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Gaming Guru  How Do I Calculate the Long-Term Payback of a Video Poker Paytable?8 February 2010
By John Robison
Dear JG, We don't really use a formula to calculate the long-term payback for a video poker paytable. We use iteration. The procedure follows. For each 5-card hand you can be dealt (there are 2,598,960 of them), calculate the expected value of all the ways there are to draw five cards, four cards, three cards, two cards, one card and zero cards. Keep track of the option that had the highest expected value and move on the next hand. After you've evaluated all of the hands, add up the expected values to get the long-term payback for the paytable. Let's look at how to handle a hand. Say the hand you're evaluating is a royal flush in spades. First find the value of the hand without drawing any cards. Next, find the values of all the possible hands you can make by holding the 10 of spades and drawing replacements to find the expected value of holding the 10. Then find the values of all the possible hands you can make by holding the Jack of spades and drawing a replacement to find the expected value of holding the Jack. Do the same for holding the Queen, King and Ace. Now, move on to evaluating all the possible hands you can make from all the combinations of two cards you can hold. Repeat for all of the combinations of holding three cards and four cards. The combination of hold cards with the highest expected value is the mathematically correct way to play that hand. In this case, obviously, the best play is to hold the pat royal. Best of luck in and out of the casinos, Send your slot and video poker questions to John Robison, Slot Expert, at slotexpert@comcast.net. Because of the volume of mail I receive, I regret that I can't reply to every question. This article is provided by the Frank Scoblete Network, John Robison managing editor. If you would like to use this article on your website, please contact Casino City Press, the exclusive web syndication outlet for the Frank Scoblete Network. Do All Casinos Provide Win/Loss Statements?6 February 2010
Do all casinos provide you with a win/loss statement? In Oklahoma, Cherokee casinos won't give one to you.
Thanks, Linda
Well, Linda, it looks like the answer is no, not every casino will give you a win/loss statement.
Seriously, I've never heard of a casino not providing the statement before. ... (read more)
When Did Computer-Based Slots Hit the Slot Floor?1 February 2010
In what year did the first computer-based slot hit the casino floor? Are all mechanical slots now gone or can you find a 3-reel quarter machine that does not have the RNG chip today? I believe I have a good idea what year it was, as that is when I could no longer win regularly at slots.
Keep the great answers coming. ... (read more)
The RNG and Free Spins30 January 2010
Thanks for your columns. I have learned a lot through them.
One question on RNGs and bonuses. If the outcome is determined at the microsecond one hits the button, I have a question about bonuses. I often wonder during a bonus whether I should let the machine count up the individual free spins on ... (read more)
Ask the Slot Expert: Hit Frequency, Reno, Atlantic City, Double UpHi there, Has there ever been any research done into what number of times a slot machine will pay "anything" during one hundred spins on the average? I have counted many times and find the average slot machine will pay roughly 16 times out of 100 spins. That includes winning a lowly cherry return to a bigger win. ... (read more)Ask the Slot Expert (Slot Machine Pay Off)Dear John, In reference to the reader's question about slot machines where you play for gold or silver tokens: In Las Vegas, many of the casinos have 25-cent slots that pay off a $10 jackpot with a $10 silver souvenir token. ... (read more)Declare Your Independence from the SlotsOn this Independence Day as we celebrate 226 years of independence from the tyranny of the British, consider making your own Declaration of Independence from the tyranny of the slot machines. You don't have to stop playing machines altogether. Just switch to playing video ... (read more)The Slot Expert's Guide to Winning at Slots: The Best Number of Coins to PlayEvery casino guide to gaming recommends playing maximum coins on all slot machines. And almost everyone who's written a book about slots also recommends playing maximum coins when playing a slot machine. I analyzed over 1,000 slot machine programs and I discovered that ... (read more) |
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