Multistrike question

In Multistrike VP, is it possible to get a free ride on the draw (as opposed to just on the deal)?

If so, about what fraction of the free rides are on the draw?
And does it matter what cards the player holds (e.g. there's no free ride on the draw if the player holds a paying hand, since there's no need for one)?

Quote: ThatDonGuy

In Multistrike VP, is it possible to get a free ride on the draw (as opposed to just on the deal)?

If so, about what fraction of the free rides are on the draw?
And does it matter what cards the player holds (e.g. there's no free ride on the draw if the player holds a paying hand, since there's no need for one)?

I've played very little Multi-Strike, but as I recall, it's just on the deal. I think the only thing more annoying than getting a free ride and then being dealt an already winning hand (or already having an already winning hand when the Free Ride shows---for example the FRee Ride shows on the fourth card position when you already have a pair of Kings or any other winning hand in the first three cards) would be drawing to an already winning hand and seeing a superfluous Free Ride.

I think it would be cool if the Free Ride was only possible after the hand level already contained a completed losing hand.

The verbiage on VideoPoker.com on the rule screen also only refers to hands, "Dealt."

I played a couple hours of Multistrike last month and was watching for this. I did not get a single Free Ride on the draw, but had many on the deal, so I suspect it only happens then.

I have it on VPFW and studied it extensively, and never got one on the draw.

I think beachbumbabs is correct in that it is only on the draw of the game. It has been quite awhile since I've actually played it, but I recall correctly it only appears on the deal.

It is only on the deal and never on the draw in any MSP game or variant. The frequency of the free ride should be posted in the game rules. It is different for each level.

If they put the free ride on the draw instead of the deal wouldn't the player edge be lower?

Quote: kgb92

If they put the free ride on the draw instead of the deal wouldn't the player edge be lower?

Actually, I think it is the opposite. I think the House Edge (with Optimal Strategy) would be greater because the player would always have to make his hold decisions based on NOT getting a Free Ride. The Free Ride on certain hands enables the player to just play the optimal strategy that would be the base game rather than adjusting the strategy.

For example, check out the JoB Optimal Strategy for Multi-Strike:

https://wizardofodds.com/games/video-poker/tables/multi-strike/appendix/2/

You'll see on the first two levels, just to use one example, that you hold a dealt high pair (JJ-AA) as opposed to a four to an open-ended straight flush, but that switches on Level 3. With this paytable on regular JoB, it's always four to an open-ended straight flush.

Anyway, if you get a hand like 8s-9s-10s-Js-Jc with a Free Ride, now you can adjust your strategy and make the optimal JoB hold which is: 8s-9s-10s-Js, because you get to the next hand(s) regardless. If you couldn't get to the Free Ride until the Draw, then you would have to assume you are NOT getting the free ride and would have to take the high pair due to the value of seeing at least one future hand.

So, if the probability of getting a Free Ride is going to remain unchanged either way, it is best for the player for the Free Ride to always come on the deal if it is going to come at all.

However, if you wanted it to come on the draw (or after the hand was over and was a losing hand) you could adjust the probabilities accordingly to achieve the same (or nearly) return percentage based on an Optimal Strategy.

House edge greater = player edge lower. Right?

Quote: kgb92

House edge greater = player edge lower. Right?

Well, you had me confused because the player doesn't have an edge; the house does. Only one side or the other can have an edge, unless it is a game that returns exactly 100%.

EDIT: If you meant to say the return-to-player would be lower, then that is correct.

As stated, Multi-Strike free rides are only on the deal (before your decision needs to be made).


Speaking of which, kinda....let's say you're playing Hot Roll Poker. You can get a roll either on the deal OR the draw (or neither), but not both. What are the odds of getting it on the draw, given you didn't get one on the deal?

Quote: RS

Hot Roll Poker.

= fun. I can only imagine there was a spike in GA membership sometime after that game hit the casinos.

Quote: RS

As stated, Multi-Strike free rides are only on the deal (before your decision needs to be made).


Speaking of which, kinda....let's say you're playing Hot Roll Poker. You can get a roll either on the deal OR the draw (or neither), but not both. What are the odds of getting it on the draw, given you didn't get one on the deal?

The rule screen just on VideoPoker.com just says the probability of getting the roll is 1 in 6, so I guess it just depends on how the game is programmed. If the game first decides whether or not you’ll get a Hot Roll THEN decides whether you’ll see it on the deal or draw, I’d say the probability is still 1 in 6.

If it’s more likely to be seen on the deal as opposed to the draw, or the other way around, then it’s just whatever that probability is.

I've had the hot roll on the deal AND the draw....multipliers were added together.

ETA: but never have I had the total multiplier go over 12x. maybe that's just because it hasn't happened yet.... not sure.

I will try and do some searching on YouTube of HRP videos to see if I can find an example.

Quote: AxelWolf

= fun. I can only imagine there was a spike in GA membership sometime after that game hit the casinos.

I’ve only really played it on VideoPoker.com, but I hate it. I would like it better if the Hot Roll only appeared before the deal. Seeing a big roll after a no-hold or some crappy low probability hold would just irritate me.

For instance, something like Deuces or DDB where you hold some sort of gutshot straight draw which is both unlikely and your only chance to win on a hand that doesn’t pay that much anyway. 12x multiplier. Meantime, even though it balances out in the long run, it always seems like you’re not catching the roll, or good rolls, on something like dealt trips.

Yeah, screw that game. STP on cocaine...and I hate STP! Not for me.

I've recently tracked my play during contests on videopoker.com and seen the multiplier on the deal about 2/3 of the time that it appeared. More precisely, the point estimate and 95% confidence interval over 2650 hands for the proportion of multipliers on the deal was 65.35% and (60.97%, 69.73%). In that sample I never saw dual multipliers, but perhaps the game is different in casinos.

I'm wondering if rsactuary might be thinking of Double Super Times Pay. With that game you see multipliers on both the deal and the draw about one hand in 225. In those cases, the multipliers are added before being applied to any wins.

Quote: drrock

I've recently tracked my play during contests on videopoker.com and seen the multiplier on the deal about 2/3 of the time that it appeared. More precisely, the point estimate and 95% confidence interval over 2650 hands for the proportion of multipliers on the deal was 65.35% and (60.97%, 69.73%). In that sample I never saw dual multipliers, but perhaps the game is different in casinos.

I'm wondering if rsactuary might be thinking of Double Super Times Pay. With that game you see multipliers on both the deal and the draw about one hand in 225. In those cases, the multipliers are added before being applied to any wins.

I'm certainly familiar with DSTP, but positive it was HRP. If I wasn't so darn busy with work right now, I'd be playing tonight to prove myself right or wrong...