Video Poker Heroes, Bob Dancer and Dan Paymar

Video poker refers to a family of computer-based games that resemble slot machines. They are played in casinos like slots, but unlike slots, video poker games use playing cards for symbols and the rules are different. Winning hands are based in poker hands. And unlike slots, video poker games have a known number of cards used - usually 52 cards like a standard deck - so the odds of a given poker hand appearing is known. Since the odds are known, it is possible to work out a fixed strategy for choosing which cards to hold and to discard for the best chances of winning. This makes video poker one of those few casino games you can really win in.

Here on this page we introduce you to two gifted individuals who are true video poker heroes. Not only that, they also share their secrets to help others succeed in this fascinating game. These are Dan Paymar, the beloved video poker instructor and writer, and Bob Dancer, the most famous player today.

Video Poker Heroes - Dan Paymar

Dan Paymar is a well-known author and lecturer on video poker. His books, including Video Poker - Optimum Play, are considered some of the best in the field. Paymar has a background in mathematics, engineering and computers, similar to other gambling greats. Paymar changed jobs frequently in different states including Michigan where he studied, Colorado, California and finally Nevada. There in Las Vegas, Paymar began a career as a humble card dealer. During his spare time he would play video poker. Later Paymar wrote a book detailing which video poker machines were the most profitable to play. Throughout the 1990s he would publish more books including The Best of Video Poker Times, The Professional Poker Dealer's Handbook and Video Poker - Optimum Play.

Dan Paymar is now in the Video Poker Hall of Fame.

Video Poker Heroes - Bob Dancer

Bob Dancer is perhaps the best known of today's video poker heroes. Dancer started out as a backgammon player. He o played blackjack and learned card counting. Dancer was so absorbed in gambling that he began to falter in his work. Soon Dancer was terminated, and he happily spent his full time on mastering his favorite games.

In time Dancer discovered video poker. At the time (early 1990s) people were just starting to realize that video poker could be a profitable game, unlike slots which it was often compared to. What made it difficult was that one needed a fat bankroll to build a solid career in the game. But Bob Dancer persisted and soon met with success together with his wife, Shirley. In his book Million Dollar Video Poker, Dancer tells how in one 6 month period, the couple won a million dollars playing video poker.

Not surprisingly, Bob Dancer is one of the shining figures in the Video Poker Hall of Fame.