Jean Scott writes:
Oh dear! The last thing I want to do is make someone feel guilty while they're trying to have fun in a casino. I mean, we all have too many guilt trips being put on us already: We weigh too much and we don't eat enough brightly colored fruits and vegetables every week; we've bought toys from China for our babies and grandbabies and now they might get lead poisoning; and we aren't paying enough attention to our spouse, our children, our parents, or the bloodshed in Iraq.
To save you from having to see a psychologist, I'm going to share a secret with you. Brad and I rarely play a video poker game anymore that has an EV of 100% or over! Surprised? Think we're backsliding into negative-expectation territory?
Fuhgehdabowdit!
You've already made a good start up a successful video poker path. You've studied More Frugal Gambling so you know how to read VP paytables. Plus, you're practicing at home on your VP software. Now I want to give you some more tools and ideas you can use to help you.
First of all, promotions, free-play coupons, slot club benefits, cashback, and comps can turn a not-so-good game into a very good play for you. In my latest book, Frugal Video Poker, I go even further into the details of how to use extra casino benefits than I did in Frugal 1 and 2 because I know that the high-EV video poker games aren't as plentiful these days. Also, The Frugal VP Scouting Guide is a take-along resource that will help you find the best games available in any one casino.
I couldn't get along without online resources to help me keep up with the constantly changing casino conditions. Join vpFree at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vpFree and have access to an extensive database of casinos in Vegas and across the country that will save you time and shoe leather by telling you where the best games can be found.
Go to www.advantageplayer.com/lasvegas/ to find the "Slot Club and Promotions Guide," which will give you specific information you can use to increase the EVs of your plays.
Go to www.lasvegasadvisor.com/greatdeals-slotpromotions.cfm right on this Web site to find a current list of Vegas casinos that are offering bonus-point days. Some days you may want to rent a car and go off the Strip for a good promotion!
Don't forget that comps you receive will leave more money in your pocket for gambling. Many people add the value of their comps to the EV of the games they play and that's a valid technique just as long as you would be paying for those same comps with your own money anyway.
Finally, remember that most people view gambling as an entertainment option, not as a way to earn money. If pleasant amusement is your goal, then finding as much value as you can with your play can make this entertainment cost a very reasonable one, perhaps much lower than other fun activities you do. And when you get lucky at the machines, sometimes it may even be free. I always say, "The more you study, the luckier you'll be."
