1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Video Poker Practicing jacks or better

Discussion in 'Video Poker' started by DonnyC, Apr 29, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2012
    Messages:
    2,739
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
    So I'm practicing on:

    http://m.videopokertrainer.org/

    I don't understand this hand that I played wrong:

    Incorrect, you were dealt A♠K♦2♣J♣6♦ and held A♠K♦ for an expected return of 2.338.
    Holding K♦J♣ would give a higher expected return of 2.417

    I guess I don't understand the math. Maybe I do....

    Is the JK a better hold because you have 1 more option to make the straight as you can go 9-k or 10-A, but with the hold of KA you only have 1 straight to make?
     
  2. johnvic

    johnvic VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2009
    Messages:
    1,921
    Location:
    NYC
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    I'm sure that's the reason. The only time you would hold AK is if they are suited.
     
  3. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    31,307
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    28
    Yes, KJ is a better hold because of the extra straight opportunity. When you have 3 high cards that have no suited possibilities, hold the 2 lowest ones to maximize straight possibilities. The exception to this is KQJ, you should hold all three of those.
     
  4. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2012
    Messages:
    2,739
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
    Are there places to play $0.25 Jacks or Better on the strip on a bar top - and play 5 lines and get free drinks?

    I have generally stayed away from these types of games but using the trainer shows that I am more familiar with strategy than I would have thought.
     
  5. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    31,307
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    28
    5 line machines? (remember that's $6.25 per round) Anyway, multiline games at the bar aren't super common. I am pretty sure that most strip casinos still only have single line units only. Venetian's sportsbook bar has some multiplay for quarters, but I can't recall all the games and paytables. I'll try to double check if I get time in the next week or two. There will definitely be multi-line units on the gaming floor, and you can still get free drinks, but then you will need to depend on a good cocktail waitress.

    Almost all strip casinos will have a single line Jacks or Better game at the bar though (for quarters through dollars), and it will usually be 8/5 on the full house/flush payouts. It pays 97.3% back with max bet, and I wouldn't dare play any paytable lower than that. There will likely be games with better returns available, but they will require knowledge of more complicated strategies.
     
  6. DonnyC

    DonnyC VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2012
    Messages:
    2,739
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    8
    Sorry,

    I don't think I meant multi-line, I guess I meant 5 coins.

    So if I am playing 5 coins ($0.25) each for $1.25 what is the protocol to ask the bar tender for a free drink?
     
  7. DonD

    DonD VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2004
    Messages:
    9,135
    Location:
    So Cal 91748
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    300
    Just ask the bartender whats required for a comped drink. That was told to me by a bartender.
     
  8. atom

    atom High-Roller

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2008
    Messages:
    999
    Location:
    Taxachusetts
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    I usually just ask when I sit down. "if I'm playing are my drinks free?" if there are restrictions they usually fill me in. Very few places refuse to comp you something if you put a twenty in the machine.
     
  9. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    31,307
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    28
    This is generally my experience on the strip; throw a $20 in the machine and tip your bartender, you're good. And for me it's a big deal, because I often shortplay the machines for only 1 credit per hand so I can get drunk for less hourly expected loss...lol The one strip casino that called me on that was Aria, who required a 3 credit minimum. When that happened, I played max credits until I finished my beer and left. Unfortunately I didn't hit a Royal so I could sarcastically thank him. :grrr:

    And Wynn/Encore doesn't give comped drinks at the bar period from what I have read. Other than that, a max 5 quarter bet will get you a comped drink at every other bar on the Strip I am aware of.
     
  10. johnvic

    johnvic VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2009
    Messages:
    1,921
    Location:
    NYC
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    I was comped at Aria for min coin the few times I played there. This is the bar by the elevators.
     
  11. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    31,307
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    28
    At times this wouldn't surprise me. But this was a Saturday night at 2:30am and I was the only one at that bar, and the dude that tended the bar looked like the type of guy that likes to be an ass.

    But fyi, "official policy" is betting a minimum of 3 credits. And at that rate, you probably should just bet 5 to make life more exciting. The hourly expected losses are similar.
     
  12. thebucket

    thebucket VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    1,666
    Location:
    Midwestern US
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    13
    If I'm looking to play short-coin for drinks, I generally start out betting max, and tipping well. Then I drop it back to 1-coin while I drink, and kick it back up when I'm about ready for another. Even if the bartender happens to notice that I'm short-coining it, a well tipped bartender (in my experience) is happy to overlook that and treat it with an "Oh, well, you're playing the max now, must be ok" attitude.

    :beer:
     
Tags:
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.