We've been hearing so much about this game that when we were at LVH
recently
we tried it.
BOY WE DON'T GET IT.
1) I don't see what the strategy could be ??? Pick the best pile of
cards.
Granted, there might be a better choice based on flush or straight
possibilities but what is the real strategy for this.
2) how is this game 99.7 or 99.9% ??? YIKES
My wife almost had the shakes from playing it for a while and we
lost our shirts too.
Is there really a strategy for this??
I'm asking because LVH has it at a bartop and the cashback there is
GREAT 
Yes - It is basically a 5-card STUD poker game;
However, every winner pays back MORE than your bet (that's good).
It only takes a pair of 9s or better (not Js, as in most non-wildcard
games). I HOPE you noticed that. 99.95% longterm perfect play e.v.
Downside - cycles on winning hands (like Str/Fl/FH and the 4K) are
fairly long - quads only once per 2400++ hands. WinPoker can show you
the avg. cycles for winning hands.
Many players find it BORING.
You DO have to look for 3 card ST/FL/SF/RFs.....
On many other hands - there is an equal choice - hence the name
'Pick 'em'.
However the elusive SF/Royal (every 38,000+ hands and every 351,000
hands) - which pays 1199/6000 vs 250/4000 only take up .9% of the
ev........so you are on a 'shortterm' 99% game.
I've had mixed sessions with it.
If you hit ALOT of FL/ST/FHs and no quads, you could still cashout
ahead. It is almost necessary to eventually get a 4K (= 4-6% of the
return). Otherwise you are 'short' about 6% of your current coin-in
until that point.
Upsides: Playing at places with easy comps or good cb (like LVH) and
once you are up to speed on it - simple game, some players can
probably play over 1000 hands/hr accurately........Then you can build
up those valuable comps quicker. Some players even play the $1 machines.
I occaisionally might try it for .50c (@Bally's), but there would have
to be a good incentive.
In short - it is a game that most vp players either love or hate.
I'm sort of inbetween - I'll play it occaisionally for fun.
It's not my 'core' favorite, though.
Martin.
ยทยทยท
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Richard Boston" <rboston@o...> wrote: