video poker question

[GutPunch]

Just wondering if it is possible to beat video poker?

Tried a quck seach but came up empty here. Maybe someone can link me to a good discussion of it on here.

Thanks

[playersare]

some paytables can be beaten straight-up in the long term, but are limited by denomination. some common +EV machines at off-strip LV casinos are 25c FPDW and $1 DB 10/7. with fast, perfect play you could probably grind out a theoretical profit of about $7-10/hr on those machines.

most of the professional VP strategies will revolve around side promotions such as cashback, comps, drawing tickets, scratch-offs and so forth, which add to the base return of the game itself (sometimes turning a -EV situation into a positive one). however, the noose is always tightening on these types of "happy accidents" and you may find yourself fighting with other players for the same opportunities, provided the deals even last that long to begin with. good plays still exist out there, it's just a matter of determining if it's worth your time versus something else in life.

even playing at breakeven or slightly below, VP can earn many times more complimentaries in comparison to theoretical loss. it is probably the most efficient way for astute gamblers to earn free casino rooms, food and entertainment at relatively low risk.

[GutPunch]

I am not looking to do this professionally or anything like that. Just something to do while waiting on the list for the poker room.
I would like to make as much as possible with the lowest risk possible (who wouldnt?). Im always wondering if I discarded the correct cards and am making the right play as often as possible.

[pacecar86]

gut - VP is my leak "waiting for a NLHE table"...my VP play is pretty decent compared to the strat books @ $1.00 X 5 JAcks or Better/Deueces Wild/Double-double Bonus....unless you are committing a several $K roll to dollar VP and several hours of play, I wouldn't do it...at $5/hand, you can donk several hundred in an hour before the variance turns positive

[playersare]

[ QUOTE ]
I would like to make as much as possible with the lowest risk possible (who wouldnt?). Im always wondering if I discarded the correct cards and am making the right play as often as possible.

[/ QUOTE ]
well, it's not like basic VP strategy is some big secret or anything. you can get the play charts for all the major varieties at vpFREE or wizardofodds to print out. for a reasonable price, you can also buy laminated pocket reference cards from Dan Paymar, Skip Hughes and Bob Dancer, if not others too.

[elstunar]

here's a link to a video poker trainer that allows you to practice a little bit and will tell you your mistakes, what % they cost you, and what plays are best and by how much, etc. just turn the trainer on and mess around with it. kinda cool. freeslots.com

[CORed]

[ QUOTE ]
Just wondering if it is possible to beat video poker?

Tried a quck seach but came up empty here. Maybe someone can link me to a good discussion of it on here.

Thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

The key is to watch the pay tables and only play machines with decent ones. +EV machines are pretty rare outside of Vegas, but there are still some pay tables that give a house edge in the .5% to 1%, which with comps and points can still be at least a break-even proposition. OTOH, there are a lot of machines with absolutely horrible pay tables, and house edges as high as 5%. Do yourself a favor and stay away from these. I would guess that at least half the people who play video poker in casinos don't pay any attention to pay tables nor do they have a clue about correct strategy.

Another thing to watch for is progressive jackpots. If they get big enough, they can push a normally -EV machine into +EV territory. Unfortunately, on quarter machines, a progressive royal big enough to make the machine +EV is usually also big enough to require a W4G (tax reporting) if you hit it.