A big thanks to Phil

[stevel96a1]

that Man has told me more about video poker than any book could, i don't live in 1994 nor in vegas so million dollar VP is not on table atm, but when i read Phils post , his ideas his stories his experience i know its true, id trust his word over any other on this forum or book that was created just to yank coins out of my pocket without any realism or proof as Phil is real and does combat 99% Vp games (maybe too much ) on a daily basis, His belief and philosophy on bringing 25% of a royal and a 20$ Potshot opens my mind to new ideas and his strategy on cashing out white tickets when doubled is very creative (would save me money if i can follow his plan)

i enjoy his reads, keep em comin Phil

[FloridaPhil]

A person's overall video poker experience is relative. I have never experienced a video poker world as described in the strategy books or on the Strategy Forum. It's like they are playing on another planet. My world is a world where casinos consistently drop the odds and the comps. There is only one casino within 200 miles of me, so I can take it or stay home. To survive, I had to make up my own strategy.

The vast majority of video poker players in the US are dealing with that exact same casino environment. I post my thoughts and observations on this forum so those players won't have to learn by making the costly mistakes I did. It is totally possible to enjoy 97% video poker as cheap entertainment, but you can't use the same methodology a professional uses to profit by playing a 101% game. The experts tell you not to play 97% games. I am telling you how I play them as cheap as possible.

When I came to this forum nine years ago, it had zero tolerance for anyone who didn't play video poker like a professional. Whenever someone questioned the strategy, claims or motives, forum members replied with insensitive remarks. If that didn't run off the offender, they fired back with outright insults. Thankfully, much of this activity has calmed done over the years. Unfortunately, a few diehards continue this tactic to this day.

It should be the right of everyone on this forum to express their views without being trolled. Disagreement is a good thing. I am not always right. I have learned much from these disagreements. There is a difference between intelligent disagreement and being constantly under siege. New members see this tactic and are afraid to post. This has the effect of running off anyone with a different way of approaching the game.

We can all get along if forum members and experts would acknowledge what may be right for a professional may not be right for everyone. Don't hold your breath waiting for that revelation.

[Webman]

On the other hand, you basically troll the strategy forum and experts non-stop with posts like this one. Please tell me how many of the 20 most recent topics in the strategy forum actually fit with what you just described.

If you would just post your own experiences without all the non-stop commentary about “experts” and advantage players, the forum would be a happier place. It is generally your commentary on these matters that draws a negative response, not your choice to play negative games.

[FAA]

Bringing 25% of a RF and a $20 Potshot opens my mind to new ideas and his strategy on cashing out white tickets when doubled is very creative (would save me money if i can follow his plan).
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Absolutely. I brought 25% RF, including FP gifts yesterday and started on quarter. Quad; walked from Bally's to Ocean for $40 FP. Let's not forget that Mini Chopper that almost cost me $100. Dollar duds all. But, they do want to see some play. I hit an early min $25 dealt quad and figured that I could stick around for another. It took a half hour, which was all I could do given my draining BR. Luckily it was $125 max and I left +$85. Biggest imperative is to stick to quarter and be okay with $250 BR. Ocean gives you no choice but dollar. I wanted BP, but it was 7/5 so I passed despite bonus quad trip prior.

[Jstark]

All of that advice and a quarter will eventually leave you broke. Dont quit whatever the day job is.

[FloridaPhil]

All of that advice and a quarter will eventually leave you broke. Dont quit whatever the day job is.

No one that I know of is playing video poker as a substitute for an actual job. Video poker is entertainment. A few people are attempting to turn it into something else. They do this to sell products and fill casinos with hopeful losers. That's their job.

I could care less if someone wants to spend their life sitting in a casino waiting for a royal flush. As long as they don't promote it for others, it's none of my business. Playing video poker purely for the enjoyment of the game is totally different than playing it for profit. That is the only point I am trying to make.

[onemoretry]

Playing video poker purely for the enjoyment of the game is totally different than playing it for profit.

To me, this statement is flat out wrong. Keeping the cost of enjoyment as low as possible is what most of us are trying to do. Don't we do that by playing as closely as possible to how someone playing for profit would?

[FloridaPhil]

To me, this statement is flat out wrong. Keeping the cost of enjoyment as low as possible is what most of us are trying to do. Don't we do that by playing as closely as possible to how someone playing for profit would?

Here's the difference. When you play for profit you limit your play to only those games where you have an advantage. When you play for profit you play as big as the game and your bankroll will allow because you have an advantage on the casino. There are very few advantage opportunities left today. This leads many players to play like they have an advantage when they don't. This benefits casinos.

When you realize the negative game you are playing is costing you money, you can adjust your play to fit the amount you are willing to pay to play.

[Gronbog]

It's not what Phil is preaching that is the problem. Limiting coin in by any means possible is exactly what recreational players should be doing.

The problem is the repetition of the same ideas over and over and over and ...

[FloridaPhil]

The problem is the repetition of the same ideas over and over and over and ...

There are ways to halt the repetition. I can be banned or my posts shut down. I can run out of things to say or die at my computer. Or, we can admit that video poker is entertainment and entertainment is where you find it.

In my opinion, professional video poker is a perversion of the game. Most of those players are long gone. The ones that remain should admit the sun is setting on positive opportunities. This leaves us with casinos full of negative games. What will we talk about then? The same things I am talking about now.