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The Original Shareware (WeMake CDs)(Volume 1.1)(CDs, Inc)(1993).iso
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NVPOKER.DOC
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1988-01-19
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NVPOKER
program and documentation
(C) copyright 1988 by Mike Niese
P.O. Box 710792
Houston, Tx. 77271-0792
NVPOKER simulates a video poker machine while teaching you
the best way to draw to your hands as you play the game.
NVPOKER uses a liberal payoff scheme that has actually been
available on video poker machines in certain Nevada casinos.
NVPOKER prompts the player with an optimal card holding and
drawing strategy that will allow the player to reduce the
house edge to zero (actually gain a minuscule player
advantage) for this particular payoff scheme.
The program works from a strategy table containing the 45
basic strategy decisions for this particular type of machine.
The optimal strategy would be somewhat different for machines
employing different payoffs since the benefit in trying to
make a particular hand is a function of how much you are paid
if you successfully fill the hand. This game is considerably
different from five card draw poker with human opponents
since the payoffs are fixed and you can't bluff the machine.
NVPOKER draws cards at random, the same as a standard video
poker machine. The strategy prompts are shown in the box on
the lower part of the screen. It is up to the player to
follow the prompts or to play according to whatever scheme he
or she desires. Following the optimal strategy does not
guarantee a win on any hand or any series of hands. It will
however, produce the best win rate over a very large number
of hands.
Bets may range from 1 to 25. This is a larger range than
allowed by an actual poker machine but it makes for extra
enjoyment. Fractional bets (such as 1.25 ) are accepted, but
the payoffs will not be correct for the fractional amounts.
Use of a limited bankroll adds to the realism of the
simulation. The player is prompted for a starting bankroll
before betting begins. Amounts in excess of 1000000 are
ignored. The program recognizes aces only as high cards in
forming straights. This is the same limitetion applied by an
actual video poker machine.
I have spent considerable time in testing the program in a
limited test version to insure that as many errors as
possible have been eliminated. Despite these efforts, the
sharp eyed user may uncover additional "bugs" lurking in the
code. I would welcome reports of any errors encountered.
page 2
Why's and Wherefor's
Why write another video poker program when there are several
already available in the marketplace?
It has been my observation that the other programs available
do not use a payoff table typical of actual video poker
machines. Generally the payoffs are too liberal and might
easily encourage someone to waste their money by challenging
the real thing without the aid of the optimal strategy. And
of course there's the optimal strategy itself. NVPOKER does
not actually calculate the optimal strategy, but works
instead from a strategy table much the same as a human
player. Calculation of the optimal srategy consumes
considerable computer time and was carried out by others than
myself.
Payment and what YOU get
NVPOKER is distributed as user supported software, popularly
referred to as SHAREWARE. You may freely copy and distribute
the program so long as it is not modified and this
documentation file accompanies it. A nominal service charge
may be assessed for copying and distributing the program so
long as it does not exceed $7. If you use the program you are
expected to compensate the author for his efforts. This
encourages the continued development of better quality
programs which are supported by their users. I request a
payment of $10 for NVPOKER. Those who remit this payment to
the address included in this documentation (and the program
intro screen) will receive a copy of the optimal strategy
chart used in the program. I will also include some useful
hints about identifying video poker machines with worthwhile
payoff rates and additional hints useful in actual play. I am
interested in educating those who might be disposed to risk
their money, in Nevada or other legal gaming locales, on how
to minimize the risk to their hard earned bankroll.