I rarely play the video poker machines at the casinos.  Most of the time I play these sitting at the bar after I am done really gambling.  It is a cheap way to get free drinks and not loose much, I guess that is why I don’t play them too much, they are a good way to buy time but not really get ahead or behind too much.

I’ve played them at the casino and some have a pretty generous payout if you play the maximum number of coins for that machine. I think it’s all in good fun and I usually get some comps on my card for playing. Which means free dinner for me and my friends.

I love the video poker machines, it seems that they are getting harder to find in some casinos though.  I wonder if this is due to lack of interest by players or what?

blackjack - 25 January 2009 10:59 AM

I love the video poker machines, it seems that they are getting harder to find in some casinos though.  I wonder if this is due to lack of interest by players or what?

I guess video poker does not seem to have the charm it used to have a few years ago. Pretty sad, because I find these machines very fun!

i think this has something to do with the texas holdem poker game becomes popular.
There is also clear reason why the game is easier to profit than video poker:
http://texasholdem.expectable.net/why-texas-holdem-is-better-than-video-poker

The risk return ratio is also a lot lower. Now you can play a holdem tournament for as low as $1!

I am a fan of video poker machines but I rarely see one in Vegas. I miss the fun of video poker.

Problem isnt the lack of VP players. It’s the casinos offerring fewer (or none) of the full pay maqchines! A knowledgeable player using perfect strategy can expect a return of about 101.5% (98-99% using basic strategy) on a 9/6 JOB machine. But that return drops to about 97-98%  when the payout is reduced to8/5.This is a huge advantage to the casino! The latest I heard is that it’s nearly impossible to find full pay machines on the strip for less than $1. You have to go downtown to find full pay quarter machines. I know that here in Michigan there’s an abundance of full pay machines at all denominations. Looks like they are atleast trying to cater to us lower rollers as well as the big gamers. I don’t understand why Vegas isn’t doing more to lure people out there during these hard times. You would think that they would loosen up on the slots, get rid of that garbage 6/5 (or worse, even money) BJ so at least people will feel they have a chance to win a few bucks! Not to mention the outrageous price of airfare! Until they wise up, looks like I will be spending my gambling $$ right here in Michigan!

Maybe my question is stupid but after playing a lot of video poker, I was thinking about trying some tables against opponents face to face. Could anyone share some literature on how to improve your game? Tried it with some online poker tips but that didn’t tell me that much new. Thanks a lot in advance for the information.

I think it’s all in good fun and I usually get some comps on my card for playing. Which means free dinner for me and my friends.