The 20-year royal virgin

John,

I have been playing video poker for over 20 years and have never, I repeat, never hit a royal flush!!

I have played mostly 9/6 machines and have used as many of your tips as I can remember. I follow one of your play cards %'s on all games. I have played in Vegas, Reno, Biloxi, Caribbean cruises, locally here in Florida on day cruises and at the Seminole Indian casinos.

I can't even hit one in practice on my Hoyle computer games!! I've had players on both sides of me hit and they all say it's not their first.

I can't tell you how many times I've had 3 or 4 to the royal and still nothing. I do have fun and usually win a few $$ or so, but it's getting frustrating wondering if I'll die and never hit the royal!!

A faithful follower of you articles for years.

Tom

Dear Tom,

I really don't know what to say.

The average number of hands between royals is about 40,000. That's an average. Some players go 80,000, 120,000, 160,000 or even more hands between royals.

You said you've been playing for over 20 years. I don't know how many hands you've played, but I suspect it's well into six figures. It seems like you should have hit at least one in all those years.

I don't publish any strategy cards, so I don't know whose cards you're using. In any case, I haven't seen any bad ones yet, so keep following it.

And keep plugging away. Those royals will come — eventually.

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 send a reply to every question. Also be advised that it may take several months for your question to appear in my column.