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Bob Dancer writes a video poker column for beginners to experts. He also writes a column with Jeffrey Compton, "Player's Edge", featuring information on promotions at various Las Vegas casinos. Player's Edge is published each Friday in the Neon section of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Click here to send Bob Dancer an e-mail.

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Jan 16, 2007

"Even Money" at Video Poker

Among video poker games without wild cards, a major factor affecting the volatility is how much you receive for two pair. In low-volatility games (basically Jacks or Better, Aces & Faces, and Bonus Poker only), you receive 2-for-1 for two pair. In high-volatility games (basically all the rest), you receive 1-for-1 for two pair.

There's no debate that this is an important distinction that needs to be addressed. The question is how to refer to it. In many of my writings, I've referred to the first case as "double your money" and the second case as "even money." In my opinion, these terms are self-explanatory and appropriate.

I received an email recently from a player I respect chastising me for this terminology. I'll call him George to respect his privacy. George pointed out that in blackjack, the term "even money" is used for the situation I'm calling "double your money" and the term "push" is used for the term I'm calling "even money." George believes it to be a mistake to use the term "even money" in a manner that is so different from the use of the same term in blackjack.

Whether my terms are a mistake or not, George is clearly correct that the terms are used differently between the games. Since blackjack has been around for a lot longer than video poker, shouldn't the usage of terms of that game take precedence? Maybe, maybe not.

It's been pointed out in various places that one of the keys to the popularity of video poker is that a "push" (meaning getting your money back) is considered to be a "win." Most video poker games include one or more pay schedule categories that just returns your bet. (Pick'Em Poker is one of the very few games for which this isn't the case.) In blackjack, a push is relatively rare. In video poker, merely getting your money back is much more common.

If we are going to throw away the terms "even money" and "double your money" to describe the return for two pair, what terms should we substitute? After all, the situation is one that MUST be discussed periodically by video poker writers.

I have no expectation that if I change terms that other video poker writers will follow. In many instances, each video poker writer chooses his or her own terms irrespective of what other writers choose to use. Therefore, any change of terms that I make affects me only. And even if I change terms now, I have thousands of books in print that use the former terminology. So what to do?

As they say in NFL games, "after review, the play stands." Yes George has a valid point, but I'm not planning on changing terms. Calling 1-for-1 "even money" and 2-for-1 "double your money" is clear enough, even if the terms are used differently in blackjack and other games.

I believe that the important thing is to periodically explain that the same terms are used differently in the two games. And that's been the entire purpose of this article