vpFREE2 Forums

Competition between video poker players

#1

Hi Chandler.

Would you please elaborate on how video poker players are in competition
with one another "in several senses."

Other than when we are playing the same bank of machines, competing for the
same progressive, I cannot think of another instance in which we VP players
are competitors.

Thanks.

Curtis

···

On 3/1/06, Chandler <omnibibulous1@comcast.net> wrote:

In several senses video poker players are in competition with one another.
I believe that the primary reason another player might object to your
indiscreet use of a strategy chart, however, is that it may bring unwanted
attention and/or a paytable reduction from management. Frankly, I think
management would be better served by reassessing how much filler they put
in
the buffet's daily mystery meat offering than sweating strategy card use
by
quarter players, but a little circumspection on a valued high denomination
play is probably in order.

Chandler

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#2

The casino will only tolerate a limited number of winners, you are
competing to be one of those few winners yet not so obvious that you
get 86'd. The casino says they want you to win, but that's just
marketing jingo, no different than the used car dealer who wants you
to get a great deal, what he really wants is for you to get the second
best deal while he gets the best deal, from you. Back to the casino,
if you get 86'd, through stupidity or over-agressiveness, that's your
problem, on the other hand if you ruin a play for others, you're their
problem. Such is the nature of competition, it's dog eat dog. If you
aren't aware that you're swimming with sharks and fish, then you're
probably a fish. This is true everywhere, especially in the parking
garage on the way to your car. Don't believe me? Check the newspaper
archives.

Hi Chandler.

Would you please elaborate on how video poker players are in competition
with one another "in several senses."

Other than when we are playing the same bank of machines, competing

for the

same progressive, I cannot think of another instance in which we VP

players

are competitors.

Thanks.

Curtis

>
> In several senses video poker players are in competition with one

another.

> I believe that the primary reason another player might object to your
> indiscreet use of a strategy chart, however, is that it may bring

unwanted

> attention and/or a paytable reduction from management. Frankly, I

think

> management would be better served by reassessing how much filler

they put

> in
> the buffet's daily mystery meat offering than sweating strategy

card use

> by
> quarter players, but a little circumspection on a valued high

denomination

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Curtis Rich" <LGTVegas@...> wrote:

On 3/1/06, Chandler <omnibibulous1@...> wrote:
> play is probably in order.
>
> Chandler

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#3

Yes Curtis, video poker players are competing for that progressive prize.
They are also competing for limited resources. One of those limited
resources is the casino's money. Successful vp players cost the casino
money. Unsuccessful vp players are profitable to the casino. It could
easily be argued that those unsuccessful players subsidize the few
successful players. The successful player, how ever indirectly, is
profiting from the loss of the player who doesn't study or pays no heed to
paytables. If too many players become too successful, the casino either
makes adjustments or goes out of business.

VP players also compete for machines. This competition may be as mild as me
not getting to play one of the only 2 STPs at Caesars because they are
occupied. It may mean a player carefully hoardes/cultivates/protects (I
make no judgements) a particularly high earning machine or situation to the
exclusion of other players. It may also mean that a particularly high
earning machine or situation gets jumped on hard and monopolized to the
exclusion of other players until the play is burned out. It may just mean a
player takes advantage of a positive situation quickly because they know it
is too good to last. A profitable play is a limited commodity and vp
players do compete for it in various ways.

Chandler

···

-----Original Message-----
From: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vpF…@…com]On Behalf Of
Curtis Rich
Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 1:58 PM
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [vpFREE] Re: Competition between video poker players

Hi Chandler.

Would you please elaborate on how video poker players are in competition
with one another "in several senses."

Other than when we are playing the same bank of machines, competing for the
same progressive, I cannot think of another instance in which we VP players
are competitors.

Thanks.

Curtis

On 3/1/06, Chandler <omnibibulous1@comcast.net> wrote:

In several senses video poker players are in competition with one another.
I believe that the primary reason another player might object to your
indiscreet use of a strategy chart, however, is that it may bring unwanted
attention and/or a paytable reduction from management. Frankly, I think
management would be better served by reassessing how much filler they put
in
the buffet's daily mystery meat offering than sweating strategy card use
by
quarter players, but a little circumspection on a valued high denomination
play is probably in order.

Chandler

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

vpFREE Links: http://members.cox.net/vpfree/Links.htm

Yahoo! Groups Links

#4

I didn't know that I was swimming with the sharks. So, I guess I am a fish.

···

On 3/2/06, nightoftheiguana2000 <nightoftheiguana2000@yahoo.com> wrote:

The casino will only tolerate a limited number of winners, you are
competing to be one of those few winners yet not so obvious that you
get 86'd. The casino says they want you to win, but that's just
marketing jingo, no different than the used car dealer who wants you
to get a great deal, what he really wants is for you to get the second
best deal while he gets the best deal, from you. Back to the casino,
if you get 86'd, through stupidity or over-agressiveness, that's your
problem, on the other hand if you ruin a play for others, you're their
problem. Such is the nature of competition, it's dog eat dog. If you
aren't aware that you're swimming with sharks and fish, then you're
probably a fish. This is true everywhere, especially in the parking
garage on the way to your car. Don't believe me? Check the newspaper
archives.

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Curtis Rich" <LGTVegas@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Chandler.
>
> Would you please elaborate on how video poker players are in competition
> with one another "in several senses."
>
> Other than when we are playing the same bank of machines, competing
for the
> same progressive, I cannot think of another instance in which we VP
players
> are competitors.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Curtis

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#5

Curtis Rich wrote:

I didn't know that I was swimming with the sharks. So, I guess I am a
fish.

Perhaps ... but then, again, I've known one or two players for whom
"slimy eel" is a better descriptor.

- H.

#6

VP players also compete for machines. This competition may be as

mild as me

not getting to play one of the only 2 STPs at Caesars because they are
occupied. It may mean a player carefully hoardes/cultivates/protects (I
make no judgements) a particularly high earning machine or situation

to the

exclusion of other players. It may also mean that a particularly high
earning machine or situation gets jumped on hard and monopolized to the
exclusion of other players until the play is burned out. It may

just mean a

player takes advantage of a positive situation quickly because they

know it

is too good to last. A profitable play is a limited commodity and vp
players do compete for it in various ways.

Fortunately they are just as frequently occupied by people playing 9-5
DDB. I once saw a player holding ATs playing DDB on a 5x hand. This is
a pretty good sized error. Actually, playing 9-5 DDB kind of speaks
for itself, but I digress. He caught perfect for $5K, but you want to
see more of that.

I've found the Jacks STP a little too windy for me. I've had a couple
of days where I made a royal, yet lost two royals. I have also heard
of a husband and wife from IL playing the $1 10-play in Joliet, the
husband was drawing live to $320K with one to go, and missed
everything on the draw. The wife got there a couple of hours later for
$120K. If you consider for starters that the nX royals make up about
.55 of the paytable, you may want to reconsider the play entirely. EV
isn't everything, I'm really big on certainty. There's usually not
enough certainty at VP these days (except, of course, when discussing
blackjack machines, which is why pros consider them gold).

Frankly, I think we should go over the entire CP inventory and point
out the plusses and minuses of each full pay game. In no time at all
we should be able to convince Harrahs to downgrade everything to 8-5
Jacks and 20-12-10 Ducks.

···

_______________________________________________________________________

coming soon: www.paladingaming.net

#7

Curtis Rich wrote:

Would you please elaborate on how video poker players are in
competition with one another "in several senses."

Ok, we've been "shooting fish in a barrel" on this one. Like for many
of us there wouldn't be a competitive side to video poker.

Hey, I live in the City of Brotherly Love, where everything from
driving to grocery shopping can take the form of a competitive sport.
Introduce a scarce resource into any environment and survival
instincts surface (or, from another perspective, crowd people and many
will behave little better than rats in a cage).

I envy Curtis. He apparently has managed to take recreational play to
the nth degree (and plays in an environment supportive of that), or
simply has his focus fixed on the most positive aspects of play.

For myself, in pushing to secure the most attractive play in AC (far
from a land of milk and honey)) I've come to realize I've strayed from
the play aspects that I most enjoy, venturing instead to those that
leave me feeling a little grimy (and I'm not talking about cigarette
ashes here).

At its worst, the casino is a "dog eat dog" environment. But it's
when I seek out and find the cooperative, neighborly elements that I
find the greatest reward.

- Harry

#8

...and what is "true" in the parking lot?

BL

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Curtis Rich" <LGTVegas@...> wrote:

I didn't know that I was swimming with the sharks. So, I guess I am a fish.

On 3/2/06, nightoftheiguana2000 <nightoftheiguana2000@...> wrote:
>
> problem. Such is the nature of competition, it's dog eat dog. If you
> aren't aware that you're swimming with sharks and fish, then you're
> probably a fish. This is true everywhere, especially in the parking
> garage on the way to your car. Don't believe me? Check the newspaper
> archives.
>

#9

paladingamingllc <paladingamingllc@yahoo.com> wrote:
<<< VP players also compete for machines. (I've been upset more than once when a casino turns off a machine holding it for someone.)

EV isn't everything, I'm really big on certainty. There's usually not enough certainty at VP these days (except, of course, when discussing blackjack machines, which is why pros consider them gold). >>>

Could you please explain this last statement about blackjack machines? Thanks, Kathy

#10

You cut me off and take my parking space, I will slash your tires.

Just kidding,
dipy911

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "bornloser1537" <bornloser1537@...> wrote:

...and what is "true" in the parking lot?

BL

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Curtis Rich" <LGTVegas@> wrote:
>
> I didn't know that I was swimming with the sharks. So, I guess I

am a fish.

#11

I am the worlds' most ferocious minnow.

Chandler

···

-----Original Message-----
From: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vpF…@…com]On Behalf Of
Harry Porter
Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2006 7:15 PM
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [vpFREE] Re: Competition between video poker players

Curtis Rich wrote:

I didn't know that I was swimming with the sharks. So, I guess I am a
fish.

Perhaps ... but then, again, I've known one or two players for whom
"slimy eel" is a better descriptor.

- H.

#12

How much convincing did it take for Harrah's to downgrade inventory at its
other casinos? If I thought it would help, I wouldn't write the word
"Caesars" again.

I often take my lumps on the STPs and move on to a more comfortable ride as
well, but it is a fun game and, as a recreational player, I can't resist
taking at least a little shot.

Chandler

···

-----Original Message-----
From: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vpF…@…com]On Behalf Of
paladingamingllc
Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2006 11:47 PM
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [vpFREE] Re: Competition between video poker players

I've found the Jacks STP a little too windy for me. I've had a couple
of days where I made a royal, yet lost two royals. I have also heard
of a husband and wife from IL playing the $1 10-play in Joliet, the
husband was drawing live to $320K with one to go, and missed
everything on the draw. The wife got there a couple of hours later for
$120K. If you consider for starters that the nX royals make up about
.55 of the paytable, you may want to reconsider the play entirely. EV
isn't everything, I'm really big on certainty. There's usually not
enough certainty at VP these days (except, of course, when discussing
blackjack machines, which is why pros consider them gold).

Frankly, I think we should go over the entire CP inventory and point
out the plusses and minuses of each full pay game. In no time at all
we should be able to convince Harrahs to downgrade everything to 8-5
Jacks and 20-12-10 Ducks.

_______________________________________________________________________

coming soon: www.paladingaming.net

vpFREE Links: http://members.cox.net/vpfree/Links.htm

Yahoo! Groups Links

#13

Minnow? This sounds fishy to me. <smile>

.....BL

I am the worlds' most ferocious minnow.

Chandler

From: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com [mailto:vpF…@…com]On

Behalf Of

Harry Porter
Sent: Thursday, March 02, 2006 7:15 PM
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [vpFREE] Re: Competition between video poker players

Curtis Rich wrote:
> I didn't know that I was swimming with the sharks. So, I guess

I am a

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Chandler" <omnibibulous1@...> wrote:

-----Original Message-----
> fish.

Perhaps ... but then, again, I've known one or two players for whom
"slimy eel" is a better descriptor.

- H.