Why Brad and I Play Video Poker
Recently Bob Dancer wrote an interesting article titled “Why Do I Play Video Poker?” Funny…I had been thinking about this same topic but just hadn’t gotten around to writing it.
Brad and I play video poker for many of the same reasons that Bob gave. One, we like all the comps. However, we are not as thrilled with them as we were 29 years ago when we first started on this road. We almost never eat “fancy” unless it is a comped meal. And many times we eschew even a comped gourmet meal, preferring to eat simpler for a price less than the tip we’d have to pay for the former. We used to appreciate more the luxurious suites the casino gave us – perhaps we are just a bit jaded. Now we sometimes mess up the bed in a fancy comped room in Las Vegas and then go home to sleep in our own bed.
We still like the comped travel, to casinos all over the US, and we still take some casino cruises to far-away places. But, unless we can go with friends or family, we turn down more cruises than we take these days. And we are finding our lowered energy levels influence us to cut down on our travel generally.
Another thing we have in common with Bob and many other serious gamblers is that we like the challenge of competition and we will put forth enormous amounts of effort to achieve a win. Brad has had a passion for gambling since he was a toddler watching his older brothers play Tonk for pennies. You didn’t even think of gambling in the very strict minister’s home where I grew up, but I played “Uncle Wiggley” for blood before I could even read. Winning was always the name of the game!
Another reason I continue to play video poker is that it provides a way I can continue to teach, through my writing. I can never remember a time when I wasn’t involved in teaching, starting when my parents provided me sisters who became my first students. I had to teach them to read and count so they could become the other players I needed for constant game play!
Differing from Bob at this point, Brad and I started casino gambling when we were both in successful careers. I had been a long-time high school English teacher and Brad was closing out 30 years in military and civil service. So when we retired we were thinking of gambling mainly as a way to pursue a hobby we both loved. We had no thoughts of “making money.” We were working just to break even on the games, but earn all the comps we could so we could have more luxuries and fun than we could afford on our adequate but not huge retirement income. Becoming wildly successful was just an “accident.”
Bob mentioned that he loves to play video poker. I want to talk more about that fun factor in the future. But I have to sign off now because I need to start packing for an upcoming trip. That means I may not get back to this subject for quite a while. So, readers, I need your help in filling in during this time. What makes VP fun for you? What do you do to make it more fun? Share your thoughts with all of us in the “Comments.” Long or short discussion, it doesn’t matter. Maybe something you say will help someone else find a way to have more fun in their VP play!
I like to play video poker because you get a lot more play for your money than you do on slot machines. Also, as an introvert, I find video poker a more comfortable game to play than the table games. And I must say the I do enjoy entering that hypnotic zone that comes from playing VP for a long time. I hope that last bit is not a sign of problem gambling on my part.
I play video poker because there is strategy involved and you can actually gain an advantage over the casino if you make correct plays compared to playing the slots. I also don’t lose my bankroll near as fast playing VP compared to my wife when she plays slots.
VP is the most exciting machine game. Forget the slots. Finding the best machine with the best pay-out, playing all hands to perfection and get all your money back after scoring thousands of points is fun. The comps build up fast and gives you the much sought after and envied VIP platinum or emerald cards. Great mental stimulation, great entertainment and can be cheap when played right. I have had mostly winning years but always received comps valued at thousands of dollars. After readingJeans blogs, buying Bob Dancers, Linda Boyd and last but not least Frank Kneeland’s book my game has improved to almost perfection and I rarely leave any money behind.
Winning is all that counts. I do enjoy the challenge of making as close to 100% correct plays as possible, but I play to win. I would play a slot if it was beatable and in my bankroll range.
Thank goodness they aren’t! I sometimes play the penny slots 1-3 cents at a time to play off the change after a good win at VP while I have a few beers (I won’t drink while playing VP). I can only stand the boredom for about 3-5 minutes!
I am really at peace with myself when playing in the morning with a coffee in hand. I find it relaxing. Then my wife shows up and we get on with the day.
I am retired and in my 60s. We moved to the Vegas area after my retirement. I play video poker for the fun of it and to keep my brain active. Having used Video Poker software to hone my skills I have gotten pretty good at it. I mainly play Deuces Wild. I primarily play 5 cent and 10 cent machines that have a pay table of over 100% payback.
My favorite casino is the Fiesta in Henderson, because they have quite a few 100% payback machines. When I started playing regularly I never imagined that I would be considered a high roller playing nickels and dimes, but I have been a Presidential Player Card holder with the Station Casinos for over a year now.
The comps are great; I get preferred parking, free buffets, free concerts, preferred lines for the buffets, etc. all for just doing what I enjoy. Of course playing the lower limit poker machines does not provide a lot of money, but I still get excited hitting a Royal Flush or 4 Deuces. Occasionally if I get real wild I will play quarters. But for the most part I do it for fun.
I too agree that video poker keeps your mind very active. Between Video Poker and my RVing website I am having the most fun that I ever had. I am very glad to hear that some folks such as yourselves and Bob Dancer make a living out of playing Video Poker. I am too hesitant to commit the bankroll required for playing the higher denomination games; I am afraid it would take the fun factor out of it.
I really appreciate the information you provide on your website. Please keep up the good work.
That’s it for now.
Al
Jean,the active word here is “endorphins.” It’s the high one gets from doing something as stimilating as gambling, especially when one may win a substantial jackpot. Yes, mind stimulation at my age is great, but the thrill…not just from winning but from the playing…is still very important. As an aside, I’m from Texas and I’m GLAD we don’t have casinos down here. I much prefer going to Vegas/New Orleans/Tahoe so that the totality is much more than just the high from the game.
One of the reasons I like video poker is that I am ‘way up there in age and I think it helps keep my brain active and strong. We have long been “retired”, but still have a small bookkeeping service which is primarily for “older” people some of whom are a lot younger than we are. The income helps our finances and also finances our gambling trips, but the biggest reason we both do all of this is to keep the brain working so it doesn’t deteriorate.
I am addicted to video poker because decisions must be made in order to play. There may be a reward or not …. all depending on the decisions made. Slot machines don’t do it for me because there’s no interaction with the machine other than mindlessly hitting a button.
Just to offer an added benefit to playing VP vs typical slots is that fact that your aging brains are stimulated to think. Mental stimulation improves brain function and actually protects against cognitive decline… wonder if you could use that proven fact (http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/exercise.html) to offset losses as a medical expense?? Enjoy your travels and Merry Christmas to you and yours!