Bovada just lowered their pick'em poker payout to 99.45% (from 99.95%)

Sadly, I just noticed Bovada reduced the payouts on max spin straights from 55 to 50. This takes the payout from 99.95% to 99.45%, which is quite a reduction. Oh well, it was a great game while it lasted. I guess with their bonuses they couldn't afford a game that good for the player, and I can't fault their logic. I enjoyed the game for the last year, and was going to list a detailed report after I reached 1 million hands (I have apx. 865,000 hands in).

I must thank the wizard for his plaudits of the game, it was the best house edge game a player could play in my opinion (easy to play at proper play, and a chance to make some big hits in just a few spins).

RIP Bovada pick'em poker. You were great while you were alive. Just cant see playing with a .5% cut.

I'm sorry to hear that too.

Quote: shakhtar

(I have apx. 865,000 hands in).

Because no one pounds a 97% game return like the above, which is kind of the answer to the whole question why they end up removing high ev games.

I don't blame you or any player, just sayin'

Quote: rxwine

"Because no one pounds a 97% game return like the above, which is kind of the answer to the whole question why they end up removing high ev games.
I don't blame you or any player, just sayin'"

I actually didn't "pound" this game. This was about 15 hours a week taking advantage of bonuses often (not always) at usually .25 machines max bet (occasionally.50cent machines). This was compiled in a little over a year done for 3 reasons. A study of variance and statistical analysis (which opened my eyes to some concepts), some bonus money (17k), and entertainment and a release from the strain of playing poker (also quit drinking about a year ago, so I need something to do till 5 AM instead of downing Stoli's and hitting on girls that have self-esteem issues).

I've been playing with Bovada since April 2011 (right after PokerStars left the US). I'm a poker player, and a degenerate gambler who bets on golf, and horses, and soccer. So It's not like I'm just a casino bonus whore. I pay around 40k in poker rake a year (since I'm a profitable player), bet a lot of horses and bet into pretty high vig on golf futures and sports bets there for some decent volume. And I'm very happy with them, and I'm not trying to imply that I'm angry that they cut their video poker machines. They give a lot of casino bonuses and specials, and the player was +EV when using the bonuses, so I don't blame them if that's what they have to do, and I have no problem with that. I'll still be playing poker, and indulging in some horses and sports, and I'm still a huge fan of theirs. I just won't be playing much video poker anymore, and that's fine with them I'm sure, and that's OK with me too. But I will miss the 99.95% game, you could play that game anytime (regardless of bonuses) and not feel like a sap.

Any update from Bovada after this that you guys know of? Hoped you guys got your old % back but seemed like the changes were here to stay.

Quote: Perdition

Any update from Bovada after this that you guys know of? Hoped you guys got your old % back but seemed like the changes were here to stay.

I'm pretty sure the days of 99.95% payback are over. They probably did a cost analysis and realized with their bonuses they couldn't afford to offer a game that player friendly. I'm just speculating of course, I have no concrete evidence of anything regarding why they do what they do.

Yeah. With the points alone, no other bonuses, perfect play on this game would have cost them, and it's relatively easy to keep up perfect play on Pick 'Em. I can't blame them; it's still a pretty good game. (The JP stung, going from +EV even without the points to an edge over 1.5%, but that I can understand, too. They're under no obligation to give away money.)

The single-deck blackjack is still pretty good, although I've had lousy luck with it... at a $25 minimum, though, better be willing to see some nightmarish swings.