Elliot Frome wrote:
Obviously, my conclusions were not backed by any scientific evidence
and were merely based on my own subjective viewpoint.While there are more players thanks to the proliferation of video
poker machines as a result of the expansion of casinos everywhere, I
still think that the average player is better than they were 10
years ago. That doesn't mean that more are achieving 'expert'
status, but as a result of the articles, books, software, tv
programs, they have grasped some of the basic concepts and even the
average player is probably playing at 95% instead of 90% on a 99%
machine.Again, just my opinion.
While it's quite possible that the "average" (i.e., non-skilled) players in Nevada may be playing a little better than they were ten years ago, Nevada Gaming Control statistics of ten years ago showed that the average return on video poker machines state-wide was about two percent, not nine percent, below theoretical best play.
On the other hand, many games that have been introduced in recent years require a more complicated (even less intuitive) strategy for best return. Also, video poker has spread to many areas of the country that didn't have legal gambling ten years ago, so there are many more novice players today. Consequently, the actual gap between perfect play return and overall average return may have widened. I have not looked at recent statistics, so this is only a hunch.
Dan
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Dan Paymar
Author of best selling book, "Video Poker - Optimum Play"
Editor/Publisher of VP newsletter "Video Poker Times"
Developer of VP analysis/trainer software "Optimum Video Poker"
Visit my web site at www.OptimumPlay.com
"Chance favors the prepared mind." -- Louis Pasteur