Video Poker Paybacks

22 July 2023

By Jerry Stickman

From Norman:


Hi Jerry,

I hope everything is well.

I haven’t been to a casino since I got back from Vegas in early March. I’ve made a decision however.

I’m never going back to gamble in PA anymore. They only have 6/5 JOB and 6/5 BP. Although it is an hour closer for me than AC, I just can’t do that with a good conscience anymore. For just an average player, like myself, I think I’ve been spoiled from playing in Vegas so I find it hard to play games with bad pay schedules.

This leads me to more of a philosophical way of doing business. In my background, I have always operated with the offensive game plan of making three slow nickels instead of one quick dime. You take money to the bank not percentages.

I’m sure you’ve seen this way more than I have. A lot of video poker players will go to poor payback machines and throw away their money in most cases. I would think that knowledgeable players would stay away from them.

Here’s my point. If casinos with low paying video poker pay tables would raise their pay tables 9/6 Job, 8/5 BP, etc., wouldn’t they attract more business and make more money in the long run?

Just a point to ponder.

Take care,

Norman

Hi Norman,

Thanks for the email.

I must say that I agree with you about playing better paying video poker. Many knowledgeable players do not have the discipline to stay away from bad games. They are driven by the experience, not the results.

Any player who makes regular visits to the casino will eventually end up losing at the rate of the casino edge. It makes no sense to me to play games where the house has a two, three, four, five or higher edge over the player.

Video poker can be a very fast-playing game. The house edge works against every dollar run through the game. That adds up very quickly.

When I can no longer find decent video poker pay tables (or lower paying tables but excellent other casino comps), I will be through playing.

I also agree with you on casinos raising pay tables. Even though casinos would have a lower edge, it seems to be that keeping existing customers is easier than attracting new one. Also, many, if not most, video poker players have spouses that visit the casino with them. Many times, they play higher house edge games which add to the casinos’ bottom line.

The casinos, however, do not agree. With accountants in control, casinos look at the short term – month-to-month. They try to get all the market will bear – each month, every month. They would rather burn out loyal customers and replace them with new players until they also burn out.

The cycle repeats and repeats.

I don’t agree with that philosophy, but that’s what is the way it is.

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