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Video Poker DIAD VP strategy

Discussion in 'Video Poker' started by bighead1970, Sep 2, 2012.

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  1. bighead1970

    bighead1970 High-Roller

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    Going to try doing DIAD at Harrahs Tahoe this weekend. I need 3,000 points which is 30,000 thru a vp machine.

    According to vpfree Harrahs Tahoe was the following machines. Which seems to be the best to reduce volality?

    9/6 JOB 99.54%

    $1 3/5 machine. I assume I can just play 3 for $15 a spin

    8/5 BP 99.17%

    25cent 50 play machine 62.50 a spin. I assume I could play for less than 50 spins.

    $2 single plat machine


    Thanks for any feedback.
     
  2. Buddha

    Buddha VIP Whale

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    I look at your DIAD situation with some basic ideas and situations that you should consider. First of all, I think you have to play at a monetary level that you are comfortable with. If you have always been a $.25 (quarter) player, it might be a huge shock to jump in and play $5 Triple Play, at $75 per hand. Maybe a $2 single line game (needing 3000 hands), or a $1 Triple Play (needing 2000 hands), would be a satisfactory comfort level. Some people might want to play an even higher level (like that $75 per hand), in order to complete the required play as fast as possible. However, playing quicker in the fewest number of hands, increases the danger of short-term volatility ... where more hands will smooth out those losing streaks with more chances to include some winning streaks.

    Secondly, I would play 9/6 JOB with the least volatility, as opposed to a 9/6 Double-Double Bonus which has a much higher volatility, with the possibility of big losses with the short-pay 2-pair.

    JMHO .....
     
  3. bighead1970

    bighead1970 High-Roller

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    I looking to only play either 9/6 job or 8/5 BP. I normally play at the 50cent level. Looking for the best chance to hit 3K in points with the least risk.
     
  4. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

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    When somebody is talking about DIAD and says something like that, I am thinking "Danger! Danger!"

    You need to run $30,000 through these machines... you haven't even started yet and you are already looking for ways to conserve your bankroll and cut back on your wagering.

    To me DIAD is something you really have to commit yourself to, not something you can approach half-assed... like, what if it's not going so well and you are down maybe $1000 with only $7000 in coin through?

    Also, when it comes to what game to play you should look at what you need at that game to reach DIAD.

    IE: if you did the 3/5 $1 game at $15 per hand versus the 50 play VP at $1.25 per hand, thats a bit of a difference.
    At $15 per hand you need to play 2,000 hands
    At $62.50 per hand you need to play 480 hands

    Since you are probably going to be playing a little slower and wanting to make sure you make the best play you might only be getting in 400-ish hands per hour. In this case you can reach DIAD with one of these options in about an hour, the other will take 4-5 hours (or $1 VP at max bet is about 15 hours).

    As for what to play: I would probably go with the 50 play VP, Jacks or Better. You are going to win something back every hand and because you are playing 50 hands at once it greatly reduces the variance to almost nothing.

    The bonus pokers might sound interesting but realistically they rely on a lot of luck: on average you can expect 2 4OAKs per hour which is where all the payback is on those games... if you are above that expectation then you can be rolling in money! But the flipside is: if you are below expectation your bankroll can take a tremendous beating.
     
  5. atom

    atom High-Roller

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    Well, in a basic sense 9/6 JoB games should be less volatile than 8/5 bonus, because less of the payout is tied to harder to get hands (quads). I'm not sure of the effect of playing 3x,5x,50x etc, but since you have less base hands I would expect the higher x games to be more volatile. So I would say to have the lowest possible volatility play a 1-play jacks or better game. Play the lowest denomination that gives you enough time to complete the 3000 pts in. This maximizes the number of draws, lowering the volatility on the lowest volatility game.

    If you really want to understand the math behind it all, check out www.wizardofodds.com.
     
  6. bighead1970

    bighead1970 High-Roller

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    Game options

    Thanks for all the advice so far!!

    My only game options are

    9/6 job $1 3 play

    8/5 BP .25cent 50 play

    8/5 $2 single play
     
  7. Garmy

    Garmy Low-Roller

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    Many times I have considered doing DIAD and once last year nearly did it without trying on a couple good paying slots. I have since done it this year the old fashion way so dont have to worry about it any longer, but I would still be interested in your progress. Let us know how long and more importantly how much it takes if you decide to try. And good LUCK!
     
  8. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    What the heck is DIAD?:confused2:
     
  9. Tubbs

    Tubbs High-Roller

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    DIAD = Diamond in a Day. Earning Diamond status with CET through play in one 24 hour period.

    I have done this twice on $5 JOB. Of the options available, I would probably go for 3 line $1 JOB. If you want lower variance then perhaps 10 line $0.25 BP might do it. That's $12.50 a spin so 2400 spins, maybe 3 hours play for a fairly fast VP player (although the play could be slower with multihand play). You could vary the number of lines to suit your tolerance for the volatility and how long you want to play for.
     
  10. HuskerBB

    HuskerBB VIP Whale

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    I did this a couple years ago - most of it on a single line 8/5 BP machine playing $2 max credits so $10 a hand. Did not have any 9/6 JOB machines where I was at. I rarely play multi-hand games, not sure if this is mathematically true but they always seem more volatile to me. But I think the 3 hand JOB game your referenced would be a good option for this at $15 per hand.

    I told myself going in that I would commit up to $1,000 to the effort - but I also said going in that if I was more than $300 down before I got the first 1,000 points I would give it up. As it worked out I was ahead at 1,000 points. Had a bad run and think I got down $300-400 by the time I got to 2,000 so I was sweating it a little. Not sure what I would have done if I had hit my $1,000 loss limit after I was at 2,500+ points (probably would have told myself I had to keep going and finish at that point). Turned out I was about $100 up when I got to the 3,000 points.

    I did not do the entire thing on 1 machine. I basically traded off between 2 banks of machines in different parts of the casino. I would play a machine for at least 300-400 points and then get up, take a bit of a walk, get a coke and switch to a different machince.

    I typically play $1 max credits - so the jump to $2 was significant but did not make me uncomfortable.

    All that said - getting to Diamond is not that big of a deal. I thought my offers would get better - not so much because of the tier jump but because the DIAD effort would increase my ADT. But I have not seen any significant difference in room offers. I have used the other Diamond perks (lines, lounges and show tickets in LV once) - but none of that is really worth $1,000 if that is your loss target. Of course if all goes according to the math your expected loss for $30,000 coin should be in the $300 range - but that can obviously vary significantly even over that much play.

    Good luck.
     
  11. bighead1970

    bighead1970 High-Roller

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    Thanks for all the info. I have until Friday so lots more time for ideas. I like the stop loss limit of $300 if I don't reach 1,000 points.

    I currently have 2,500 points in my account so either I reach the DIAD or hit 4k in points and get moved to platinum. Which then would make me in eligible to try DIAD again.
     
  12. Viva Las Vegas

    Viva Las Vegas Elvis has left the building

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    I ranged from up $400 to down $600 playing three line $1 JOB in AC last month. I quit around the 2,100 mark after blowing my $400 profit and being down a couple hundred after a bad run. I also was getting bored playing and the drink service blew so it was time to go. I still got platinum for the day and a new card. They have a few decent machines in AC and some other local places. In Illinois and Vegas, they blow below the $5 level.

    The problem with getting DIAD this late in the year is you are good for six months before reverting back to your platinum status in March 2013. Unless you have a few upcoming long duration trips, you may want to wait until January. Also, you can swing several hundred either way quickly with poor/great starting hands 3/5 handed. You may hit your $300 limit pretty quick.

    Best of luck.
     
  13. Tubbs

    Tubbs High-Roller

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    My bolding. I think that is one of the great DIAD myths. I did DIAD in January, while I was still Platinum.
     
  14. luvvp

    luvvp Tourist

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    It's kinda late in the year to try and do Diamond in a Day and I thought it took 4000 pts in a day. I looked on their website but couldn't find an answer. If you plan on taking more trips this year you can do the 11,000 tier credits. This will keep you Diamond until March 2014 otherwise DIAD is only good till March 2013.

    I'm familiar with Lake Tahoe and like to play at Harrah's against the wall in HL, triple play $1 vp. Just make sure you check the paytables because one right next to the other is different.

    I just came back from Reno and hit a $1 progressive on vp. It was really something that 3 royals were hit on this bank of machines last Saturday.

    Good luck on your mission for Diamond, let us know your outcome when you get back.
     
  15. Dpin300

    Dpin300 Low-Roller

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    Just out of curiosity why do you want to get Diamond so quickly?
     
  16. macfisto

    macfisto Low-Roller

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    Dpin.....DIAD allows you to obtain Diamond status by earning far fewer tier credits than the 11,000 required to obtain it the traditional way. The catch is you have to earn those credits in one 24-hour period.
     
  17. mike_m235

    mike_m235 Tourist

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    Augie is 100% correct. First, Danger! Second, the 50 line has the lowest variance by a wide margin. So if you want to get done and preserve bankroll, spreading yourself over many hands is the best way to finish as close to expected value as possible.
     
  18. CinnamintStick

    CinnamintStick High-Roller

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    In Las Vegas it does take 4,000 tier credits at one property between the hours that they call one day. Check with your casino for details. It seems nothing is in writing and you will here different depending who you talk too. I almost earned DIAD last spring on slots during a great lucky streak. I was not trying for it and did not know until they told me I was 125 tier credits short. I would never put the money out to get it unless you are already on a lucky streak.
     
  19. Auggie

    Auggie Dovahkiin

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    I don't think Dpin was asking how DIAD works or what its for... but maybe more "Why do you want to do it, what do you want to get out of it?"

    And when talk of somebody going for DIAD that is a very good question because many have illusions that just being "Diamond" is the gateway to great comps and offers and that DIAD is just an easy way to get there... but the reality is that for most people their comps and offers don't change and the perks, like being able to go in to the Diamond lounges or the two free show tickets, aren't really worth the cost and other perks like line pass and special check in you can get at Platinum so not really worth the extra expense.
     
  20. Tubbs

    Tubbs High-Roller

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    The 4000 TCs figure is occasionally thrown out but always proved to be incorrect. I have done DIAD twice at Caesars, both times 3000 TCs.

    Always check with the TR desk before starting (and make sure you get someone who really understands DIAD - ask them to check if there is any doubt), just in case something has changed. You can also check by emailing TR before the trip.
     
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