Comments on: Can You Still Do It? – Part 1

By: Kevin Lewis

Kevin Lewis — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 19:07:06 +0000

I have attempted to quantify just how difficult it is to achieve +EV today vs. 5 years ago, 10 years ago, etc. However, there’s a shortcut! Just compare entries in Scot Krause’s “Vegas Values” (on the ACG website) to those from several years ago. The number of entries for a given week is now down to half a dozen (mostly pathetic) deals; there used to be more promotions in Vegas than he could include in a single column. And of course, anybody who has been playing in Vegas at all would have noticed the drastic destruction of good VP, the severe tightening of slot clubs, etc. The bottom line is that IF, IF, IF, you are VERY selective, which means playing ONLY the best games and ONLY at those places that still give you something decent for your play, you can still get SOME reasonable percentage of the benefits that USED to be easily available. As far as advantage play goes, you can pretty much forget trying to generate any decent income, unless you are able to play at Danceresque stakes (which makes edges like 0.015% meaningful in terms of net profit). Even then, you have to play cat-and-mouse with the casinos to avoid being barred/no-mailed/hit with a big rock. Readers of Jean’s and Dancer’s columns should know that those individuals have received special dispensations to continue playing high-stakes +EV games that ordinary people can’t count on receiving: if you’re the average Joe, play $25/hand games with +EV at most casinos and you just might find that your slot card doesn’t work any more or that nothing arrives in the mail (which would, more often than not, kill the +EV-ness of such a play).

By: candy

candy — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 13:49:08 +0000

We have all your books, and because of all your tips and advice, we have found something that we both love to do together and will continue to enjoy through our retirement (video poker). We’ve been going to Vegas since the 80’s, and now try to go at least 3 times a year. Thanks to your insight, we’ve steadily been moving up to nicer facilities. It’s true that the comps have diminished over the years, but we still manage to get free rooms and most of our food comped with a moderate budget. We’re both happy with that, and anything else is gravy.

By: Ed

Ed — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 21:02:05 +0000

THe comps are not a lucrative now as they were even in the early 2000’s, but players can still get free rooms, decent free play and comped shows and meals these days. Looking forward to our trip Thanksgiving Week and appreciate all the great info Jean. Hope you and Brad are doing well.

By: Ed Walczak

Ed Walczak — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 22:57:07 +0000

Hi Jean,
Thank you for returning to a topic that is near and dear to many of us. My wife and I are planning a trip to the Tuscany to play full pay VP and take breaks to tour the strip. In the past I had no clue there was an approach to VP that could make it a breakeven entertainment. We appreciate your sharing your wisdom and experience to help us make our VP experiences positive regardless of the short term win or loss.
Ed

By: Terry Haile

Terry Haile — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 16:28:35 +0000

Hi Jean,
This brings up a subject I’ve been meaning to ask you for a while now. After so many years of playing VP has the “thrill” gone or at least diminished for you and Brad when you hit a royal or other large win? Do you still get that rush of adrenalin that those of us who don’t play often get when the so infrequent “big win” happens? I would never want to play if this was missing, even if I could break even or even make a little money. We visit LV 2-4 a year for the last 10 years and only hit 9 royals total so it’s still a big deal for the wife and me. Just curious in Post Falls, Id, Terry Haile

By: George Mikutowicz

George Mikutowicz — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 16:00:27 +0000

If your primary goal is to have fun, enjoy casino comps, and break even,yes,it can still be done, providing you are willing to spend some time researching the subject thru the many available web sites, books,and video poker programs that are currently available online and in bookstores. Jean’s web site is a good place to start.
I speak from the experience of a retiree who started on this road 5 yrs ago and am happy to say that my video poker start up money, if I my call it that, is still intact.
Granted I am not a professional like Jean and play at significantly lower levels than Jean I’m sure but I am having fun. Fun with an inexpensive retirement hobby was my primary goal.

George

By: Georgi Sears

Georgi Sears — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 13:26:40 +0000

Looking forward to future posts on this subject! We’ve been following you and playing VP for many many years since we saw you on a Travel Channel episode. 🙂 September’s trip to Vegas was the worst we’ve ever experience gambling-wise, but we can’t wait to get back and take our revenge! Thanks for all your inspiration and info!!