Many casual video poker players – perhaps even most of them play video poker until they are out of money to play the game, or after they hit a big win. That may not be totally true. After hitting a big win, most casual video poker players continue playing trying to hit another jackpot.
Is that the best way to play the game? More serious players mostly agree that it is not. This article explores the value of using “Stop-Wins” as a method of going home with more money. It also offers some suggestions about determining the best stop-win for the player’s particular style.
What Exactly Is A Stop-Win And Why It Is Important
Many video poker players – even those who have been playing for many years – are not aware of what a stop-win actually is.
Simply put, a stop-win is something that happens to cause a player to save some of the money they have won.
Some casual players simply play until they have no more money with which to play. When they are out of money, it is time for them to stop playing.
This is probably not the best strategy for successful long-term play. In addition to the normal bankroll protection strategies such as:
- Do not use ATMs at the casino – bring what you plan to gamble with you.
- Make sure your bankroll is money you can afford to lose.
- Pick a game denomination that matches your bankroll.
It is wise to take advantage of the times you win to extend your playing time and possibly grow your bankroll. A stop-win is a method to accomplish this worthy goal.
Some Typical Stop-Win Strategies
- The easiest stop-win to manage is when a hand-pay jackpot is won. Play has to stop, the win is paid out in cash, and it is very easy to lock up at least half of the winnings.
This locked-up portion of the winnings should be put away and brought home – not played at the casino this trip. If it is a royal flush or another very large win, at least three-fourths of the win should be locked up and brought home.
This is a very simple way to come home a winner. I believe many players use this stop-win method because of the jackpot amount and the rarity of this type of win.
- The next easiest stop-win to manage is whenever you win a jackpot of any decent size (for example a single win of $100 or more on a quarter machine), cash out and “lock up” one half of that win. Set it aside. It is no longer part of your session bankroll.
This is money that you might play at a later session, but not this one. With a significant win, more should be locked up, and the player should consider taking a portion of this win home with them.
Players like this strategy because it is easy to recognize and act at this point. There are no calculations that trigger this stop-win and locking it up is easily accomplished.
- Another very good stop-win method is to monitor the credits on the game being played. If, and when, this amount doubles from the buy-in amount, cash out and set a portion of it (perhaps one-fourth to one-half) aside to be saved for a future session – or to be taken home as winnings.
This stop-win is a little harder to pull off. Many times, the player is not aware of the amount on the credit meter.
There is also no specific event that triggers this stop-win point, so it is easily overlooked. It is, however, a very good way to lock up some additional wins.
There are many other similar stop-win situations. They all rely on the player stopping play at a certain point and locking up a portion of their wins These amounts are then held for a future time..
A Caution About Stop-Win Strategies
Practicing stop-win strategies is an excellent way to improve player’s odds of going home a winner. There are several ways to put a stop-win strategy in place.
One factor is critical to the successful implementation of stop-win strategies, however. That factor is discipline.
Each stop-win strategy depends on the player not only stopping to take a portion of their winnings out of play, but also not using those held winnings until the proper time – another later session, another day, or to be added to the total gambling bankroll at home.
It is very easy to say the money is being locked up, and it is easy to place it somewhere separately from the session bankroll. It can be very difficult, however, to keep that money held until the desired time of use.
As with anything related to gambling – whether in a casino or online – discipline is key. The player must play only with funds specifically earmarked for gambling, funds they can afford to lose, and funds that are brought with them to the casino (never taken from an ATM).
Even though many gamblers can accomplish the above, they have difficulty keeping the stop-win amounts locked up until the proper time.
Final Thoughts On Stop-Win Strategy
A stop-win is a technique that can be used by gamblers to help them go home as winners more often. The process is flexible. It calls for players to take portions of their wins and set them aside (lock them up) to be used at a later time – but never at the same session of play.
It does not matter what event triggers a stop-win. What does matter is the discipline to carry through with the intent of the stop-win amount being held until the proper time.
Successful use of stop-win strategies contributes to the ultimate success in casino play.
