East Coast Gambler

Two years ago I realized that a friend of mine was getting better comps than I was by playing video poker in Atlantic City.  I was appalled by this.  I never thought that a game that grannies played would be given better treatment by the casinos than the table games I played.

This was the catalyst for me learning more about advantage play, payouts and percentages over two years ago.  It’s also partially the reason I started ECG.  Hopefully people can learn from my experiences – good, bad, drunk and over-caffeinated.

Since my $15 bets in blackjack weren’t accumulating comps in the way they I wanted them to, I devoted that money to learning how to play video poker.  I thought that maybe this would help my comps a little while making me a more efficient gambler.  I still play $25 hands when I play blackjack, but I tend to stay away from low limits for reasons beyond comps.

Since I began playing video poker, my comps have certainly gotten better and I’ve been able to extend my gambling day as I enjoy playing video poker in the morning before the rest of the casino is awake.  I’ve also come to learn what I like and dislike with all games and I’ve learned a lot about my own tendencies when I gamble.

This blog started as an into into my video poker play during my recent trip to Las Vegas, but was a little too long for an intro.  Look for my video poker play later this week and why I think video poker in Vegas is lame.

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As I always do, I’m prepping a trip to Las Vegas with video poker research.  I don’t think I’ll be gambling at most of these casinos, but I want to make sure I have the information in case I decide to.  Of course, I can always visit the vpFREE mobile site, but I still use ECG for my research.

Nothing too surprising here, the list states that the Venetian has $1 9/6 Jacks or Better machines.  I don’t remember seeing that in April and the comments mention they the machines are gone.  I’m sure they are gone, but I’ll look.

Here are findings of places I’ll possibly gamble.

Aria
99.54% JoB (FP): $5(3 lines, 5 lines)
99.17% BP (FP): $1(SP), $5(SP)
98.98% DDB (FP): $1(SP), $2(SP), $5(SP)
98.91% LV Airport/Illinois Deuces: $1(SP), $2(SP), $5(SP)
98.45% JoB: $1
97.30% JoB: $1(Prog)

Bally’s
99.54% JoB (FP): $5, $10, $25, $100
99.17% BP (FP): $5, $10, $25, $100
98.01% BP: 25c, $1(3 lines, 5 lines), $2, $5
97.87% DDB: 25c(Prog)

Bellagio
99.54% JoB (FP): $5, $10(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines), $25(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines), $100
99.17% BP (FP): 25c(SP), $1(SP), $2(SP), $5(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines, SP), $10(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines)
99.11% DB: $2(SP), $5(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines, SP)

Bills
98.01% BP: 25c(Prog)
97.87% DDB: 25c(Prog)
97.30% JoB: 25c(Prog)
96.77% Colorado Deuces: 25c(Prog)

Caesars Palace
99.54% JoB (FP): $5, $10, $25, $100
99.17% BP (FP): $5, $10, $25, $100
97.30% JoB: 25c(3 lines, 5 lines, Prog), 50c(3 lines, 5 lines)

Encore
99.54% JoB (FP): $5(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines, SP), $10(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines, SP), $25, $50, $100
99.17% BP (FP): $5, $10, $25
98.01% BP: 25c(Prog), 50c, $1(Prog), $2

Harrahs
99.54% JoB (FP): $5, $10, $25, $100
99.17% BP (FP): $5, $10, $25, $100
98.98% DDB (FP): $5
98.91% LV Airport/Illinois Deuces: $5
98.01% BP: 25c(Prog), 50c, $1
97.87% DDB: 25c(Prog)

Imperial Palace
99.54% JoB (FP): $1
98.01% BP
97.30% JoB

M Resort
99.54% JoB (FP): 25c
99.40% Ace$ (FP): 25c
99.17% BP (FP): 25c, 50c, $1
99.11% DB: 25c, 50c, $1
98.98% DDB (FP): $1, $2, $5, $10, $25

MGM Grand
99.54% JoB (FP): $1(100 lines, 50 lines), $2(100 lines, 50 lines), $5(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines), $10, $25(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines), $50(3 lines, 5 lines), $100(3 lines)
99.17% BP (FP): $5
98.91% LV Airport/Illinois Deuces: 25c(10 lines, 50 lines)

Mirage
99.54% JoB (FP): $5(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines), $10(3 lines, 5 lines), $25(3 lines), $50, $100
99.45% BDW (FP): $5, $10, $25
99.17% BP (FP): $1, $5, $10(Prog), $25(Prog)
99.11% DB: $1, $10
98.98% DDB (FP): $10
98.45% JoB: $5(Prog)
97.30% JoB: 25c(Prog

NYNY
99.54% JoB (FP): 25c, $1, $2, $5(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines), $10(3 lines, 5 lines), $25
99.17% BP (FP): 25c, $1, $2, $5(3 lines, 5 lines), $10(3 lines, 5 lines), $25
98.98% DDB (FP): 25c, $1, $2
98.91% LV Airport/Illinois Deuces: 25c, $1, $2

Palazzo
98.91% LV Airport/Illinois Deuces: $5, $10, $25
98.45% JoB: $1(SP), $2(SP), $5(SP), $10, $25
98.44% JW: 25c, 50c, $1
98.01% BP: 25c(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines, SP, STP), 50c(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines, SP), $1(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines, SP)

Planet Hollywood
99.54% JoB (FP): $5, $10, $25
99.17% BP (FP): 50c, $1(3 lines, 5 lines), $2(3 lines, 5 lines), $5(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines), $10(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines), $25(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines), $100
99.11% DB: $5(3 lines), $10(3 lines), $25(3 lines)

Red Rock
100.76% FPDW (FP): 25c
100.17% DB (FP): 25c, 50c, $1
100.15% LDW (FP): 25c, 50c, $1
100.13% SBDW: 25c, 50c, $1
100.07% DDB: 5c(NS), 10c(NS), 25c(NS), 50c, $1
99.92% TDW (FP): 5c
99.17% BP (FP): 25c(5 lines, MS, Prog), 50c(5 lines, MS), $1(5 lines, MS, Prog)

Venetian
98.45% JoB: $1(3 lines, SP, STP), $2(SP), $5(SP)
98.44% JW: 25c, 50c, $1
98.01% BP: 25c(3 lines, 5 lines), 50c(3 lines, 5 lines), $1(3 lines, 5 lines), $5(Prog)
97.87% DDB: 5c(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines, QQ), 10c(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines, QQ

Wynn
99.54% JoB (FP): $5(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines, SP), $10(10 lines, 3 lines, 5 lines, SP), $25(3 lines, 5 lines), $100
99.17% BP (FP): $5, $10
99.11% DB: $5, $10
98.01% BP: 25c(Prog), $1(Prog)

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I had an epiphany in Atlantic City last week.  Well, more of a thought than an epiphany.  I read so many complaints about the lack of 9/6 Jacks or Better video poker available in Atlantic City, but at least the games are available.

In fact, unlike Las Vegas, there are a few 9/6 Jacks or Better machines at every casino in Atlantic City.  In fact, vpFREE shows that not even the Pennsylvania casinos all have 9/6 video poker.

I played 9/6 video poker at both Bally’s and Caesars in different denominations.  The Full House above is from Caesars in quarter denomination.  The 4 aces below is from Bally’s in the $1 denomination.

Of course the odds at 9/6 Jacks or Better are 99.56% to the player and that’s a major reason why people play.  The full house above is when the “9″ comes in handy.  I play because it’s the most simple to learn perfect strategy with the least volatility.

Bottom line: Atlantic City visitors should be happy that they have at least a few good video poker machines to go along with 3:2 blackjack.  It’s some of the best gambling around.

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It’s been a while since I’ve checked VPFree for video poker pay tables.  I’ll be staying on the boardwalk for the first time since last summer, so I figured that I should take a whirl.  Most of the pay tables look the same, but there are a few updates.

For this update I only included casinos that I’ll likely visit on this trip.  Head over to vpFREE for pay tables on all casinos anywhere.

Bally’s
99.54% JoB (FP): 25c, $1(3 lines, Prog)
1-2-3-4-6-9-25-50-800
25¢ – 1 Play – near poker area, towards cashier – 4 Uprights
$1 – 3 Play – in Park Place Video Poker area – 1 Slant top
$1 – 3 Play – in Diamond Pointe immediately to the left after entering – 3 Slant-tops
$1 – 1 Play – Prog – in Park Place to the right of the big six wheel – 4 Uprights
$1 – 1 Play – in Park Place Video Poker area – 4 Slant-tops
$1 – 5-10 Coins – 1 Play – in Park Place Video Poker area smoking section – 8 Slant-tops

99.17% BP (FP): 25c(3 lines, Prog), $1(3 lines, Prog), $5, $10, $25
1-2-3-4-5-8-25-40-80-50-800
25¢ – 1 Play – in Park Place Video Poker area – 1 Slant-top
25¢ – 3 Play – Prog – in Park Place to the right of the Big Six Wheel – 9 Slant-tops
25¢ – 3 Play – Prog – in Park Place near Big Six Wheel – 7 Slant-tops
$1 – 5-10 Coins – 1 Play – in Park Place Video Poker area smoking section – 8 Slant-tops
$1 – 3 Play – in Park Place Video Poker area – 1 Slant-top
$1 – 3 Play – in Diamond Pointe immediately to the left after entering – 3 Slant-tops
$1 – 1 Play – Prog – in Park Place Video Poker area – 4 Slant-tops
$5 – 1 Play – in back of Tower Slots – 3 Slant-tops
$10 – 1 Play – in Tower Slots – 1 Upright
$25 – 1 Play – in Tower Slots – 1 Upright

99.11% DB: $1
1-1-3-5-7-9-50-80-160-50-800
$1  – 1 Play – in Park Place Video Poker area – 4 Slant-tops

99.00% JWD: 25c(NS)
1-1-4-6-8-10-25-50-100-1000
25¢ – 1 Play – Game King bank in Little Joe’s (WWW) 2nd Row from back wall – 5 Slant-tops
25¢ – 1 Play – non-smoking section of Park Place Poker just opposite the casino host desk – 3 Uprights

Caesars
99.54% JoB (FP): 25c(Prog), $1, $2, $5
1-2-3-4-6-9-25-50-800
25¢  – 1 Play – Prog – location unknown – 7 Slant-tops
$1, $2, $5 – 1 Play – about 3 rows past BJ tables as you walk towards Pacific Avenue – 3 Slant-tops
$2 – 1 Play – $2 Game Kings in high-limit room     Slant-tops

98.98% DDB (FP): $1, $2, $5
1-1-3-4-6-9-50-80-160-160-400-50-800
$1, $2, $5 – 1 Play – in middle of casino near mens room on left – 5 Slant-tops

Showboat
99.54% JoB (FP): 25c, 50c, $1, $2
1-2-3-4-6-9-25-50-800
25¢, 50¢, $1 – 1 Play – In Main Casino across from Carousel Room/Jackson Square down steps, on left; two banks of four machines – 8 Uprights
$1, $2 – 1 Play – High Limit Area – 1 Slant-top

99.17% BP (FP): 25c, 50c, $1
1-2-3-4-5-8-25-40-80-50-800
25¢, 50¢, $1 – 1 Play – In Main Casino across from Carousel Room/Jackson Square down steps, on left; two banks of four machines – 8 Uprights

Trump Plaza
99.54% JoB (FP): 25c, 50c, $1, $2, $5
1-2-3-4-6-9-25-50-800
25¢ – 1 Play – near the Wheel of Fortune alcove (Boardwalk end) – 30 Slant-tops
25¢ – 1 Play – in Poker room – 1 Slant-top
25¢, 50¢, $1 – 1 Play – towards the Boardwalk end near the mass of the good VP; (“Jacks or Better” on the face glass; Little/no cashback on these machines) – 14 Uprights
50¢ – 1 Play – near the East Tower     1 Upright
$1 – 1 Play – in the alcove near the elevators – 2 Slant-tops
$2 – 1 Play – in the alcove near the elevators – 2 Slant-tops
$5 – 1 Play – in the raised alcove next to the center escalator – Slant-tops
$5 – 1 Play – in high-limit area – Slant-tops

99.17% BP (FP): 50c, $1, $5
1-2-3-4-5-8-25-40-80-50-800
50¢, $1, $5 – 1 Play – in the raised alcove next to the center escalator – Slant-tops

99.11% DB: 25c, $1, $2, $5
1-1-3-5-7-9-50-80-160-50-800
25¢ – 1 Play – near the Wheel of Fortune alcove (Boardwalk end) – Slant-tops
$1, $2, $5 – 1 Play – in the east tower – 2 Uprights

98.98% DDB (FP): 25c, 50c, $1, $5
1-1-3-4-6-9-50-80-160-160-400-50-800
25¢ – 1 Play – scattered around casino – Slant-tops
50¢, $1, $5 – 1 Play – in the raised alcove next to the center escalator – Slant-tops

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I usually do a little video poker research before a trip gambling and this time is no different.  Below are the casinos that I may venture into.  I won’t play this much video poker, but it’s good to have the knowledge.

There aren’t any surprises.  Palms has the best pay tables.  While the strip doesn’t have anything close.  For all the crap people give Harrah’s properties, at least they have $5 9/6 Jacks or Better games.  I don’t play much that high, but I do dabble each trip.

It’s unfortunate that Venetian and Palazzo pulled their 9/6 Jacks or Better games before my last trip to Vegas in December.

As always this information comes from vpFREE, which is a phenomenal resource for video poker information.

Aria Resort & Casino‎
last updated: Mar 10, 10 03:34 AM UTC

99.54% JoB 1-2-3-4-6-9-25-50-800 JoB (FP)
$5 1 Play / outside high limit room. $8 CI = 1 pt.
$5 3/5 Play / Slant/ outside high-limit

99.17% BP 1-2-3-4-5-8-25-40-80-50-800 BP (FP)
$1, $5 1 Play / location unknown

98.98% DDB 1-1-3-4-6-9-50-80-160-160-400-50-800 DDB (FP)
$1, $2, $5 1 Play / MG / outside the high limit room

98.91% DW44 1-2-3-4-4-9-15-25-200-800 LV Airport/Illinois Deuces
$1, $2, $5 1 Play / MG / outside the high limit room

98.45% JoB 1-2-3-4-5-9-25-50-800
$1 1 Play / location unknown

97.30% JoB 1-2-3-4-5-8-25-50-800
$1 1 Play / Prog / Unknown

Bellagio Las Vegas
last updated: Mar 10, 10 03:31 AM UTC

99.54% JoB 1-2-3-4-6-9-25-50-800 JoB (FP)
(3)    $10        1 Play                Slant     outside high-limit area
(2)    $10        3/5 Play            Slant     in high-limit area
(2)    $10        10 Play                Slant     in high-limit area
(5)    $25        1 Play                Slant     in high-limit area
(2)    $25        3/5 Play            Slant     in high-limit area
(1)    $25        10 Play                Slant     in high-limit area
(5)    $100        1 Play                Slant     in high-limit area
(10)    $5        1 Play                Slant     outside high limit room

99.17% BP 1-2-3-4-5-8-25-40-80-50-800 BP (FP)
(2)    $2, $5        1 Play    SP    MG        Slant     outside high-limit area
(5)    $5        1 Play    SP    MG        Slant     outside high-limit area
(5)    $5        3/5/10 Play    MG        Slant     outside high-limit area
(3)    $5, $10        1 Play        MG        Slant     outside high-limit area
(2)    $5, $10        3/5 Play    MG        Slant     in high-limit area
(2)    $5, $10        10 Play        MG        Slant     in high-limit area
(2)    25¢, $1        1 Play    SP            Slant     near intersection of corridors to elevators and buffet.

99.11% DB 1-1-3-5-7-9-50-80-160-50-800
(2)    $2, $5        1 Play    SP    MG        Slant     outside high-limit area
(5)    $5        1 Play    SP    MG        Slant     outside high-limit area
(5)    $5        3/5/10 Play        MG        Slant     outside high-limit area
(3)    $5, $10        1 Play        MG        Slant     outside high-limit area
(2)    $5, $10        3/5 Play    MG        Slant     in high-limit area
(2)    $5, $10        10 Play        MG        Slant     in high-limit area

98.98% DDB 1-1-3-4-6-9-50-80-160-160-400-50-800 DDB (FP)
(2)    $2, $5        1 Play    SP    MG        Slant     outside high-limit area
(2)    $5, $10        3/5 Play    MG        Slant     in high-limit area

98.01% BP 1-2-3-4-5-7-25-40-80-50-800
(6)    50¢        1 Play    Prog            Slant     near Snacks snack bar
(10)    $5        1 Play    Prog    MG        Slant     outside high-limit area

97.81% DB 1-1-3-5-6-9-50-80-160-50-800
(10)    $5        1 Play    Prog    MG        Slant     outside high-limit area
(10)    25¢        1 Play    Prog            Slant     near Jasmine Restaurant
(5)    25¢        1 Play    Prog            Slant     near Caramel Lounge
(4)    25¢        1 Play    Prog            Slant     near Circo Restaurant (10 Coins)
(5)    $1        1 Play    Prog            Slant     near Fontana Bar

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I played a lot of machines this trip to Atlantic City for a few reasons.  I caught a cold about halfway through my weekend and didn’t want to get others sick and also wasn’t in the mood to be around people.  I also didn’t do too well at the tables, so I decided to stay away.

I played a myriad of penny, nickle, quarter and dollar slot machines along with nickle, quarter, dollar and five dollar video poker.  I had a pretty good run at all of the machines and made up just about everything I lost at the tables.

The first night of machines started with some drinks and video poker at the bar.  As usual, I was drinking Grey Goose and club soda.  The pay tables at the bars aren’t very good, but after 3 drinks I only lost $4 plus $10 for a tip.  Not too shabby.

After losing $200 at 3 card poker I wandered back to the the machines and decided to try a game I’m not too familiar with – Anything But 6.

Evidently there is a strategy when getting to the bonus game, but I was not in condition to figure that out.  The Goose was loose!  A very nice young lady decided to give me some advice, but I never got another bonus to try.  That was a fun $100 down the tube.

After the loss I regrouped at went to look for my friend who was still rocking on the 3 card poker table.  The night ended with a little more losing and a burger.

The next morning I was hungover and it started off very similarly.   A disgusting looking cheeseburger with a fried egg.

While this looks nasty, it did the trick and the hangover was gone.  The two latte’s didn’t hurt either.  Before the burger I won back some of my losses from the previous night.  I was lucky enough to get four 7′s playing my favorite $1 9/6 Jacks or Better machines.

I walked away up about $150 and decided to wander off to play some pennies.  I found a 40 coin/line machine.  I have no idea what I was doing, but the idea was to get 2x, 3x, 4x and/or 5x.

I inserted $20 and after a while I was up a little but got bored and moved on.  After breakfast I hit the tables for a while.  Nothing special there so I hopped back to video poker.  I played a little more video poker and had a net positive.

I then went to one of my favorite nickle machines – “X-Treme Reels.”  After about 2 minutes I hit 7-7-7 times 5 times 2.  I don’t know exactly what it paid, but I walked away up $500!

The only other machine I would play was at the X-Bar later on that afternoon.  I watched some college hoops and had a couple more Grey Goose and soda while playing video poker.  Again a small loss and tip, but a couple more drinks.  When the bartender doesn’t change glasses the fruit tends to build up…lame.

My final day brought some good and bad.  I caught a nasty cold and that slowed me down as the day progressed.  The good news is that I found one of the 25 cent 9/6 Jacks or Better video poker machines that have alluded for about a year.

I don’t play quarters too often, but it’s nice to know where the machines are in case I want to slow things down.  I placed twenty bucks in and won a few bucks after hitting my second straight flush!  Here’s my first.

The highlight of my day was when I found a new favorite nickle (or penny) slot called Time Machine.

This game had everything I like in a nickle slot.  Bright lights.  Loud noises.  Fun bonuses.  Surprises and most importantly MONEY!

The bonuses are random occurrences and happen in the past, present and future.  The first bonus I received was a dinosaur attack which yielded me 4 wild stripes which turned my $20 into $500+!

After another 4 of a kind at $1 Bonus Poker, I shut myself down and got some medicine and headed back to the room.

It was a great weekend with the machines.  I had great wins on the low limit slots and enough nice hits on video poker to keep the money rolling.  The machines made up for a few bad sessions of 3 card poker.  Sometimes it happens the other way around.  Almost even is always good.  Another successful trip.

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