CASINO PLAYERS EZINE #92

#1

Gayle: I just came back from Vegas and discovered penny machines. The question is that in a 9 line 5 reel slot machine you can play for 1,2 ,5 or 10c per game and choose 1,2,5,10 or 20 coins per denomination and 1 to 9 lines . How much, if at all, do the percentage paybacks differ when you increase the 1-cent feature to10 cents or the 1 coin feature to 20 coins? The investment per pull can vary hugely from a low of 9 cents up to $18. Do you know if there are payback percentage differences in the program to allow for the different total dollars bet? Baudit.

Baudit: I agree it is costly to play the 'penny' slots. However, the more you bet per line activating all paylines, the better payout percentages, and you qualify for the top jackpot that can be as high as $1million. I usually suggest playing all lines but 1 to 2 coins/line until you get a nice hit and then you can then risk a max spin thereafter.
Most casinos/regions that report payouts now report for pennies and looking at the last couple of months, the only region reporting higher than 90% overall payout is Nevada--most are in the high 80's, usually 87-89%.
Therefore, although you will get a better payout percentage for higher betting amounts, overall the payouts are not as good as playing dollar single payline slots for 2-3 coins max.
I wrote an article about Pennies vs. Dollar Slots (Issue #79) that you should find interesting.
It's in the archives at casinoplayersezine.com.
Gayle.

#2

Gayle: I have never read an article by you or others in which I fully agree with the exception of your tipping Rants. It was great. I do tip mostly the way you do and the approx. amounts.
The job of the ‘attendee’ must be the loneliest in the world. They, in my case are rarely seen.
(I refer to the persons who, along with their four ‘associates' suddenly appear on very rare occasions and stand around while one is paid.). I have never seen a more accurate assessment of a mostly unfair situation. It really ‘burns’ me when I see (and I do) persons who order drinks stiff the waiter. Please continue your mission. Earl.

Earl: thanks for the ‘agreeable’ email. The Tipping Rant can be viewed in the archive at casinoplayersezine.com.
Gayle.

#3

Here’s an interesting item about one of our favorite slot manufacturers, IGT:
Slot machine giant International Game Technology took the initial steps to enter the electronic table game business with plans to develop blackjack and roulette tables that don't require the presence of a dealer.
Read more....

#4

Lastly, an update about the recent online gaming ban as players fight back.
New Congress will be asked to deal with online poker ban
They like to think of it as the green felt revolution - the upset defeat of Iowa Rep. Jim Leach, father of the Internet gambling ban, in last month's congressional election.
Read more....

1-4

Drew Carey and Improv All-Stars, MGM Grand

2

Euge Groove, Boulder Station Hotel and Casino

2-3

Artie Lange, Luxor Hotel and Casino

2-3

Kevin James, Mirage Resort & Casino

2

Pennywise, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

3

George Strait, MGM Grand Hotel and Casino

3

Little River Band, Boulder Station Hotel and Casino

3

UFC 67: All Or Nothing, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

5-18

David Copperfield, MGM Grand Hotel

8-10

The Moody Blues, Las Vegas Hilton

9

The Fab, Cannery Hotel and Casino

9-10

Foreigner, Luxor Hotel and Casino

9-10

Brad Garrett, Mirage

9

Gary Puckett, Boulder Station Hotel and Casino

9

Three Days Grace, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

10

Kevin Eubanks, Santa Fe Station Hotel and Casino

10

James Ingram, Green Valley Ranch Resort and Casino

10

The Comets, Cannery Hotel and Casino

10

Russell Peters, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

13-24

Barry Manilow, Las Vegas Hilton

15-18

Earth, Wind & Fire, Luxor Hotel and Casino

16-17

Wayman Tisdale, Boulder Station Hotel and Casino

16

The Oak Ridge Boys, Texas Station Hotel and Casino

16

Jamie Foxx, Aladdin Hotel and Casino

16-18

Jay Leno, Mirage

17

Dolly Parton, Primm Valley Casino Resorts

17

David Brenner, Cannery Hotel and

19-28

Howie Mandel, MGM Grand

23-24

Brad Garrett, Mirage

23

Kathy Griffin, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

23

Paula Poundstone, Boulder Station Hotel and Casino

24

Terri Clark, Boulder Station Hotel and Casino

As reported by the Gaming Commissions.
Slot players know that payout %'s and top casino payout rankings can change monthly.
Note: Not all land-based casinos/regions are required to report payouts.

This link will provide current reporting for Slots Payouts.
easycasinogambling.com

This past Vegas Christmas experience with 5 guests that included two pre-teen children left me with a ‘ranting bitter taste’.
Two dining excursions stand out—the Terrace Point Café, Wynn Casino and Center Stage at Union Plaza.
Until now, we had avoided the new Wynn Casino for playing slots as we knew the payouts would not come close to our favorite locals’ casinos, however our guests wanted to visit and have breakfast at what we thought would be a ‘reasonable price’. We passed over the breakfast buffet as too expensive; but, I should have known better, when I noticed a cup of tea was $4. at the Terrace Point.
Before the seven of us were seated, we were told that an 18% gratuity would be added.
My experience has been that groups of 10 were similarly taxed, however, once we announced the number in our party, the Wynn’s rule was for 7, hmmm, coincidence?
The service was excellent, however after ordering mostly omelets and nothing pricy, the bill arrived at a whopping $160—approximately $23/person for breakfast. Can you feel the rrrrrip?
Although the entrance and casino are beautifully decorated, I did not think it was as awe-inspiring as the Bellagio—a previous Wynn property.
Secondly, the Center Stage has always been a favorite dining spot to take visitors. Diners get a front row seat for the light/sound show and they offered Surf/Turf for only $15. However, it had been nearly three years since the last visit and my, oh my, how things do change.
We were seated and ordered, leaving out the Surf/Turf that was now $52, when it was announced that the sound system in the restaurant was not working. Our favorite Fremont Experience clip has always been the classic rock featuring the Who’s ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’.
I am and will always be a 60’s rocker, however, I didn’t feel so old when both of the children/young adults had said that they too, had ‘discovered’ the Who.
I wondered how often the restaurant employees watched guests get up and head downstairs to listen and watch the show as 5 of us did that night. It turned out to be a lot cheaper to stay for two more shows on the ground enjoying the sound.
One of the other ‘newer’ casinos we visited was South Point and there was some good news. Bowling kept the young adults happy and I hit a Royal Flush, however, when I cashed out the ‘big ticket’ at about 3PM, the cashier commented that “this was the second Royal of the day”.
Although, she was pleased, I thought at mid-afternoon in such a large casino, this was nothing to brag about.
Perhaps, the previous disappointments as outlined above and the general downgrading of comps at two favorite casinos had left me ranting with a ‘bitter taste’.
So, I conclude with a ‘good news’ Vegas tip. When it comes to dining ‘on the cheap’, it’s tough to beat the Bay City Diner in the Golden Gate Casino downtown. The food is plentiful, tasty, inexpensive and includes the best price shrimp cocktail in town. Our visitors went back a second time and the children enjoyed sitting at the counter watching the kitchen action.

I know I am not alone in yearning for the Vegas of old, as these rants sent previously by readers reflect. I now turn the spotlight on them.

1) Slots on the strip. You almost need a crowbar to pry any payouts from them.
Harrah’s taking away reward credits every 6 months. We are diamond members and used to go 4 times a year to LV. Last year we went once. Lost all our reward credits. I'm not happy. If it wasn't for our casino host, we would have found another casino. Leslie.

2) 3:00 pm. check-in! I get there early to beat the rush only to be told check-in time starts at 3:00pm. They don't use the change lights on the slot machines much anymore. Convert them to "Cocktail Server Wanted" lights. Great reading. Thanks.

3) Don't like the length of time it takes to do a hand-pay. Also don't like that cocktail waitresses sometimes take forever to come by and offer a drink while I am playing.
Las Vegas Club is an awesome casino for the low-limit player. They are so friendly, their waitresses come around frequently for drinks and they comp you with minimal play.
What a boon to the low-limit player and I consistently win $400-$1250 every time I play there.

4) We have been going to Las Vegas since l984, 2-3 times a year but I'm not sure we are going back. I do not like the direction it is going. It used to be you could enjoy a show, now you pay ridiculous prices for decent shows and even then, we have trouble finding shows that we do not consider offensive. The machines are so tight that we spend more and more time in our room so that we don't run out of money. We rent a car so that we can eat off the strip because the food prices are so much higher. I can't see paying upwards of 12.00 for breakfast. We are Senior Citizens and they seem to be catering to the 21 to 35 group now with all the garbage we see.

5) Strip casinos are going too upscale for the average visitor. I can eat around my locale at world-class restaurants for the same prices as in Vegas. I can gamble close to home at the two world's largest casinos. I want to have a great vacation without spending a month's pay. If the joints in Vegas continue to price me out, I'll just stay in Connecticut.

6) I don't like the high prices of buffets in Vegas and most of them are not really worth it Sandy.

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