Double Up

I know there are a lot of gamblers here from all over the country, and I haven't seen too much about this discussed, but is the Double Up Feature of video poker quickly becoming impossible to find? In AC, nearly every game used to provide it, now I can't remember the last time I was given the chance. Is it the same in Vegas? Does the video poker site that is often referenced have any stats or info on Double Up demise or where it is still available? I didn't really find anything anywhere. I don't play Video Poker a lot, but I always enjoyed that feature, and looked at it like taking odds in craps.

I just wanted to give this question/thread one more chance at life. If no one has any input, I will let it die...

Thanks!

I think you mean VPFree2.com

Im not much of a VP player as it isnt big here, but I remember the site for some reason.

Hope it helps.

Yeah I've been to that site, and was just referencing that they don't really have any information on the demise of Double up or where to find it.

Double-up in video poker is a per-machine option (at least on IGT Game King and Players' Edge systems - it would be centrally controlled on any of the new server-based systems). I have noticed a number of machines configured for it in Las Vegas within the past year or so, so it was (at least then) far from gone. I have heard of but not personally experienced the (fact?) that many casinos will turn the feature on for you (a slot technician is required to do this). If you're playing and want the feature activated, I'd suggest turning on the service-light and asking (tipping helps too) the slot floor person who comes to help you if they could get the double-up feature activated on your machine or point you to one with the same game that has double-up turned on.

My understanding is that the double-up feature has no advantage or disadvantage to the casino or the player, being a 50/50 gamble similar to odds in craps (and is therefore not something that scores players-club points for the double-up portion of play). The only real effect on the game is to increase variance. I read somewhere (but can't find it now) that it is a feature not generally liked by many players, and is therefore often disabled.

Quote: thebucket

My understanding is that the double-up feature has no advantage or disadvantage to the casino or the player, being a 50/50 gamble similar to odds in craps (and is therefore not something that scores players-club points for the double-up portion of play). The only real effect on the game is to increase variance. I read somewhere (but can't find it now) that it is a feature not generally liked by many players, and is therefore often disabled.

Thats not 100% true, there is a slight disadvantage to the casino. Double-up feature means less hands per hour and therefore there is a cost to the casino for offering it.

To answer the original question, I have also noticed that the double up feature is disappearing. For some reason, people love the free odds offered in Craps, but hate the free odds offered by the double up feature in VP. Maybe it comes down to differences in attitudes between Craps and VP players.

Quote: cardshark

Quote: thebucket

My understanding is that the double-up feature has no advantage or disadvantage to the casino or the player, being a 50/50 gamble similar to odds in craps (and is therefore not something that scores players-club points for the double-up portion of play). The only real effect on the game is to increase variance. I read somewhere (but can't find it now) that it is a feature not generally liked by many players, and is therefore often disabled.

Thats not 100% true, there is a slight disadvantage to the casino. Double-up feature means less hands per hour and therefore there is a cost to the casino for offering it.

To answer the original question, I have also noticed that the double up feature is disappearing. For some reason, people love the free odds offered in Craps, but hate the free odds offered by the double up feature in VP. Maybe it comes down to differences in attitudes between Craps and VP players.

Thanks for the responses. I'm glad to know I wasn't the only one who was noticing the absence. I don't play VP that much, so I don't know if it's worth bothering an employee to change the game, but maybe I'll give it a shot. I wonder why people would complain about its inclusion though. Usually it is offered as a separate button to press if you want to play it, but the DEAL button is also available, so you can still play the next hand without any interruption. It's not like it's intrusive. Oh well....