mcavanaugh8
mcavanaugh8
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April 19th, 2016 at 8:04:05 PM permalink
Hey all,

I am curious what your opinions are on playing video poker versus playing a slot machine when the player's bank roll is small. For example, if I were to walk into a casino after a rough day of work to blow off some steam and I happened to have $50 in my wallet. While I am not mathematically inclined, I have read many of the articles and guides here and Video Poker offers a positive expected return, whereas slot machines do not. However, with a limited budget (even playing $1.25/spin on VP) would you still play Video Poker?


Thanks!
rsactuary
rsactuary
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April 19th, 2016 at 8:36:43 PM permalink
*some* video poker machines offer a positive return. Most do not.

But it is widely regarded that the return for VP is higher than slots. So yes, I would play VP over slots.
abacabb
abacabb
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April 19th, 2016 at 9:35:29 PM permalink
Most slots probably return in the neighborhood of 90%. The numbers tend to be higher for higher limit slots or non-progressives or lower for penny slots and progressives (assuming the progressive value is not very high). I'd go with video poker as even really crappy pay tables (at least in Vegas) will return 95% or more. Many places will give you extra players club points, comps, or freeplay for playing slots, but in almost all cases this does not make up for the loss in return.
ahiromu
ahiromu
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April 19th, 2016 at 10:12:02 PM permalink
There are too many variables for a yes or no answer. Slots should have an edge around 10-15%, VP could be super good (less than 1% HE) to Vegas (3-5% under $1). If you have crap VP, slots aren't as bad of an option. However, if you have some good VP, then I might consider it.

Here's the thing about VP though. If you don't hit a 4 of a kind or better in a session, it's basically a slot in terms of expected value. Look at it as entertainment money and play what you want.
Its - Possessive; It's - "It is" / "It has"; There - Location; Their - Possessive; They're - "They are"
AxelWolf
AxelWolf
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April 19th, 2016 at 11:04:23 PM permalink
Disregarding any promotions, marketing or known +EV Slots. VP is absolutely your best bet.

Normally you can find a VP machine that holds 3% or less. Slots generally hold 10% or more.

If you have something special. The worst game ,mathematically speaking could be the best EV, unfortunately for you ,information like that is not easy to come by.

You'll probably have to do you're own investigating by playing.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
tringlomane
tringlomane
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April 19th, 2016 at 11:33:09 PM permalink
You don't have to play quarters necessarily either. You could play as low as pennies in some places. Keep in mind that Super Times Pay, 25 play, 50 play, and 100 play games will usually allow you to bet less than the max number of lines and still max bet a hand. Many of these games are offered at the penny or nickel level. The paytables are usually poor, but $50 can last on single line nickels or 5 line pennies.
Casinodepositor
Casinodepositor
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April 20th, 2016 at 5:43:59 AM permalink
Probably yes I would still play Video Poker. In some places you can bet pennies and Video Poker returns are better than slots. But with just a $50 I would probably break even or maybe loss.
mcavanaugh8
mcavanaugh8
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April 21st, 2016 at 7:52:49 AM permalink
Thanks for all the replies! I figured VP would be the consensus, but wanted to be sure.

If I may, I'll throw another curve ball in there. Say all the slots were VLT, rather than any sort of class III machine. Would that affect your choice? I'm only vaguely familiar with the concept behind class II and class III machines, but is it a safe assumption that if the VP machine is a VLT, that there is no advantage in playing it over playing a slot machine?
AxelWolf
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April 21st, 2016 at 7:58:22 AM permalink
Quote: mcavanaugh8

Thanks for all the replies! I figured VP would be the consensus, but wanted to be sure.

If I may, I'll throw another curve ball in there. Say all the slots were VLT, rather than any sort of class III machine. Would that affect your choice? I'm only vaguely familiar with the concept behind class II and class III machines, but is it a safe assumption that if the VP machine is a VLT, that there is no advantage in playing it over playing a slot machine?

That's a good question I haven't had much experience with VLT. If I had to guess I would say it doesn't matter.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
tringlomane
tringlomane
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April 21st, 2016 at 8:40:08 AM permalink
Quote: mcavanaugh8

Thanks for all the replies! I figured VP would be the consensus, but wanted to be sure.

If I may, I'll throw another curve ball in there. Say all the slots were VLT, rather than any sort of class III machine. Would that affect your choice? I'm only vaguely familiar with the concept behind class II and class III machines, but is it a safe assumption that if the VP machine is a VLT, that there is no advantage in playing it over playing a slot machine?



Depends on where you are playing. Some states allow VLTs to allow video poker where paytables/strategies do matter. Maryland is a large recent example.
mcavanaugh8
mcavanaugh8
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April 21st, 2016 at 9:13:40 AM permalink
Quote: tringlomane

Depends on where you are playing. Some states allow VLTs to allow video poker where paytables/strategies do matter. Maryland is a large recent example.



I'm from New York, and the only fairly close "casino" (racino, actually) is Empire City. I would count Resorts World, which is about 45 minutes away compared to Empire City's 15 minutes, but I can't verify their slots. I have a feeling that all of Empire City is VLT.


I'm hoping that they somehow get a live table game license sometime soon... I hate having to drive 2.5hrs to get to either AC or Mohegan.
tringlomane
tringlomane
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April 21st, 2016 at 9:34:59 AM permalink
Quote: mcavanaugh8

I'm from New York, and the only fairly close "casino" (racino, actually) is Empire City. I would count Resorts World, which is about 45 minutes away compared to Empire City's 15 minutes, but I can't verify their slots. I have a feeling that all of Empire City is VLT.


I'm hoping that they somehow get a live table game license sometime soon... I hate having to drive 2.5hrs to get to either AC or Mohegan.



Unfortunately, NY state-run racinos do not allow VP that depends on strategy and paytables. Their paybacks will be in the low 90s like slot machines.
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