Visitreno

[hawk]

You asked for it (NOT). You got it.
Numbers are minimums. I likely missed a few.
OK, five weeks of intense, grueling video poker in numerous venues.

Over 100 four of a kinds (4 OAKs).
12 pays over a hundred bucks.
4 Deuces Wild = three times.
4 Aces (various games/denoms) = 16

Two Royals: one for a thou and one for 200.
SEVENTY-SEVEN near misses - 4 to the Royal.
40% of these were in hearts. the rest equally divided.
Short an Ace 19 times, a Queen only 11 times.

First Royal in Diamonds, holding four and drawing the Jack.
Second was in Clubs, holding four again and drawing the Ten.
Both were in Bonus Poker.

Also hit two straight flushes in spades.

Net loss: Estimated at $1,500, working out to an amount in the neighborhood of 50 bucks per day.
Thank goodness for the Royals, Aces, and Deuces.

Interesting (I think) breakdown of 4 OAKs:
Aces the most at 16. Kings 12. Fives 13 and Eights 11 times.
The least 4 OAKs: Tens and Sevens at 3 each. All others at 4 to 9 times.

Strange analysis of High Card 4 OAKs:
Aces (16) and Kings (12) fairly frequent
but Qs (5), Js(4) and 10s (3) RARE.

SUMMATION: Fun, frustrating, scary, rewarding, pathetic, exciting, stressful, discouraging, depressing, alcohol-inducing, satisfying (or not), and a few more adjectives and adverbs than don't jump readily to mind.

NO -- DON'T ASK!!!!!!!

[john]

It appears you have too much time on your hands. You need a hobby. I have some old, broken down RC helicopters for sale.

[hawk]

so my analytical stuff is too advanced for you. Puts you to sleep. not a bad thing. sleep well, my friend.
I am trapped inside in cold, gloomy, wet weather ---AND winter has not even started. BRRR and GRRRR.

[stan_allen]

I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed this analysis - it allowed me to experience the mind-numbing hours necessary to put in a solid session of video poker through someone else's wallet - I can practically smell the acrid smoke, see the fevered scrutiny of the video cards, feel the near-mechanical dumping of cards, and straining to look for the preferred ones coming up after the hold, the warble of hit music from past decades droning on the speakers which are invisible yet ubiquitous throughout the building, the cocktail waitresses with their hierarchy of feminine guile, and the hint of desperation from those who have gone too far but are nonetheless still there, pumping in their last few dollars that will soon fail to separate them from those who wander outside begging for spare change. Yep, it's all in the cards. Plus, the math was cool.

Thanks for the rundown!

[hawk]

What he said!!!

[hawk]

Stan, I was reading your epinomeous strivings and gleaned a small thought.

You mentioned "anticipating the draw" and it generated this memory.
IGT introduced a new video poker machine at LV last week. It involves an additional bet to guarantee the player his "DREAM CARD".

So, as I understand this, I make my regular 5 quarter bet and then additionally bet another sum (1,5 quarters, whatever) and I am guaranteed to hit my DREAM CARD.

e.g., I hold three Aces on the deal and am guaranteed the fourth Ace (don't know about the kicker as it was referred to as a dream CARD, which sounds like only ONE dream card).

Likewise, holding four to the Royal which I recently did a buncha times would guarantee that the player did, indeed, hit his anticipated ROYAL FLUSH....

Exciting thought but, obviously, the extra bet would be in the house's favor. Kinda like the HOT Hot Penny/Goldfish/whatever concept.

As with much at this show, it may be a ways down the road before someone buys this gimmick from IGT.

OTOH, of the more than 77 Royals I missed (having FOUR of them), I am not sure if ANY of them were only ONE card draws. If so, not more than one or two.

[hawk]

John wrote:
"It appears you have too much time on your hands"

No, John, you have spent enough time with me to know that I have to keep my hands busy. Since my return home in my beer-induced obese state, I do not even have a Heinie in my hand as I did constantly whilst in your lovely company.

Next trip to Pep, have two at once and think of me please.

[stan_allen]

There's little doubt that the casino would have to make it well in their favor to offer such a bet as a "Dream Card", but from a marketing/branding perspective, I believe you're right on the money - it's just the kind of thing that would entice those who have not otherwise fallen into the hypnotic trance necessary to play the thousands of hands required to get one of those dreamt-of Royal Flushes, and such - it opens up a new user base, which the casino is constantly on the lookout for.

In my comments above, I believe may have failed to add the tiny spark of anticipation that one experiences as a rush just before the "Draw" button is hit - which of course, is the force that feeds the entire process - but perhaps this is so fundamental as to go without saying? It seemed very meaningful when I pondered this the other day, anyway.

[hawk]

The anticipation is often far greater than the realization.