I’m getting some flak from a few readers who think I have deserted the low roller since we now play at a higher level than quarters. And some others complain that I am “too unrealistic” about playing skillful video poker. (Remember to keep your comments civil even when you disagree with me. I won’t “Approve” a comment that uses vulgar language or rants and raves endlessly on the same topic!)
Here are some of my random thoughts about each of these complaints, most of them just repetitions of things I have said….many times over and over…in the past. First, “frugal” does not mean cheap and does not describe just low-level gambling. “Frugal” means getting good value for your money anywhere and at any level of gambling play.
The advice in my writings is primarily basic concepts, ideas that can be used to save you money no matter what game you play and whatever denomination you choose. It can be helpful whether you are a local gambler who plays every day or a once-in-awhile gambler who visits a far-away casino destination. For example, if I say that the Gold Coast in Las Vegas is having 7x points on Sundays in September, that information can be used by locals and out-of-towners. It is just as valuable to a quarter player as it is to one who plays at a much higher denomination. (I see all of these categories every Sunday!)
I have emphasized over and over during the last few years that playing advantage video poker definitely is getting harder. But the fact is that trying to make a profit gambling has NEVER been easy. Too many players want all the information handed to them on a silver platter. They don’t realize that it takes constant hard work for every gambler.
Many many players are still finding financial success in playing video poker, not just we who write about it. Here are some of the ways that will help you make a profit, whether you are a quarter player or a high-roller.
- You choose plays that are ALWAYS over 100%, adding the machine EV plus the extra benefits. Playing at less than 100% will ALWAYS see that you lose in the long term. YOU CAN’T BEAT THE MATH.
- Constant scouting, both in the casinos and on the Internet. VpFREE2 is your best friend. Don’t complain about the lack of good games unless you check there frequently.
- You chase promotions and extra benefits with a vengeance because there aren’t as many high EV games as there used to be. You need to find added benefits.
- You are learning to play new games so you have a bigger choice of plays with higher EV’s.
- You are becoming more flexible. I never hear the most successful players say, “I wouldn’t play there because of the low-class clientele.” Or, “I prefer to play at a casino closer to my house even though there are better plays further away.”
- You will play a “boring” game with a higher EV (think 9/6 JoB) rather than a more-fun game (think 8/5 Bonus Poker) that puts the play under 100%.
- If you want to go up in denomination, you will wait until you have increased your bankroll. This is an important one. Too many players – even skilled ones – are tapping out because they aren’t adjusting their bankroll. You can’t depend on the same bankroll size that you had when you were playing at a 1% advantage now that you are averaging only a .5% edge. You need to either drop down in denomination or bulk up your bankroll. TOO MANY PLAYERS ARE PLAYING ABOVE THEIR BANKROLL – a recipe for disaster. And if you haven’t figured the ROR (risk of ruin) of your play, you might be surprised how much danger you are in. Doing plays with only a .1 or .2% edge – it is unbelievable how big a bankroll you need, even on the quarter level.
I’m sure I could add more bullets to that list – and I know there are those who will give more ideas in the “Comments,” but this gives you an idea of how much self-discipline and hard work it takes to be a successful advantage video poker play. Now, I realize not everyone has that goal. Maybe you don’t want to be this strict on yourself or you don’t have the time to put in the necessary study and research. Perhaps you are just a recreational player but you want to make your small bankroll last longer so your fun will last longer. Then look at that list and see if you can pick out some of the ideas you can use. The more that you can put into action the less you will lose in the long run.
Dear Jean, Regarding EV and extra benefits, I just noticed online today that The Venetian/Palazzo players club has again changed their method of awarding players points. Points are now based on a percentage of Theoretical Win.
At Grazie Level: 6% of the Theoretical Win is available in slot credits; 10 points are awarded per Dollar of Theoretical Win for play on qualifying video poker, reel, video reel, keno and table-based games. (That sound you hear is my head spinning as I dust off my calculator).
What is your take on this? If casinos with positive EV video poker adopt this method, is there any advantage for the video poker player here since we could possibly figure the theoretical win on the games we play?
To Wayne,
Your living my dream life. I’m ready to ditch the house and live in a RV and travel from casino to casino. My daughter is all for it, but the wife isn’t quite on board. Have fun, I’m jealous!
To MarilynAnn,
That makes me feel better, I thought I was the only one. I’ve turned it into a contest with myself to see how few tries it takes me to get it right. Let’s see if I can get it on the first try for this comment.
Dear Jean, My wife and I admire you and Brad very much.
You are both too secure within your skins to get discouraged by those jealous \loosers\ who must find something negative to say because they live a miserable life.
By the way we never met, but feel we know you both well by following your blog and wishing we could do 1/10th of what you do professionally and recreationally. We are now 62 and 65 and getting close to full retirement.
We own your many Frugal publications and books as well as practicing constantly on your VP game program.
Over the last 14 years THE FRUGAL GAMBLER has become a must review before a \big trip\ and we have put your FRUGAL advice in use in many, many aspects of our day-to-day routines. I carry the book with me when in LV hoping that by chance we meet some day and get an autograf.
Keep up the great work and many-many-many thanks for all the hard work you put into what you obviously enjoy to do so much.
As my father used to say \some people would complain if you hung them with a new rope.\ A bit of sarcasm but some people need a push back once in a while. And you do it with such class!
I am on the (way) low roller list too. I play only penny slots (no video poker), go only to Vegas and have never have come back a winner. I go 4-5 times per year for approximately 5 nights each time, and I get comp’d for all those nights. I spend a little more than I’d like, never all that I take, and certainly not more than I can afford. I just play enough to cover all the lines and rarely play a machine that has more than 40 lines.
While I move around to different casinos while playing, I do have a core player’s club that gets 90-95% of my money. And I play for 8-12 hours at a time most days. I actually don’t play to win because I’d certainly always be disappointed. I know I need to play for the entertainment value and that’s what I do. While I moan about my losses each time, it’s well worth the money to keep my sanity and not have to answer to anyone but myself for those 5 days. If I can get comp’d for my room, ANYONE can. Hope you and Brad are doing well.
To Greg Elder,
I, also, have a hard time figuring out the spam letters. I have given up a few times, because they were just too hard to read. I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one. Is it age on my part – probably, but I hope not. lol
Jean, I am new to your books and website/blog, but I LOVE your blogs and all the information you have shared with us. I’m teaching myself VP with the help of your advice and recommended software. I am just a few short years from retirement and want to feel competent enough to play quarters in LV or anywhere else my travels may take me when I’m more free to travel. I simply could not do it withhout your assistance and I want you to know that I value everything you write. I’m glad you posted this message to all the folks who must have forgotten how valuable your messages have been, not to mention the money they probably made because of your advice!! Hang in there and please keep us informed. I am a very happy camper and look forward to your blogs. Maybe I’ll see you in the casinos one of these days. I hope so! Thanks again for all your help.
Love your writing Jean. You’re a winner in my casino world
Jean….keep on doing what you’re doing. There are many of us that appreciate your insights and knowledge about VP, and comps. My family (wife, son and I) stayed in Las Vegas for 4 nights in August and we only spent $210…and this included gambling, food, souveniers,movie and concessions at the Orleans theater, Midway games at the Excalibur for my son on three of the days, and GAS. We live in Riverside, CA which is a 3 hours drive to LV. Our room was comped, my wife had over $120 in free play, and we took advantage of a time share presentation to get a $100 gift card to Planet Hollywood that we spent down to the dollar. The information that I have taken from your books and website make it so that we can stretch our vacation dollar to its limit while getting the most out of our stay. We are serious low rollers, but have a wonderful time! We appreciate you Jean…YOU GO GIRL!
Ditto to Virginia and David’s comments!!!Keep doing what you do……………please
Playing over my bankroll got me once, but never again. I got caught playing at a higher denomination because you had to play that amount to get the higher payback percentage. The worst part is I knew I was in over my head, Oh well.
Is it me? Am I the only one who has trouble reading those words you have to type in to prevent spam? It usually takes me at least two tries.
Jean and to the group,
The reason I am leaving this comment is to support Jean, whom I have never met, but I have learned a lot from her post and books.
I am a “low” roller because I play quarters…lol, however just because I play quarters does not mean that I am not getting comps. First I need to explain my playing style. I play once a month either in Las Vegas or in a local Indian casino in California. I classify myself above a recreational player, but by no means a professional player. Video poker helps me relax, as I watch sports and or listen to music on my phone. Thus I want a game to make my money last with the least volatility which is why I play 9/6 JoB. In addition I have not found a game that is over 100% payback at the Indian Casinos.
As I stated above I usually play 9/6 JoB for the following reasons:
• you can still find them in quarters
• 9/6 JoB has low volatility
• I get comps
• Once you know the strategy, it is not hard to switch to other games.
When I do go to Las Vegas, I review http://www.vpinsider.com to determine if my game is at the Casino I am staying at. In addition I also review any promotions and or changes to the slot club. I start practicing VP on my training software to get my skills and mind ready. I usually stay at the Gold Coast because they comp me for my stays. Is the Gold Coast the best hotel in Las Vegas, NO! However the rooms are clean, the location is close to the Strip, and they have 9/6 JoB. Also most of the major “nice “ casinos do not have good machines. I understand that I am not playing a 100% payback game, but in my eyes the pay back is over 100%…Why do I think this? It is because of the comps that I receive when I play/stay there.
Let me put some rough number together for the for a two night stay at the Gold Coast…$75 a night hotel stay, 25 “drinks” at $2 each is $50. In addition for every 600 points you get a dollar in comps, thus I have eaten there for free many times. I do not eat for free every trip as I save up my points, but for this letter I would estimate an amount of $15 in food comps a trip. When I add up the numbers I received around $215 in comps from being a “low” roller.
Thus I am happy playing $200 night and getting back in comp over $200. Experience VP players know this to be correct, and for any newbies, you may be wondering how is this so!
Well, I play anywhere from 400 to 600 hands an hour, (with my card inserted), which equals $500 to $750 /hour. Thus a three hour session I gambled $1,500 to $2,250. The casino does not see quarters they see ALL the dollars that I put into their machine, and in addition they see that I stayed “trapped” in their casino for 3 hours.
I have many other experiences where I have done the exact same thing. I do not always win, I break even a lot, some days I leave ahead, other days are down, but I am always trying for that Royal Flush. Thus even playing 9/6 JoB I come out a winner even when I lose some money at the machine!
Jean, you are so right. Those that do most of the complaining are either lazy or mentally delusional. They should find other endeavors to occupy their time and not waste yous with their inane comments. Keep up the great work- I enjoy your entertaining and informative articles.
You tell them…!!!…I’m with you all the way!! Keep up the good work….and I mean WORK..!!
vpFREE2 is a great website and we use it all the time. We travel around in a motor home visiting various casinos around the country. Many casinos have RV parks and it’s usually quite easy to have your stay comped. Some places will even do two days-for-one if you normally get hotel rooms comped, or have a hotel coupon. All you have to do is ask.
Right now we’re staying at a huge casino in the Midwest that has 99.73% deuces and I love deuces. Unfortunately after about 25 or 26 hours of play at the $1 level, I only have $7 in food comps. But a few weeks ago we were at a smaller Casino in upper Michigan and I played a 97.58% deuces for just two or three hours and racked up $100 in food comps.
Do you or any of your readers know of a similar web site that rates slot clubs? Finding good machines is great, but finding super liberal slot clubs can totally turn things around when only lesser machines are available.