In a message dated 9/9/2006 1:51:33 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
harry.porter@verizon.net writes:
From what you've expressed, you've developed some intimate familiarity
with the downside -- and likely are falling short in those royals.
Trust me, I EMPATHIZE! My play these last two years has been rather
sour -- the losses haven't progressed at a drastic rate, but they've
been rather unrelenting and I've seen what had been a very favorable
bankroll build dissipate like the air in a tire with a slow leak.
The ultimate lesson in this is that you learn that an essential aspect
to survival is to have an adequate bankroll and appropriate
expectation for loss risk. In a situation like yours, the commonly
cited bankroll guideline of "3 to 5 royals" is woefully inappropriate.
That's one best suited for playing a game like full pay deuces in LV,
with up to a full 1% advantage.
Harry:
You are absolutely right. I do know this, but when I'm on the losing streak
that I have been, I don't like it. 
$.25 3-play involves a risk that approaches $.50 single line. $.05
Spin Poker is deceptively volatile -- particularly if it involves
Joker Wild (which I suspect it does). And $.25 MultiStrike presents a
risk akin to $1 single line.
While I expect that a majority of your machine time is spent on single
line $.25 Jacks, just a modest amount of time on the plays I've noted
can do tremendous bankroll damage if you suffer the downside of play
-- and the risks are of such a magnitude that any $.25 play will pale
against it, even if the time spent on $.25 play runs to magnitudes
greater than the other plays combined.
Trust me, these comments aren't intended to serve as a "What do you
think you've been doing!" 
I just want to stress that in all
likelihood you've exposed yourself to far greater play risk than you
intended.
Right again, Harry. Thank you for pointing that out. I figured if "regular"
JOB was low variance-then "enhanced" JOB must be the same. Not so. especially
if the vp gods are not shining a favorable light. And I did not consciously
think of it a going up in denomination.
here's a phrase that is apt for video poker play: "Stick to your
knitting". The rough application here is that one should stick to the
plays that present the greatest comfort and with which you're most
familiar. In this case, that familiarity includes a good grasp of
loss risk, so that your focus isn't on "white-knuckling" unexpected
losses but on the sheer pleasure itself.
Again, good point. That is really why I am there. I enjoy VP and the casino
atmosphere because of that. I used to hate going to a casino and mindlessly
putting money into a slot machine. Learning VP; strategies and paytables
really makes this an enjoyable experience. Looking for the best comps and perks is
gravy. I guess winning is a bonus too. I am entertained and I am getting
some kind of bang for my buck.
here's a phrase that is apt for video poker play: "Stick to your
knitting". The rough application here is that one should stick to the
plays that present the greatest comfort and with which you're most
familiar. In this case, that familiarity includes a good grasp of
loss risk, so that your focus isn't on "white-knuckling" unexpected
losses but on the sheer pleasure itself.
Words of wisdom, Harry...words of wisdom.
Originally, I was just posting that IMHO it's not just HET properties that
the money seems to get sucked out of us, (altho' I have a strong dislike for
HET props)-underneath it all, I was seeking out a little sympathy and
encouragement.
Thank you for putting it all in perspective.
Christy
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