Gambling Styles.

[mubowor]

It seems some of my posts get some of the regulars here irritated.
I'm sorry. It was not my intention to cause any of that. I guess I
have views that differ from those of most.

First of all, let me say I do read a lot of these messages, I own
WinPoker and Frugal, I read other VP message boards and it is all
very educational. I even enjoy some of the messages from people that
later use strong language against me. I don't take any of that
personally. I'm not here to insult or fight anyone, but to get good
tips on VP.

I believe there are different gambling styles. Before I played Video
Poker, I used to play slots, and sometimes had some good hits. I
started enjoying Video Poker once I realized I could generally play
longer on VP machines than in slots, with the same amount of money.
So I learned strategies, paytables, and all that. Now I find it fun.
I respect the people that do it full time and are dedicated to it,
the big names, as well as the aficionados.

Now, there is, let us call it, the "orthodox" video poker gambling
style. The prescription here is to go to the casino that offers FPDW
(usually in quarters, they have discontinued the higher denomination
of these machines, it seems) or KBJW or other machines that with the
other perks become a positive situation. Then you play a lot, really
a lot. The long term is better approached after a million hands or
more. On this system, some people end up making more money than
others but, in the long term, it is believed all should profit. This
system is fine. I don't have a gripe with it. I even find it fun to
see all the different possible holds with penalty cards, and see how
I can improve my chances of winning at some games an extra penny a
century. The people that practice this style tend to be regulars, and
play VP almost exclusively.

There is, let us call it, the "slot" video poker gambling style. You
treat the video poker machine as just another slot machine. Ah! But
it is a slot machine of which you know a lot. Its theoretical
payback, the system that will make you win more money in the long
term, etc. The people that practice this style -human beings that
like to gamble, let me stress- do not study "positive situations"
carefully, but just pay tables, strategy, general facts about
machines. The people that use this strategy tend to be relatively
infrequent visitors of casinos, maybe on a few trips a year, and tend
to play other games too, games like blackjack, craps and, why not?,
even slots.

For a while lately I thought I was on the wrong message board. I
thought this board was just for "orthodox" players. Then I realized
there are more styles than the two I mentioned, and I'm intrigued
about that. A very famous Video Poker player -let me not mention his
name because that might be another headache for me- is a very able
analyst of the VP games. He likes to play the best games and the most
accurate strategy; but he made a lot of money venturing into a $100
VP machine. A Royal worth almost half a million dollars. Now, was
this "orthodox" playing? Was this the best situation? Was this
sensible bankroll management? No. Was it "slot" style playing? Well,
this person is very good and very serious about his play.

I can't afford to go to a $100 machine, but I will go to one on an
evening in a casino if I am having that unusual experience some
gamblers have had: an incredible streak of good luck.

I respect the VP professionals, but I don't want to spend hours
toiling. I think slot players can be fun, but I can't afford to take
the huge losses they often take. I want to explore the middle of the
road, something in between the "orthodox" style and the "slot"
style.

So, what do you think? Should I give up on my dream of making half a
million at VP?

I have my umbrella open, and my hard hat on. Start banging.

E.

[Jean_Scott1]

I enjoyed your post on gambling styles. Actually I agree with a lot of what you say - and you put it very succinctly!!!!

Recently I read an article by Bob Dancer that had a statement I really disagree with (not all gambling authors agree on everything).

"There are people who believe that it isn't whether you win or lose that matters, but whether or not you have fun. If you believe this nonsense, play slots. If you think winning is important, learn VP.""

I have told Bob many times that he is too serious for his own good sometimes - and he would probably agree. Thank goodness he has Shirley or his life would be all work and no play. It is hard for him to relate to a slot player.

Although I stress playing as smart as possible, I also emphasize the variety of goals of different gamblers. In More Frugal Gambling, Angela compares hers and Steve's goals and styles of play to Brad and mine - for a real-life example of this.

My main purpose in writing - and the purpose of this List is to be sure people have enough information to make INFORMED CHOICES. What is sad is that most people would make better choices in a casino IF they knew about the math, odds, better games, etc. Once people are informed about the facts, then they are quite free to use (or not use) the information in their personal gambling.

I give two suggestions, however, for those who choose to sometimes disregard the math and go for "fun." Keep SEPARATE records of your positive and negative play. And when you lose at negative play, don't be so surprised; just enjoy your fun. (Griping by positive players is a God-given right!!

···

____________________
Jean $cott - "The Frugal Gambler"
Note new e-mail address
MORE FRUGAL GAMBLING can NOW
be ordered, autographed, at a pre-pub
discount, at http://www.FrugalGambler.biz

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

[mubowor]

Thanks for your reply full of wisdom.

What you say is very true, it pays to have all the information
possible and then decide how you manage your dollars. One machine
comes to mind. Slot players fond of those video many line machines
sometimes venture into something similar to what they play when they
are attempting to dabble in Video Poker, and choose to play Spin
Poker. I have seen many of those multi game Spin Poker machines, and
they have very good pay tables mixed with very bad ones. A slot
player not informed at all about VP will most likely lose more than a
VP player if staying long at Spin Poker. The game and the strategy
chosen would be all wrong.

I enjoy Bob Dancer's articles. Thank God he is there to bring up
points one would never -at least me- think about. I wish I had his
commitment, his memory, his dominion of strategies and, of course,
his luck.

Best wishes,

E

I enjoyed your post on gambling styles. Actually I agree with a

lot of what you say - and you put it very succinctly!!!!

Recently I read an article by Bob Dancer that had a statement I

really disagree with (not all gambling authors agree on everything).

"There are people who believe that it isn't whether you win or lose

that matters, but whether or not you have fun. If you believe this
nonsense, play slots. If you think winning is important, learn VP.""

I have told Bob many times that he is too serious for his own good

sometimes - and he would probably agree. Thank goodness he has
Shirley or his life would be all work and no play. It is hard for
him to relate to a slot player.

Although I stress playing as smart as possible, I also emphasize

the variety of goals of different gamblers. In More Frugal Gambling,
Angela compares hers and Steve's goals and styles of play to Brad and
mine - for a real-life example of this.

My main purpose in writing - and the purpose of this List is to be

sure people have enough information to make INFORMED CHOICES. What
is sad is that most people would make better choices in a casino IF
they knew about the math, odds, better games, etc. Once people are
informed about the facts, then they are quite free to use (or not
use) the information in their personal gambling.

I give two suggestions, however, for those who choose to sometimes

disregard the math and go for "fun." Keep SEPARATE records of your
positive and negative play. And when you lose at negative play,
don't be so surprised; just enjoy your fun. (Griping by positive
players is a God-given right!!

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Jean Scott" <QueenofComps@f...> wrote:

____________________
Jean $cott - "The Frugal Gambler"
Note new e-mail address
MORE FRUGAL GAMBLING can NOW
be ordered, autographed, at a pre-pub
discount, at http://www.FrugalGambler.biz

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

[missdeuces]

No banging here. I agree there is a middle of the road. Where you
can play sensibly, smart, educated VP (and have fun) and also throw
in a few slots, playing the ones considered a better deal or even
ones just for fun (not too much money but a little) and still be
successful in VP. Sometimes on a bad losing streak I will go off and
eat, take a walk, rest, play a slot that has caught my eye & then go
back to VP feeling refreshed, & ready to win. Not 100% perfect but
not much less. I do not have the ability to memorize every penalty
situation & sometimes I look at my strategy charts & I still don't
see the right answer- but 98.5%+ of the time I know I make the right
move. I respect Bob Dancer's ability & his success, but I do not
believe it is the only answer. I do appreciate his advice, &
sharing, & teaching. I read all of his articles, and I read many
articles by many other succesful people.
My wish for all : MANY ROYALS
My hope for all: That you enjoy what you are playing.

"I want to explore the middle of the

road, something in between the "orthodox" style and the "slot"
style.

So, what do you think? Should I give up on my dream of making half

a

···

million at VP?

I have my umbrella open, and my hard hat on. Start banging.

E.