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Video Poker Using Strategy Cards in Casino

Discussion in 'Video Poker' started by howardlc, Sep 13, 2015.

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  1. howardlc

    howardlc Tourist

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    I am new to VP and have been studying Dancer's Guide to JOB getting ready for my Vegas trip in two weeks. While I understand the basic hands, some of the strategies are pretty obscure. Do casinos frown on using strategy cards for VP while you are playing? Is it acceptable or is it considered cheating?
    Also, I understand the points for playing slots / VP but can someone please explain the difference in the terms "slot points", "base points", and "coin in" as they relate to slot play?

    Thanks
     
  2. vegasvic

    vegasvic VIP Whale

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    You can use them
     
  3. Krh2o

    Krh2o MIA

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    Coin in is basically how much money you run through the machine. In quarter JOB, you put in $20, then let's say your max betting $1.25 a spin. Your first spin you get a pair of Jacks. You win your $1.25 back. You have $1.25 coin in, even though you still have your $20. After 10 total spins you will have run $12.50 of coin in. 1.25x10=12.50. You could have $7.50 left of your $20, or any dollar amount for that matter your coin in is $12.50. The same would be for slots.

    Slot points are based on coin in. Most places (MGM and CET) its $10 coin for 1 slot point. Slot points at CET are $5 for 1 point, MGM its $3 or $10 depending on machine. Most places slot points and base points are the same. MGM gives 10 tier credits per 1 slot point.

    I don't think anyone would care if you use a strategy card. They give them out at some casinos. Sell them in others, so I don't see why they would care.
     
  4. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Paper cards, no they don't care at all.

    Looking up strategy on a smartphone is technically illegal, but I've never heard anyone being prosecuted over it yet either.

    You could also practice with a video poker trainer to speed up your learning. I use an old copy of "Frugal Video Poker", which is a free download.

    http://www.wolfvideopoker.com/FVP.htm

    In terms of Boyd gaming casinos...

    base points: keeps track of your status at the casino...$1 coin-in at VP equals 1 base point. I forget about slots...it still might be $1, or 50c. The number of base points lead to your card score. In a rolling 12 month period, 0-99999 card score = Ruby, 100000-249999 = Sapphire, 250000+ = Emerald

    slot points: things you can actually use to purchase things. For Ruby members, 1 base point earns 1 slot point. Sapphire: 1 base point earns 2 slot points. Emerald 1 base point earns 3 slot points. Every 1000 slot points can be turned into $1 free play. Slot points can also be used at Boyd-owned restaurants at a 40% discount.

    coin-in: how much you actually play through the machine. 1 hand of quarter VP at max bet is $1.25 coin-in per hand for example.

    And remember to look for 9/6 JoB (99.54%) when you can. Gold Coast, and Sam's Town have them as well as all the Boyd properties downtown. If you can't find 9/6 JoB, you may have to settle for 8/5 Bonus (99.17%; strategy very close to JoB). 9/6 Bonus Deluxe (99.64%) also plays very similar to JoB in terms of strategy and exists at some Boyd casinos, but with a significantly higher variance (all quads are 400 coins; 2 pair is only 5 coins).

    www.vpfree2.com is a great site to lead to you the locations of the highest payback machines.
     
  5. flyguyfl

    flyguyfl MIA

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    At most properties your point accumulation on VP is half that of slots for the same play. This is because you have a small degree of control on whether you win or lose on VP.

    Oh and you can even use strategy cards at table games but I choose not to as it slows the play. I usually study them in my room first if playing a game for the first time before hitting he casino.
     
  6. wanker751

    wanker751 Dutch Rudder Enthusiast

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    Agree the old Frugal poker is great.

    Look at the sticky best bartops that tring compiled. Not only is that list amazing for pay tables on bartops it also breaks down the pay table for each type of game. I took the time to write em down on a index card and in my wallet. I know most of them by heart now but still for games I usually never play I will look at it.
     
  7. wanker751

    wanker751 Dutch Rudder Enthusiast

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  8. C0usineddie

    C0usineddie VIP Whale

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    Yes you can use them.

    You have to wonder though why casinos would allow this.

    I think that casinos were built on "perfect" play so of course they want you to play they way they tell you to play.

    There has never been a casino built on sucker bets. Heck, they even call them that to discourage you from placing them.

    Want to bet with the house in craps? Thats "wrong way" betting.

    The list of bets discouraged by casinos goes on and on.

    Makes one wonder why when their sole purpose for being there is to take your money.
     
  9. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    To speed the game along, to build confidence/rapport with the player and make it not seem like they aren't out to get you.
     
  10. FullBoat

    FullBoat VIP Whale

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    Just remember that pulling out your cell phone at any game BJ/craps/slots/VP is usually a no-no. Sure, you might just be looking up something, or responding to a text, but they don't know that. So, they just put down a blanket policy normally. I have seen some where they let you bring it out to take a pic of a nice win, just don't try to make a big deal out of it.

    I've been told to put it away even when it's faced down, and my cigs are on top of it so you can't see the camera.
     
  11. bardolator

    bardolator Lifelong Low Roller

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    IMO, relying on a strategy sheet in a VP game makes the game a lot less fun. You get into a rhythm on the machine that is interrupted when you stop to look at a sheet.

    But it's foolish to make wrong plays.

    The solution is to practice the strategy for a game you know will be available, with the exact paytable you will play, until you can play at 98% correct or better. Then take the sheet as a reference and use it only when you need it. You'll start to feel the rhythm of the game.

    Then, like sitting out one song when you're dancing, an occasional break to take a sip of a drink or consult a strategy sheet is actually beneficial.

    Strategy sheets are available at several websites. They're not all set up the same way. Some are easier to use than others. I ended up making my own, customizing them to my wife's preferences. For practice, I have used WinPoker 6.0, available from the Zamzone, for many years. While not perfect, it has most of the games and is adjustable for most paytables. Even works with a touch screen.

    I would not take a strategy sheet to a table game and am not happy when others use one at my table. Sorry. But I don't mind if players ask for advice. The question, of course, is what quality of advice one will receive.
     
  12. howardlc

    howardlc Tourist

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    Thanks for all the info and the great advice. I believe I now have a grasp of the "coin in" and "slot points". Makes perfect sense once you all explained it.

    My plan is pretty much as bardolator suggested. I have Bob Dancer's Video Poker program and have been doing a lot of practice on 9/6 JOB. I have learned a lot from the program but things don't "stick" in the old brain as much as they did a few years ago. That's why I would like to use the cards while playing - not for every hand but for those situations which I am confused by.

    Thanks everyone for the help.
     
  13. 44inarow

    44inarow VIP Whale

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    This happens all the time at tables (and it's not just a phone/camera thing, but rather a no-electronic-devices-at-all policy), but I've never once experienced it at a bartop VP game. At the tables, even taking my phone out of my pocket can get me chided, but I've had bartop sessions where I spent more time screwing around on my phone than actually playing VP, and nobody's ever said anything.
     
  14. wanker751

    wanker751 Dutch Rudder Enthusiast

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    Agree with this. I am often at machines looking at Fantasy or scores or whatever. Never but yeah at the tables for sure.
     
  15. Prime

    Prime Tourist

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    Hi. Can you kindly link the guide please? Had a search but can't find it, sorry.
     
  16. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    If he is talking about the Dancer/Daily guide to JoB, you can buy it here. It's not free but very thorough.

    http://www.amazon.com/Winners-Guide-Jacks-Better-Volume/dp/0972759204/ref=pd_sim_14_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1VK0GCE92DVGCFKP8VPJ&dpID=51lO8L1n93L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR240%2C320_

    If you're just looking for JoB strategies, there are free ones at the Wizard of Odds.

    9/6 JoB simple strategy:
    http://wizardofodds.com/games/video-poker/strategy/jacks-or-better/9-6/simple/

    Intermediate:
    http://wizardofodds.com/games/video-poker/strategy/jacks-or-better/9-6/intermediate/

    Advanced/Optimal:
    http://wizardofodds.com/games/video-poker/strategy/jacks-or-better/9-6/optimal/
     
  17. howardlc

    howardlc Tourist

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  18. Prime

    Prime Tourist

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    That's great! Thanks for the advice guys! Links have been bookmarked.
     
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