well so much for this idea too. My local casino only has 8/5 and 7/5 which gives the house a huge edge compared to 9/6

I feel your pain. There is a law in Minnesota here that makes it illegal for any machine to return more than 98%! Needless to say, I only play sparingly and then only with money that I expect to lose.

Try to find one of those machines that's at the bar. That way you don't have to wait for the waitresses for the free drinks and can get new ones as fast as you can drink them. I think I went through about 5 jack and cokes in an hour playing $1 JoB at Planet Hollywood. Total hit to the wallet: $3.

syncmaster pretty much nailed it... If you are playing to get the rooms comped, it would be better for you to play the 3 play JOB since you will have low variance and you will be able to acquire the comps to get the room.

I agree that JOB can get rather boring, which is why I try to find other games with high progressives instead. Nothing irks me more than hitting a big hand in JOB that would have paid a lot of money in other games. One time in particular I was playing 5 play quarters and got dealt AAA3A. I still ended up with about $155, but in Double Double Bonus, that would have been a sweet $2500 handpay..

I would try to figure out the points necessary to get a comped room. They may tell you the figure, and then you can base your play on JOB to the amount necessary for the comps, then switch to whatever other game you choose, such as the FPDW.

One thing to be careful of though.. Even though JOB has low variance, make sure that the amount of 3 play JOB you play is worth the loss to get the rooms comped. If you end up losing more money than the rooms are worth, it would make sense to play the FPDW instead.

Have you looked really good, and checked vpfree2?

Like I said, In one of my local casinos you only get 9/6 JoB in the high limit room ($2 - $5 coin = $10 -$25 per bet). If you want to play quarters or even dollars your going to be stuck playing these games too.

Don't forget about progressives, and remember gambling with a 2% house edge is still better than gambling with a 5% house edge. If your going to be at the casino gambling anyway.

Try looking out for some promo days. For example, one of my local casinos gives away a buffet for earning 20 comp points on a weekday Mon-Thurs. They also give 5x points on Mondays, so I only play there 1 day during the week.

Nvr mind, double post.

HAHAHA, on vpfree under my casino it says NOTHING GOOD

I was there today to play, small story at the bottom. I looked all over the place. 3 bars all have 7/5, 3 banks on the floor all at 8/5, high limit room has a bank of them at multi nom 1/2/5/10 and they are 3/5/10 play only and those are even 8/5

there are no progessives in this casino

So today I figured even with 8/5 at 97.3% with the current promotions it would be a good test run. This casinos VP machines give points at 1 point for ever $1 wagered and 1000 points=$1 free play/comp. Today if you earn 1000 points they are giving away a windbreaker (and you keep the points). They also have a month long promo going that when you get 1000 points you get to enter a 7 digit code into a screen and if you pick the correct code you win $1 million dollars. http://www.theriverscasino.com/million-dollar-mission I did not win the million but I did win $50 free play.(which I turned into $32)
I sat down at a machine and put $100 in and started to play at $0.25x5. After about 45 min I was down to 124 credits and really thinking this wasn't going to work then 1 hit 2 four of a kinds within 5 hands. After 1 hour and 31 min of playing I was at 450 credits and 1000 points. I decided I would quit whenever I was back down to 400 credits or up to 500 credits. Needless to say I quit at 400 and 1358 points.

Overall I was up $32, a free windbreaker, a free cookie (came with the chance to win 1 mil) and 1358 points. It went pretty much as hoped but I did realize how hard it is to play perfect strat. I made 2 blaring errors that ended up costing me at least 30 credits. 90 min of playing non stop at a fast pace really does take a toll on your fingers, eyes, and back

I tried bonus whoring the other day...

Sat at a $0.50 9/6 Jacks or Better machine w/ $1K. The promo was, for every 600 points, I get a $25 gas card. 600 points = $6,000 through the machine. I left down $1,500 and scored $125 in gas cards...

meh... SO much for that potential +100% return ha!

aww that sucks but think of all the fun you had. Did you have to cash in the points or did you get to keep the points. I went last night to a promo that you got a personal cooler (about $20 retail at walmart) when you get 500 points but you get to keep the points too. 500 points= $500 through the machine

Quick story: My aunt always plays video poker. She knows how to play but has no clue about the paytables and such. She told me she ripped up her players card to a local casino because they never win there and at another local casino they have walked out ahead quite a few times and at min it lets you play for a while. Last night we were at the casino she will never play in and I took a look at all the VPs and saw that the JOB options are 6/5 or 7/5 and you have to look for the 7/5. Most are 6/5 and of course the easy to find ones are 6/5. I called her and told her she was right and should never play VP there again.

Not bad for 500 points through a machine especially if one piont = $1!

I did not have to cash in the points. So I got a little more than 3,000 points that night, which also gets me $30 comp dollars and $30 "cash back" to pick up the next month.

Will give it a shot next time


As far as your Aunt, I could never play JoB for 6/5... I wouldnt even put a quarter in that machine. But if it was a 6/5 DDB or some variation like that, I would play it, but I would never hold a full house and go for 4oaK every time.

I started in late April to play VP in Laughlin. I liked micro online poker tourneys but no more of that. Found 99.96% 9/6/90 JoB. Only a .25 machine. The points per dollar. 1 pt. for $4 played. There is 99.54% with 1 pt. for $2 played. Those are .25 .50 $1. 600 pts. = $1. Mostly play the .25 but the other area (99.54) is non smoking and always available. So i take a shot at .50 and $1 sometimes. Also trying to figure out how much to play though. Sometimes only a 45min visit. $80 buy in goes quick lol. That gas promo sounds awesome! I Gotta keep an eye on those type of things they offer.

yeah VP is a lot of fun... the $ can go quick, or you could play for hours on your original $20 into the machine.

it really sucks how the casino's charge a premium by where machines are located (non-smoking machines = lower pay tables) or even the table top machines (not the free standing ones) have lower pay tables just because they are more comfortable.

If you see any good VP offers in Laughlin, let us know! I haven't been there for so long, but if there is something good, I'd make the drive.

The Gas Card promo was cool, better if you are playing higher limits (I was hoping to have more than a 1.5K roll for that one :-/ ) but later this month, they are offering a similar promo, same terms, but instead of $25 gas cards, its $25 Visa Gift Cards...

By the way, you could also get slot play rather than cards... And they dont stick you with 6 gas cards, they give you one for $100 and another for $50 etc etc...

I did get my first freeplay mailer in but do I also need to speak up and ask for any specials going?

Will let you know about any good promo's. The Riverside had a good VP tournament package in May- Room, food, and entry $149 i think. Hope they have a few this summer.

Promos come... but depends on the property. I get them sometimes a month in advance. You can always call the promotions desk.

At the moment I only have play on my harrahs / caesars entertainment total rewards card. Going for 7 stars. Half way there, gonna try to get it by september.

Ok, ty SJ.

Good luck on your way to 7 stars. Run good! That's good you have the Vegas option with Harrahs/Caesars.

Thank you

Having the Total Rewards points / comps good at Harrah's Rincon (more local) and in Vegas is a big plus for me. There are Caesars properties in Laughlin, but I haven't been to one in ages...Wouldnt mind a change...

maybe next trip

Girlfriend were talking about a short vegas trip again soon this evening. Now that Caesars Palace is pet friendly, we bring the dog and its all good

I just got back from my four day Vegas vp grinding trip. Here is a quick report.

I stayed the first two nights at Palms. I booked their summer pool offer which was two nights in a standard room with $100 food comps in the pool area only and $40 in drink vouchers good anywhere. The total was $221 with resort fees included.

I decided to play ten line .25 9/6 JoB. I loaded up the machine with 1k and went to work. I ended up playing roughly 18 hours in two days earning in the neighborhood of 80,000 points which was good for around $200 free play. I also earned another $35 in free play for being a new player.

The results were very good considering I did not hit 1 stinking royal. I was down to $250 at my low point and was up to over $1500 at my high. I ended up ahead around $150. I also mixed in an hour or so of slot play that I broke even on.

I talked on the phone to a casino host the day before I was to leave, he was very busy but he said to have whoever helped me check out to call him at that time. I did as instructed and he was able to comp everything minus gratuity. I ended up paying a total of $22! The comp value was about $350. I was quite pleased with how everything worked out, except ofcourse not hitting a royal.

I then cabbed it over to Aria where I used an offer for two free nights and $100 in free play. Holy **** was I blown away by how nice the room and hotel was! The $38 filet I ordered from room service was in the top 3 Ive ever had! Only Carnevino and the $150 grade 7 waygu from Craftsteak were better. Still, I will never stay there again unless it is free because everything is so damn expensive.

The paytables were horrible ofcourse. I decided to give them very minimal action only because they have been known to charge you for comped rooms if you dont play enough. I played $1 8/5 JoB for about an hour at a very leisurely pace. I blew through the $100 in free play plus $250 of my own money.

I then took a cab to the Gamblers Book Shop. I love books, gambling and Vegas history so I was in heaven! The staff was a pleasure to talk with and were very helpful too. I ended up spending over an hour and $80 there. It may have been the highlight of my trip and I urge all of you to stop there next time you are in town.

From the GBC I cabbed it to the M resort to check out FrankenBob's monster. Im getting sick of typing so I will provide a link for info.

http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/bob_dancer/2011/0510.cfm

I knew it was a high risk high reward propostion so I budgeted $300 to throw at it. Luckily the highest meter was the game I know best (JoB) at $2986. It was at $3050 or so when my $300 finally ran out six hours later.

I loved the resort though and am having a hard time deciding if I want to stay there or at Palms the next time Im in town.

All in all it was a very nice trip despite not hitting a royal with the ton of hands I played. I ended up down $400 gambling but paid nothing for rooms so I felt it was a good value.

Fergie thank you for the TR. I am sure you will be getting all kinds of offers in the mail now too. I would like to give their progressive a shot as well. Since opening this thread someone mentioned their show and I have been listening to them. I also emailed Bob yesterday to ask him about a machine here locally and he responded to me within 2 hours. Its not like they are mega stars but I was still shocked to even get a response from him.

I am still trying to figure out the best way to grind to elite status. July 1st starts the new cycle so I will go strong then.

I am a big fan of the radio show too. Frank has actually read two questions of mine that I emailed him on air. It is also on his advice that I decided to grind the 10 line .25 JoB at Palms. It worked out great too, as I got everything comped and established a relationship with a host which is exactly what I wanted.

I easily moved up to the 2nd highest level in Palms' players club (MVP) too. I then was able to get that level matched at Cosmopolitan when I went there to take advantage of their lose $100 get $100 free play promo.

I am kind of bumbed now though. I wont be able to play any serious vp until I get back to Vegas since the games here suck. With my work schedule that probably wont be till August at the earliest.

I will have to live vicariously through you all. Be sure to keep me posted on how you do.

Great TR Fergie!

I had no idea there was 9/6 JOB 10 line anywhere near the strip... Then again, I rarely leave Caesars Palace, but after my last trip... I decided never to play video poker at Caesars again.

No I need to find good Video Poker destination in Vegas for Caesars Entertainment.

Although, I may play at the Palm's my next vegas trip if I can find games like that.

Suited Junk-

Im afraid your search will be a futile one. Caesars has the worst vp paytables of anyone on the strip. MGM properties are slightly better but still not anything Id be excited to play. I think I remember reading somewhere that Casino Royale has the best paytables on the strip (though still not full pay).

I have sworn off strip gambling for the most part. I would almost call it a boycott. It just pisses me off that all they have done over the last decade is change the odds on every game they can to favor the house even more. It has gotten to the point that you almost have no shot of winning. They have jacked up the prices on food and everything else too.

I know this will never happen but I wish enough people would stop gambling in protest of the ****ty odds so they would have to change them back. The sad truth is most tourists are ignorant of the fact that they are being raped!

My aunt lives near Vegas and whenever I go out there we always meet up with her. In the last 10 years there has not been 1 single time that we met up on the strip. The last time we met up with her she asked what we were doing and I told her we just came from MGM (slots, blackjack, lunch) and she yelled at me. She said "I tell you every year to stop throwing money away on the strip. There is a reason the locals don't touch the strip." We ended up at Terribles for a few hours for their $5 shrimp and steak dinner then we went down town and played. I don't know what the pay tables were on VP but that is what my aunt was playing.

Fergie, I hear ya... I may explore playing at RIO, I think the games are a little better...

I was at Caesars again on Wednesday... I counted my Full Houses this time (playing 7/5 Bonus rather than my usual 8/5). I had about 34 full houses before I stopped counting after being sick. Thats 170 credits.. (I was playing $2)


I did get board and played Double Super Times pay for a little bit. They had it at the $0.25 level. I hit 4x3's w/ a kicker on a 5X multiplier for 1K. So that helped a bit...

If you have an iPad or an iPhone I suggest getting VP Trainer to train for full pay jacks or better WinPokerHD to train for any other kind of video poker. Both let you drill through thousands of hands and point out your mistakes for much less than you would pay in a casino.

Good advice Chinagambler. I use WinPoker on my iphone, it has 31 different games on it and allows you to customize pay tables to w/e games you are going to play in a casino. It does everything you need it to do and more.