I recently sent much of this article out as an e-newsletter. The response from readers was overwhelming and as such, I decided to put it up as my first article of 2009. As is normal, it’s loaded with undeniable truths that’ll surely be irritating to those who do not really understand what the game – and the gaming industry in general – are all about. Some players, i.e., “advantage players” actually believe the casinos are in place for them to withdraw cash at will...or at least that’s what they want us to believe. But, as dictated by overwhelming common sense and as confirmed by the desperate money-making/story-twisting shenanigans of some of these folks, you can clearly see the casinos TAKE these guys’ money more often and faster than all types of other players. Please ENJOY!

Usually, when the calendar changes at the end of December each year, we can go straight into the next 365 days without much change. Sure, there’s people who make those stupid “resolutions” to quit or give up this or that or to lose a pile of poundage for a change -- only to see it all come apart as soon as their daily lives and life’s omnipresent pressures once again take over. But what’s in store for the video poker player who is already playing a game that’s becoming more and more important to the bottom line of every casino?

Expect more whining from the advantage play crowd, who, because of the inability to ever stop playing video poker, will continue to play it for long & monotonous hours and will continue to moan and groan over reduced pay tables and slot club benefit cuts. This vicious cycle will continue because it has to, and because casinos know they will always be able to reel in the most pathological of gamblers even when times are rough.

Expect to experience more than the normal amount of beatings you receive from the casinos. That’s because they are a business, and there’s not one single business on the face of the earth that won’t manipulate that which has proven to make them money when they really need it. And they DO need it now. So many times you hear the gurus and math geeks assert how all the games are running at 100% random. Why? Because they need to believe in that theory in order to justify playing like addicts all the time, and because they would never want to understand the complete process in which gaming regulators release casino-related documents to the public. Every so-called advantage player thinks they have the inside scoop just because it fits their scenario, and every player who thinks like that is a fool indeed.

Expect to see certain video poker famous names do what desperate gamblers always seem to do in lean times: Release another book or two, print out more strategy cards (best laminated and used as drink coasters, of course), borrow/withdraw whatever’s left in their partner’s 401k’s, use more massaged slick-talk in order to get more suckers to pay them for their “advice”, and – as we’ve seen several times in the past – beg casinos to hire them so they can help soothe the losses they’ve absorbed during the slot club promotions. Instead of taking the time to explain the truth to the players out there, some would rather collect the cash from as many of them as possible BEFORE going broke at the machines.

It’s all so funny….and at times, so sad. People all across the country are complaining that they’ve never seen losing like they’ve recently experienced, yet they refuse to believe the machines can and are being “tinkered” with. This guy named Madoff got away with $50billion; the banks are getting away with stealing our money to dish out big year-end bonuses, throw huge parties, sponsor expensive sporting events and new facilities like the one in new York, and to keep screwing those who pile up the debt on their credit cards; and the auto companies play the biggest, most immoral game of all. So how in the world can anyone believe casinos won’t do what’s best for them to survive when survival itself becomes very questionable? Tell me the gaming industry big cats are filled with more morality than any of these other crooks….

My response? Well, since 2008 saw my last hand of video poker played in late August (other than the free-play I get as I play “chase the freebies”) being a $10 royal which greatly surpassed my already revised upward yearly win goal – and the fact that I’m of the opinion that the machines can and have been altered further from being 100% random – I’m simply not playing again unless and until I can be sure that the tough times are over for the casinos. And it makes sense. The offers that I’ve received already right through March have been incredible, and I expect they’ll continue for who knows how long. Because I have something most players lack – i.e., strong and unwavering discipline where I can go into a casino for the free-play, play it through ONCE and then cash out - I can actually hit many casinos up each month and take home nearly a thousand dollars PLUS any gifts they decide to shower me with, and all without ever risking money of my own. If you’re not addicted, if you have the determination and ability to do it right, then it can be done right.

Certainly, there’ll be players who’ll ignore these words of learned wisdom and play anyway. No problem if they’ve got plenty of money, and I know quite a few players out there who do. But for the majority it would be best to take a step back for a while and just STOP. Video poker is unforgiving enough without the added challenge of having to deal with what’s going on right now. Don’t make it harder on yourself if it just hasn’t been going so great lately.