Las Vegas - Video Poker Odds?

I am planning on going to Vegas later this summer and will most likely play $5 VP (Jacks of Better). I was wondering however which method of playing will I encounter the best odds.

$0.25 - Max Bet and Quad Play ($.25 * 5 * 4)
$1.00 - Max Bet ($1 * 5)
$5.00 - Singe chip bet ($5 * 1)

Thanks.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bLuJaay:

$0.25 - Max Bet and Quad Play ($.25 * 5 * 4)
$1.00 - Max Bet ($1 * 5)
$5.00 - Singe chip bet ($5 * 1)
</font>

First, I assume you are playing 9/6 Jacks or Better ... 9/6 Jacks or Better with max coin and assuming 4000 coins for the Royal has a payout of 99.54% (According to Bob Dancer's WinPoker software)

In the last option, I assume you are playing at a $5 machine, and putting in one coin, instead of 5 (for a total of $25). Since you don't get a chance at the bonus for the royal, I would not play this method. Without having a shot at the royal bonus, WinPoker calculates the 1 coin payout at 98.37%

Since you are doing max coins for both the first and second options, and assuming the same 4000 coin payout for the royal, the payout percentage should be the same.

I'll admit that I'm not a seasoned casino video poker player, but I'd think that you might find higher bonus opportunities on the $1 machine than on the $0.25 quad play, but I could very well be wrong. Personally, I've always enjoyed multi-play more, so I'd go with the first option.

You now start getting into the availability of the games, and once again, I assume that the $1 9/6 Jacks or Better would be harder to find. (Although the May Casino Player does give props to Caesars for having a good selection of $1 9/6 Jacks or Better)


[This message has been edited by UA835 (edited 04-28-2003).]

[This message has been edited by UA835 (edited 04-28-2003).]

Don't forget that any winnings above $1200 are reported to the IRS. That makes any Royal Flush on a $1 machine taxable. Depending on your bracket and documented gambling losses, this can greatly reduce your return.

On a multi-play machine, you'd only trigger the taxes if you hit more than one royal on the same hand. It's still more of a return reduction than I'm willing to take (I play $0.25 single play or $0.05 multiplay), but YMMV.

Actually, the IRS considers ALL winnings taxable. The resorts are not required to report anything over $1,200 thought. Therefore, what they don't know won't hurt them, right?

If you plan on deducting losses from winnings, the IRS will require that you keep a diary of your activity. This diary must include the resort you were playing at, the number of the machine you were playing, the start and finish time on that machine, the amount of dollars wagered and the amount of dollars won/lost. It's not enough to ask the resort to print out a won/lost statement for you at the end of the year. According to the IRS, anyone could have used your players card to generate that activity. How they know you filled out that diary 100% truthfully I don't know.

Thanks UA835 for the informative answer.

A question that may seem quite basic, but what is the easiest way to tell a 9/6 VP machine from the rest. Would the followoing payout for max play represent a 9/6 payout schedule. (RF = 4000, SF = 250 4of = 125, FH = 45, FL = 30, ST = 20, 3of = 15, TP = 10, JB = 5)

Also what casino's are known to have 9/6 $5 VP slots?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bLuJaay:
I am planning on going to Vegas later this summer and will most likely play $5 VP (Jacks of Better). I was wondering however which method of playing will I encounter the best odds.

$0.25 - Max Bet and Quad Play ($.25 * 5 * 4)
$1.00 - Max Bet ($1 * 5)
$5.00 - Singe chip bet ($5 * 1)

Thanks.</font>

Yahoo has several forums where you can get all the extra info that you may want. I like this one, which is specific to Computer WinPoker, but the people there have loads of knowledge.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/winpoker/

For what machines where, try this site: (click on Vegas)
http://www.lvcm.com/tomesims/VP/CD/index.html

and for favorites:
http://www.lvcm.com/tomesims/VP/CD/Fav.html

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Have a nice day flying United!
ChgoBob

Bob Dancer's WinPoker software is an excellent investment (about $30). Regular training on the software will eliminate errors when you get to a high payout machine.

BTW, a friend introduced me to Bob Dancer a couple of years ago. A very nice, down to earth, gentleman.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Craig6z:
Bob Dancer's WinPoker software is an excellent investment (about $30). Regular training on the software will eliminate errors when you get to a high payout machine.

BTW, a friend introduced me to Bob Dancer a couple of years ago. A very nice, down to earth, gentleman.
</font>

WinPoker Home Page
http://www.zamzone.com/BDPW60.asp

(Lots of really annoying pop-up ads - sorry)



------------------
Michael Steinberg
Editor
BizTrip
www.biztrip.com (http://www.biztrip.com)
A site for travelers by a traveler with 20+ years experience
Please visit my site and let me know what you think.

Actually I downloaded Bob Dancer's WinPoker a couple years ago and it has been a wise investment. Very helpful and very good at eliminating errors. Thanks for the responses.

Best place to play 9/6 will be the Las Vegas Hilton. They offer the best cashback in Vegas : 0.55% (most strip properties only offer 0.33%).

If you give them 2 hours of $1 9/6 (playing 5 coins), they will comp your room. Play about 4 hours at this level per day and they will comp your room and food (non gourmet). A host will comp this for you. Yes, even at this level, a host will be happy to take care of you. You don't have to be a whale.

Email Sonia Gonzalez - GonzalezS@lvhilton.com

The LVHilton also mails out some excellent casino marketing offers.

If you need any info on any other properties and their comp requirements, feel free to drop me an email.

hockeystl

So I play $900 and get a free room at the Hilton? $1800 and they toss in the coffee shop dinner?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by hedoman:
So I play $900 and get a free room at the Hilton? $1800 and they toss in the coffee shop dinner?</font>

You're probably putting more than $900 through to get that free room. Looks like you're assuming only 90 hands/hour, which I think is relatively low for most players. Even at a slow rate of 1 hand every 20 seconds (i.e. 3hands/min or 180hands/hour) in 2 hrs, you'd be putting $1800 of action at risk on the machine for the room comp.

I think a room comp for this much action seems generous, especially when you consider in 9/6 Jacks or Better, the house has less than a 0.5% built-in advantage with perfect play. I.e. the house is only counting on getting $9 out of that $1800, and then they're giving you a room ... pretty generous if you ask me!

"... pretty generous if you ask me! "

Well, that's why I suggested the LVHilton.

Average players can play about 400 hands of VP per hour. Playing full coin on a $1 machine, that is $2000 per hour through the machine.

Still doubt this? Read below (keep in mind May 9th is a Friday night, so play requirements are the same as weeknights).....

hockeystl

"Hello Mr. xxxxxx,
I hope I live up to the compliments of your friend. In answering your questions, I would be happy to offer you a casino rate of $40
for the night of May 9th. You didn't specify whether or not you needed more than just one night.

However, will one king bed no smoking be fine, let me know your preferrence. I will need a credit card number to book your room, if you decide to take it.

You mentioned your play, we require just about 2-4000 coin in per day to receive a comp room and 5-7000 coin in per day for casual dining plus your room (and free Star Trek tickets).

: )

I will wait to hear back from you.

Sincerely,
S. Gonzalez

Sonia Gonzalez
Casino Host
702-732-5488
Fax 702-732-5499


[This message has been edited by hockeystl (edited 04-30-2003).]

[This message has been edited by hockeystl (edited 04-30-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by hockeystl:

Still doubt this? Read below (keep in mind May 9th is a Friday night, so play requirements are the same as weeknights)..

</font>

hockeystl, I didn't doubt it one bit! Just surprised (and happy) to see this kind of reward for this level of action at a game with such a low house edge. Especially when you consider that the Mirage wants $50/hand * 4hrs/day from their table players (higher house advantage) for just the Casino rate!

At 60 hands an hour, that's $12,000 worth of action per day just for a reduced room rate!




[This message has been edited by UA835 (edited 04-30-2003).]

"hockeystl, I didn't doubt it one bit! Just surprised (and happy) to see this kind of reward for this level of action at a game with such a low house edge."

My reaction was similar to yours when I first heard about the LVH being so generous with their comps. Their requirements are almost as low as downtown casinos - albeit in a MUCH nicer atmosphere.

You are correct in what it takes on the Strip for a room comp. Generally 10K minimum for a room comp in VP action is needed.

The reason the LVH is so generous with comps is because when there is no convention next door, they always have a LOT of rooms to fill.

hockeystl

Any idea if LVH is as generous with comping their table players? At $10/hand and 60 hands/hr, a low-roller table player would put $2400 into action against a house edge that is at least double the 9/6 Jacks or Better 0.5%.

I wonder if this would qualify for the room comp?

Sorry UA, can't help you w/ table comp requirements at LVH.

Would suggest emailing Sonia.

Also, beware the 6/5 ripoff blackjack that has found it's way into many LV properties. This game was started by Park Place (which LVH is one of). The house edge on 6/5 is 800% more than true single deck BJ.

House edge on LVH 6 deck game is about .6%-.7%, assuming you play perfect basic strategy.

hockeystl