FAQ

(Frequently Asked Questions - Answered by either Jim Wolf, the creator of the game, or Garry Caller, a professional video poker player for over 10 years, who contributed significantly to the game)

Features / Ordering

Q: What's so special about Wolf Video Poker?
A:  See What's New and Other features

Q: What games are included with Wolf Video Poker?
A: See Games for a listing of the stock games. Please remember, you can change these payoff tables to simulate games available in your area.

Q: Is there a free demo available?
A: Get the FREE demo version!

Q: Ok, I'm sold.  How do I order Wolf Video Poker?
A: Order here!

Why Wolf Video Poker?

Q: Why use strategy charts?
Q: How do these strategies compare to other software?
Q: Why upgrade from other video poke software?
Q: What if I buy the Lite version and want to upgrade?
Q: Do you have an agenda beyond this tutorial software?

Miscellaneous

Q: Where's the option to select how many decimal points you want in the stats?
Q: Do you have a multiplay option?
Q: How do I report a bug

Software Protection

Q: Can I take the game off my home PC and put it on my laptop?
Q: What if my computer crashes - will I be out of a game?
Q: When should I 'park' (remove) my license?

Why Wolf Video Poker?

Q: Why use strategy charts?

A: (Jim Wolf) I was the first to introduce strategies to video poker software that could be analyzed for a return. As far as I'm aware, I am still the only one that can do this. This is important because before you had to go by "Argument by Authority" - hoping that the VP pro guessed correctly in arranging the plays in the strategy chart.

Most other video poker programs do not offer real strategies. They offer what is known as 'Perfect Play', where all hand analysis is simply a chart of the 32 possible plays based upon the best return for the specific hand. The problem with this method is that for most games there are too many 'exception to the rules' plays, also called 'penalty plays', to properly master the fundamentals of play. Wolf Video Poker, by merit of analyzing the return of strategy charts, shows that it may not be necessary to learn at this level because of very insignificant contributions to your return. It can introduce more confusion and subsequent errors during play. Also, it slows down play, which many experts feel reduces the amount that can be won over the long haul in video poker vs. using a simpler strategy. Mind you, Wolf Video Poker does offer 'Perfect Play' analysis through its 'Perfect Play Hand Analysis Window', though I don't feel it is the best way to learn video poker.

(Garry Caller) Here's a great example, Jim. I found this at another web site claiming that another program and not yours was "the best training software on the market today".

4 out of 5 stars  "Good program, but...,"  November 9, 2008  By silverbob
"It's inconsistent! When playing Deuces Wild, I had the following hands: 10D 4C 6H QH KH = Program recommended discarding all 5 cards. A few minutes later... 8C 6S QH KH 7D = Program recommended holding the QH KH This is supposed to be a learning tool, but how can you learn if it keeps changing the rules?"

Indeed!  And it seems for silverbob this "best training software on the market today" is not doing its job very well as a learning tool, is it?  His confusion comes from not understanding penalty card situations, and yet I totally sympathize with him. Why all this added confusion when for the beginner it's totally unnecessary, and maybe only costing him a handful of theoretical pennies an hour?  So what's the correct answer?  Toss the five cards and move on!  But if silverbob had purchased Wolf Video Poker and had started practicing with the Basic strategy chart, he already would have known that.

Q: How do these strategies compare to other software?

Another well-known video poker software program claims that "for the games included with the program, the strategies have been tweaked by (VP Luminary) and represent the most accurate strategy available without penalty cards. Furthermore, these strategies are more accurate than other penalty-free strategies being sold today." So how does Wolf Video Poker compare?

A: (Garry Caller) Wolf Video Poker gives you the option of playing with a chart that plays perfect with penalty cards, while also giving you the option of one and sometimes two strategy charts that are penalty-free. Over the years I've seen a lot of strategy charts and most of them gave me a headache just trying to read them for the first time. The beauty of Wolf Video Poker's penalty-free strategies is that you can make them as complex or as simple as you want to suit whatever is best for you, NOT what is best for the person who made the strategy chart.

With Wolf Video Poker you can make any number of changes to a chart and make it as simple as you like, and Wolf Video Poker will tell you exactly how much return you are giving up for making the change. If it's not worth it to you, simply discard the chart, or file it, as you can create as many new charts as you please. If you do like the chart, then you can play it in the software. Plus, as time goes by, and you learn the game better, you can go back and "tweak" your chart to learn those hands you thought were too hard to learn before, or not worthwhile to learn.

(Jim Wolf) It is interesting to note that most people (especially veteran players) use the 'tweaking' option to minimize the chart - making it easier to understand - while trying not to give up significant return. Rarely does a player try to complicate a chart to squeeze out a few pennies, though that can be done, too.

(Garry Caller) With the "Print Chart Wizard" you can also print the charts color-coded in any way you want with a variety of fonts and printing options. You can even change the text description of the play. I frankly don't understand why everyone doesn't use Wolf Video Poker to learn how to play video poker. Why wouldn't you take the easiest and most logical approach especially when you are gambling with your money? In addition, I have yet to find any errors in any of Wolf Video Poker's penalty-free strategies, unlike another very popular video poker software, where I found three errors in a strategy chart for a popular game I looked up, with hands being repeated in different places on the chart. Would you trust your money playing with a strategy chart where identical hands are repeated in different places on the chart?  I know I wouldn't.

(Jim Wolf) There are no repetitions on the WVP charts, as they are computer generated. If a game has computer generated charts that had to be tweaked by the luminary - well, the computer generated charts must have sucked. The thing is, if the charts had to be 'tweaked', then how confident will you feel if you create a new payoff table and have the computer generate the chart? Are you going to call up the luminary and have him tweak it? How can you tell if it is right? Does the game let YOU tweak it? Does it give you a return on the chart? I'm proud to say that WVP has the most accurate video poker computer generated strategy charts that provide a return and will also let you tweak it.
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Q: Why upgrade from other video poker software?

I have Frugal Video Poker and I'm very happy with it. Doesn't it do the same thing? Why should I bother buying Wolf Video Poker?

A: (Garry Caller) I'm sure Jim Wolf is very happy that you liked Frugal VP, after all, he was the one who created it! We all know how great Frugal was and what a revolutionary product it was at the time. But what Jim has been able to do with the latest version of Wolf Video Poker is amazing, and I am confident that Wolf Video Poker has something for everybody and is a must have upgrade from Frugal.

From its new perfect penalty charts for those who want to squeeze that last penny out of every hour, to its exceptional long term computer simulations with dynamically updated graphs that you can watch as it plays (with no less than five random number generators with reseeding options between sessions). Also, the all new expanded bankroll section with a fantastic standard deviation line graph that tracks up to 999 billion hands, so that you will have an idea of what to expect in the future when playing with that ever diminishing microscopic edge the casino sees fit to let us have.

Add to that the ability to play with your keyboard configured just the way you want. Add the ability to resize your window to any size (perfect for those times you want to minimize your side-to-side field of vision of the cards). There are new custom "Speed Buttons" that will place your favorite tutoring features on the main display of the game. A handy small "Shuttle Chart" that remains on the screen so that you can reference the correct play - just like you were in a casino with your strategy chart printed with the 'Print Chart Wizard'.

Did I mention the greatest video poker long-term computer simulator in the world that just got better, which gives you loads of stats you can easily print out, showing you all the highs and lows of each session, and enables you to play up to 100 separate sessions of up to 100 million hands each with just one button click? Try to do that with any other competing software.

I could go on and on and on, and Jim isn't even done adding stuff to it with his free updates!

Being a professional video poker player for over 10 years, I have seen them all, from way back in the day when "Video Poker Tutor" was the best there was. I loved all that Frugal did when it came out, but I think you are just being plain dumb if you don't get Wolf Video Poker in my opinion. Frugal is not going to be updated or upgraded, and Jim Wolf, on the other hand, has shown a genuine commitment to try and make his product the best that it can possibly be. His effort and hard work shows. There are things Wolf Video Poker does that no other video poker software program can touch or even come close to. And no, I'm not getting paid one dime to say any of this. It's just the truth.

(Note from JW - I've been extremely fortunate to have had Garry Caller's professional experience in helping to make the game better)
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Q: What if I buy the Lite version and want to upgrade?

A: (Jim Wolf) Currently, there is no cost penalty for upgrading to the full-featured version (Wolf Video Poker). Just write to the support link and state your intentions.
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Q: Do you have an agenda beyond this tutorial software?

A: (Jim Wolf) Absolutely not. All I do is video poker training software. I do not promote online casinos. I do not sell books or newsletters or encourage playing any specific video poker machines over any other. I only offer video poker analysis based upon the guidelines established by the Nevada Gaming Commission and State Gaming Control Board, whom I sincerely believe has the best interests of players in mind.
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Miscellaneous

Q: Where's the option to select how many decimal points you want in the stats?

A: You can find this option now under Strategy Charts->Add Stats.
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Q: Do you have a multiplay option?

A: (Jim Wolf) I would have been pleased to include these games, called multi-play or N-play in Wolf Video Poker, but I could not secure licensing from the company that owns the rights to these games.  The company made a business decision going forward to only allow their own VP software to carry these games.

Be aware, however, that the strategy you use for any of the games in Wolf Video Poker applies to any of the multi-play or N-play games. There is no difference in strategy between a single hand game and a multi-hand game. You can go to the casino with confidence that what you have learned from Wolf Video Poker will apply to any of the multi-play or N-play games.
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Q: How do I report a bug?

A: If you find what you believe to be a bug in the latest update of the program, I certainly want to hear from you. When you report a bug, you must be very specific. You must try to relate all the events that led up to the malfunction. It would be absolutely wonderful if you could consistently recreate the problem. It is very difficult for me to fix something I cannot recreate, but this is not to say to not report it, because I might have an idea of the origin of the problem. 
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Software Protection

Q: Can I take the game off my home PC and put it on my laptop?

A: Yes, you can! Go to the help menu and you'll see 'Activation Center-> Transferring the  License to Another Machine'. Follow the instructions. Basically, what you are doing is removing the license on one machine and 'parking' it in the Activation Center (on the Internet),  and then reactivating it on your laptop, like a first time installation.
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Q: What if my computer crashes - will I be out of a game?

A: You should replace all parts, format, or do whatever you need to fix your machine, and install the demo. Then you should follow the instructions in the help file 'Activation Center->Reactivating the License After a catastrophe'. This should recover your license to the system.
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Q: When should I 'park' (remove) my license?

A: Parking or Removing your license is the process in which you free the license through the Internet Activation Center. What this does is disable the software on the current machine and frees up the license for transfer. You can then install the demo on another PC and activate it like it was a first time activation.

Everyone who purchases a license has access to the Internet Activation Center with their own User ID and Password.

You should Park or Remove your license if you are transferring the license to another machine, if you are upgrading your OS software (especially Mac users), and when you attempt a hardware upgrade.
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