Page 14 - February 2008 • Southern California Gaming Guide

Bob Dancer: Video Poker
HDow Much Money Can You Make Playing Video Poker?
ear Mr. Dancer:
I’ve never played video poker, but am considering learning it. I am very bright and can succeed at anything I put my mind to. But before I waste my time learning the game, I want
to know how much I can make when I get good at it. Signed:
Analytical in Anaheim
Dear AA:
e best players earn well over $100,000 per year on a regular basis, but that gure isn’t a realistic expectation unlessyoubecomeoneoftheeliteplayers.Asananalogy, there are thousands of star high school basketball players who will not even make it to the NBA, let alone to star status there.
truth about winning in video poker is that most of your pro ts should go into bankroll accumulation.
What happens when you lose? ere will be days when you lose thousands of dollars. ere will be weeks where you have several of those days back to back. What does that do to your con dence? Can you still go
willing to do what it takes to become competitive at the new best game?
What is your support system like? If you’re married and your spouse isn’t on board with the ups and downs inherent in a gambling career, you’re in for a tough road.
Do you like the game? ere’s no accounting for taste, and if you’re going to be spending a few thousand hours a year at something, it makes for a better life if this is something you enjoy. And keep in mind that it’s a lot more exciting at the beginning than it is after you’ve been doing it for years.
Do you have a backup plan? No matter how good you are, we’re still talking about gambling. Some players will end up with more than their share of royal ushes and others will end up with less. You need a fallback position in case things go bad.
Finally, if you’re not sure how you’d react in some of these situations, you don’t have to make the decision up front. Video poker is de nitely a “try it before you buy it” activity. You can learn the game and make weekend trips until you nd out if you like it—and experience some of the good and the bad along the way. By the time you’ve spent a few hundred hours playing the game, you’ll be in a far better position to see if this is something you want to do when you grow up.
Bob Dancer is America’s best-known video poker writer and teacher. He has a variety of “how to play better video poker” products, including Winner’s Guides, strategy cards, his autobiography Million Dollar Video Poker, and his two novels, including Sex, Lies, and Video Poker. Dancer’s products may be ordered at www.bobdancer.com.
You say you’re very bright. Okay. at’ll make the journey easier. Most, not all, of the most successful players are quite a bit brighter than average. But there are also a large number of very bright people with not-so- enviable results.
How is your money
sense? Are you regularly
called “cheap,” “frugal,”
or “stingy?” While these
terms aren’t generally considered complimentary, I believe tightwads have a better chance of being highly successful at this game than people who are generous with their money. Success at this game requires searching for the edge and exploiting that edge when you nd it. People who are accustomed to pinching pennies and making every dime count have built-in practice at nding these edges.
Can you save money? If you get $50,000 ahead, can you keep saving, knowing that you need to accumulate a lot more in order to safely play for higher stakes? Or will you decide that “money is for spending” and convince yourself that you deserve a new car, an expensive vacation, or some other luxury? e strange
out the next day and play at your best?
How’s your attention span? Playing video poker requires hours and hours of doing the same thing. Some folks nd this boring. Most of the hands are pretty simple, but several times an hour a more di cult hand comes along.
You need to be on your toes to catch these when they come about. Can you keep this attention when
you’re winning? How about when you’re losing?
Do you have vices that will impair your concentration,
like alcohol or recreational drugs? Do you have a medical condition that requires medication that a ects your mental alertness? Do you overeat at the bu et and go and play immediately afterwards? Can you manage your sleep while at the casino? Any of these things can negatively a ect your score.
How are your study habits? It will take you dozens, perhaps hundreds of hours reading and practicing on a computer to re ne your playing skills. Doing this at the beginning of your playing career is accepted as necessary. Are you willing to go back and review after six months or a year? If the best game changes, are you
“How are your study habits? It will take you dozens, perhaps hundreds of hours reading and practicing on a computer to refine your playing skills. Doing this at the beginning of your playing
career is accepted as necessary. Are you willing to go back and
review after six months or a year?”
Page 14
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
February 2008
Video Poker with Bob Dancer