New to this forum [playing single-coin video poker]

As far as Florida Phill, I don't think I've seen him write anything that seems out of line AFAICT. IMO, there's nothing wrong with what he's doing. Clearly he knows he's not playing a +EV game or some "winning" system. He's not pushing for any nonsense like many others have. Other than not playing at all, he's doing the right thing -- giving up as little EV as possible....and at the end of the day, if he finds that entertaining for him (which it seems to be), and he knows what the cost is (which he, again, seems to know what the cost is), then I don't see any problems there.

Quote: Gandler

Scientists.

But, in this case it is more ironic, lots of posters claim to be professional APs, but will never dilulvge specific evidence, and get upset when people talk about unique oppurtunities.

They want people to beleive them without evidence. Which is fine, I could care less, but they start drama (like on this thread....) when people post things that they don't like....

The evidence is in the math.

Of course people are going to be upset when people spoil unique opportunities. Generally, the people spoiling plays aren't the people who are playing it. They say they do it so more people get a slice of the cake, which is absolutely retarded. What actually happens is a play gets flooded and the casino shuts it down. So now there's a smaller pie and everyone gets a smaller percentage of that pie. Stupid. Whereas, if there are only a few people playing it, then it'll last longer and much more money will be made.

Do you think the Patriots or any professional sports team publishes their play book for the world to see? Does Coca-Cola release their recipe/formula for Coke? "But how do we know Coca-Cola company actually makes coke!? They don't want to show us the evidence that they make it!!!!"

Playing single coin is not for everyone. Most recreational players believe hitting a royal flush is the ultimate video poker experience. A royal flush is a large part of your return as well. From a financial standpoint, there is no profitable way to play a 97% video poker game. The bigger or longer you play, the more you pay to play. Each max coin royal flush costs you 2-3 times what you win. If your goal is to make a profit playing video poker, do what the experts tell you and don't play bad games.

If you are going to play bad video poker games, know there are some advantages to playing single coin. You can play longer with your money. This is important to recreational players with limited bankrolls. When I go to the casino on my weekly trips, I only take $100. Playing 97% single line deuces wild, I can easily play all day long with this money. What's the worst that can happen? It costs me $100 to have an enjoyable day at the casino. I think that's a bargain. Many days I walk out even or make a little money.

The strategy for single coin deuces wild is different. Because you don't go for the royal as much, the variance is lower. This allows me to play even longer. When I go to the casino, I am sitting in the same seat as a dollar player playing the same game. I am drinking the same drinks and enjoying the same music. I am paying a fraction of what the other player's around me are paying to play. The downside is I don't have the excitement of hitting a max coin royal every 45,000 hands.

I don't always play single coin VP. When I go to Vegas or Reno, I play NSU deuces (99.7%). If I could find that game in the Southeast, I would play it.

You're spot on. Bet loss = lose less. It's a simple concept, but many people refuse to accept it. Some people learn about the house edge, and then think it's the be-all, end-all, and think that if you ever do anything that increases the house edge, you're playing dumb. They're wrong. Reminds me of the saying, "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."

It is easy to assume there is only one "best way" to play video poker. Math is not all there is to this game. Bankroll, skill, discipline, physical limitations and tolerance are just as significant as the game's odds. I'm 72 years old and in good health. My doctor tells me I am one of her healthier patients. Could I sit on a +EV video poker game and play computer perfect for as long as it takes to make a profit? Do I have the time and ability to seek out positive opportunities? Do they even exist where I play?

Like Dirty Harry said, "A man's got to know his limitations". Casinos are built out of the wallets of people who play like they have an advantage when they don't.

I thought I saw some 20 coin VP at the casino. How to play that? Single coin for the 1st 100 hands, 2 coins for the next 100 hands, 3 coins for the next 100 hands...? Keep going until you hit some 4 of a kind win goal then reset your bet to 1 coin?

Four of a kind odds = 1 / 423 https://www.videopoker.com/learn/statistics/

VIDEO POKER PAY TABLES https://www.videopoker.com/learn/pay_tables/

Quote: SingleCoinVP

I don't always play single coin VP. When I go to Vegas or Reno, I play NSU deuces (99.7%). If I could find that game in the Southeast, I would play it.

You can get decent paytables at online casinos. Were you not aware of that, or is there some reason(s) you prefer land casinos to online?

Quote: MichaelBluejay

You can get decent paytables at online casinos. Were you not aware of that, or is there some reason(s) you prefer land casinos to online?

And if you need a suggested online casino to check out, visit https://easy.vegas/

Quote: ChumpChange

I thought I saw some 20 coin VP at the casino. How to play that? Single coin for the 1st 100 hands, 2 coins for the next 100 hands, 3 coins for the next 100 hands...? Keep going until you hit some 4 of a kind win goal then reset your bet to 1 coin?

This is what I call a progressive betting strategy. Over the years, I have literally played millions of hands using these strategies. I have tried things that most players wouldn't have thought of. Using these strategies increases the entertainment value of video poker. They can not turn a negative game positive. In time, the game's odds and your accuracy will determine the result.

You may determine the entertainment value of using this strategy is worth the cost. Assuming the game with comps is negative, in time you will be paying more for your jackpots than they are worth. In my experience, flat betting accurately produces a better long term result than juggling your bets.

I am not an advocate of one size fits all video poker strategy. Everyone has different goals, opportunities and resources. I have a friend who gives the Mohegan Sun $50K a year so he can see a W2-G every so often. That's not what I would do, but it's his money.

Well, it happened.

The Mrs. and I were at a quiet bar at Thunder Valley Casino near Sacramento, where we took my mom-in-law up for her comped room. We ordered a $13 Meiomi pinot noir to share, and a sparkling water for the Mrs. I put in $20 to an IGT $1 video blackjack (the lowest denomination) and played $2/hand because surrender was available, though blackjack pays even money. The Mrs. was playing $1 (the lowest denom) 9-5 JoB one credit at a time.

She had occasional trips, straights and such, but was still down about $8 when she held three suited cards. You guessed it: royal flush. Her first. I still haven't gotten one.

The folks next to us were excited, then disappointed that she wasn't playing 5 credits, then happily were aware that, well, unless she hit the draw button at the exact same moments with 5 credits, she probably wouldn't have gotten the royal. We were happy to have a $250ish win, and rightly reasoned that she would have lost all her money had she been playing $5/hand.

I was down $8 at one point in my blackjack play, but rallied to finish even.

You just never know long time ago my friend was playing quarter video poker.one credit then two then 3 etc trying to sneak up on a royal flush. It snuck up on him he played 3 credits and won around $187. If five credits would have been $1k but probably would not have hit if he had played five credits