People ask me “what’s the best game to play in a casino”. There’s no simple answer to that question. I usually say “it depends”. The first question I ask them in return is “what do you enjoy?” Gambling is recreation — and if it’s not fun there’s no point in doing it is there?
That leads me to mention that my purpose in writing this blog isn’t to get you to play at casinos. However, if you’re going to gamble, I want to give you information that will allow you to spend less and get more in return, including both comps and winning sessions.
Two weeks ago I posted a transcript of an email conversation I had with someone who plays slot machines. In it, I mentioned that people who enjoy playing machines may want to consider video poker. If you hate machines and prefer table games then I have other recommendations, but that’s a different story. 
What’s so good about video poker? For one thing, it’s the only game where a typical person with average dedication can teach themselves a basic strategy that sometimes has a slight advantage over the casino. But wait, doesn’t the casino always have the advantage? Yes and no.
For example, when played correctly, the “Full Pay” version of Deuces Wild returns 100.7% to the player. How can casinos offer these games and still make a profit? Well, you’ll notice I said “when played correctly”. Most players play so poorly the casinos still make a nice profit on even the best games, and on some they make as much or more than they do on slots!
So don’t rush out and start feeding bills into the nearest Video Poker machine. First you need to learn to differentiate the GOOD machines from the mediocre and lousy ones. Then, you need to take the time to study basic strategy and be able to play correctly. These topics are too broad for a blog post to cover, and I don’t need to because there are many resources available for you to learn from:
Free Online Resources
vpFREE is one of the best sources of free video poker information on the web. They have an extensive listing of links to additional information too. In fact, there’s so much information that you may get lost in it. A good place to start may be their FAQ page, although it’s very long as well. In addition, they have a very active Yahoo! group. Jean Scott, Skip Hughes, Bob Dancer, and other top VP writers hang out here to answer questions.
5-Card’s website is another place to find a wealth of information about odds and strategies.
The Wizard of Odds gives an overview of video poker and reliable information based on sound mathematics.
Linda Boyd’s video poker forum on the Midwest Gaming and Travel website. Linda is a noted gambling author (I recommend her book below), and several other industry experts visit the forum too.
Recommended books and software
Jean Scott’s Frugal Video Poker is a complete video poker learning system in two parts. Each of them is good alone, but I recommend having both. 1) The FVP software will let you learn to play video poker on your home computer. It also includes a valuable feature — you can create and print strategy cards for any game and carry these with you to the casino. 2) Jean also has a book out by the same name Frugal Video Poker, and it’s an excellent video poker textbook for both new players and experienced alike. Comps are also an important part of any strategy. They help offset your losses, and can turn a slight disadvantage into a break even or positive situation. If you want to learn about comps, and other ways to get the most out of a casino, then read two books by Jean Scott. The Frugal Gambler, and More Frugal Gambling. These are all available on Jean’s website: http://queenofcomps.com/
Linda Boyd’s book The Video Poker Edge is a great text that will take you from complete novice to skilled player. Linda presents strategies in a different format than most other writers, and some find hers easier to learn, remember, and apply in the casino. Her book includes free strategy cards, and is available at www.squareonepublishers.com
That’s it for todays Gambling 101 class. Post any questions you have and I’ll respond.
Happy and safe travels on this Memorial Day weekend, and good luck in the casinos.
NOTICE: I have no financial interest in any recommended commercial product
If you feel that gambling has become a problem for you and is no longer fun please visit Gamblers Anonymous
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resmhes
Hi,Traditional gambling has existed with the human race from the time immemorial. And the fervor is still present in the contemporary world.
Mac McClellan
That’s one of Chris’s RFs. So far this year the score is Chris 4, Mac 0. I’m well past 150k hands this year, so I should have seen an average of 3 myself, but you don’t always get the “average”. I’m living proof that there is a tail on the left side of the bell curve!
Regarding money management, I recommend changing denomination instead of playing less than 5 coins. The multi-denomination games make it easy (if the casino has them set up this way) to play nickles, dimes, quarters, halfs, and dollars all on the same machine.
We’ll often start out at the highest level our bankroll allows, then drop down one or even two levels if we’re losing and want to keep playing a little longer.
Of course, you often find that pay tables for lower denominations are worse, but it’s usually not as bad as losing out on that royal when it comes. Depending on the game, the RF makes up around 2% of your total payback over the long run.
Happy travels and good luck!
Mac
2oldman
I take it that Royal Flush picture is yours? Wow.. and on a max coin bet… cool. I hit 2 in 2 months this year. Too bad I’d only bet a buck.
I’ve used the progressive betting strategy to maximize my time at the machines. Bet 1 lose, bet 2, lose, bet 3, win, go back to 1. Always go back to 1 on a win.
Dunno if it helps much, but sometimes I enjoy the time playing as much as winning. If I win in 5 minutes I tend to keep playing and put it all back!!
Mac McClellan
So true 2oldman.
People generally look at the big payouts for bonuses on Four of a Kind etc. However, what takes most of your money are the hands that occur most frequently, 2 pair, flush, full house. That’s where the casino makes $$$.
Looking at Bonus Poker, if the casino has 1/1 on 2 pair vs. 2/1 — all else being equal — the return will only be 86.3% vs. 99.1% That’s a HUGE difference.
Changing the payback on the Full House is more common. Bonus Poker that pays 7 on the Full House – vs. 8 – and everything else is the same only returns 98% vs. 99.1% with correct basic strategy play.
Mac
2oldman
Thanks for those resources.. I love VP.
I always look for machines that pay 2/1 for two pair instead of 1/1. If you play machines with 1/1 odd, that little bit wears you down more quickly. You make hands with 2 pair way more often than trips.
I could be all wrong on this, but it’s sure kept me at the machines longer to try and hit the 4 of a kind.