vpFREE2 Forums

danfpser1 · January 14, 2020, 4:40pm

Is there any validity to the idea that playing multiple lines is mathematically superior
to playing single lines in video poker? Despite the dangers of increased volatility,
good hands on the first line of a multiple line machine (three deuces on a DW
machine for example) can really turn a losing session around quickly. I also seem to
be ahead more often when playing multi-lines and generally walk away winning more.
Of course, this all may be just an illusion. If I stretched out my play on 3, 5, or 50 line
machines by playing on single line machines, would my results be better, worse, or
the same?

Albert_Pearson · January 14, 2020, 6:00pm

If you compared playing a single line machine playing quarters to a 5 line machine playing nickels, you would be wagering the same amount of money, and reduce your volatility significantly.
For more complete information see the following vpFree database...
http://www.west-point.org/users/usma1955/20228/VP/Bank.htm
especially the n-play article.

Regards
A.P.

···

----- Original Message -----
  From: danfpser1
  To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
  Sent: Sunday, September 14, 2003 1:12 AM
  Subject: [vpFREE] Single line vs. multiple line

  Is there any validity to the idea that playing multiple lines is mathematically superior
  to playing single lines in video poker? Despite the dangers of increased volatility,
  good hands on the first line of a multiple line machine (three deuces on a DW
  machine for example) can really turn a losing session around quickly. I also seem to
  be ahead more often when playing multi-lines and generally walk away winning more.
  Of course, this all may be just an illusion. If I stretched out my play on 3, 5, or 50 line
  machines by playing on single line machines, would my results be better, worse, or
  the same?

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

bluestreak86001 · January 14, 2020, 6:00pm

If you compared playing a single line machine playing quarters to a

5 line machine playing nickels, you would be wagering the same amount
of money, and reduce your volatility significantly.

For more complete information see the following vpFree database...
http://www.west-point.org/users/usma1955/20228/VP/Bank.htm
especially the n-play article.

Regards
A.P.

  From: danfpser1
  To: vpFREE@yahoogroups.com
  Sent: Sunday, September 14, 2003 1:12 AM
  Subject: [vpFREE] Single line vs. multiple line

  Is there any validity to the idea that playing multiple lines is

mathematically superior

to playing single lines in video poker? Despite the dangers of

increased volatility,

good hands on the first line of a multiple line machine (three

deuces on a DW

machine for example) can really turn a losing session around

quickly. I also seem to

be ahead more often when playing multi-lines and generally walk

away winning more.

Of course, this all may be just an illusion. If I stretched out

my play on 3, 5, or 50 line

machines by playing on single line machines, would my results be

better, worse, or

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Albert Pearson" <a-p@s...> wrote:

----- Original Message -----
the same?

***********

Look at the results of VP play this way:

Take some graph paper (real or imaginary) and mark out the possible
results playing one hand. Use increments of five since that is what
(most) payoffs are. What are the possible results just playing one
hand of single, triple, five , ten, fifty or hundred or N play?

For JB 9/6 single play you have the set of outcome values- range: 0-
4000, total possible set points 10 (Set of values:
0,5,10,15,20,25,45,125,250,4000 or
nada,Jacks+,2Pr,3oak,S,F,FH,4oak,SF,Royal). Your bar graph has only
ten bars for results over time.

For N-play Jacks, the range: 0-(Nx4000), total possible set points on
the graph maxes out somewhere below [(Nx4000)/5]+1. You can never
have a result betwen N royals and (N-1 royals + a SF), other invalid
values too.

Playing single line Jacks, nada (0) occurs over 50% of the time, a
very big spike. As N increases this first column decreases towards
zero.

As N increases, more possible points increase. (some gaps at the top
will exist between values Nx4000 and [(N-1)x4000+250],maybe others.)

The resulting graph gets smoothed out in a hurry though as N
increases.

***

But the VP strategy is the same, no matter the number of lines.

danfpser1 · January 14, 2020, 6:00pm

Thanks for the perspective. This summer my wife and I both won $1000 jackpots with
natural royals playing five-line DW at the Palms. The royals came up on the fourth and
fifth hands. For someone flying in to Las Vegas from Virginia three times a year, maybe
playing multi-line machines is the best way to go. They provide enough chances for
something good to happen in a short period of time. They're also more fun to play -
except during losing streaks. Again, thanks.

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "bluestreak86001" <graytleegray@a...> wrote:

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Albert Pearson" <a-p@s...> wrote:
> If you compared playing a single line machine playing quarters to a
5 line machine playing nickels, you would be wagering the same amount
of money, and reduce your volatility significantly.
> For more complete information see the following vpFree database...
> http://www.west-point.org/users/usma1955/20228/VP/Bank.htm
> especially the n-play article.
>
> Regards
> A.P.