MG VP Autohold....how bad is it?

**VayCayMom** · 2nd April 2007, 07:16 AM

I have played Jacks or better and a few other games after practicing with Winpoker to learn the best stragedy. I never played 10s or better until I played Microgaming video poker. I like to use autohold but with 10's or better the cards held at times made no sense to me.

So I programmed the numbers into Winpoker and then checked my autohold hands ( in practice mode) against what Winpoker suggested, I was pretty shocked. Lot's of holds were correct, but some were so far down the lists of the best cards to keep I almost think it is a attempt to totally deceive a player. Most of the auto holds were anywhere from 4th down the list on Winpoker all the way to 11th place!!!

At times I noticed an error on Jacks or better, this hand was played as if it were Double Bonus Poker, not JOB. That is a small error in terms of coins lost.
Anyone know how they arrive at the autohold hints they use?
I'd sure like to hear some input from others.

I feel like a dummy, like I have been drinking the KoolAid

(if you know what that expression means)

**footdr** · 2nd April 2007, 07:29 AM

I PRINTED OUT A STRATEGY guide from some popular video poker site(too long ago, can't remember name) followed it instead of auto hold, made no difference. I never, ever win consistently on vidoe poker slots.

The reason I started looking at these strategies was because I was just not good at playing vidoe poker, but I think no matter what, playing RIGHT may cut losses, but big wins are still pure luck

**JlSpitFirelC** · 2nd April 2007, 07:54 AM

Yea

I agree. I am a low roller $1 - $7.50 or so, but I occasionally play at video poker. I can't say I have ever won anything substantial, but I also can't say I've played for longer than 20 minute sessions without thinking to myself, "I could be losing my money on slots which take more time rather than video poker which goes rather quickly."

I think it has to do with session length, but I am sure you've come to the same assumption. Longer playing sessions, better chances of hitting something worthwhile.

**Simmo!** · 2nd April 2007, 10:59 AM

As an FYI, we have had a discussion on the MG auto-hold before regards VP and if memory serves, the examples of imperfect strategy given were disproved and the general concensus was that MG had it right.

The oddities I'd noticed were things like on Joker Poker, holding a joker and a 7 or something silly like that, but even that turned out to be correct based on the cards being discarded and the remaining options.

I'll try and find the thread...

**vinylweatherman** · 2nd April 2007, 11:04 AM

I have to agree with the OP on this one. I recently played 10's or better, and something has changed. For example, the autohold holds two to a straight (unsuited) rather than discarding a hand of low cards. I am sure this was not always the case, and I am sure discarding the entire hand was the norm. MG have certainly updated something here, but whether it is correct is open to debate, although winpoker seems to be at odds with MG on this.

**Simmo!** · 2nd April 2007, 11:08 AM

Hmm ok if it's changed then the old thread is irrelevant. Sounds like it needs some investigation

**Mousey** · 2nd April 2007, 12:29 PM

Since I haven't been playing for money, I haven't been playing VP. (Talk about watching paint dry... LOL) I haven't even checked to see if MG has changed payouts. Just played a few hands of 10's on autohold -- even though I don't play 10oB very much I feel like something's hinky. And it could be that it isn't just 10oB that's been monkeyed with....

I've got to get ready for work, or I'd do some runs and check it against WinPoker myself. I'm sure you guys will have the numbers and screens by the time I get in from work.

Go get 'em!!

**VayCayMom** · 2nd April 2007, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by vinylweatherman

I have to agree with the OP on this one. I recently played 10's or better, and something has changed. For example, the autohold holds two to a straight (unsuited) rather than discarding a hand of low cards. I am sure this was not always the case, and I am sure discarding the entire hand was the norm. MG have certainly updated something here, but whether it is correct is open to debate, although winpoker seems to be at odds with MG on this.

Holding 2 to a straight is just crazy but I have had many, many hands where a 10 and a face card OR three face cards are discarded and a random card like 6 is kept, or a 9 and an 8 etc. That is not quirky, that is just plain wrong, wrong , wrong.
Just from playing it on Winpoker a short while, the stragedy it seems should be very similar to JOB. In JOB I believe you never hold even cards 4 to a straight unless 3 of the cards are face cards. ( In this case 10 would count as a face card)

In JokerPoker, yes , keeping a random card with a Joker seems odd but that can be totally correct.

Yes, someone please investigate this !!

**thenmh** · 2nd April 2007, 10:38 PM

I think that autohold is different than autoplay

**VayCayMom** · 2nd April 2007, 11:08 PM

The way I understand it is that Autohold will select and hold the correct cards in the hand, all you need to do is hit the draw button. Some casinos do not have this function and you must analyze the hand and hit the hold button for each card you wish to hold. Other casinos use a method that only selects and holds the cards if it is a paying hand.
Autoplay I believe takes Autoplay one step further and holds the cards and then hits the draw button, completing the entire play without your involvement.