Lasting at Video Poker

6 January 2024

By Jerry Stickman

From Ron:

Good day to you Jerry,

I am a video poker player. I usually play double-double bonus poker. I like it when I get four of a kind with a kicker. It is very exciting.

I have good money management and discipline. I always bring everything I am willing to lose with me (I never use the ATM). If I do get frustrated with losing, I take breaks as you suggest.

My big issue is more often than not, I have to quit playing before I am ready to leave the casino. I run out of money and have to pack it in. Sometimes, this happens less than half way through the planned visit.

What do you suggest I do?

All the best to you, sir,

Ron

Good day to you, Ron,
Congratulations on your money management and discipline. Without these you could be in some real financial trouble (and the casinos would love you).

I have some suggestions for you. Hopefully these will alleviate your down time at the casinos.

What is the return of the game you are playing. About the best you will see for Double-Double Bonus is 98.98 percent. This return is not too bad. If it is less than 98 percent, I would strongly recommend not playing the game at all. That is simply too much of an edge to give the casino. Check around the casino to see if there is a better pay table for the game. If is very common for casinos to have different pay table for the same game and denomination.

You also did not mention what denomination you play nor your bankroll size. Many players underestimate how much they need for their planned playing sessions. Maybe you are simply not bringing enough along. Or, you may be playing at too high a denomination. A $200 bankroll for a dollar game you want to play for more than about 15 minutes is too little. It may be enough for an hour on a quarter game, however.

You also did not mention whether you play a proper strategy, one that is mathematically calculated for the game (Double-Double Bonus) and pay table you are playing. If you are not playing the perfect strategy and playing it perfectly, you are not getting the most from each hand you are playing.

Hopefully, these suggestions help your situation. It is certainly no fun to hang around a casino and not play. There are better things to do than sit in a casino without playing their games.

Please let me know if I hit home with any of these suggestions.

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