The Meaning of Discipline

[Benford's Law]

Hi all,     Before I begin on this topic I wanted to encourage anyone who is not familiar with the engineering of video poker machines to visit my older thread on this strategy forum: "Timing and the RNG".      Today I wanted to ask about the essence of discipline.  Many times I will see people win a small amount at a video poker session (say, after hitting a few 4-of-a-kinds) and leave the casino, even though they could have played longer if they wanted to (I've certainly done this before).      Why is this?  If someone is feeling lucky and believes he/she will press the magic DEAL button at the right instant today, why discipline yourself to leave a small winner?  Does our ability to press the button at a good time deteriorate the more time we spend in a casino?       In other words, does being disciplined (ie. leaving a winner) imply that you no longer have the confidence to press the DEAL button at the right instant today after winning a few bucks?         (I am aware of possibly being tired/hungry/having other obligations...)~Benford's Law      

[pokeherguy]

Discipline.
 
I've heard that word mentioned a lot in my lifetime and I myself don't think it has a place in gambling. Discipline to me is something you might use with children. I think common sense is the most important tool that can be used while gambling. Nobody can predict what will happen next as far as gambling goes. Since this site is about VP which happens to be favorite. I'll keep my comments associated with that. We all know almost all VP games are run by RNG's which are totally random so the outcome of the next hand has nothing to do with previous hands. So why quit and run just because you get a little ahead if you are not ready to go. I play VP until I am ready to go or I have lost what I came prepared to lose. This is where common sense comes into play, never take what you can't afford to lose. Common sense also tells me just because I get ahead I should'nt go play the $25 VP machines but why quit if you are not ready. Another thing it tells me is there is no such thing as special plays only smart plays. Discipline is something you should have learned as as a child if you did'nt gambling is something you should avoid. I would put my common sense aproach up against discipline anyday. In the end I'll have a lot more fun, hit more jackpots and beat you in the end.  

[shadowman]

My personal approach is having a plan before I go to the casino. I think that is part of discipline, common sense, or whatever you want to call it. As mentioned previously, every hand is independent so a big win or a long losing streak means absolutely nothing to your next hand. Therefore, if I planned on a 3 hour visit, then that is what I do. If I plan on an overnight stay, then I keep playing whether I'm winning or losing. By having a plan I know exactly what to expect over time. I might win big one trip and lose big the next, but over time my results will approach the ER of the games I play. That is my only goal. That and, always do what is comfortable and enjoyable.

[MikeA]

The first time I went into a casino, I dropped $5 into a 3-reel slot machine and played that sucker until the $5 was gone.  It was about the most senseless thing I felt I had ever done.  But I liked the ambiance of the place (MGM Grand) and my wife loved it, so I had to come up with something to do while she was playing.  I spent the rest of that three days watching others at the tables and machines (and the swimming pool which I highly recommend as a passtime worthy of competition with either Blackjack or Video Poker!)Between trips, I did my research and saw that there were basically two games of skill in the casino (besides sports betting and live poker) that gave the player somewhat of an even break against the casino.  Of course, those two "games" were Blackjack and Video Poker.I chose Blackjack to start with.  I studied Basic Strategy, bought simulators, I even built my own Blackjack table and bought chips to practice with!  I got pretty good at it.It got to the point for me that enjoying my visits to casinos was very closely tied to the satisfaction I got from being able to employ the skills I'd worked so hard to master.  The same thing has happened with Video Poker though I haven't "built" a VP machine!  Sure practiced a lot though on simulators!With all that said, I establish time-constraints before I walk into the casino.  I have a fixed bankroll for each outing and it is adequate to serve me for the alloted time and denomination that I play.  When it's gone, it's gone.  I don't hit the ATM.  If I win, FANTASTIC.  If I lose, I've enjoyed the challenge and know that I have done everything in my power to enhance my chances of winning.  I have described my methods for stretching that bankroll in another topic, but suffice to say, that I do change locations quite often.  Especially in Las Vegas.  The changes give me time to enjoy the surroundings as well as the challenge of the game itself.  It also gives me a chance to blow the cobwebs out and take on another machine with a fresh attitude.  That attitude may not enhance my chances of winning, but it does enhance my chances of enjoying the endevor!

[Eduardo]

What if I say I want to win $200 for a day.  Then I go and win $500 on my first or second hand.Go home, or put $500 in my pocket and say "Okay, I think I will now try to win $200 today!"

[MikeA]

What if I say I want to win $200 for a day.  Then I go and win $500 on my first or second hand.Go home, or put $500 in my pocket and say "Okay, I think I will now try to win $200 today!"
Eduardo, in that scenario, you have failed in your "goal".  You must take that $500 to the cashier's booth and give it back to them and then start working on your original goal of winning just $200.  All seriousness aside, early in my sessions I live by a loss limit.  Later in the visit, I'm going more by a loss limit PLUS a win goal.  After all, my objective is entertainment and unless I have something else to occupy my time, I'll be working the machines.  In other words, I do not play "hit and run" VP. 

[rascal]

Mike is right. The answer is simple: Loss limit, not win limit. Only a crazy man would go with a win limit. Oh.....sorry.
 
But seriously, if you have a loss limit, and especially if this loss limit is enforced when you win big, then what's this big deal about leaving as fast as you can when you win? I don't get it. If I have a loss limit, then that limit remains in place regardless of whether I hit a $100 jackpot or a $5000 jackpot.
 
I read elsewhere on the Internet a column written by a guy who supposedly won big in Vegas and then jumped on his motorcycle and rode all night, speeding away from Sin City with his cash safely stashed in his pocket. Anyone who wins and then needs to race out of the casino and ride a motorcycle all night to get away from temptation probably needs more help (or more of a reality check) than he's going to find playing VP.

[MikeA]

Anyone who wins and then needs to race out of the casino and ride a motorcycle all night to get away from temptation probably needs more help (or more of a reality check) than he's going to find playing VP.I don't know Rascal, there's a lot to be said about riding all night on a motorcycle!  Of course, I agree that the motivation probably shouldn't be to run away from a casino though. I only wish that I could still make those all night rides!  There's something about hydrocodone and motorcycles that don't mix very well though.

[bigboy]

 
I read elsewhere on the Internet a column written by a guy who supposedly won big in Vegas and then jumped on his motorcycle and rode all night, speeding away from Sin City with his cash safely stashed in his pocket. Anyone who wins and then needs to race out of the casino and ride a motorcycle all night to get away from temptation probably needs more help (or more of a reality check) than he's going to find playing VP.
 
Just to echo what you're saying, why did'nt this individual just take a check for his winnings, and do what you do(endorse it immediately as deposit only)?

[Benford's Law]

Maybe this "mysterious man on the motorcycle" knew that his ability to press the DEAL/DRAW button at good times would deteriorate if he didn't flee Sin City as soon as possible?I do admit that when I've had a tough session at VP and I manage to win all of my losses back for the day with a decently lucky hand (regardless of the game's EV), I really do consider leaving the casino for a break because I know at least I had a bunch of free potshots at a royal, some free points, and the satisfaction of fighting a modestly successful short-term battle.Of course, the nature of this game dictates that you will lose more sessions than you win (unless using a progression).....and, that's the only thing I hate about this game......make the losing sessions stop, please!~Benford's Law