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Video poker is one of the most popular games in a casino. Unlike slot machines, video poker makes you put a little thought into your gambling when at a machine.
On the surface video poker is a simple game but in order to maximize your gambling dollar you’ll want to learn how and where to play. Let’s start with the basics of video poker.
There are many variations of video poker and in order to play perfectly you’re going to want to learn about the game and the differences. WizardOfOdds.com explains which video poker games pay the best and has done the math to prove it. They have a free game where you can learn how to make the correct plays.
Once you learn the basics behind video poker it would behoove you to find a specific game to call your own. I prefer Jacks or Better because it’s the simplest game to learn proper strategy and it has the least variance (up and down swings).
Some people find Jacks or Better boring and don’t mind games with more variance like Double Double Bonus Poker. Sometimes the math behind video poker isn’t intuitive so it’s wise to learn the right way to play when it doesn’t cost any money.
After choosing your game the best way to master video poker is to practice before heading to the casino. There are plenty of free games to play on the web that will help teach the right moves to make for your favorite video poker game.
If you prefer practicing away from your computer the WinPoker app for iPhone and iPad is a great tool to learn correct video poker strategy. WinPoker costs $10, but that money should be returned by learning how to play with the right strategy.
There’s one last thing to do before heading to the casino. Video poker players have created a fantastic community called vpFREE (www.vpfree2.com). The most useful feature the vpFREE community provides is where to find the best video poker machines in each casino.
Finding the best pay table for a certain video poker game can mean a difference as high as 10% on your returns. A search of the vpFREE database before a trip to the casino will enhance your chances of a positive result. Their mobile site is a must bookmark for your smart phone if you play a lot of video poker.
Lastly, whenever you’re gambling at a casino you’ll be offered free drinks. Playing video poker with perfect strategy isn’t easy and needs focus. While a free drink or two is OK you may not want to get too crazy as this is just a distraction. This goes for coffee and soda as much as it does liquor.
Learning how to play video poker properly never ends. Once you master one game you have the ability to learn more games. The great thing about learning how to play video poker properly is that it becomes second nature after a while. Even if you aren’t as focused on playing, you’ll still be better at it than if you didn’t know the basics.

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Halloween week! Remember, masks are not allowed in most casinos but there are parties and prizes galore if you care to indulge in the ghoulish holiday.
Try Halloween at Gilley’s Saloon, Dance Hall & Bar-B-Que inside Treasure Island this Wednesday at 9 p.m. for the annual Cowboys vs. Zombies party. Guests are invited to attend in their most creative fun including:
• Best Costume Contest: 1st ($500), 2nd ($300) and 3rd ($200) prizes.
• Thriller Dance-off Contest: 1st ($250), 2nd ($150).
• Costume Bull Riding Contest: 1st ($200) and 2nd ($100).
• Drink specials will be offered throughout the evening including
2-for-1 Dos XX Amber and Dos XX Lager along with $5 Jim Beam Devil’s Cut, Jim Beam, Sauza, Cruzan and Pinnacle vodka drinks and shots
• The Ryan Whyte Maloney Band will take the stage for a performance at 9 p.m.
Silverton
Food enthusiasts will enjoy the three-day Las Vegas Foodie Fest beginning on Friday from 4 p.m. to midnight, to continue on Saturday from noon to midnight and on Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. Foodies will enjoy the tastes of more than 40 food trucks and vendors, many of which have been featured on The Food Network and The Cooking Channel.
Venders include White Rabbit, Fukuburger, Devilicious, Jogasaki Burrito, Tasty Bunz, Baby’s Badass Burgers, Truck Norris, Fluff Ice, Vizzi Truck and The Lobster Lady, who will be traveling to the festival all the way from Maine. The festival will feature Nonna’s Kitchenette, who will debut their food truck at this year’s event, after being named a finalist of Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race,” hosted by Tyler Florence.
Admission is $8 per person for each day or $12 access for all three days with unlimited re-entry to the festival. Attendees will enjoy dozens of specialty food vendors, carnival rides, a beer garden complete with warm drinks to welcome the fall weather, eating competitions and much more.
Children under 54 inches will receive complimentary admission. Live music during the event will be provided by Definitive Talents. For more information or to purchase tickets to the festival in advance, visit www.lasvegasfoodiefest.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the door with cash.
Planet Hollywood
PBR Rock Bar inside Miracle Mile Shops will celebrate Halloween with a “Haunted Hoe-down” featuring costume contests and prizes. Partygoers are invited to take part in a costume bull riding competition at 9 p.m.
The top three winners with the best get-ups will be awarded open bar tabs for $200, $100 and $50, respectively. Revelers who want to party in Rock Bar will also be able to compete in a costume contest, starting at midnight. One man and one woman with the best costume will be chosen to win a complimentary bottle of their choice.
Ellis Island
The popular locals casino and brewery will host its annual Scary-oke Costume Contest this Wednesday from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Win $50 cash for best costume in three categories: scariest, most original and funniest.
South Point

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“Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect” - Anonymous Coach
When I played baseball I had a coach who used to reiterate the quote above. He was always reminding us that if our form wasn’t perfect, our results wouldn’t be, and that there’s no benefit in practicing the wrong way.
That mantra goes all the way to the casino. Practicing perfect form in the few games of skill (blackjack and video poker) will only help win money, which will lead to a better time.
I don’t like sitting in front of a computer to practice my gambling so I’ve looked for iPhone apps to help hone my skills. After trying many different apps I’ve become comfortable honing my gambling skills on two. I use ODDcase Blackjack to practice perfect moves and card counting and WinPoker for video poker.
WinPoker is, by far, the best video poker training app. The most important feature is that the app tells you when you’re making the wrong play. The app allows you to choose from just about every video poker variation you will find in a casino.
Along with many pay table options the app shows you the payout percentages of each game so you can practice games with the smallest house edge. You can create games with specific pay tables if they aren’t already available. For example, I’ve added a 6/5 Bonus Poker pay table because I often sit at a casino bar where this is the best option.
The ability to keep statistics of your wins, losses, hands played and errors is one of the best features of this app. In my time practicing I’ve learned that Jacks or Better is, by far, the game I play with the most accuracy. Even though there are positive payback Deuces Wild games I’m better off playing a game where I’m more accurate so I focus most of my WinPoker and casino time with Jacks or Better.
WinPoker is $9.99 at the iTunes store.
Blackjack is one the most popular table games in the casino. Besides Texas Hold ‘Em, you won’t find a casino table game with more mobile phone apps. Many of those apps are fine to pass the time but only ODDcase Blackjack will teach you how to make the correct plays against the dealer and how to count cards.
The best feature is you can set the rules the same way you’ll find in your favorite casino. You can choose the number of decks, payout, splits and more. At first, card counting takes a lot of focus, but enough practice will, hopefully, make it become second nature.
Most cities have one type of blackjack, but in Las Vegas you’ll find eight-deck blackjack that pays 6:5 for 21 at one casino while you may find a game that pays 3:2 for a double deck game across the street.
ODDcase Blackjack is $1.99 for the full version at the iTunes store. There’s also an ad supported free version.

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Not all gambling in a casino is smart, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with these games. You may even win some money.
Blackjack and video poker make up a lot of the gambling done at casinos but these games take some skill to master. Even though basic strategy will help your performance it’s not so easy to play perfectly and that can be frustrating. Don’t worry, there is still fun to be had at the casino by playing other games that take less skill.
The most fun machines in the casino are the penny slots. The bright lights and loud noises easily attract many players. Most of the slot machines being made today are in the penny denomination. A penny only gets you started with the game.
If you want to see the fun bonus round in most penny slot machines you’re going to have to play multiple lines, which will cost 50 cents or more. That’s not so bad, but what is bad is penny slots are the worst paying slot machines in the casino.
Depending on the casino you’ll see penny slot machines that return only 87% to 92%. The higher the denomination of the slot machine the better the return. Unfortunately, the higher the denomination of the slot machine the less fun the game will be.
For example, “The Hangover” slot machine is made specifically for the penny players. Dollar slot players will have to be satisfied playing more traditional reel slot machines.
If you’re looking for a relaxing and fun table game on the casino floor there are a few variations of poker available. These games take little skill but with a little smarts you can lower the house edge with some basic strategy. 3 Card Poker is becoming one of the most popular less-skilled games at the casino. You may have noticed the number of 3 Card Poker tables increasing on the gaming floor with each visit to the casino.
3 Card Poker is popular with gamblers because it’s easy to play and it’s popular with the casinos because the house edge is anywhere from just over 2% to just over 7% depending on the bets placed.
3 Card Poker has a few different bets that you must make to be included in the action. An ante bet and a pair plus get you started in the game. If you like the cards you’re dealt you can continue the hand by adding a “play” bet.
With limited strategy you can lower the house edge on one of the most fun table games in the casino. Optimal strategy in ante and play is to raise if you are dealt a hand with at least a queen, 6 and 4. Overall you stand to lose 8.66% of the ante but win 5.29% on the raise over time.
Because 3 Card Poker is such a simple game to play, it’s also easy to play with the optimal strategy. Other fun table games that have a larger house edge, like Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em, have simple strategy that will allow you shave a little bit off the house edge so you can have fun and play smart.

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Turkeys and pies, oh, my! Thanksgiving treats are here for players!
For the first time in its history, Arizona Charlie’s casinos (West/ East) will allow players the opportunity to contribute their points to help provide a holiday meal for those in our community who might otherwise go without.
The Feed A Family promotion allows Ace/Play members to contribute any amount between 1 and 1 million points by visiting the A/P Center from now through Sunday, Dec. 23, during regular operating hours. Normally, a customer’s points are used for cash, comps and rewards. For every 12,000 points contributed by A/P members, the casino will give a box of food to the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority.
Players do not have to contribute 12,000 points at a time. Any amount of points will be accepted. Amounts less than 12,000 will be combined with other contributed portions to reach that level. The Resort is committed to providing at least 100 food boxes no matter how many points are given.
With help from players, the goal is to provide 500 food boxes. Points may be contributed at either the Decatur or Boulder location. Sister property Aquarius Casino & Resort is also allowing players to contribute points to a food bank in the Laughlin, Nevada/Bullhead City, Arizona area. For additional information, go to www.aquariuscasinoresort.com
South Point
The South Las Vegas Blvd. casino/resort is offering “$400,000 Great Turkey Spin” drawings every Tuesday throughout November at 4:15 and 8:15 p.m.
All slot or video poker players earn 1 virtual ticket for every 1 base point and can receive up to a maximum of 250 tickets per 24 hour day. There will be 40 winners chosen to get up to $10,000 cash every Tuesday.
Club Member players who earn 1,000 video poker points or 400 slot or reel points from Nov. 11-17 will also receive a coupon for one free turkey. Members can pick up their coupon at The Club to be redeemed at the valet for one frozen turkey. There is a limit of one turkey per club member while supplies last. For more information about all South Point promotions please visit The Club booth.
‘V’/Palazzo
Play, earn and pick up a free turkey at the sister properties on the Strip. Previously earned points from Nov. 1-15 are included for this promotion. Earn 2,000 points and receive a gift voucher for any brand turkey or ham at a participating store.
Station venues
On Wednesday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. earn 300 points at any Station, Fiesta, or Wildfire Casino and pick up a free Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. The limit is one per account per guest while supplies last.
Terrible’s
The Paradise Rd. casino is hosting $100,000 Turkey Trot drawings this month. Play for a chance to pluck cash and prizes from the Turkey Trot board in one of the weekly drawings. Earn entries for every 50 base points. Drawings are held every Friday and Saturday at 7 and 9 p.m. with 20 winners guaranteed every week. Check the A-Play Club desk for details.
Rampart
Resort Rewards members can pick up a free pumpkin pie after earning 250 club points from 3 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Nov. 21.
We salute our nation’s military veterans who were treated to free buffets by our casino friends at Stations, South Point, Boyd Gaming, and Caesars Entertainment. Apologies to any we may have left out unintentionally.
Until next week…good gobbling, good luck and good gaming!

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Walking into the casino we know we’re set up not to win and are okay with it. It’s not much different than going to the mall with our significant other. We know we’re going to spend money, but don’t know how much.
Both malls and casinos are businesses set up to make money. You know the old saying: “Those casinos in Las Vegas don’t build themselves.” Almost every game in the casino is setup for the house to have an edge and for the player to lose. Some games have a smaller house edge than others but in the long term the house is always looking at the advantage. That’s fine since most of us only gamble recreationally.
Smart gamblers are often looking for ways to lessen the house edge by playing perfect blackjack with favorable rules or maxing the “free odds” in craps. These will certainly lower the house edge, but they don’t put the odds in the player’s favor. Still, there are a few games in many casinos that will put the edge in the favor of the player.
Some casinos use slot machines as promotional games to draw players into the casino and will designate those games as having returns greater than 100%. Returns greater than 100% mean that the edge is now with the player. For example; when the player inserts $100 into that machine, theoretically, they’ll see returns of more than $100. That said, these returns are over time (usually set by the month) and there are peaks of winning and valleys of losing.
One of the things many players don’t like with slot machines is they have no control in the results. The slot machine’s random number generator decides exactly what you’re reels will show when they stop as soon as you hit spin. The rotation of the reels is just there as an illusion so you think something is happening.
On the flip side, one of the things video poker players enjoy most is they, in a way, control their fate. Many video poker players play the game because there are many games that have a low house edge or none at all. Using the $100 example, the 99% video poker game will return $99 for every $100 you put in. This is assuming you play the game perfectly.
While the low house edge of most video poker games is great, you can still expect to lose a little over time, even with perfect play. However, there are a handful of video poker games that return over 100%! These games include different versions of Deuces Wild and Bonus Poker.
One of the best resources for finding the best video poker machines is vpFREE2.com. This website has a simple goal of providing a complete inventory of where to find the best video poker games available. Their database is free and maintained by volunteer video poker players across North America. The vpFREE database covers over 400 casinos in the USA and Canada.
GI Joe tells us that knowing is half the battle. The Internet and smart phones make it easy to find the best video poker games in any casino. Even if you’re not at a casino that has video poker games that return over 100%, you can find the games with the best return to minimize your losses.

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