Money Management Question?

[FloridaPhil]

I am a recreational player and have been trying to improve my money management skills. These days, I play mostly JB.  My session bankroll is set to $300.  I walk at 2 hours unless I'm on a roll.  I usually start by playing .50 then move up or down in denomination depending upon what's going on.  If things are going bad, I switch to .25 until they improve.  Except for Royals (three last year) I seem to have my best days when I can play at the $1 level (obviously).  My problem is dropping down in denomination.  I have a tendency to stay at the higher denominations too long and bust before I can recover.   Can you give me some help with my stragegy?  How up should I be before moving up in denomination?  How low should I go before moving down. Thanks!

[shadowman]

Mathematically, there is no possible strategy that would improve your results. Every hand is independent ... which means that you could see the hands come in any order. Therefore, what might appear to be a good strategy for one set of hands will necessarily be a bad strategy for some other ordering of the hands.

Now, if you're looking for what type of betting strategy will extend your session the longest that is simple. Bet the lowest amount every time. Anytime you raise the bet you will be mathematically reducing the average session length given a fixed initial bankroll.
 
The reason for this is that Jacks or Better is a negative game. If you are playing 9/6 JoB then you will lose at least .46% of your bet every hand on average. The bigger your bet the faster you lose. Naturally, you will see all kinds of variations in the real, random world.
 
I understand that you are looking for some way to play at higher denominations which, understandably, could generate a big win. Since there is no mathematical approach, you can fall back on a psychological one. Pick any two values that you feel comfortable with and when your bankroll is above the high level play $1. When it is below the low value play .25 and play .50 inbetween.  

[shadowman]

Here's another strategy you might employ. When you reach a certain bankroll level (say +$100 or more) instead of playing down to a fixed value, play a certain fixed amount, say $50 at the $1 level. That gives you a chance to succeed with out investing a huge amount and always taking you down to the fixed value. For example, if you were at $390 and hit a SF for $125 you would be at $515, instead of playing down to $400 (or $300), just play $50. That would take you to $465. In order to move up again you'd need to reach +$100 over this level.
 
You could utilize the same approach if you lose (-$100). Drop down to .25 and only play a set amount if you go back over $200.   

[Vol]

I just spent two days at PH in Vegas.  Most single hand machines were multi-denomination. They were 6-5 for $0.25 and 8-5 for $0.50 and $1.00 for JoB and DDB.  I don't know how common this is but it certainly adds a further complication. 

[BillyJoe]

Here's another strategy you might employ. When you reach a certain bankroll level (say +$100 or more) instead of playing down to a fixed value, play a certain fixed amount, say $50 at the $1 level. That gives you a chance to succeed with out investing a huge amount and always taking you down to the fixed value. For example, if you were at $390 and hit a SF for $125 you would be at $515, instead of playing down to $400 (or $300), just play $50. That would take you to $465. In order to move up again you'd need to reach +$100 over this level.
 
You could utilize the same approach if you lose (-$100). Drop down to .25 and only play a set amount if you go back over $200.   
Shadowman - I like this approach. It makes more sense than cashing out and moving machines. Going to Vegas this weekend, and I'm going to try it out..

[FloridaPhil]

Thanks for the advise.  I've been thinking about using a drop back strategy to protect my winnings somewhere along the line. I realize that nothing works all of the time, but I'm trying to work through this. The hardest thing for me to do is to walk away even or with a small win.  I'm sure this is the way the casio makes most of their money. 

[b74]

I too have had recent problems taking a small win. I had to switch to playing nickels due to a job loss. The problem is that I have all this extra time to play but have to keep an eye on the bank account. I used to win alot more but its because I would leave no matter how long that I was at the casino. Say I hit quad2's ($.25)on my first $20 out of a 120$ bankroll, Id be out the door. I was actually happier and winning more. Its all ones perception. Then I went through this cycle of chasing the royal. Thats where I made my mistake. Now playing nickels, I can take $60 and usually play 3-4 hours depending on the cycle. Most days playing smaller denom's, you wont win as much but remember, youre not risking much either. Last 2 times Ive lucked out and hit royals(one each time) on UltimateX x4 for $160 royals. This is good for me and my bankroll. Im trying to get back to my comfort level within my bankroll. My problem is that I frequent the casino 3 times a week so I had to lower my denom to compensate. It is very important to stay within your bankroll. Like Shadow said, you can play more on lower denom's= great advice. GL to you.

[FloridaPhil]

If I was smart (??), I would play at .25 forever and be done with it. I'm sure I would make out better in the long run.  It's just hard for me to see 4 of a kind come for $31.25 when it would be $125 at $1s.

[spxChrome]

It's just hard for me to see 4 of a kind come for $31.25 when it would be $125 at $1s.
 
It still boggles my mind, I will never understand JOB.  I mean you think $125 is bad?? For 4ofK  and if they are special Aces on TDB you could have banked $4,000. OR if they are Special 2,3 or 4 you would have $2,000. 
 
In my mind its impossible to have that many extra 5 credits for the Two Pair - the 40 for FH and 30 for F.  I don't care what the math says
 

[BillyJoe]

[QUOTE=FloridaPhil]
It's just hard for me to see 4 of a kind come for $31.25 when it would be $125 at $1s.
 
It still boggles my mind, I will never understand JOB.  I mean you think $125 is bad?? For 4ofK  and if they are special Aces on TDB you could have banked $4,000. OR if they are Special 2,3 or 4 you would have $2,000. 
 
In my mind its impossible to have that many extra 5 credits for the Two Pair - the 40 for FH and 30 for F.  I don't care what the math says
 [/QUOTE]
I'm with you, SPX.. I'm a TDB man. Most times, they are 9/5 or 9/6 anyway. Yeh, you only get 2 on trips rather than 3, but unless your making a living at this, I'll take the bigger payoffs instead on Aces or TTF with kickers.