Hi, John:
Love your column,
and have learned quite a bit about Video Poker and Slots from
your writings and knowledge. Thank you.
I was invited to
a Video Poker Tournament in a few weeks in Atlantic City. Do
you have any strategies for me to increase my chances of
winning?
I have no idea if
it will be Jacks or Better, Joker Poker or Double Bonus, but
being a gambling woman, I am betting Jacks or Better...
I feel I am a
pretty decent and fast player.
Royally yours,
Chickey
Dear Chickey,
You're welcome.
It would be nice
if the tournament organizers would give you more information
about the tournament. As you mentioned, it would useful to know
the paytable on the machines so you could learn and practice
the strategy for it.
It would also be
useful to know if the sessions are limited by hands, time, or
both. Most Video Poker Tournaments have sessions are based on
time, and a good many also limit the number of hands per
session. That's good to prevent the faster players from playing
more hands than the slower players.
If the sessions
are only time limited, play as fast as you can. If they're both
time and hand limited, slow down but play quickly enough to
ensure you play all the hands you're given.
Friends who have
more experience playing in Video Poker Tournaments than I have
tell me that the winners aren't necessarily players who play
every hand correctly, but the ones who play all the hands they
can. They tell me not to spend a lot of time trying to look for
cards to hold. If there's nothing obvious, get five new cards.
Another thing to
consider is that you're playing in the short run. You can make
plays that you normally wouldn't make on the casino floor. For
example, in 9/6 Jacks, you're better off in the long run
holding a high pair over a 3-card royal. In the tournament, you
might be better off going for the royal because you'd be almost
guaranteed to win the session.
Best of luck in
the tournament,
John
