Taking a sabbatical

[OTABILL]

Earlier this year, we decided to stop playing VP for the time being. I doubt the casinos here in Arizona will miss our taking a sabbatical from VP play. They always appear busy even during the week. I attribute our lousy results to bad luck. Some folks seem to always get the good hands, a number of whom post here and others who have played be sides us at the casino. Even when we were doing better, premium hands, the kinds that are the difference between winning and losing, have been hard for both of us, particularly me to come by. In the 10 years I have been playing VP, I have never been dealt a royal, neither has my wife during that timeframe. Playing .25 cent DDB & occasionally TDB single line 99 % of the time, I have been dealt AWAK once. The lack of dealt premium hands has nothing to do with paytables, etc. Likewise, in numerous trips to Vegas and Laughlin, during the last decade, neither of us have had a RF of any kind playing 0.25 cent single line (Only exception was a nickle dream card triple play we went to after being thoroughly disgusted only to get a RF on one line). In fact, I have only gotten a RF once when dealt 4 to a royal at a casino (excluding contests on this website). I don't keep statistics on how many hands we have played locally, in Nevada, or elsewhere. Suffice it to say, there were plenty of times we would go once a week locally and, at times, spend up to 10 hours each session.   In the past, we have had some good, even great sessions though never a positive year. Then again, our losses fell within our discretionary funds entertainment allowance and given the paucity of dealt hands amazingly within reason averaging out to the cost of going to concerts, plays, etc. That is why I have said we view VP as spending money on entertainment rather than losing money.

There are other forms of entertainment and when VP is no longer fun, it's time to move on. We may play decide to play VP briefly locally occasionally in the future perhaps as an adjunct to playing bingo or during trips to Vegas. But without any luck, regardless of strategy, paytables, etc. no use throwing money away.

[alpax]

Losing is never a fun or good feeling and I totally understand.

I could not quit slots soon enough before it got really devastating. At least you have it controlled which is a good thing.

I chose to avoid playing too much high variance bonus games because from a mathematical perspective it will have greater loss amounts than Jacks or Better or a Deuces Wild game will have. I accept video poker is still a losing game in the long run, but for now a good paying game has the most value out of many leisure/entertainment options (comps may lead to free meals and shows).

At least you've attributed the outcome to bad luck, which showed you've done everything you could such as practicing on the computer and going to good places to play e.g. Red Rock.

Wish you the best in the next hobby if you do not come back to VP.

[notes1]

otabill, mixed feelings, sorry to hear about what lead you to make the decision, but if playing VP, in it's current state is no fun, i am glad you are taking some time off. shows discipline, something the casinos are counting on us not having. as both of you play, the decision had to be even harder.   one of the things that has bothered me the most is that as i approach retirement, i had been looking forward to spending more time playing VP. i have already cut back my play and will find something else to spend my entertainment monies on. i see lots of couples going to the casino together, the reduced payout/higher cost of playing situation has likely affected many retired folks. too bad.

[DaBurglar]

OTABILL, I applaud your discipline too......there are numerous reasons to play VP, fun being the most obvious and common, and if this is no longer happening, you are making the right move for now........of course, as you (and notes) point out, winning is itself part of the FUN (maybe the BIGGEST part) so it is a conundrum....You comment about luck and how other people (here and in the actual casinos you see) seem to always catch the hands you are not catching is also valid......sadly, that is life and there is nothing we can do about it........I know for a fact I have always (and continue to) received LESS than the statistically expected average of Royals and premium hands in my entire video poker lifespan (since 1992-1993 thru today....)     For myself, it was not always about fun, it was about spending my discretionary money on something that gives back (or creates options) that other forms of spending do not......For example, if I were to take each year, 3 or 4 extended trips or vacations to destinations like Upstate NY (lake George), or to Southern California or San Francisco, or to Europe, for a week or 10 days at a time, it would cost me (for arguments sake) $15-20K per annum.I could do this and possibly be happy......but I would also have large swaths of time in between trips, and there is NO possibility at all of EVER winning (or somehow covering) the cost of my trip or even a portion of it.....once I spend the money it is gone for good and all I have is memories and some pictures.        But spending $10-15K per year on at least one (maybe two) monthly trips of about 5-6 days duration each going to AC (or Vegas) and playing VP during those 5-6 days allows me a different type and degree of UTILITY........and even though it rarely happens anymore (not since 2006). I can sometimes have a year or a portion of a year where my costs are covered and it does not set me back hardly anything!   I stay in decent hotels, relax, eat well and meet an occasional good friend for life in the casinos and hotels of AC and VEGAS.......and prior to 2006, in RENO too!    Cant forget RENO!Do you follow?Everyone has a different reason and threshold of what VP and casinos mean to them.....my main disappointment right now is that, even for players like me who were NEVER about trying to win a lot of $$ or get rich, the UTILITY that I spoke of previously has been eroded due to nothing short of abject greed, incompetence and sheer stupidity / laziness on the part of casino executives who are vastly overpaid, and politicians in cities and states like AC & New Jersey, who fail to act even in their OWN self interests when the circumstances change and warrant action/modification/remedies  etc.edited to add:  Otabill, one last thing......those supposed "lucky" people you see catching all the hits you are not catching......well I guarantee you it is not nearly as rosy as you might be inclined to think.    Trust me, they are taking their lumps too, you just have not seen them or they are not telling you about them........NO ONE WINS in the long term (and most do not win in the short term either) if winning is simply defined as cashing out more than you cash in the machines (forget adding up all the nebulous comps and perks and stuff......even that QUEEN of COMPS lady, Jean-what'sher-name, said after the first 50 free t-shirts and hoodies, it seems disingenuous using that to offset the $400-500 bucks she lost playing a 99% VP game like JOB for!    Afterall, that is exactly what's involved when people talk about "WINNING" long term at VP, you start counting things like the t-shirts and jackets and all the junk giveaway items like pots and pans and Emeril LAgasse grilles and Flashlights, etc etc!

[OTABILL]

Alpax, Notes and Burgler, I appreciate your comments and kind words. There are several points I should add to my original post. First of all, I consider what we are doing self control rather than discipline. I don't mean to split hairs, but to me discipline is leaving the VP machine/casino after winning or losing a pre-determined amount or at a set time. Self control is not going to the casino/or VP machines when the urge is there especially since 7 casinos are within 45 minutes of our house. As I mentioned in previous posts, we rarely play anything other than DDB - it is what we enjoy. We know it is more volatile than JOB, etc. but why play a game we don't enjoy. Besides not having much overall success recently, our funds no longer last very long. Even when having a losing session in the past, we could often play for a reasonable time. However, if the money you plan on spending consistently lasts only 2 hours rather than 6, it cuts short our evening entertainment. Forgetting about money, it can be equated to going to an outdoor event that gets rained out shortly after beginning. Bummer.

There are many different options available to us for a night out even at the casino. Bingo is one where a session will last 3- 4 hours for a set amount with the added bonus that you can win something. A nice dinner, concert, festival etc. are other choices.

I wish everyone well here with lots of success. Gambling is a crap shoot and when your luck is bad, its best to give it a rest. While not lucky at VP, we am fortunate in other areas which, in the long run, are more important. I enjoy the forum and the contests so I will not disappear and add my two cents worth from time-to-time.

[FloridaPhil]

Quitting for a time is a good thing. I've done it a number of times and it clears the air and lets you reevaluate what you want from the game in the first place.   When you return, you may want to consider playing a different game.  I was a dedicated DDB player for years and like you I got tired of losing all the time.  The secret (if there is one) to being dealt royals and premium hands is to play a ton of hands.  The cost of taking it on the chin to play DDB is too high to let this happen.  I also hated Jacks, even though I did pretty well with it.  When I switched to deuces, everything changed for me.  It wasn't that good at first, until I mastered all the slight penalty adjustments.  I didn't realize how many hands I was playing wrong. Anyway, enjoy your retirement and I hope you'll continue to hang around on the forum. 

[wildman49]

Earlier this year, we decided to stop playing VP for the time being. I doubt the casinos here in Arizona will miss our taking a sabbatical from VP play. They always appear busy even during the week. I attribute our lousy results to bad luck. Some folks seem to always get the good hands, a number of whom post here and others who have played be sides us at the casino. Even when we were doing better, premium hands, the kinds that are the difference between winning and losing, have been hard for both of us, particularly me to come by. In the 10 years I have been playing VP, I have never been dealt a royal, neither has my wife during that timeframe. Playing .25 cent DDB & occasionally TDB single line 99 % of the time, I have been dealt AWAK once. The lack of dealt premium hands has nothing to do with paytables, etc. Likewise, in numerous trips to Vega/s and Laughlin, during the last decade, neither of us have had a RF of any kind playing 0.25 cent single line (Only exception was a nickle dream card triple play we went to after being thoroughly disgusted only to get a RF on one line). In fact, I have only gotten a RF once when dealt 4 to a royal at a casino (excluding contests on this website). I don't keep statistics on how many hands we have played locally, in Nevada, or elsewhere. Suffice it to say, there were plenty of times we would go once a week locally and, at times, spend up to 10 hours each session.   In the past, we have had some good, even great sessions though never a positive year. Then again, our losses fell within our discretionary funds entertainment allowance and given the paucity of dealt hands amazingly within reason averaging out to the cost of going to concerts, plays, etc. That is why I have said we view VP as spending money on entertainment rather than losing money.

There are other forms of entertainment and when VP is no longer fun, it's time to move on. We may play decide to play VP briefly locally occasionally in the future perhaps as an adjunct to playing bingo or during trips to Vegas. But without any luck, regardless of strategy, paytables, etc. no use throwing money away. Luck is hard to come by. Some times its there most the time its not. Playing to get past the bad luck can make things in ones mind worst. Time off always works for my wife and I.Bill, you say you are in AZ? My wife is flying in to see her grand kids next week and will for sure hit the casinos there. She will be in the Pleasant valley area. Can you or someone reading this give me a few nice casino's for her to hit? She plays mostly slots but maybe 30% poker. Thank for all's help!

[OTABILL]

Quitting for a time is a good thing. I've done it a number of times and it clears the air and lets you reevaluate what you want from the game in the first place.   When you return, you may want to consider playing a different game.  I was a dedicated DDB player for years and like you I got tired of losing all the time.  The secret (if there is one) to being dealt royals and premium hands is to play a ton of hands.  The cost of taking it on the chin to play DDB is too high to let this happen.  I also hated Jacks, even though I did pretty well with it.  When I switch to deuces, everything changed for me.  It wasn't that good at first, until I mastered all the slight penalty adjustments.  I didn't realize how many hands I was playing wrong. Anyway, enjoy your retirement and I hope you'll continue to hang around on the forum. 




Phil Thanks, Regardless of whether we are playing, or if we stay with DDB when we ever return to casino VP, I enjoy reading about VP, etc. so I'll stick around the forum. Beats the news.

[OTABILL]

[QUOTE=OTABILL]Earlier this year, we decided to stop playing VP for the time being. I doubt the casinos here in Arizona will miss our taking a sabbatical from VP play. They always appear busy even during the week. I attribute our lousy results to bad luck. Some folks seem to always get the good hands, a number of whom post here and others who have played be sides us at the casino. Even when we were doing better, premium hands, the kinds that are the difference between winning and losing, have been hard for both of us, particularly me to come by. In the 10 years I have been playing VP, I have never been dealt a royal, neither has my wife during that timeframe. Playing .25 cent DDB & occasionally TDB single line 99 % of the time, I have been dealt AWAK once. The lack of dealt premium hands has nothing to do with paytables, etc. Likewise, in numerous trips to Vega/s and Laughlin, during the last decade, neither of us have had a RF of any kind playing 0.25 cent single line (Only exception was a nickle dream card triple play we went to after being thoroughly disgusted only to get a RF on one line). In fact, I have only gotten a RF once when dealt 4 to a royal at a casino (excluding contests on this website). I don't keep statistics on how many hands we have played locally, in Nevada, or elsewhere. Suffice it to say, there were plenty of times we would go once a week locally and, at times, spend up to 10 hours each session.   In the past, we have had some good, even great sessions though never a positive year. Then again, our losses fell within our discretionary funds entertainment allowance and given the paucity of dealt hands amazingly within reason averaging out to the cost of going to concerts, plays, etc. That is why I have said we view VP as spending money on entertainment rather than losing money.

There are other forms of entertainment and when VP is no longer fun, it's time to move on. We may play decide to play VP briefly locally occasionally in the future perhaps as an adjunct to playing bingo or during trips to Vegas. But without any luck, regardless of strategy, paytables, etc. no use throwing money away. Luck is hard to come by. Some times its there most the time its not. Playing to get past the bad luck can make things in ones mind worst. Time off always works for my wife and I.Bill, you say you are in AZ? My wife is flying in to see her grand kids next week and will for sure hit the casinos there. She will be in the Pleasant valley area. Can you or someone reading this give me a few nice casino's for her to hit? She plays mostly slots but maybe 30% poker. Thank for all's help![/QUOTE]

Thanks Wildman. I am not sure exactly where in AZ is Pleasant Valley. There seem to be several Pleasant Valleys here. Glad to help if I can. You may want to post this in the favorite casino topic as there are a number of AZ players here, many of whom are more knowledgeable than I.

[OTABILL]

[QUOTE=OTABILL]Earlier this year, we decided to stop playing VP for the time being. I doubt the casinos here in Arizona will miss our taking a sabbatical from VP play. They always appear busy even during the week. I attribute our lousy results to bad luck. Some folks seem to always get the good hands, a number of whom post here and others who have played be sides us at the casino. Even when we were doing better, premium hands, the kinds that are the difference between winning and losing, have been hard for both of us, particularly me to come by. In the 10 years I have been playing VP, I have never been dealt a royal, neither has my wife during that timeframe. Playing .25 cent DDB & occasionally TDB single line 99 % of the time, I have been dealt AWAK once. The lack of dealt premium hands has nothing to do with paytables, etc. Likewise, in numerous trips to Vega/s and Laughlin, during the last decade, neither of us have had a RF of any kind playing 0.25 cent single line (Only exception was a nickle dream card triple play we went to after being thoroughly disgusted only to get a RF on one line). In fact, I have only gotten a RF once when dealt 4 to a royal at a casino (excluding contests on this website). I don't keep statistics on how many hands we have played locally, in Nevada, or elsewhere. Suffice it to say, there were plenty of times we would go once a week locally and, at times, spend up to 10 hours each session.   In the past, we have had some good, even great sessions though never a positive year. Then again, our losses fell within our discretionary funds entertainment allowance and given the paucity of dealt hands amazingly within reason averaging out to the cost of going to concerts, plays, etc. That is why I have said we view VP as spending money on entertainment rather than losing money.

There are other forms of entertainment and when VP is no longer fun, it's time to move on. We may play decide to play VP briefly locally occasionally in the future perhaps as an adjunct to playing bingo or during trips to Vegas. But without any luck, regardless of strategy, paytables, etc. no use throwing money away. Luck is hard to come by. Some times its there most the time its not. Playing to get past the bad luck can make things in ones mind worst. Time off always works for my wife and I.Bill, you say you are in AZ? My wife is flying in to see her grand kids next week and will for sure hit the casinos there. She will be in the Pleasant valley area. Can you or someone reading this give me a few nice casino's for her to hit? She plays mostly slots but maybe 30% poker. Thank for all's help![/QUOTE]

Thanks Wildman. I am not sure exactly where in AZ is Pleasant Valley. There seem to be several Pleasant Valleys here. Glad to help if I can. You may want to post this in the favorite casino topic as there are a number of AZ players here, many of whom are more knowledgeable than I.