank Straub66 for doing this), I would say that the OP is better off in having on him a printed out playing strategy chart for the game that is being played and that he should consult it when necessary.

RecVPPlayer

Thanks for the notes, people.

My go-to game is $0.05 FPDW, so I'm the lowest of low rollers. Still, I don't want to get spanked.

Thanks!

You're welcome and as for playing strategy for FPDW, either print out a strategy chart yourself from one of the VP computer training programs out there (such as "Video Poker For Winners", "Optimum Video Poker," "Frugal Video Poker," or "Wolf Video Poker"), maybe check online or purchase (if you haven't already) Bob Dancer's Strategy Card for this game which is available in the LVA Store on this website.

RecVPPlayer

You also might print out a strategy sheet that you can get through the "Video Poker Strategy Chart" link through the Wizard Of Odds website. Based on the pay schedule that you input, this program will generate a playing strategy chart.

RecVPPlayer