Video Poker

*TT* · #1 03-06-2007, 01:54 PM

Now that I am a LV local I have been trying to learn how to play optimal Video Poker (its what all the cool kids do out here). i bought the fantastic simulator for Bob Dancer - Video Poker for Winners, which is produced by Action Gaming so its very accurate and includes all the common variants (free demo available if you want to try it). Now I'd like to find a VP forum that is the equivalent of 2+2 so I can ask the occasional question such as how do I find the optimal pay table machines? Anyone have any input?

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

KingMedicine · #2 03-06-2007, 01:59 PM

hey TT,

i played VP professionally for a few years about 5 years ago and can play a few versions of the game perfectly. i used the bob dancer program as well as the "strategy guides" he sells (which basically explain why certain moves are the best moves - if you really want to play perfectly, youll most likely need to read and understand these). theyre available on his website (at least they used to be).

as for your question (sorry for the tangent), there is a Yahoo group called VP_Free that would be considered the VP two+two. do a google search for it. there is also VP_Online, VP_Reno, VP_Vegas, etc. all should be reachable from the main VP_Free yahoo site.

if you cant find it, let me know and ill find it and link it for you.

hope this helps.

jba · #3 03-06-2007, 02:12 PM

this is the site I usually start at:

link

SamIAm · #4 03-06-2007, 04:19 PM

KM, were you by yourself or on a team? I understood that the payouts were so high variance that it wasn't viable for a single player's profession.

KingMedicine · #5 03-06-2007, 04:54 PM

i was on my own, but i did come into contact with a team and thought about taking part - this was all in reno where my guess is that the # of pros was/is significantly less than in vegas.

i was grinding out $1 machines (5$ per) - i had plenty of bankroll for that level. i took an occasional shot at 5$ machines (25$ per) when a big ev+ presented itself (high progressive), but rarely connected.

this was about 5 years ago. VP has dried up a lot, but i know with promotions a decent living can still be made at VP.

playersare · #6 03-06-2007, 07:58 PM

vpfree's database will be your main resource in the long run. strategies for all the major +EV variants are usually available for free online, or you can use Dancer's program to generate cards for you (or buy pre-laminated ones through the mail if you want).

as a LV local who is already good at regular poker, TT, you're not going to find any incredible hourly earning rates at VP nowadays. because of the coin limit caps on FPDW (25c) and 10/7 DB ($1), it'll be tough to grind faster than $10/hr with maybe a hair extra for cashback. there will be promos and multiplier days worth exploiting from time to time, but nothing with the convenience and reliability of sitting down at any hold em table on the strip and donking away.

the only other sustainable advantage of VP is the avalanche of room and food comps you'll get in the mail. but since you already live in LV, your usage of those is not as valuable as for a non-resident. however, these can come in handy when you have friends and family in town.

KingMedicine · #7 03-06-2007, 11:11 PM

[ QUOTE ]
vpfree's database will be your main resource in the long run. strategies for all the major +EV variants are usually available for free online, or you can use Dancer's program to generate cards for you (or buy pre-laminated ones through the mail if you want).

as a LV local who is already good at regular poker, TT, you're not going to find any incredible hourly earning rates at VP nowadays. because of the coin limit caps on FPDW (25c) and 10/7 DB ($1), it'll be tough to grind faster than $10/hr with maybe a hair extra for cashback. there will be promos and multiplier days worth exploiting from time to time, but nothing with the convenience and reliability of sitting down at any hold em table on the strip and donking away.

the only other sustainable advantage of VP is the avalanche of room and food comps you'll get in the mail. but since you already live in LV, your usage of those is not as valuable as for a non-resident. however, these can come in handy when you have friends and family in town.

[/ QUOTE ]

definitely great advice and very accurate - probably 1/2 or more of your return will be in the form of comps (although at many places, comps will be in cash or you just get [censored] from gift shops that you can use (i.e. cigarettes if you smoke, etc).

one problem is that typically your only EV+ machines are going to be off the strip, which, if you live in vegas i guess isnt a big deal - last i checked there were exactly zero EV+ machines on the strip, but that might change from time to time. also, if you really think about playing VP seriously, youll have to really watch for promotions - oftentimes double/triple points or "card of the day" or similar promotions can make already EV+ VP games very EV+.

but, all in all, assuming yr a solid poker player, you could make more playing poker. however, being perfect (or close to it) at VP will help give you some variety and variance that you will probably desire from time to time. since you can get a slight advantage in VP, itll be good to have that in your stable of weapons against the casinos - its def better than donking off money at roulette or craps or some other EV- game.

jba · #8 03-06-2007, 11:15 PM

tt if you're not really interested in comps and you just want a better way to minimize losses vs the house while gamboooling and drinking, I'd suggest bj counting.

SamIAm · #9 03-06-2007, 11:24 PM

If you can play perfect video poker while drinking as fast as you can, then it's way +Expected Vacation.

This works pretty well with PaiGow, too. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

*TT* · #10 03-07-2007, 12:15 AM

[ QUOTE ]
tt if you're not really interested in comps and you just want a better way to minimize losses vs the house while gamboooling and drinking, I'd suggest bj counting.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm playing Blackjack now too, but my counting still needs practice. Video Poker is an easy thing for me to play with a female friend who doesn't gamble, or while sitting at the bar waiting for diner at a local restaurant that is not a casino. This is more a time killer than anything else.

VPFree was helpful, but the members seem to be set on achieving comp nirvana. I'm surprised to see how few optimal play machines are out on the streets!

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]