CASINO PLAYERS EZINE #80

#1

Gayle: Tired of losing in Lake Charles I have to think there are other strategies for penny & nickel machines. It seems risky not to bet all lines, but there's so many lines it's almost impossible to get something going and keep it going. So much happens on the left side of the machines.
Can you bet less lines-say five lines on a 15-line machine X 5 and still win substantially?
What's the better strategy?
What is the strategy on the MultiWay machines? Is it still 25 X 2 etc.?

Barbara: You are right; it's very risky not to bet all lines. I suggest bet all lines with 1 or 2 coins/line and when you build up so me credits, a max. bet is not so risky. But, while you are covering all lines with a small bet, you will not be eligible, in most cases, for the top progressive jackpot. I agree with your strategy for Multi-Way slots.
However, here's something to think about. If you are playing pennies with 20 or more lines and spending $2-3/spin, why not try single payline DDiamond, Blazing 7’s or RW&Blue dollar slots where the bet is the same as multi-lines but the overall payout is better?

Gayle: Thanks so much for your quick response. You confirmed what I already knew but have a hard time accepting when the money is dwindling away in the machine. I have heard the argument of playing $1.00 machines vs. playing $1 to $2/throw in the penny-nickel machines.
Here's my take on it.
When I visit a casino, I look to see what's being played consistently. The winning machines are the ones being played and those are the penny-nickel games. Then I look to see what the players are betting, and what the credits are on the machine. Then I wait to see what the bonus yields. For the most part with penny-nickel machines. It's All About The Bonus! Getting to the bonus is the hard part. Some machines never seem to bonus, and some bonus rounds yield paltry amounts. The worst is to finally get to Bonus and then have it not pay out. Ouch! With that said, if you play all the lines for a fair multiplier there's something going on most all the time.
That creates excitement, fun, and a sense of value in play for your money. Most of us really don't believe we're going to hit the "big one". We're there to have good time and have plenty of play.
If you go home after spending your gambling budget having played steadily, you usually had a great time and will go back. That's where the comps come in.
When you play with your card and receive comped rooms, food, and drinks, you can rationalize your gambling budget and it feels better. I've had several "mini-vacations" this way that I thoroughly enjoyed without guilt over my gambling budget. I only patronize casinos that recognize how to make us happy this way. I will not revisit a casino that is stingy with comps, unless I win really big. In Lake Charles, LA that probably isn't going to happen as they are stingy with payouts. I've heard Bossier City-Shreveport is more generous but it's further and takes much longer with extra gas expense. I'd love to know if it's true because it may be worth the time and gas investment.
Back to the $1.machines. I just don't see them being played, and the payouts I've seen in Lake Charles are not impressive. I feel more apprehensive when I play them, and don't enjoy the experience as much. Maybe this has more to do with where I am playing. Logically the answer to your question is that it does make more sense to play dollars than penny-nickels, but it's not as much fun if you're nervous and then don't win. I know, "Scared money never wins". That's why I shy away from them-and it seems in Lake Charles, everyone else does too. The $1. machines are ALWAYS available, even a little lonely. I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way. I'd like to know if $1 machines pay reasonably well in other places.
So back to the basics. If we get a sense of "Bang for the Buck" we'll be back. Otherwise, we turn tail and run-and then feel really negative about the experience and bad about ourselves. I'm not talking about the person who wins-puts it all back, and then complains they "didn't win".
I'm talking about playing machine after machine with little or no return that definitely yields "no fun". Casinos spending money trying to create player fun, spending excessive marketing dollars on postcards promoting slot tournaments, etc., but giving small paybacks defeat their own purpose. If I get a postcard without reference to a free room, food, or cash back-it goes straight to the recycling bin. The only one doing it right in comps in Lake Charles is the L'Auberge du Lac, but the payouts are still relatively low. Barbara

Barbara: You are right Shrev-Boss do have better payouts and a few more casinos, so you have to weight the price of gas vs. better payouts. I remember a reader from Louisiana that stated she was ahead by paying the price to go to Vegas for the better payouts than she received at home.
BTW, you and I agree that comps make a losing gambling trip easier to handle.
I still think and my experiences reflect, that dollar slots are the better bet, but I find it interesting that you stated they are usually empty.
Thanks for your insight and watch for a feature article about Dollars vs. Nickels. Gayle.

For further information and strategies, read the entire article in Casino Players Ezine, Issue #79 at: www.casinoplayersezine.com/archive.

#2

Speaking of slot strategies, here’s one from reader Lin.

Gayle: I love Big Bass Bucks and was looking forward to your report on it. I believe the key to the game is the side bets, but only bet on the blue and gold fish. They pay the most and you only need two of them to get a payoff.
Also, the 20-line games pay much better than the 15-line ones. The side bets on those fish keep you going until you get to go fishing. I usually bet 8 on the blue guy and 7 on the gold one and play one coin per line for a total bet of 35 cents. Whereas 2 blue fish would pay 5 or 10 coins alone, with the side bet you get well over 100 coins. Playing more than one coin per line does not appreciably improve the payout, except, of course if you get to go fishing.
I also have noticed that when you get to the fishing round, if you find a spot that's good, keep picking it and more often than not, it will stay good.
In addition, if you get to the fishing contest you can tell how you're going to finish by the first fish everyone catches. How they start will usually be how they end up. If you get the smallest fish right of the bat, you're sunk.
Also, some machines tend to give more Money Flies (in the upper right corner.) Lin.

Lin: Thanks for the “Big Bass” lesson. Gayle.
The Slot Review Big Bass Bucks is in Issue #77 at:
www.casinoplayersezine.com/archive.

#3

A blast from the past thanks to reader Mark:

Gayle: There was a nickel slot game, "Eureka" which had barrels that would rotate in a 4 x 4 grid that my wife and I really enjoyed. Unfortunately, they started disappearing around 2001 and occasionally we might find it around Las Vegas like we did in 2004 at the Excalibur. The payout wasn't good there but I did win $650 with four gold nuggets, the highest payout on the machine, back in 2000.
My question, Is there any way to find out which casinos might have slots that are old favorites? Is there any way to find out if a favorite might appear in a software game? We loved Eureka and miss it sorely. Mark.

Mark: I thought that name sounded familiar, it was one of the Odyssey slots encased in that huge cabinet. I remember the VP on this machine played by a white-gloved dealer. I, too, miss these slots, however, IGT bought them out and then they were gone.
Thanks for the trip down the slots memory lane. Gayle.

4-5

Jerry Seinfeld - Caesars Palace.

5

Olivia Newton-John - Primm Valley.

10-12

Frankie Avalon & Bobby Rydell - Orleans.

10-23

Tom Jones - MGM Grand.

11

Wynonna - Primm Valley.

11-12

Jay Leno - The Mirage.

12

Shakira, Wyclef Jean - Mandalay Bay.

12

Lonestar - Sunset Station.

16

Champions on Ice - Orleans.

16-20

Neil Sedaka - Orleans.

18

Def Leppard - Mandalay Bay Events Center.

18-19

Wayne Brady - The Mirage.

19

A Tribute To Woodstock - Cannery.

25-26

Brad Garrett - The Mirage.

25-27

Tower of Power - Suncoast.

26

Mel Tillis/Roy Clark - Primm Valley.

32Vegas!

As mentioned, three readers rant about Gambling destinations.

Gayle: I thought I'd send you my latest rant concerning our recent excursion to Las Vegas.
I understand they're in the business to make money but....it seems like more and more they are sticking it to the customers.
1) In the past, the MGM's Majestic Lions slots used to be really loose and now it seems like they have been tightened up a bit. It was nothing to see people winning jackpots left and right on a Friday and Saturday night. We have even had good luck in the past with those machines.
Now, I guess it's time to go and play someplace else again. One observation I made was that a lot of those jackpots were hovering around $1100. A year ago, you hardly saw a jackpot over that amount.
2) Our food is comped at the Studio Cafe and the Buffet based on our playing status and this time we were charged for coffee and orange juice but the food was comped. What's up with that one? I'm still checking into that one and will call a Casino host about the bill.
I guess it is time to look for anther place to stay. I was just wondering if anymore of your other readers had noticed the same thing about the MGM?
3) What ever happened to all the 25 Cent Jeopardy slot Machines? Everyone is taking them out. Primm Valley, MGM, the Flamingo, why? I personally saw a couple walk up to one of the floor attendants at Primm Valley and ask him where the Jeopardy Machine were and when the response was, "we took them out", the couple said, "we won't be back here again". Greg.

Greg: In reply to #2, I can tell you that friends of ours wanted to stay at the MGM with their two children, both of whom are under 18. They were told that there would be a fee for every person in the room regardless of age. This additional room fee not only got us all ranting, but it shattered a long-term relationship that our friends had with MGM. Gayle.

And another from Howard:
Subject: Has everyone in Vegas gone insane?
Gayle: I just got back from Vegas in early May and am planning on another trip in October.
The price for airfare has doubled, the deals for rooms are nonexistent and the machines where tighter than before. How do casino managers plan to pay for these mega resorts when no one shows up?
I was considering investing in gaming stocks, but have put that idea on the back burner for now until these managers have answered to their board of directors.
I am sure that we will be able to buy their stock at lower prices in the near future.

Additionally, we move over to Tunica and Harrah’s in particular.
Gayle: Tunica no longer has a Harrah's so if we have a card, will playing other casinos there add points to that card? Why would Harrah's do away with the one at Tunica? Steve

Steve: For the same reason as most businesses, not making enough money. I gather from news on the net that Harrah's East Chicago was sold at the same time as Tunica. Additionally, there is a fair bit of competition in Tunica. However, you can play at Grand Casino, Tunica that is now a Caesars/Harrah's property. I believe you can use your card there.
If you go to Harrah's web site and click on casino locator, the Grand, Tunica pops up. Gayle.

Has the rating for your favorite casino destination, re: service, comps and pricing changed?
My contribution is, “I have noticed that the cashback for local Vegas casinos has all but disappeared.”
To continue this Rant, go to http://yourcasinovoice.com/casino-players-ezine-80-question-210.html.

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