Mathematical Strategies to Winning Short-Term Play Video Poker explores how probability, strategic card selection, and mathematical analysis can help video poker players make decisions and understand their chances during short casino sessions. What inspired you to focus on sessions lasting one to eight hours?

Casinos offer a large variety of games and entertainment options to the players. For the guests who do not wish to stay seated behind the same machine for extended hours, they can select another machine, a different variation of the machine, an entirely different game of chance, watch a show or sports event available at the casino, or even take a break and recollect themself. If a player does not feel the machine is paying at the expected averages for the play duration, he may just be having a “streak of bad luck” and wish to try another machine or an entirely different game.

In my opinion, you should go to the casino to have a good time, enter tournaments, and try your luck at the many different types of games. Sure, to go home a winner is always a plus, but if you don’t and exercise proper money management, you should still have a great experience at the casino.

When analyzing which cards to hold or discard, what surprising mathematical discoveries challenged conventional video poker strategies or your own initial assumptions?​

I wanted to do all of the math myself and derive a strategy for the best draw opportunities in each hand. For example, if your initial hand is a Pair, should you draw 1, 2, or 3 cards to form the best hand? Every choice is analyzed from a mathematical perspective, and a suggested play strategy is offered. This strategy may comply with or disagree with conventional wisdom, but is offered from an unbiased mathematical perspective. Also, new opportunities for improving a “junk hand” on the draw are analyzed. Finally, a thorough discussion is presented which allows players to create a drawing strategy of their own and test its effectiveness.

How do differences in pay tables and bonus structures among the six video poker variations influence your recommendations for short-term players?​

I suggest that machines that have the highest payouts for the middle-third of the hands (Straight, Flush, and Full House) should be sought to offer the highest returns for the players. The top three hands (Four-of-a-Kind, Straight Flush, and Royal Flush) offer much higher payouts, but are less likely (but not definitely) to appear in a short play session. Bonus payouts are generally considered a very good benefit and can increase your rate of return on the game.

How do you reconcile the mathematical advantages of optimal play with the unpredictability of short-term outcomes, especially when advising readers about bankroll management?​

I would consider mathematically derived best play strategies with a touch of luck, as being the best strategy in video poker, even on those machines with a poor pay table. All of the examples worked are done with playing only one bet per play, which should help proper money management for the short-term player, since it is statistically unlikely that he will hit a winning Royal Flush. However, a Royal Flush can, in reality, hit at any time, making you regret that you did not play the full coins. But gambling is all about taking chances and winning and losing streaks. May luck be on your side!

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