Best Time to Play Video Poker

20 August 2022

By Jerry Stickman

Many, perhaps most, casino gamblers hit a casino and immediately begin playing. There can be pitfalls doing this.

Unless the trip to the casino is for a very short time – say an hour or so, it may be wise to consider when to play.

During a stay at a casino, many gambling experts recommend trying to keep your schedule similar to your home schedule. Try to get up around the same time, eat meals at about the same time and sleep at about the same time. This is good advice as it helps maintain discipline in the undisciplined casino environment.

But, are there other things that should be considered?

If you are a table games player, you might appreciate a crowd at the craps table. You might prefer not being the only player at a blackjack or roulette table. These games are social in nature and many players feel uncomfortable when playing solo.

Video poker, however, is not a particularly social game. In fact, many video poker players prefer being the only player in the area.

There are several reasons it might be better to be alone at a bank of video poker machines.

Many video poker players have learned proper playing strategy and prefer to remain focused while they play. It can be disruptive at the least and downright irritating at most to have a loud or inquisitive player next to them constantly interrupting play.

Many video poker players become frustrated when their video poker machine goes “cold.” They want to switch machines to change their luck. This is nearly impossible if the casino is crowded during peak times.

Not all video poker machines have all the player’s best-paying or favorite games. In order to have the pick of the most lucrative games, the player must avoid peak times.

Players sometimes have favorite machines that typically treat them well. If the casino is crowded, this machine could very well be occupied.

Video poker games with high progressive jackpots are also usually occupied during peak periods in a casino.

Another biggie, especially for former smokers, are players who smoke at the machine immediately next to the non-smoker. This can also be an issue even if the smoker is a few machines away. It seems to be an unwritten law that another player’s smoke will always make its way to a non-smoker's nose.

Each of the above situations favors playing at non-peak times.

As you might suspect, I am one of the players who enjoys having the run of the video poker inventory. Smoke from other players really bothers me to the point of causing me to leave – regardless of how well I might be doing.

In order to have the best experience, my schedule for a trip to Las Vegas is something like this.

Arrive at the casino hotel late night or early morning.

Check in, go to room and sleep for a few hours.

Awaken at 4:00 AM, have a cup of coffee in the room and wake up.

Head to the casino and play – usually as the only player – for a few hours until the machines fill up or I am starting to lose focus. I will also break for breakfast when hungry and return to play if the machines are not filled.

That is it. The rest of the day is spent relaxing, sight-seeing and eating. I will sometimes check machine availability at different points during the day, and if there is space (and no smokers) I will try my luck.

This routine makes sure my play is focused and not impacted by others.

This is what works for me. It certainly isn’t what will work for everyone. Some people are distracted by the silence of open machines and need some others around to function properly.

That is fine. As long as you are comfortable, and focused, any routine that works is fine. Just make sure you keep your discipline. After all, if you lose control, you risk losing perhaps everything.

Keep your head. Play on YOUR schedule.

As always, may all your wins be swift and large, and your losses be slow and small.

Jerry “Stickman”

Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack and video poker and advantage slot machine play. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines. He authored the video poker section of "Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pai Gow Poker!" You can contact Jerry “Stickman” at stickmanjerryg@gmail.com