More from 2001, on how to lose less/win more at video poker.
7. Strive for accuracy, but take into consideration human limitations. No one plays video poker perfectly 100% of the time. A casino is full of distractions, our bodies grow weary, our minds become forgetful, and our eyes must endure the punishing glare of a computer screen. But that doesn’t make winning video poker impossible. It just means that we must be ever vigilant: studying and practicing at home, cutting our session times, and taking frequent breaks in the casino.
And remember, the above bankroll numbers [mentioned in previous installments] are for PERFECT play. Whenever I figure the total return of any possible play, I subtract at least .1% for “human frailties,” .2% if it’s a game with a tough strategy such as Double Bonus. Being realistic is a necessary attribute for being a successful video poker player. You can try to fool yourself, but the end results always tell the truth.
This advice is even more important today than it was back in 2001. Because you are probably playing lower EV games these days, you need to be sure you are playing as accurately as you can. And if you just “kinda” know the right strategy, practicing more on VP software will certainly improve your long-term results.
My Dear Mr. Kelly,
Me thinks you miss the boat as to what being a frugal player is all about. The whole idea is to lose less and perhaps sometimes win. Frugal principles work weather you are a penny or a $25 player regardless how many times you go to Vegas. Admittedly if you are an infrequent visitor luck can have a greater impact than statistical expectation i.e a Royal every 40000 hands or so.
George
PLEASE LET EVERYONE KNOW (confess)THAT YOU SCOTTS HAVEN’T PLAYED QUARTERS IN YEARS. ALL YOUR SUCCESS, WINNINGS, FREE TRIPS AND INVITES ARE DUE TO PLAYING $5 AND $25 DOLLAR VP. CAN YOU DO THAT ?
STOP MISLEADING SOMEONE WHO GOES TO VEGAS TWICE A YEAR PLAYING QUARTERS INTO THINKING HE’LL BE GETTING ROYAL TREATMENT.
YOU’VE DECEVED US TOO LONG !
My dear Mrs Scott,
I have to respond to John. “This should also have the warning DON’T DRINK when playing to win” I have to wonder how many people play to lose. I won’t play at a casino that doesn’t have 9/6 JoB or 8/5 BP and comp Sam Adams, Anchor Steam or a really good micro. I’m a quarter player with a limited bankroll and play single line games. At Ellis I will play some nickel quick quads. My wife, Nancy, is totally amazed that I do better when I’m drinking. Nancy doesn’t drink and loses twice as much as I do. Unless you’re a pro with the bankroll needed to play long term it all comes down to LUCK!!! The more often you stop the RNG at a winning situation (either an outright winner or on the flop) the better your session will be. Last week I was playing 9/5 JoB at the back bar of the Fremont (they comp Sam Adams) and won $460.00. I was getting a ton of full boats and flushes that kept bringing my original $40.00 upwards. I hit two straight flushes and enough four of a kinds to get to $500.00 between two machines. Yes!!! Everyone that wants to play longer needs to use strategy, but short term players need to have luck to make money. I was playing a low EV(98.45) game and made 11 1/2 times my original stake. Just plain old luck. I seem to be luckier when I drink so I believe I’ll have another brewski thank you.
I hope you and Brad continue to have great success and many royals…..Rich
This should also have the warning DON’T DRINK when playing to win, even one or two drinks will muddle the mind enough to cost you. I never believed this until I did a test at home using the software, I took my average play over a few weeks and compared it to what happend when I drank a few beers while playing, needless to say I was bad and getting worse with each drink.
There’s a reason they give it to you for free!!