| Whales seek the most luxurious accomodations, the tastiest food, and the best entertainment. May or may not play full-pay video poker. Ideal plays: Bellagio and, before Steve Wynn announced he was closing the place, Desert Inn. When hitting a royal, says: "You want furs or jewelry, hunnybunch?" Goals: Sharks have a big bankroll and are out to win a lot of money. They play well and stick to full-pay video poker. Ideal plays: typically Caesars, Rio, Golden Nugget, or Treasure Island, but will turn up just about anywhere they can get a better mathematical edge. Is somewhat more interested in cashback than comps, as they play enough for RFB anyway. When hitting a royal, says: "I'm gonna buy me a convertible!" Low-rolling local Plays nickels or quarters, a few hours a week. Goals: good mailings with lots of free or discounted buffets, movies, etc. Ideal plays: Fiesta, Reserve.When I was a young man, there was a very popular saying heard in bad songs and TV shows: "In any given population, there is a heterogeneity both of valid goals and of methodologies with which to bring about their fulfillment." Actually, that was the Bill Buckley version. The rest of us just said, "Different strokes for different folks." Louie Anderson put it another way, the first time I ever saw him in Las Vegas. The huge comic walked out on stage, looked around at the crowd and said, "What’s this one size fits all crap!" Among video poker players, this truth holds, regardless of how you state it. We are a group of people with a common interest but with very diverse goals that demand different "strokes." Yet most of us who write about video poker ignore this. We often like to write "myth-busting" articles about video poker or gambling in general. I have been considering this for awhile and I offer here a few myths and truths concerning people who play (and read about) video poker. Myth: Most players are either: A) fairly expert players who play a lot and derive income from their play; or B) are not yet A's, but want to be and need to be educated and trained to get there. Players not interested in learning how to play perfect strategy are fools and should stick with slot machines. Truth: Most players do not have the interest, time, or dedication to becoming a pro-level expert player. When considering the visiting player who comes to Las Vegas or A.C. every so often for fun and relaxation, it's hardly surprising they are not interested in burning the midnight oil to learn obscure penalty card situations. Yet they want to enjoy their time in the casino — and in order to do that, they would like to learn as much as possible about the game without making it a lifestyle. They still need to know which games are the best ones to play and how to play them. They need strategies that are as easy as possible to learn without giving up a lot of expected return. They still need good VP "trainer" software (even though they may not have time to practice as much as they should.) Myth: It doesn’t matter much whether the reader is a local or a visitor — the game is still played the same. Truth: What’s okay for a visitor may be suicide for a local and what’s smart for a local may not be worth considering for a visitor. An example: A recreational local player may value a place with only about 100% return at best, lousy rooms and no cash back. Why? Because the food is good and the meal comps are so generous they can eat there several nights a week with only moderate play. This is a good play for the local, but a lousy one for the visitor. Another: An expert local player frequently plays at a place that is rather ugly, often smoke-filled, has only adequate restaurants, and the guestrooms are alive with critters that never heard of Black Flag. Yet the video poker is outstanding. It makes sense for this guy; but it’s not any- one's idea of a place to spend a vacation. |
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