Skillful play, not timing, wins on Video Poker Machines

Dear Mark, My husband thinks that if he "times" when he hits the draw button, it will improve his winnings. So instead of playing at the same speed, he will slow down or go faster, depending on how he feels that the machine is doing. Is there any logic to certain machines paying better if you play faster or slower? Vickie C.
Synchronicity may or may not have its time and place, but with video poker machines, it¹s doubtful. But your question, Vickie, did incite me to thought. In part because claims of paranormal powers have never survived under scientific scrutiny, the James Randi Educational Foundation has offered $1,000,000 to anyone who can demonstrate anything supernatural. Maybe if your husband¹s theories can withstand systematic examination, payday might be better than if he had that elusive royal flush. No one has yet claimed the 1,000,000, but we can hold a good thought for him. Star-charmed players (like your husband?) who trust their inner selves will win from time to time; but over the long haul, the player who plays on a higher paying machine, rejects whims, hunches and timing, and demonstrates playing skill by optimum choice of discards, will always do a great deal better.

Gambling thought of the week: "The subject of gambling is all encompassing. It combines man¹s natural play instinct with his desire to know about his fate and his future." ‹Franz Rosenthal, Gambling in Islam (1975)