February 2010

Video Poker: Gaming In The Heartland by Linda Boyd

Vegas entrepreneur Sheldon Adelson (Sands in Macau, China and Venetian/Palazzo in Vegas) may be squirming a little like most casino owners, but when he makes a gaming- related statement, I listen. Several years ago he simply said, “if you want people to come to your casino, then you have to give them a reason.” It’s just a simple statement, but oh so meaningful, especially in today’s economic climate. People still have some disposable income, but now they are more careful since the amount is often less than a year ago. Sure people may still go to the movies, but they’re skipping the overpriced snacks at the concession stand.

Just like during the “Great Depression” of the 1920s, people have a need to let their hair down and unwind from the day-to-day stress, only now there’s even more thought given than in the past about how they spend their discretionary money. Just like the trend towards eschewing the movie popcorn and candy root beer barrels (yum) in favor of smuggled treats from home, casino patrons are making cost-saving changes. For one, they’re staying closer to home or making the traveling itself part of their entertainment package. No longer is air transportation the most favored option; nowadays people are becoming more Norman Rockwellian and enjoying America’s gorgeous scenery as they drive.

What a wonderful way to see this beautiful country up close and personal. Does it get any better than the picturesque Midwest? The continuing recession, coupled with reduced capacity and tacked-on charges by the airlines made car travel the preferred mode of transportation for many of us this holiday season. Instead of fancy gifts or lavish Vegas vacations people stayed closer to home and thought about the importance of family and the true meaning of these occasions. In short, there will definitely be changes in what motivates people to go to casinos, but plenty of customers remain for gaming venues that provide the right player incentives.

Reasons to Go: Most of the time there are some positive aspects even in the worst of times. For example, we’ve all heard how grandpa endured the fiercest of elements with bare feet, but expresses watery-eyed reflections. “Yes I walked for miles in snow drifts, but the smell of apple pie and thoughts of gathering around the village radio were more than compensation.” I expect that more true meaning of life values apply to casino choices as well. Laughing and shouting spectators (after their budget limit has been reached) are still enjoying the vicarious excitement. I honestly have noticed a noisier environment around the real players lately. Here are some other reasons to go.

Nevada Style Games: Local casinos are morphing into those found in Vegas and Reno, including the possibility of coming out ahead. It used to be that people correctly assumed you had to go to one of the famous Southwest towns to get the best odds, whether it was a table or video game. That is no longer true. You may not get a sports book like you do in Nevada, but the other games are just as good.

Table Games: You may think it’s cool to play against the best in poker games like Texas Hold’Em, but your wallet will be thinner if you do. In fact, if your object is to win, the worse the poker competition the better your odds. You are more likely to get a big jackpot with lots of players remaining for fourth street and the river in a friendly Midwest game than in towns like Vegas, Laughlin and Reno.

The same is true for reading bluffs and detecting tells — the poorer the other players, the better your chances of winning. Also, weekends and holidays are excellent times to play poker, five-card and seven-card stud as well as Hold’Em and Omaha. That’s when the rookies and new players come out in droves. So, for poker games where you play against other gamblers, rather than the house, bad players are good to find. Even if your game is blackjack, millions of simulations demonstrate that the good or bad play of somebody else has no impact whatsoever on your odds. In addition, your local casino may offer tables with lower betting requirements. Who needs a blackjack table that has a $25 minimum wager? So, if you like the sound of jingle in your jeans, table game players should examine the conditions close to home.

Slots: There are some great new games about to hit the casino floors both in the Midwest and Nevada. Unfortunately there’s no surefire way to know the expected return by looking at the device either locally or in Vegas. That’s because you could have side-by-side seemingly identical games, like Star Trek, with entirely different ER chips. One thing does appear clear, and that’s the lack of difference in game choices if you are a slots player. Again, if there’s nothing better in Nevada, then there’s no reason to make the trip. I strongly recommend that you look at the size of progressive jackpots where applicable. Many games have stand alone jackpots, meaning different amounts for individual machines. Of course you’ll want the one paying the most. I find it surprising that many people don’t pay any attention to these figures.

Video Poker: More on this in the next section, but the big reason to go to local Midwest casinos for video poker is that you’ll find choices comparable to those in Nevada right in your own back yard. Before the economic crunch there were more video poker games with an expected return (ER) over 100% in Vegas, but times have changed.

The Whole Enchilada: No need to go into too much detail here for those who have been to a Midwest casino lately. Posh resorts, spas, eclectic dining choices and top entertainment are now standards for local casinos. You’ll find marketing promotions, slot cards and all the other whistles and bells that make casinos so much fun and a good value for those taking the time to make smart choices.

Video Poker: Here’s where Nevada, in general, and Vegas, in particular, had a leg up on the competition in the past. In fact, they had games so good, as far as ER goes, that it was definitely worth the trip. Is this still true? Unfortunately, I’d have to say that it is no longer worth the effort to go to Vegas to find the best video poker choices Games You’ll Find: Regardless of where you choose to play, you’ll have to take the time to study pay schedules and actively look for the best game available. Long ago there were full pay games galore in Nevada, including some in 50¢ and $1 denominations. Those days are long gone.

There are a few remaining full pay games in Laughlin, Reno and Vegas, but you’ll only find those in lower denominations, like quarters. Not only that, but there are far fewer machines with full pay games in Nevada than any time I can remember. For example, there used to be 16 quarter machines at my favorite Laughlin casino and now there are only eight. In Vegas one casino has slowed the play down considerably and even posted a sign indicating that requests to speed the play will not be honored. Ouch! Further, to add salt to the wound, it takes 3,000 coins to get a single point at the Laughlin casino. Forget either cash back or comps when this happens. In addition to fewer machines, points and comps is the fact that the best game of them all, full pay deuces wild (FPDW), with an ER of 100.76%, assuming computer perfect play, nets you around $7 per hour on quarters. You have to ask yourself, “is it really worth the price of the airfare?”

Not-So-Ugly Deuces (NSUD): This game’s ER is almost as good as FPDW, with an expected return of 99.73% instead of 100.76%, assuming perfect play in each. More importantly though is the fact that many casinos include both comps and cash with NSUD. In addition, sometimes you get extra lucky and find higher denominations or even a NSUD progressive. I must emphasize that to get the best possible game you’ll have to make the effort to check out all pay schedules within the casino. Not really so time-consuming when you remember that if you make notes for future reference, then it’s definitely worth the time.

Illinois Deuces (ID): Just like NSUD the ER (98.91%) isn’t as good as FPDW, but you’re likely to find it both in higher denominations as well as frequently on progressives. When the progressive jackpot for the royal flush grows to 6,000 coins (any denomination) the ER becomes 99.88%. Really an excellent play when you consider that I have always seen full cash back plus full comps, both earned and discretionary, awarded. Best of all you’ll find lots of machines with ID throughout the Midwest. Fun and great value for your entertainment dollars.

Progressives: At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of profit sharing with the casino by finding good progressives. With the current economic situation businesses must protect their bottom line, so the best you can reasonably expect is to get a cut of the profit. This is an especially good deal for the smart players who take the time to learn computer correct play. Their odds, of course, will be better than the average Joe who plays mostly hunches. Not only that, but if you’re patient then you’ll take the time to case the entire casino for the highest ER available. Even if the only game is progressive 8/5 Jacks or Better (8/5 JOB), you’ll be playing for almost even money (99.59%ER) when the royal doubles — that’s 8,000 coins. The volatility or risk increases as well so you must have enough self-control to quit when you’ve gone through your allocated budget. However, every casino I know of gives full slot club cash and comps for progressives, so the return is actually better than 100% some of the time.

Slowing the Pace: Some games are not so exciting, but they have the advantage of allowing you to play a longer time in the long run. If you’re out for the evening on a limited budget consider games that return double the wager for two pair. Examples are JOB and Bonus Poker (BP). Make sure you check the pay schedules carefully, however, since pseudo-BP has found its way into some casinos. That’s when the game returns even money for two pair instead of double the bet. Don’t be deceived by extra pay at the top of the pay schedule, like 400 coins or more for the rare four-of-a-kind. That won’t compensate for cuts at the bottom of the payout for more frequent hands.

Variety is Spicy: Always keep in mind that you’re supposed to be having fun. If you find the game to be boring, a frequent complaint about JOB games, then you should consider switching. That’s why it’s a good idea to know the basic playing strategy for more than one game. For example, determine the best-paying version of both a deuces wild and a non-deuces wild game in a casino you frequent. Then use tutorial software to practice both, or make sure you have strategy cards with you for reference.

Beauteous Land: If you’ve decided to forego the plane ride to Vegas in favor of a road trip closer to home you’ll discover part of the fun is seeing our beautiful Midwest.

Charting Your Course: Spend the extra time visiting websites of the casinos where you want to stay or play before you leave home. Organizing your trip will insure you find the casinos that have the best versions of the games you want to play. Some have excellent craps odds while others have video poker games with good expected returns, for example.

Side-Tracked: Sometimes it’s fun to get side-tracked and see national monuments or other attractions. When you’re going by car you have a lot more latitude to alter plans than when flying. Combining sight-seeing with gaming can save you money and add variety to your vacation.

Coupons Abound: I cut and file coupons from all available sources. By keeping everything together you won’t get frustrated when you’re getting ready to leave. For me, I just toss any coupon for say a Midwest casino, (if that’s where I plan on traveling) into a manila folder.

RV Options: I’m told that those with recreational vehicles are now in on the extreme discounts act as well. For the latest information on that front, refer to Mac McClellan’s Road Report in Midwest Gaming & Travel.

Final Thoughts: We’re all hoping to see Americans back to work with an end to the current recession in the near future. In the meantime there are plenty of good reasons to stay closer to home and play in Midwest casinos combining a sight-seeing vacation with gaming in the heartland.

— Linda Boyd, a long-time table game player before turning to video poker, writes for many gaming publications. Her book, The Video Poker Edge, includes free removable pay schedules and her free strategy cards for the most popular games. Available at amazon.com, bookstores or www.squareonepublishers.com.