As readers well know, I am a huge fan of video poker. Many years have been invested in learning every possible way to extract all that is possible from these popular casino games.
In the glory days many years ago, video poker games had very high returns. Most of them approached 100 percent. Several even returned more than 100 percent with proper play. Those days are gone.
Could casinos eliminate video poker entirely in the future? Let’s explore the possibility
Contents
- Current conditions
- Possible futures
- Probable future (for a time anyway)
- Summary
Current conditions
Video poker is still very popular. It may not have the returns it once enjoyed, but in general it still has a lower house edge than other machine-based games.
Aficionados of video poker appreciate several aspects of the game:
- Lower house edge.
- Having a say in the outcome.
- Engaging the mind by determining the best hold for each hand, rather than the mind-numbing routine of bet then spin, bet then spin, etc. of trying to win at slot machines.
- Ability to determine the house edge of any video poker game based on its pay table.
Popularity is not the only thing that causes casino management to keep games on the casino floor. Today’s casinos are run by publicly traded corporations.
Gone are the days where those who ran casinos understood what keeps gamblers coming back for more. They welcomed the occasional big winner. They saw it as great publicity. Even though someone won big, management knew they would be back time and again chasing other big wins. They also knew that family and friends came along with that winner. They played games with a higher casino edge.
Overall, the casino benefitted from the low house edge games that required players with knowledge and skill to get the lowest house edge. Video poker was a loss leader – though in virtually all cases the casino still had an edge. They made the real profits off the gamblers who came with the skilled players.
With public corporation ownership of casinos comes shareholders who demand increased profit numbers on a quarterly basis. Intangibles such as who might accompany video poker players are not generally taken into consideration. All that matters is profit – increased profit.
The mix of machines on the casino floor is to a large degree determined by the profit contribution to the bottom line. Consequently, pay tables are tightened on underperforming games. If play on these machines drops off, the downgraded games may be decommissioned in favor of more profitable slot machines.
The Las Vegas Strip casinos, specifically, has dramatically downgraded and reduced their floor presence of video poker. Many of the removed machines are being replaced by very large and visually stimulating slot machines. Some video poker is replaced by “skill-based” slot machines to attract the younger crowd and their meatier discretionary funds.
Keep in mind, video poker is not the only area that is being scrutinized. All aspects of the casino floor are. Table games that underperform are also tweaked. The rules may change or other changes made to improve profit. Many casinos have eliminated some table games. These games have been replaced by some other game, or simply eliminated.
Possible futures
As noted, corporate control of casinos has meant a diminished desire from management to cater to repeat business. They lean toward getting everything from their customers as soon as they can, and then attract new customers to take the old customers’ places.
To some degree, all casinos have downgraded video poker pay tables. The hope is to maintain the same level of play at a higher profit level. If play drops off, some casinos improve the pay tables somewhat to see if that brings back lost players. Some casinos may even restore video poker to the previous good levels.
Some casino management is savvy enough to know that video poker players do not come alone to play. They know that many who join video poker players love to play the much more profitable slot machines. They continue to keep things on the gaming floor pretty much status quo. If this type of management is in charge, video poker with a decent return will be available.
Other casino management may opt to eliminate underperforming video poker games – whether it is from too generous (in the casino’s opinion) pay tables, or from diminished play due to downgraded pay tables.
The open space left by the eliminated video poker machines could be filled with slot machines, or other games that have a higher house edge. Some casinos have already replaced video poker space with skill-based slot machines mentioned previously.
The space might also be left open. This has already happened at a few casinos.
*** If this article interests you, keep reading. Alternatively, explore other topics like how to win at slots, blackjack strategy, and roulette strategy. ***
Probable future (for a time anyway)
Most casinos do realize that video poker players help the casinos bottom line in other ways. They know that, many times, others accompany video poker players and play games that are more profitable to their casinos.
Video poker players and those who accompany them also go to the casino’s restaurants. They buy things in the gift shop. They may stay at the casino hotel. All of this helps the bottom line.
Over the next several years, casinos will continue to tweak pay tables of their gaming machines and the rules and payoffs of some table games to improve the bottom line.
There is still a very healthy demand for video poker. Even with less favorable pay tables, there is a willing throng of diehard fans to play them.
Many video poker players have no idea of the actual return of any game they play. These players simply know that it is more interesting to play a game where they can pick the cards to hold rather than mindlessly push slot machine buttons and hope.
If there are enough players willing to play whatever video poker is available, video poker will live. Serious players may not care to play those games, however.
Summary
Over the last several years, video poker game presence on casino floors has diminished. Casino management wants to increase profits and traditional video poker games and pay tables may not be meeting their goals.
Pay tables are being downgraded and some machines are being eliminated. There is a concern that video poker may someday be completely eliminated.
It is possible, but if there are players willing to play the games that are available, video poker will survive in casinos.
