I call it 1-2-3 DDB

[alpax]

The California Lottery is highly successful since they do pari-mutual for their Powerball and Mega Millions drawing games. They know exactly how much they will get income wise and how much they need to disperse at maximum (if prizes go unclaimed, they get even more).

It is the state's lottery worst nightmare if a drawing result ends up 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 if they do not do pari-mutual.

DFS knows they will get 10% for most events they create that gets filled up by participants.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=alpax]The one part I would give FP credit is that he really likes Video Poker for what it is after years of playing, that is about it.[/quote]Well at least that's something.  The difference is I play VP for fun not profit.  The real reason players quit VP is they listen to the marketing that tells them how to beat VP and listen to people who claim to make a great living strictly on the game.  They think, I can do this! They buy a bunch of books and software, practice until their fingers are red and run down to the casino where they promptly lose their money.  This continues for years until they either quit or learn to accept the game as entertainment that comes with a cost.  In my opinion telling people that just anyone can beat this game is ridiculous and dishonest.  If others want to further this myth fine with me.  I want no part of it.

[onemoretry]

Hmmm. If "less inert", the implication is they were more controlled by the house. Who among us doesn't assume -- especially in cold spells -- that the machines have been "adjusted" from their -- shall we say -- normal inertness. Less inert = more controlled by the house. Defies logic, but we do wonder, don't we? We are obviously looking at this quite differently. To me, an "inert" machine would be lifeless, and dead, i. e., nothing in terms of good hand results would be happening. And, "less inert " would therefore signify the appearance of better results.

As for "who among us doesn't assume....", count me as one. The notion that casino management can arbitrarily adjust the output of video poker machines is, in my opinion, pure fantasy.

[FAA]

I still jump around when I do play but I never play $2.  I
stick to $1 denom and if I'm lucky enough to find a good hit I quit
playing because there won't be another at the same casino, so I casino
hop now.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Excellent strategy. So damn tired of plopping down at an inert machine and losing over $100 on it. What is the point?!

[billryan]

[quote=alpax]The one part I would give FP credit is that he really likes Video Poker for what it is after years of playing, that is about it.Well at least that's something.  The difference is I play VP for fun not profit.  The real reason players quit VP is they listen to the marketing that tells them how to beat VP and listen to people who claim to make a great living strictly on the game.  They think, I can do this! They buy a bunch of books and software, practice until their fingers are red and run down to the casino where they promptly lose their money.  This continues for years until they either quit or learn to accept the game as entertainment that comes with a cost.  In my opinion telling people that just anyone can beat this game is ridiculous and dishonest.  If others want to further this myth fine with me.  I want no part of it. <span style="font-size:10px"></span>


[/QUOTE]
Just what marketing are you talking about?
0n any given day, there are tens of thousands of people playing VP? What marketing drove them to it?
In Vegas, I see billboards for 3-2 BJ, multi times odd on craps, buffets, free play and medical marijuana but have never seen one claiming the road to riches is through video poker?
Phil likes to tilt against non-existent windmills and slay mythical dragons.

[alpax]

It is another indirect reference to Mr. Dancer and again assuming many people share the same beliefs as FP. Most people I assume quit because of addiction.

I do not ever think Mr. Dancer ever said you will be rich implicitly or explicitly. However he did say it is possible to enjoy cheaper vacations from mastering video poker.

The only marketing for Video Poker I see is

The Southpoint advertises they have more than 10,000 games returning more than 99% on Gambling With An Edge.

The Stations casinos advertise on their website that they have the best Video Poker in Vegas.

Most of the recent Action Gaming releases have the VideoPoker.com logo on the back of the cards and the top glass cover so that people can find this site.

Nothing what FP mentioned.

[Zid]

So...do I understand correctly: You play for fun, and so like to choose your hand strategy for the fun of it all? i.e. No need to learn in, say, DDB that discarding a double pair for just two aces is not particularly critical to your good time? Honest question.

[Zid]

One more try: I don't think it's far fetched to assume that management can "adjust" machines -- especially if a machine is paying more than management wishes to sacrifice. At least that is a suspicion -- and a possibly valid one. Management, of course, ain't sayin'.

As for "inert", my chemical engineer relative was using the word in the sense of a machine that is sitting there with no particular direction or influence. "Inert", if you will, but ready, at the same time -- by the law of random number generation -- to "hit" a patch of win or loss. Find the machine in that win mode, and ride it 'til it turns -- leaving the loss patch to the next player who assumes absolute randomness.

[billryan]

So you believe casino managers would risk losing their billion dollar licenses because their machines pay out an extra payout or three.
Then you believe the manufacturer built in a secret backdoor method for said managers to secretly deploy?
Of course, that means the folks from each and every state run gaming board are in this,as well.
Five men can keep a secret, when four of them are dead.

[onemoretry]

Then you believe the manufacturer built in a secret backdoor method for said managers to secretly deploy?.Thank you for saving me the effort of stating that.