What is poker software?
'Poker software' refers to any program that helps you improve your poker-playing skills. It usually does not refer to the software you need to download in order to actually play poker, such as Bodog poker software. Some of the programs are free, and many of the programs are relatively cheap (usually $50-$100). If you will be playing poker full-time then you will definitely want to invest money in poker software. Although some of the old-time poker players detest the use of such modern technology. It is only going to grow as the internet poker market grows.
Is it against the rules?
What is poker software? 'Poker software' refers to any program that helps you improve your poker-playing skills. It usually does not refer to the software you need to download in order to actually play poker, such as Bodog poker software. Some of the programs are free, and many of the programs are relatively cheap (usually $50-$100). Play the Vegas slot machines offline for FREE! Enjoy exciting jackpot casino slots without going to the real casino! And give you the best slot machine gaming experience you have ever had. Love Real Jackpot Casino Slots? Video Poker or Offline Bingo Games? Well,look no further! The BEST free slots games are here! Play exciting Vegas style slot machine games and watch the spinning reels reveal. This was true even before their IPO in 1981 by being the first company to offer a video poker machine. In 1984, IGT bought up Electron Data Technologies and with them on board were the first company to introduce database driven casino rewards programs which help casinos track customers.
Most of the bigger online poker rooms forbid the use of software that gives any player an 'unfair advantage.' This usually refers to software that allows players to share their hole cards with other players during live play (in order to collude) - and software that automates decision making. The poker site may close your account if they think that you are using poker software.
Why use poker software?
Poker software offers a myriad of benefits, including:
- Quantifiable data. When you play millions of hands, it is simply not possible to get mathematically accurate statistics on your playing without using poker software.
- Information presentation. The ability for software to present graphs allows players to better understand the statistics they are looking at.
- Find holes in your game. Poker (especially tournament poker) is a game where winning players only have slim advantages over losing players. Even if you have a good overall game, having one or two major holes can be the difference between being a good player and being a great player.
- Quicken the learning curve. After the online poker boom was in full swing, Doyle Brunson lamented once about how it took him so long to become a great player. He said that he would spend years traveling around the country and playing in underground games in Texas. And after the games were over, he would go back to his hotel room and his fellow poker friends would debate their hands for hours. He said that with today's technology, players can become world class in a much shorter amount of time. Poker software is part of the technology which helps speed up the learning process.
- Objective feedback. Even if you are the kind of player who likes to study and analyze your own game, there are certain psychological processes which make this process more difficult. 'Selective perception' is a process where people have a bias towards only seeing certain information. Poker software, on the other hand, gives you objective feedback that you can't dismiss.
- Equal power. Other players are using poker software. This means that you will be at a disadvantage if you don't use it.
COMMENTS:
Log in to post comments
or Register
winbotter on September 26, 2015
sjralph21 on December 13, 2011
Hi.
Iv'e read two NL hold'em books right now and iv'e seen many videos and read many threads about poker. I feel that i know poker basics and theory very good. Iv'e played poker for around one and a half year. I play against friends and crush them easy. And for what iv'e seen and read ppl at .02/.04 and .05/.10 are pretty much donks with to high VPIP and are either too loose or too passive.
I think that I can win against these ppl pretty easy if we played live. But online i don't really know if i can beat them as easily, because it's so many other players out there using HUDs etc and they will probably win the money i win against the donks.
Do you guys think that I can be profitable without a HUD at the micros in .02/.04 to .10/.20?
I know it's impossible to just say like that, but what would you guys think? I will absolutely make notes and stuff in the game but I won't use a actual HUD. I wan't to see if im profitable without a HUD before i feel to spend money to buy one, i maybe won't even win money with one. So what do you guys think?
Thanks!
artur11 on November 20, 2011
Introduction to West Virginia Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
West Virginia slot machine casino gambling consists of five casinos including one casino resort and four racetracks with slot machines. Many retailers have a few video lottery terminals.
The West Virginia state legislature has two sets of minimum and maximum theoretical payout limits depending upon the location of the gaming machine. Limited return statistics are available annually.
This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.
Keep Reading … Or Watch Instead!
Or … Listen Instead!
Subscribe to my Professor Slots podcast at Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Amazon Audible | Gaana | Stitcher | Pandora | iHeart Radio | Tune-In | SoundCloud | RadioPublic | Deezer | RSS and everywhere else you find your podcasts!
Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in West Virginia*
Poker Machine Games
The minimum legal gambling age in West Virginia depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: 21
- Poker Rooms: 21
- Bingo: 18
- Lottery: 18
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 21
In 1994, West Virginia legalized video lottery terminals at their thoroughbred and greyhound racetracks. In 1999, West Virginia began allowing physical reel slot machines at licensed racetracks.
Machine restrictions at these pari-mutuel wagering facilities include approval by the local county and having only:
- Slots
- Blackjack
- Keno
- Many versions of poker
In 2001, West Virginia passed the Limited Video Lottery Act allowing bars and restaurants to have up to five video lottery terminals (VLTs) and fraternal organizations to have up to ten VLTs. The Act also restricted the state to a total of 9,000 VLTs.
*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in West Virginia
It is legal to own a slot machine privately in West Virginia.
Gaming Control Board in West Virginia
The West Virginia Lottery Commission controls VLT gaming regulations. This lottery was created in 1984 by amending the Constitution of West Virginia with Article VI, Section 36.
Afterward, West Virginia legalized VLTs with subsequent amendments, acts, rules, and statutes. Each statute is available in the West Virginia Lottery’s Rules and Regulations.
Casinos in West Virginia
There are four pari-mutuel racetracks and one casino resort in West Virginia, where their slot machines have 18 different games. In 2019, 1,303 commercial retailers each had between five and ten VLTs, offering eleven games.
The largest casino in West Virginia is Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races with 2,500 slot machines.
The second-largest casino is Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort with 1,525 slot machines.
Commercial Casinos in West Virginia
The four pari-mutuel racetracks with slot machines in West Virginia are:
- Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in Charles Town, 320 miles northeast of Charleston.
- Mardi Gras Casino & Resort in Cross Lanes, 10 miles northwest of Charleston.
- Mountaineer Casino Racetrack & Resort in New Cumberland, 35 miles north of Wheeling.
- Wheeling Island Hotel Casino Racetrack in Wheeling.
The single casino resort in West Virginia is:
- The Casino Club at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, 120 miles southeast of Charleston
Tribal Casinos in West Virginia
West Virginia has no federally-recognized tribes and, therefore, no tribal casinos.
Other Gambling Establishments
As an alternative to enjoying West Virginia slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering West Virginia is:
- North: Maryland Slots and Pennsylvania Slots
- East and South: Virginia Slots
- West: Kentucky Slots and Ohio Slots
Each of the links above will take you to my blog for that neighboring U.S. state to West Virginia.
Our West Virginia Slots Facebook Group
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in West Virginia? If so, join our West Virginia slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.
There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in West Virginia. Join us!
Payout Returns in West Virginia
West Virginia has two sets of theoretical payout limits including:
- Racetracks and casino resort: 80% and 99.9%
- Commercial retailers: 80% and 92% (or 95%, if approved)
Retailers must obtain individual permissions to have a greater than 92% payout. These high payout terminals must obtain Commission approval twice, including:
Written consent prior to manufacturing
Approval before applying for testing
From its 2019 Annual Report, the Commission reported the annual return statistics in West Virginia to be:
- Casino resort: 92.5%
- Racetracks: 89.6%
- Commercial Retailers: 92.1%
Summary of West Virginia Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2020
West Virginia slot machine casino gambling consists of one casino resort, four racetracks, and 1,303 retailers with VLT-style gaming machines. Retailers may have up to five VLTs if a bar or tavern, and up to ten VLTs if a fraternal organization. Up to 18 different games are available on these VLTs, including slot machine game themes.
The minimum theoretical payout is 80% for all VLTs. The maximum theoretical payout is 99.9% for casinos, but 92% for retailers. With permissions, retailers can obtain a 95% maximum theoretical payout for specific VLT machines.
Annual Progress in West Virginia Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Over the last year, there has been no change in the West Virginia gaming industry.
Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots
Free Poker Slot Machines
- Previous: Washington Slot Machine Casino Gambling
- Next: Wisconsin Slot Machine Casino Gambling
Have fun, be safe, and make good choices!
By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC