Double Up in Video Poker - do you do it?

[Casinomeister]

ATTENTION VIDEO POKER PLAYERS

When playing VP, do you play the "double or nothing" option at the end of a hand. If so, how often? And if so, why?

Do any players here have any tactics they'd like to share? (always black; or if the month has a "y" in it, pick red, etc.)

I always considered it a ploy to lose your winnings, but I was reminded that it has no house edge, so maybe it's not so bad after all.

Please take the poll.

[Casinomeister]

And maybe some of the math heads can explain the advantages/disadvantages using this option.

[vinylweatherman]

I have played it on the odd occasion, but not to double a BIG win.

I also use it on slots when I have almost bust out, and want to get rid of a few last pennies to zero out a bonus balance.

Although it has no house edge, it does not contribute to WR either, and many casinos view doubling as "bonus abuse", giving another reason to avoid it.

Double a Royal Flush - no chance.

[baldidiot]

In theory (disregarding bonus WR) it's one of the best bets you can make in a casino, right? But I just can't bring myself to do it - it just feels like a scam

There was a guy a few yeas ago would doubled up on VP until he made it into the millions (2, I think). I'll try and find the article...

[GamblersDen]

I'm a huge fan of Doubling Up. It is a bet that has no house edge in most casinos - I came across an online casino years ago that offered this feature but you lose if you tie the upcard... now that was a scam! I am a pretty conservative player and will usually double up the smaller wins once or twice, and on occassion a bigger bet. I once had 4 Aces on a Double Bonus Machine (5 coins pays out 800 coins) and was debating whether or not to double up for a good 30 seconds before wisely collecting my winnings

In truth, doubling up really depends on your playstyle - it overall reduces the house edge but significantly increases variance; you may not win as often if you double up aggresively but when you do it will be a nice payout. If you manage to double up five times in a row you can turn a 1:1 payout into a 32:1 payout which is fantastic, but you only have a little over 3% chance of succeeding in doing so

[BoyleCasino.com]

I'm by no means a maths whizz but I do understand why it's a good bet. You're effectively only ever risking your initial stake to win a large amount of cash. Most of us would have a big win and want to bank it, but there are some hardcore gamblers out there that want more, so go for the double up.

It comes down to what you're happy with I suppose. If you could double your life savings on the flip of a coin, would you take the gamble?

[GamblersDen]

It comes down to what you're happy with I suppose. If you could double your life savings on the flip of a coin, would you take the gamble?

I don't think that Bryan was asking if we double up our big wins, but in general if we do it . I agree that big wins only the lucky (or foolish) people take the risk, but if it comes down to it I would rather gamble my life savings on a 50/50 bet than on a bet with a house egde

[baldidiot]

It comes down to what you're happy with I suppose. If you could double your life savings on the flip of a coin, would you take the gamble?

Heck no!

Does anyone remember the idiot that sold everything (totalled about £75k) and went to vegas to put it on one spin on a roulette wheel:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3618883.stm

Sky also made a tv show about it.

[GamblersDen]

Ha!

I remember that... Must of had a mid-life crisis of sorts (at 32?!) that pushed him to do such a stupid thing.

[baldidiot]

Turns out he got his income from poker - you'd think he'd know better! Such poor bankroll management skills!