Page 19 - March 2005 • Southern California Gaming Guide

Video Poker Winner’s Guides by Bob Dancer and Liam W. Daily
Reviewed by Bill Matuzzi
I began playing video poker years ago, rst in the Las Vegas Strip casinos; then at the better- odds locals’ casinos. I’ve paid my dues, and won more than my share of Royals. I’ve played cards most of my life. You’ve heard the background I’m sure: Italian-American hard-working,
fun-loving family with a grandfather who taught everyone “kitchen” poker. So at rst, I thought because I was an above-average poker player, that I’d wipe the video poker machines clean. Well, right. I’ve learned that the two games, of course, are very di erent. And a few years back, I realized if I was going win more of the time, I had to learn much more about video poker.
Pick’em Poker. e card is a six-panel, three-fold pocket size showing four levels of play. You can take these with you into the casino and refer to them while you’re actually playing.
But if you have a computer, it’s de nitely worth it to invest in Dancer’s software, WinPoker ($39.95). It comes with 25 of the most popular video poker games, including 9/6 Jacks or Better. I used this as a tutor to analyze my moves and found out the mistakes I was making. It’s got great graphics and is pretty easy to use.
Video Poker Winner’s Guides include Jacks or Better, Double Bonus, Full Pay Deuces Wild, NSU Deuces Wild, Pick’em Poker and Double Double Bonus Poker. Each one is $16.50, except for the $10
tag for the Pick’em Poker volume. Video Poker Strategy Cards are
available for 9/6 Jacks or Better, 10/7 and 9/7 Double Bonus, Deuces Wild, Joker Wild, 8/5 Jacks or Better & 8/5 Bonus, and 16/10 NSU Deuces Wild. ey are $6.95
each or $35 for all six.
ere’s a reason these tutorial
products are so good. Dancer, who’s the reigning video poker expert, actually wins.
He say’s he’s won a million playing “the thinking man’s slot,” and even tells that story in his book,
Million Dollar Video Poker.
I heard about Bob Dancer (what serious video poker player hasn’t?) and his Winner’s
Guides. ere are now six of them.
e rst one I bought was Jacks or Better. is is a no-frills, almost 100- page detailed large-format paperback that gets to the heart of the di er- ences between live poker and video poker immediately. is was good for me so I could be humbled even more about losing to a machine.
In eight chapters, the Winner’s
Guide to Jacks or Better details video
poker fundamentals, strategy (includ-
ing methodical tables), examples, and
practice sessions. I gave this book to my girlfriend to read, and she said she nally realized why it was so important to only play 9/6 machines (after I’ve been
telling her this for years). But she agrees that this guide is helpful because it also tells you what to hold when you’re dealt a particular hand—and why. A real
eye-opener. e practice sessions in the book are invaluable. ey show dealt hands and ask you to pick what you’d hold. en it tells why you should have held some- thing else!
Some quick studies may also want to look at Dancer’s Strategy Cards. I bought a few and still keep them handy when I play games I don’t play a lot like
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March 2005 Page 19
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