Paul,

I am married, with no children. My wife doesn't mind my playing VP because I play at almost perfect play (99.8%) and on machines that the pay schedules will pay out over 100% IN THE LONG RUN WITH PERFECT PLAY! They casinos make money on the machines because 99.5% of the people who play them do not play with any knownledge. There are times I win, and there are times I lose, but in the long run I will be ahead.

Knowledge is the key. Don't get me wrong. A player can lose a fortune while playing perfectly. It is a game of skill and luck. You have to have both to win. A skillful player with no luck will lose. A lucky player with a lot of luck will win. On average, a skillful player (knowledge) with average luck will win OVER THE LONG RUN.

Mathematics will support the over 100% payout on VP. You can go to a VP machine and by looking at the payout schdule, determine what percentage the machine will pay out in the long run. An example is a Deuces Wild machine that the pay schedule is as follows:

Natural royal - 4,000 coins
4 deuces - 1,000 coins
Wild royal - 125 coins
5 of a kind - 75 coins
Straight flush - 45 coins
4 of a kind - 25 coins
Full house - 15 coins
Flush - 10 coins
Straight - 10 coins
3 of a kind - 5 coins

Will pay out 100.76% over the long run. I didn't make up this number, mathematics prove it out. Go to the web site http://www.thewizardofodds.com/game/vidpok.html and check it out. It will only pay that percentage out if all players played perfectly all the time. That will never happen. So the few players who do know how to play can win and the casino over all can win.

Slot machines on the other hand will never pay out over 100% because there is no skill required. Just insert money, pull handle. No skill.

I hope this helps your understanding.

Scott