Dear Mark,
I'm hoping you can clear up a question that's been bothering me for
long time. I've noticed so many times on 50 and 100-play video poker
machines that when dealt two pair, I get few full houses. They seem
rigged! It seems like the 50 and 100-play have different programming.
One VP expert has said they are programmed similar to a slot machine.
Is that true? Sandy P.
Dear Mark,
Why is it that
every time I play 50 and 100 play video poker machines, I make less
money than when I play your standard video poker machine? Pete D.
Hi, Sally, meet
Pete. Pete -- Sally. It seems Pete's noticed the same thing you have.
That expert was
correct, Sandy. Like today's cybernetic slots, all video poker machines
use a random number generator (RNG) software algorithm to determine
the game's outcome. The number of coins played cannot influence the
end result. It doesn't make any difference if one coin is being wagered
or 50 or 100.
Also, they should
have the same expected return - that is, if the pay tables are identical.
Herein lies the secret -- why both of you are coming out cash-poor
when playing the multi-play boxes. It's not because there is some
sort of monkey business happening, but that multi-play video poker
games usually have stingier pay tables than do their single-play kissing
cousins. Typically, the more the hands offered, the worse the pay
table.
For those who
do prefer multi-play games, I suggest that you look for pay tables
equal to that of a single-play game. Although a bit tough to ferret
out, they do exist. Once found, perfect basic strategy (see below)
always remains the same, be it for 1-play, 3-play, or 100-play.
Quick tip: Assuming
that both Sandy and Pete were to find identical pay tables, they will
then need to ask themselves what they normally would play on a single
play machine, and will then need to divide that number by 50 or 100.
For instance, if they play $1 single-line machines, they should then
play a one-cent 100-line game, or two-cent 50-liners.
Dear Mark,
Please explain
what you mean by playing perfect basic strategy? Dan H.
What I mean by
perfect basic strategy, Dan, is making perfect use of the information
available to maximize the expected outcome of the bet. In blackjack,
perfect basic strategy is nothing more than how you play each blackjack
hand against the dealers "up-card." In video poker it's
which discards you choose, since eliminating the wrong cards reduces
your overall payback.
I'm sending you
two strategy cards that put these priceless details at your fingertips.
Dear Mark,
The casino near
my home now offers Crapless Craps. Is it a good bet? Kallan D.
Never Ever or
Crapless Craps is ground I've plowed before, Kallan, so I'll synopsize.
You do not lose on the 2, 3, or 12 on the come out roll. Instead,
if the shooter tosses the 2, 3, 11 or 12, that becomes the point,
just as the 4, 5, 6, and 8, 9, 10 would in normal craps. The 7 on
the come out is your only instant winner.
Two thumbs down
is my recommendation for Crapless Craps. The house edge on the pass
line with these modified rules is a whopping 5.4%, about four times
the typical crap game's 1.4% pass line edge.
Gambling Wisdom
of the Week: "Blackjack--what a game! How simple it looks,
yet how complex it truly is." --Victor H. Royer