vpFREE2 Forums

Multi Strike Poker?

#1

I went to that site for a look and found the game to be appealing. I would like to see an analysis of its pay table too. It is quite interesting how the higher you go the more the line pays. I also think the intermittent free ride card will make the game difficult to nail down for the math experts here without guessing. On the site the game gives you 800 credits to start. I ended up playing those credits and almost always being behind for 2 hours until finally I hit four deuces on the 3rd line and quit almost 3200 credits ahead. Maybe there's a special strategy for this new game.

···

From: "Harry Porter <harry.porter@verizon.net>" <harry.porter@verizon.net>
Reply-To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [vpFREE] Re: Multi Strike Poker? (and a comment on other novelty games)
Date: Sat, 14 Dec 2002 13:17:36 -0000

It's been exciting to see the introduction of games that offer up some
novelty over traditional single-line play. Unfortunately, when these
games are ballyhooed in various gaming publications (particularly if
there's a potential that good paytables will be offered) there's no
mention to be found of the relative volatility inherent in these games.

I imagine that there's many a single-line $1 player or 3-play/5-play
$.25 player who hits these and finds that they're wrestling a critter
that's much more ornery than they counted on.

- Harry

fordscks wrote:
> Great website and a great new game concept! Unfortunately, I lost
> 1,000 credits in record time; thank goodness I was in practice mode.

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#2

Valerie Polito wrote:

I would like to see an analysis of its pay table too. It is quite
interesting how the higher you go the more the line pays. I also
think the intermittent free ride card will make the game difficult to
nail down for the math experts here without guessing. ... Maybe
there's a special strategy for this new game.

The return of this game is going to be a function of the return of the
base paytable and the frequency with which you advance to a higher
line (i.e. have a win or a free ride card).

If the frequency with which you advance to a higher line is 50%, then
the total return on the game will equal that of the base paytable. If
it's less than 50%, then the return will below that of the paytable.
The converse is true if higher than 50%. This is a reflection of the
fact that each successive line pays double the previous.

It becomes clear why the "free ride" card is a necessity if this game
is going to give us a decent shot of expecting a return equivalent to
the base paytable: Almost all (possibly ALL) vp games have less than
a 50% winning hand rate. The "free ride" card gives you a shot at
pushing that advance rate to 50% or higher.

As Valerie notes, the free ride card frequency is going to be anyone's
guess without some disclosure from the manufacturer. I imagine
players will track their experience to give us some idea. However, I
generally avoid any game that has a true "wild card" element such as
this. I figure it's very unlikely for it to be favorable to the
player. (Find this in a FPDW or 10/7 DB version though and I'd
definitely give it a run.)

By the way, the correct play strategy for this game is determined by
the base paytable alone.

- Harry

#3

Maybe there's a special strategy for this new game.

  There is. Using standard deuces wild strategy will not work well.

    QZ

#4

<<<
The return of this game is going to be a function of the return of the
base paytable and the frequency with which you advance to a higher
line (i.e. have a win or a free ride card).

  Correct.

<<<
If the frequency with which you advance to a higher line is 50%, then
the total return on the game will equal that of the base paytable. If
it's less than 50%, then the return will below that of the paytable.
The converse is true if higher than 50%. This is a reflection of the
fact that each successive line pays double the previous.

  I believe this is not correct. You must change strategy on
lower lines. This lowers the EV. However, the free rides will
increase the EV. These are not equally offsetting. Your statement
would only be correct for a game where the optimal strategy already
produces a 50% win rate. Obviously, such a game would have no
Free Ride.

<<<
As Valerie notes, the free ride card frequency is going to be anyone's
guess without some disclosure from the manufacturer.

  I have spoken to the people who developed this game. They
said the free ride feature, combined with optimum play, will
make your chances of moving to the next level 50%. Of course,
it might be possible for them to offer different frequncies, but
I don't know if they will.

<<<
By the way, the correct play strategy for this game is determined by
the base paytable alone.

  Not exactly. Optimal play on line 1 is not the same as play on line 4.

- Harry

  QZ

#5

That's unusually terse for you, QZ. I hope you'll explain ...

- H.

···

> Maybe there's a special strategy for this new game.

There is. Using standard deuces wild strategy will not work well.

    QZ

#6

I thought I saw the FREE Ride percentage actually listed in the pay
table on certain games. Try a few of the variations and look at the
pay tables. Some gave percentages for 2 & 3 level only, while others
showed 2,3, & 4th FREE Ride distributions.

I recall they ranged between 6-8.5% or so. Too tired to have a look
myself, so revisit and see if that bit of knowledge will help the
math minds! :stuck_out_tongue:

Best o' Luck!

<<<
As Valerie notes, the free ride card frequency is going to be

anyone's

···

guess without some disclosure from the manufacturer.
>>>

  I have spoken to the people who developed this game. They
said the free ride feature, combined with optimum play, will
make your chances of moving to the next level 50%. Of course,
it might be possible for them to offer different frequncies, but
I don't know if they will.

#7

I would guess that it might be wrong to give up a paying hand, i.e.,
with 678 of clubs, another club and a deuce, or perhaps even
substituting three royal cards for the 678, it could be right to
keep the pat hand to be sure to advance to the next level. Hopefully
somebody will be able to determine whether this is true.

Hask

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Harry Porter <harry.porter@v...>"
<harry.porter@v...> wrote:

That's unusually terse for you, QZ. I hope you'll explain ...

- H.

> > Maybe there's a special strategy for this new game.
>
> There is. Using standard deuces wild strategy will not work

well.

···

>
> QZ