A Question for Bob Dancer

[notes1]

If I had a dollar for everyone who thinks Bob Dancer has made millions (net) playing video poker, I would be worth millions.

[/QUOTE]
 agree! how about all those who seem to think he earns the most money or has the highest net worth, of all those who post on this site.

[alpax]

I do not think there is even 1 million people who play Video Poker seriously to know who Mr. Dancer is despite being the most well known figure in Video Poker.

[EDC1977]

Methinks he'd be quick to say that he doesn't win in the millions playing VP. He might get that much playing/teaching/comps etc. etc. I'm not defending the man (although it might seem like that) but he does his homework and tries to get the most bang for his buck. He chose his path.

[opalineopaline]

ED,Perfect reply.  I agree with you.

[BobDancer]

Methinks he'd be quick to say that he doesn't win in the millions playing VP. He might get that much playing/teaching/comps etc. etc.  That is NOT what I'd say --- quick or otherwise.I'm ahead several million dollars from play --- net --- over the past 20+ years.. I certainly do not earn as much from playing annually as I did 15 years ago. Times are tougher now at video poker--- but I'm still ahead 4 out of the past 5 years. And there are still enough opportunities present that I find the game playable.I DO include drawings, mailers,free play and cashback in my gambling winnings. That money is directly attributable to my gambling. Money from teaching, writing, radio, and other sources is extra. That money is always positive, and it helps increase bankroll and lower my annual variance--- but I do not consider teaching a class as earning money from gambling.I do not consider cruises in my gambling winnings. Although I get to go at greatly reduced prices because of my play, if they weren't essentially free, I wouldn't be taking the cruises. I do not include the cash value of comps as winnings or such things as gift cards. They have real value, but I don't classify them as winnings. Having most of my meals and all of my gasoline come to me for free means I have fewer expenses than many other people do.When I "earned" six automobiles at the MGM Grand during my run there, I did not count that as part of the $1 million net. I sold most of them (some at greatly reduced prices to relatives) and paid taxes on that money, but the "over $1 million" goal was made without including the cars. I've won 3 or 4 additional cars in various casino promotions since then. Same thing. I didn't consider that gambling winnings --- although clearly they were a direct result from the gambling and I played extra hard and long because of the possibility of winning. It doesn't bother me that there are "doubters" out there. So be it. Let them believe what they want.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=Bob Dancer]I'm ahead several million dollars from play --- net --- over the past 20+ years[/quote]I honestly don't care how someone makes their money.  It only becomes an issue for me when a person promotes his personal choice on the airwaves, on the Internet and in print and that choice is potentially harmful to people and families.  If Bob told everyone that he has been lucky it would be one thing, but he insists that his strategy alone (which can be bought for a price) is directly responsible for his millions.  Selling snake oil is allowed if you don't over over exaggerate it's claims and you don't hurt anyone.  If Bob Dancer was manufacturing cars or drugs, he would have his pants sued off.  The legal issue would not be the truth of his personal results, it would be the damage done to the unlucky followers of his strategy and no amount of disclaimers can alter that fact.  The statement that only a few elite players can make it work doesn't give him a pass on the others he has harmed.The only claim of CS is that it lets recreational players who play negative games play more and lose less. It will work for any and all participants.  If someone doesn't chose to use this strategy, no harm done.  Selling the dream that someone can play a video poker game perfectly, put tens of thousands of dollars in the game and somehow the math will make them a millionaire is making Bob Dancer's money... not some video poker machine.The real question is "Why should we care?"  I'm not the moral police and I don't care what Bob Dancer does.  As long as we are not lured into this dream and understand that luck not skill ultimately determines video poker winners and losers, we can make our own decisions about how we play.

[mulleon]

I have to comment on this because I buy into Bob Dancers system or way of playing and it works for me. I'm only a recreational player. But since reading some of his books and some others. I only play machines that have the highest EV and play them when they have a promotion going on. I don't live in Vegas so I don't have as many options as Mr. Dancer does, but I can usually find a couple days a week where I get 4x to 15x points. With a slot club that worth .167 it only take 3X points to make a 9/6 JB a positive play. Or they have various other promotions such as slot tournaments for earing so many points turns out if you play just enough to earn the entries with the EV of the slot tournament your playing a very positive game. So there are winning options away from vegas you just have to do your homework. I started keeping records about a year and a half ago and I'm up. My winnings aren't enough to live off of, but they are winnings.

So for all the Bob Dancer haters I am a fan. I like reading his articles and thoughts. It's nice to have him on here if you have a question he has an opinion. As far as the Cheap Strategy is concerned I can't get behind it. You are going to lose in the long run and your right you are going to lose less, but you would use lose less if you just didn't play.

There is a time where I might use a variation of the cheap strategy. A good band at the casino bar with 7/5 JB. I would play 1 coin at a time and get free drinks (of course I will tip the barkeep)and listen to the band.

Maybe they'll publish a book on the CS and it will bring more people to play VP. I hope people use the CS it allows the casinos to make a little money. If everyone played VP like Bob Dancer and other pros the casinos would just eliminate the game altogether or make them all 6/5 payouts.

[FloridaPhil]

I have never had a problem with any of Bob Dancers strategies or statements regarding playing the best games,  taking advantage of comps and developing the skill and discipline necessary to keep from making mistakes.   My problem has always been the notion that by employing his strategies anyone other than Bob Dancer can make $2 million dollars playing video poker without some luck entering the equation.I am totally baffled with his attitude toward CS and why he insists on attacking it so fiercely.  Playing single coin on a negative game is an option that even Bob Dancer has referenced in the past.  The whole idea of moving to max coins after every four coin win is to restore a bit of excitement back into a pretty boring single coin game.  The fact is doing this often lets you catch a decent max coin hand and catch back up making CS a better game than flat betting single coin all the time.   You can test this yourself for free on this website.I am not interested in publishing a book on CS or profiting from anything video poker related.  I did not develop this strategy to be any kind of hero on this website or anywhere else.  I found something that allowed me to enjoy the game without the constant depression of losing and I felt it was worthwhile to share it with others.  If Bob Dancer would quite sniping at me on this forum, I would stop calling him out.  I have tried to declare peace on numerous occasions and he just keeps banging away.   Why is CS such a threat?  If I were him I would ignore the subject of CS entirely. The gambling industry has lost billions of dollars in revenue over the past few years.  It's not CS that has caused this problem, it's the fact that players are tired of strategies that never pan out and just keep draining their wallets. 

[FAA]

Yeah, you lose less if you just didn't play, and save the transportation cost. But VP is too much fun to quit cold turkey.
Even a stubborn mule like me who prefers two and three coin play when not at max will save $15 in hourly losses. Relentless max puts you in too deep a hole to break even when the fashionably late quad finally arrives. I certainly can't count on the SF or RF to bIl me out. I still have an hour of DW on my bucket list. Change is hard.

[Chicagoan]

I actually win millions every year playing video poker. Do you think I could interest people into buying my system?