Customer Reviews

The Video Poker Edge: How to Play Smart and Bet Right

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you are new to VP (video poker) this is a great book to start with. Boyd keeps it real simple for the beginner and covers a lot of ground in 150 pages. If you've already read a few other video poker books like Dancer's or Paymar's you won't really find anything new in here. Although I did like her coverage of VLT's (Video Lottery Terminals).

The little bit of math that is covered in the book, has simple and easy to follow examples that a sixth grader could understand. And there are lots of clear and concise tables to help you understand the concepts on how to play smart VP, from learning the optimum strategies, to identifying good VP machines.

There's good coverage of the most common types of VP machines you will find in casinos. There is also a good explanation of ER (Expected Return), EV (Expected Value) and variance. Although ROR (Risk of Ruin) was mentioned, she didn't go into any depth on the subject, which surprises me because she covered everything else so well.

The tear-out strategy cards in the back of the book are a nice bonus. Because they would normally cost you about $5-$8 each if you had to buy them separately. The cards cover...9/6 Double Double Bonus Poker (98.98%), Pick'em Poker (99.95%), Full-Pay Deuces Wild (100.76%), 10/7 Double Bonus Poker (100.17%), 9/6 Jacks or Better (99.54%), 8/5 Bonus Poker (99.17%), 9/6 Bonus Poker Deluxe (99.64%), and Not-So-Ugly Deuces Wild (99.73%).

If you are serious about learning VP I would also get some good VP training software like...Video Poker for Winners, Wolf Video Poker, or WinPoker. You can now get the "Frugal Video Poker Software" for FREE, at Wolf Video Poker.

I have a large library of video poker books, since I have been playing this fascinating game for more than 20 years. This book ranks among the best in that genre.

The author has made sure that the book is as readable as it is
practical. While enjoying the excellent writing, I was also able to learn some new things about Video Poker. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all Video Poker players whether this is their first foray into a casino, or they have been playing for many years.

Last week, I had the excellent strategy cards from the book, in my purse during a visit to a local casino. I was playing a game with which I was very familiar, and doubted that I would need to consult the cards. However, one of those very tricky and difficult hands did occur, and it was snap to make the right
decision after consulting the appropriate card. It was a very nice feeling not to have to guess at the right hold, but have the correct answer immediately available. It was almost like having a Video Poker expert sitting along side of me!

Just got back from both Las Vegas, and Atlantic City. Played my favorite -
Video Poker - at a bunch of different places in both cities. You can't imagine what wonderful help and guidance I got from The Video Poker Edge -
How to Play Smart and Bet Right - by Linda Boyd. This book is on the money! It guided me to the "right" machine at each casino I visited. Then
it told me all the right "moves" to make. This terrific book made me a
winner. I'll BET it can do the same for you!!!!!!

This book is an absolute gem for anybody who wants to learn the game or is an experienced video poker player. I was recently in Las Vegas and had no problem finding every game recommended and there were several. You have to follow the easy directions for reading the payouts for each hand, which is explained in a way that everybody will understand. Some games like 9/6 jacks or better are in the same casino as 7/5 or 6/5 jacks or better. You should play the 9/6 game.I took the table which was in the book with me.
The book tells you everything you need to know to play video poker. Even though I have been playing for a long time I did not know the use of all the buttons until I read this book. Also,there are many untrue statements about video poker are passed from player to player. This book makes it clear which things are true and which things are false.
I removed the cards from the back of the book and took them to the casino. The cards tell you how to play the game, so there is a different card for each game. Since I have been using the cards which are very easy I have won more times than I did in the past. That is why I bought several copies to give as gifts for my friends who play.
This is the most up to date book on video poker and if you want to either learn to play or improve your play then you will want to own this book.
Even if you are a good player the cards are worth more than the price of the book. I don't know anybody that plays all of the games perfect and that is why you should have this book even if you have played a lot.

If you play in casinos outside of Las Vegas then you can still find the games that are recommended. You do have to read the book and check the payout tables. You will find many bad pay tables in casinos, but those are not the games you should play. It is worth the extra time it takes to look for the best pay table. You will learn about video lottery terminals, tax records,the best times to go to a casino and many other things that are useful for people that play in local casinos.
This is one video poker book that I will never sell because it is an excellent resource!!!!!

This book tells you how to make money playing Video Poker!

Most people think that the casinos always have the advantage and think that the more you play, the more you lose. They are WRONG! This book explains how you can beat the machines (well, some of the machines) on a consistent basis.

You won't get rich playing the few varieties that are beatable, but you can come out ahead most of the time.... if you know exactly what to hold. That's what this book does: It tells you which games you can beat and exactly how to play them.

[...].

It is amazing that books like this are available. From what I've seen, most people aren't even aware that they exist, let alone have read them and understand them. After reading a few of these books, you can't watch other people play in the casinos without appreciating that most folks are gambling illiterates... and being happy that you're not.

This book doesn't provide much in strategy that you can't find on the net or elsewhere. I was looking for some well formated strategy charts for non-full pay games, and this book was not good for that need.

One positive section was the discussion of VLTs in many racinos and bars in several states (e.g. bars in Louisiana). VLTs are not VP machines based on random number generators.

The strategy cards are terrible and I think my copy was missing a page (there was a tear showing a previous perforation). If you play VP in large casinos on the strip, you won't be playing full pay games.

If you are new to the game of VP, and want to start off on the right track, order this excellent book today!

This well written and formatted volume has much to offer seasoned players as well as those new to the game.

The author, a former math teacher and curriculum director, not only knows her subject cold, but has done an enormous amount
of research to back-up her theories.

She is an expert Video Poker player as well. This is NOT a case of "one who teaches because she cannot play the game the game"!

In addition, she is a talented teacher, and imparts the needed information in a readable and easy to grasp style.

The detachable, foldable, and very easy to use Strategy Cards, which are included at the back of the book, make the reasonable price of this book a genuine bargain.

I have ordered several copies for video poker playing friends,
and I know that they will benefit from reading this excellent book.

The most helpful book on video poker I have ever read!
I have been playing video poker for many years and I'm always looking for new books on the subject . I read "The Video Poker Edge" and suddenly a light came on! This book is like no other on video poker. It explains how to find the best casinos and the best video poker machines in a way that makes sense. I would have never known how to choose the games that give the player a good chance to win. The best part for me was having the strategy cards that can be removed from the back of the book and taken to the casino. I have tried to use other cards in the casino but it was too difficult because there were so many symbols and too much writing. These cards were very easy for me to use and I did play the game different because I had the cards. I came home a winner and I think the cards were the reason. Next time I go to a casino I will take the pay tables with me as well so I can figure out the pay percentage before I decide which game I want to play. This book is for beginners and for people who have played for a long time. I made more than I paid for the book the first time I used the cards in the casino. Every video poker player should have this book!!

I was looking for a book on video poker that covered most of the recent games and optimal strategy for those games. The book does just that, and more....

This is a very well written book for beginners. Other authors on this subject introduce their books as suitable for a beginner in the first few chapters but the following chapters are difficult for the novice to read and understand. Linda Boyd, perhaps because she is an educator, writes clearly and fully introduces new vocabulary before using new terms in her explanations.