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The Czars of Video Poker

"…Some weeks, they say they may play video poker an average of three hours a day. Sometimes, they don't play at all. And occasionally, depending on the promotion, Bob doesn't mind playing 12 to 15 hours a day.

"…[Bob] virtually lives and breathes video poker.

"`Not me,' says Shirley. `Video poker may be Bob's passion, but I have other things to do.'

"…But when she plays, she usually sits at a machine next to Bob. And even though she has the strategy for 9/6 Jacks or Better memorized, she still keeps the strategy chart handy. She knows that there are some confusing penalty-card situations that are best to be safe than sorry about.

"…Shirley adamantly refuses to worry about those mistakes that cost a third of a cent, mounting to 15 cents a year if misplayed every time they occur.

"…In one six-month period last year, Bob and Shirley together won a total of $1 million. Yes, that's correct. One million dollars in six months. Bob wrote a book that describes how he started playing video poker in 1994 with a bankroll of $6,000, and seven years later was able to win $1 million from September 2000 through March 2001.

"…When Bob and Shirley met in 1996 at a country and western dance, he was already a video poker expert and was starting his writing career. Shirley knew nothing about video poker.

"…Another difference in their playing styles is that Bob doesn't get upset when he's losing. He realizes that it doesn't matter if he's winning or losing on any particular day; he pays attention only to long-term results. However, without even looking at the credits she has accumulated, Bob can always tell if Shirley is winning or losing just by gauging her mood.

"…The flip side of the coin, though, is that when you have such huge winnings, you also have the potential for huge losses.

"…He warns newbies not to quit their day jobs. To get to this point in life takes many long years of skill-building, study and practice on a home computer…"

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