Progressive video poker changes

I am sure you have been asked this many times, but I have been wondering about the paybacks of straight poker machines as compared to those connected to a progressive pot. Say, for instance, on a DBL-DBL Bonus Poker machine game, will it give out fewer 4 of a kinds and full houses just to pay into the progressive pot?

Our local casino just linked my favorite machines to a progressive and I have noticed that I cannot win like I used to.

Larry

Dear Larry,

Actually, I think you're the first person to ask this question.

Changing one or more jackpots on a video poker machine from a fixed amount to a progressive should have no effect on the probabilities of achieving the paying hands. Video poker machines operate in the same way you do when you are sitting at your kitchen table dealing cards. Every card still in play is equally likely to be selected. Thus, there is no way to make the machine deal fewer quads or full houses.

The only change the casino can make is altering the payouts on the hands. Maybe that's what happened. The casino lowered the payout on one or more hands to fund the progressive. Now you tend to get a little less play out of your bankroll — unless you hit the progressive — and that's why you're not hitting as many four-of-a-kinds and full houses.

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

Send your slot and video poker questions to John Robison, Slot Expert, at slotexpert@comcast.net. Because of the volume of mail I receive, I regret that I can't reply to every question.