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Video Poker Unsolicited Advice

Discussion in 'Video Poker' started by AllNetDad, Apr 16, 2014.

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  1. AllNetDad

    AllNetDad Tourist

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    Someone in another thread mistakenly thought that I had played 4 credits on a VP machine and was quite taken aback by it. That was totally fine and not what I'm talking about here, but it got me thinking...

    I've seen VP players without a clue making horrendous mistakes and kept it to myself, but this weekend I saw an older gentleman (well older than me) playing 4 credits. He otherwise seemed to be playing well. I didn't say anything, but it nagged at me. He was playing quarters. Maybe he just wanted to keep it at $1/hand. Maybe he thought, "I'm not going to hit a Royal," but maybe he made a mistake. These machines went up to 25 credits, so one would need to hit the five credit on screen or hit the one credit button five times. He clearly hit the one credit button four times, but maybe he meant to hit it five times.

    I'm not against talking to people, but I never give advice unless asked and VP isn't a "social" game. Would you have said something?
     
  2. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    I definitely would be tempted. For a game like 9/6 JoB quarters playing $1 vs. $1.25 increases the loss rate quite a bit.

    If youre playing 400 hands an hour.

    9/6 JoB at $1: $400 x 1.63% = $6.52/hr
    9/6 JoB at $1.25: $500 x 0.46% = $2.30/hr

    It definitely adds up.

    But I wouldn't say anything to someone playing just 1 quarter:
    9/6 JoB at $0.25: $100 x 1.63% = $1.63/hr.

    The other day, I was tempted to say something to the guy next to me because he was playing 6/5 JoB with Double Super Times Pay, when 6/5 Bonus was also available. But I wasn't sticking around long term. This isnt the first time I have seen that happen there either. The other time I noticed it, I did point it out, and the guy did switch games and hit 4 Aces out of it for an extra 275 nickels. Hoping for a thanks, but nah...lol
     
  3. GeorgeandTheBear

    GeorgeandTheBear High-Roller

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    I don't understand the equations. Where do the 1.63 and 0.46% numbers come from?
     
  4. AllNetDad

    AllNetDad Tourist

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    That is the house advantage when playing 4 credits vs 5 credits.

    Eventually, you will hit a Royal. When that happens, 4 credits or less will pay 250/1 . 5 credits or more will pay 800/1 . Makes a big difference in the long game.
     
  5. dloberg

    dloberg Tourist

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    For me, because I don't gamble a lot I would appreciate someone telling me.How do you find these things out ?
     
  6. JerryD

    JerryD Low-Roller

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    I don't play much VP, but try to play more on each trip. If I was playing wrong, or could improve my odds, I would appreciate if someone pointed out how to do that.

    Maybe a polite, "Do you play VP much?" And then a polite suggestion as to improving the players advantage over the house.

    I read all the VP threads I can to understand what machine to play. And this thread too, has helped me tremendously. I never knew the odds changed that much by just playing one more quarter.

    Thanks
     
  7. ajonate

    ajonate Low-Roller

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    Strangely, it seems that nobody likes to be told how to gamble.
     
  8. dankyone

    dankyone VIP Whale

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    Nope. If they want to play wrong that is their business. Same as if they are playing a 96% game on a machine where a 99.5% game is available. Their business.
     
  9. dloberg

    dloberg Tourist

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    Again how do you find these things out ?
     
  10. dankyone

    dankyone VIP Whale

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  11. leo21

    leo21 VIP Whale

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    No, unless they've been social before. When I play VP, I know I am playing badly and probably the wrong game but I want to play Bradley in peace.
     
  12. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    As AllNetDad mentioned, it's the "house edge" in VP, but VP is more often expressed in "return".

    100% - 99.54% return (5 coins) = 0.46% "house edge"
    100% - 98.37% return (1-4 coins) = 1.63% "house edge"

    I glossed over that for sure.
     
  13. dloberg

    dloberg Tourist

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  14. SandsFan

    SandsFan VIP Whale

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    Yes but isn't it painful to see anyone hit a royal without max bet?

    My wife had 3 of 5 credits and hit her first royal at 4Q a few years ago. She will never make that mistake again.

    My son hit his first royal at Mirage with 5 of 10 credits. That was terribly brutal because we were doing a 12 casinos on 12 12 12 and he was running low. He dropped from 10 to 5 credits and I said what if you hit a royal, you will only get half of that. Two or three hands later he was dealt a straight flush hearts 9 - K. Some wouldn't but without hesitation, he held for the royal and got it. Unfortunatly, the math did not take him to $1000 for .25 VP, much less. We haven't been back there since.
     
    The 3 P Trip (Paris and Palms)
  15. dankyone

    dankyone VIP Whale

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    Yeah, it kills me to see someone hit a royal betting one coin. But If I corrected everyone doing something mathematically suboptimal in a casino, I wouldn't have time to play. Nor would it win me many friends.
     
  16. woodsie

    woodsie VIP Whale

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    I will only speak up if I see someone make an obvious oversight like forgetting odds at craps or if the dealer makes a mistake that does not favor the player.

    As far as actual advice goes, I keep my mouth shut unless asked.
     
  17. AllNetDad

    AllNetDad Tourist

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    Craps is a social game, people tend to "share" more.

    My dilemma stems from not being sure if he meant to play four or, due to the difference in this machine, didn't notice that he wasn't playing five.
     
  18. TIMSPEED

    TIMSPEED Money’s on the way, with CashNetUSA

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    It's Reno....I see people playing 3-4 coins ALL the time...it's like..if you're going to play 3-4, why not 5 to get the max benefit...
    I can see playing just ONE coin (for booze) but 3-4?? :nono:
     
  19. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    If they ask for it I will give it. Otherwise, I keep my mouth shut.

    Their money. Their business.
     
  20. HAWJOHN

    HAWJOHN Tourist

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    I too do not give advice. I see errors at the deuces wild machines. They play it like a regular no joker machine.
     
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