A Push is NOT a Win
Dear Mark,
When playing Video Poker, I consistently win by getting high pairs but struggle
for the higher hands. Can I successfully beat the house on a high pair alone?
Rhonda T. Clinton, IA
Rhonda, we need to separate the wheat from the chaff. One of the reasons
video poker is so popular is that it returns your investment for a pair
of Jacks to Aces. But, Rhonda, never consider a push a win. The psychological
effect of returned coins from a push has at best, dubious value. All it
does is make you feel like a winner, when in reality you're not. Treat even-money
payoffs not as a win against the casino but just getting YOUR hard-earned
money back.
Personally, I've always felt that this erroneous impression of winning is
one of the most powerful false hope methods the casino has against you,
not only with your high pair scenario but also when it's a push on a blackjack
table or a one-cherry payoff on a pull handle slot machine.
So do you want to win more consistently, Rhonda? Find 9/6 video poker pay
tables or 8/5 machines with progressives nearing $2,200, then play perfect
basic strategy. A high pair now and then will make you consistent all right,
a consistent loser.
Dear Mark,
In Las Vegas, I saw a casino advertise that on their selected video poker
machines your return can be more than 100%. Is this possible? Isn't the
casino going to lose money? Mary S. St. Ignace, MI
Yes, Mary, the casinos would lose money if every player had unlimited access
to "selected machines," plus understood and used perfect basic
strategy. But since fewer than one percent effectively play perfect basic
strategy, the casino won't lose money by making such an offer. You also
answered part of your question by stating "on selected machines."
Sometimes those "selected machines" can be as few as two on the
whole casino floor. No chance of two expert players grinding away at the
house and effecting the casino quarterly report. Plus, the casino will generally
surround those "selected machines" with others that have pay tables
offering significantly lower payoffs, guaranteeing even more winnings from
the uneducated masses.
Like casino mogul Steve Wynn says, "If you wanna make money in a casino,
own one."
Before I Shuffle:
Tastes will always vary, but when I'm asked which is "the best"
casino to play in, I'm particular. Yes, a casino offering a 99¢ breakfast
special is enticing, a $3.49 prime rib buffet tempting, a comp to a Broadway
musical is worth kissing up to a pit boss for, but my answer will always
remain the same. I judge a casino "the best" by where gaming rules
maximize a players chances of winning.
Examples: Single versus double zeros on a roulette table; blackjack dealt
from a single deck with liberal rules like doubling on anything, resplitting
and surrender; a crap game offering five or ten times odds in lieu of two-times
odds; a mini-baccarat table with low limits; casinos that advertise 98.5%
paybacks on their slot machines, then tell you which machines those are
when you ask; and finally, my favorite, 9/6 video poker machines.
The other casinos? They can keep their 49¢ hot dogs and free coffee
mugs. I suggest that if you're willing to find "the best" casino
my way, you will have a much better chance of winning. And isn't that what
we're really there for?
Got a question about gambling? Write to: Deal Me In, 774 Mays Blvd.
Suite 10, Incline Village, NV 89451 or e-mail:winners@winner.com
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