Hi Folks! (What To Do, What To Play)

[NorthOf49]

Just want to say hi to everyone on the forum and get some advice.

Alan: Great forum and nice job moderating it!
Dan D: Great info on TR program and how to get the most out of it!

I'm trying to decide which is the best video poker game to play and if it's really worth it for my budget. I've narrowed it down to: 8/5 JOB, 9/6/5 DB, 9/5 DDB, 7/5 White Hot Aces, and a 96.6% version of Pick'em Poker.

I realize that DDB has the highest return but it also has the highest variance and I'll probably end up burning through my bankroll quicker and not acquire as many comp points.

Of course, on the other hand, since JOB has the lowest variance, I'll probably play longer and acquire more comp points but won't win much money unless I'm lucky enough to hit a Royal.

So, I'm leaning more toward DB where I think the return/variance ratio might allow me the chance to win a bit of money (due to the higher 4OAK payouts) as well as build up some comp points.

What would you do? What would you play?

[Count Room]

NorthOf49:

Welcome to Alan's forum.

You're right that 9/6/5 Double Bonus would be a happy medium of variance between 9/5 DDB and 8/5 JoB. You'll also have to be mindful that Double Bonus games pay 25 credits for a max bet on a straight, which will emphasize drawing for a straight more often than you would in 9/5/4 DDB (note that the straight pays 20 in that game). You'll need to remember this to help buy you more time to play in between quads.

Those paytables are bad, though. I'd seriously consider playing low-variance JoB or Pick'Em a lot more if all of the available games are 96-97% return and building comp points are important to you. 7/5 Bonus Poker would also work.

If you can find 9/7/5 DB or 9/6/4 DDB, or even 8/5 TBP+ (all low 99% games), I would loosen up the variance cautions I mentioned above.

[Alan Mendelson]

Hi North thanks for joining. Where is the casino with these paytables? Do they have Bonus Poker?

[NorthOf49]

Hi Count Room:

Thanks for the advice. They do have $1, $2, FP Pick'em but at a reduced comp rate. It is only ever so slightly positive if you're a 7star and you play on a 15X RC day. I'm a Diamond so it's not positive for me. Plus I do find the game a bit boring and there is no possibility of being dealt out a Royal or 4OAK whereas with DB those possibilities exist and it's more challenging requiring you to think a bit more. Other than that, the next best paytables are $2, $5 8/6 JOB and 9/5 DDB.

Hi Alan:

The casino with these horrible paytables is Ceasar's Windsor. And since they're "the only game in town," so to speak, they know they can offer these bad returns without fear of competition. I think they do have BP but it's the version where you're paid even money for 2 pair.

[Dan Druff]

Can you tell me why you are playing?

Trying to earn 7 Stars?

Trying to earn comps?

Just for fun?

I was at Windsor in May and was surprised how bad those pay tables were.

Is MGM any better across the border?

Honestly those pay tables are bad enough to where it's not worth trying to earn comps or Seven Stars.

You will lose too much.

[NorthOf49]

Hi Dan:

I suppose when you get right down to it, the reason I'm playing (like most people...I think) is to win money. And I'm sorta looking at comps and 7stars as "icing on the cake." But you're right, it seems to be costing me too much for what I'm getting in return, so to speak. It is becoming an expensive form of entertainment so I guess I'm starting to contemplate whether I should just pack it in.

I'm not so sure MGM would be a better alternative even if they had better paytables. First, there would be the $10 charge to cross Ambassador bridge and my gas cost; then there is the $ exchange rate which is not so favorable for Canadians now; finally there is the inconvenience of the withholding tax If I should happen to win over a certain amount.

[Alan Mendelson]

Before you pack it in, why not learn another game? I think a good option for you is craps (if they have it) starting out with a bet on the pass line with a house edge of just 1.4% which beats those various video poker games.

Besides, your money will last longer at craps than at video poker because the rolls of the dice comes slower than pushing buttons on a machine.

And, at a craps table, you might find the social aspects of the game much more fun than the isolation of playing VP.

[Count Room]

NorthOf49:

Yes, I remember Dan talking about his trip to Casino Windsor last year and he also mentioned the full-pay Pick 'Em game.

If I was living in that area I would exclusively play the Pick 'Em game & completely forget the other games. The United States overall has mostly become a video poker wasteland compared to the 1990's-early 2000's. I would think it would be terrific if the casinos re-introduced full-pay PKM, but it's not gonna happen...

Nowadays, a 99.95% low-variance game is virtually a free gift to people who are lucky enough to live nearby, even with reduced comp points. I'm surprised you thought the game was boring, for I always thought it was pretty fun: Straights, flushes, full houses, and quads all have nice payouts.

I'd play that Pick 'Em while it's still available and enjoy my casino outings to socialize knowing that good game could be removed at the casino's discretion at anytime!

[NorthOf49]

NorthOf49:

Yes, I remember Dan talking about his trip to Casino Windsor last year and he also mentioned the full-pay Pick 'Em game.

If I was living in that area I would exclusively play the Pick 'Em game & completely forget the other games. The United States overall has mostly become a video poker wasteland compared to the 1990's-early 2000's. I would think it would be terrific if the casinos re-introduced full-pay PKM, but it's not gonna happen...

Nowadays, a 99.95% low-variance game is virtually a free gift to people who are lucky enough to live nearby, even with reduced comp points. I'm surprised you thought the game was boring, for I always thought it was pretty fun: Straights, flushes, full houses, and quads all have nice payouts.

I'd play that Pick 'Em while it's still available and enjoy my casino outings to socialize knowing that good game could be removed at the casino's discretion at anytime!

Then you would have loved Woodbine Race Track "Casino" in Toronto. It was (at one time 2001-2005) the Pick'em Poker capitol of the world. They had full pay Pick'em from $0.25 to $5 with a slot club cash back of .4%, and not just a few machines either--they had banks of them throughout the place. It was unbelievable, really! Then they eventually caught on and downgraded the paytables to the 96.6% version and cut the cash back in half for video poker.