Video Poker Forum

I had three VP goals for 2017.

First, I wanted to keep better records. It is all to easy to say "around even" or "I think I won" - when in reality, losing is more likely. The plan was to track coin-in, quads, free play and results.

Second, was to avoid going on tilt. Discipline was never my strong suit in a casino.

And third, which is related to the second, was to avoid using casino ATMs and cash advances. What good is playing 99+% games when you are giving 4% to get access to your cash?

I did well with goal #1, not so much with #2 and #3. Keeping track of coin-in and quads became too tedious; so I gave that up pretty quickly. I did keep track of results to the penny.

I started the year with $7000 of descretionary money. This was money not needed for living expenses. But, since we are building a new home, no new funds would be added to the $7000.

Although I am strictly a recreational player, nearly every casino visit was during a promo drawing, gift giveaway, or a day with good free-play. Many times, I would drop in, play my FP and leave. Most visits were one hour or less. I like high variance games for dollars, and short visits are enough time to win big or loose big. The bulk of my play was on the 5 Star machines (single hand versions of Dream Card and Quick Quads), the rest was on Game King or 5-meter progressives. I know my games at least at the "strategy card" level.

*** off to a good start ***

The new year started slow with losses of $500 and $480.

Then I got pretty hot. Towards the end of another poor session, the first handpay of the year hit - quads w/k on TDB DC. For a $1076.50 session win after tax and tip.



My next visit was one of the year's best. I was right around even playing QQ when 4 aces were dealt. Held my breath, hit draw and nailed the kicker for handpay #2. While waiting to be paid, was dealt 3,3,3,A. Hoping for a deuce on the draw to fill out a QQ, the machine did me one better and gave me the 3 for a $1000 winner. Session ended +$3054 after tax and tip.






The next few sessions were losers of $364 and $475. These were followed with a win of $501.

Then, I had an absolutely awful session that was bailed out with AWAK dealt on DC. This was the first time I really went on tilt. Despite the handpay, I lost $48 after tax and tip for the day. I was so disgusted I didn't take a picture of handpay #3.

Several FP hit and runs yielded $3,$7 and $8.

January ended with a sporty profit of $2782.94.

Damn,why didn't my pics post?

   PPP all people need to do is drag and highlight the link then right click and then click on "go to" whatever link they highlighted. Nice hits.

Perfect philosophy. An hour of VP is plenty. If you haven't already lost, quit while you're ahead. The variance will catch up to you. And you're more likely to go on tilt. Another bitter trip home, anyone? I'm checking out of that scene after an hour. Not worth the risk.

Put the [IMGx][/IMGx] without the x around the urls. Otherwise I enjoyed the summary

Alpax, can you dumb that down a notch or two? I was used to Photobucket, until they started charging, or boards that allow you to post directly from my phone gallery.

Or you can just stop being stubborn and try it my way. For example: in your last picture you had earned 311 points and you were 4 clicks from earning your next point. Is that proof that I looked at your pictures?

Just highlight the picture link then right click and where is says: go to whatever link, click on that and the picture comes up.

February started with an unexpected "we missed you" mailer from the local Horseshoe for $400 split over 5 days.

All the local casinos are near work, so it is no issue to drop in and spin it off. Between Horseshoe and the other 2 boats I made 13 FP runs netting $504. I played twice with results of +$153 and a rotten day on the 5star of -$1302.

Late in the month it was time for my annual Vegas getaway with my Dad and best friend. The room was comped through local preferred status providing 3 nights and $250 FP.

We had a swell time, but the gambling was mediocre with a $2200 loss - playing the Strip's better VP offerings.

With the local results, FP runs and Vegas the month 's tally was -$2845.16 for a year to date total of -$62.22. Not too shabby.

*** all the way down ***

In Vegas we stumbled across the full-pay TDB (9-7) at the Cromwell. Despite botching the strategy, results weren't too bad. Knowing the game was available locally, I used the VPW and learned the strategy to the "strategy" level.

After a TDB winner of $177, things went straight down with losses of $400,$400,$1800,$200,$200,$800,$800,$2000,$789,$350 and $677, mostly on .50 and $1 TDB with some 5 star and progressives. The loosing was interrupted with 2 winners of $104 and $705. All from March to June.

The premium quads with kickers just never came at anything besides quarters. Now at -$7493.06 down, I was busted.

*** free play saves the day***

Several months of heavy losses caused my mailers to explode. Virtually every day for the next 2 months I had $30-$45 of FP. Sometimes 2 days FP could be used on one visit. And use it I did - clawing back $2158. Notable hits were AWAK on a quarter progressive and 4s with kicker on a $1 DDB progressive. Now I could play a little.