Playing nickel machines with small stakes
Dear Mark,
I hate to ask this question because so many people consider
keno machines to be losers. However, I do not do all that
bad playing keno. Although I play table blackjack and slot
machines (very selective), I still love video keno. I can
sit at a nickel keno machine through an afternoon and evening.
I pocket my winnings and continue to play with my original
bankroll. Knowing your interests and that readers probably
concentrate on table games, what are your thoughts on 5¢
keno? Vicki C.
Understand,
Vicki, that nickel slots are a tough beat because of their
high casino hold. Consequently, they profit the house more
than higher denomination machines. Table games and selected
casino wagers, played intelligently, offer the greatest
hope for the player whose sole purpose is walking out of
the casino with the casino's loot.
But I give credence to the "entertainment factor"
of gambling, especially with games (nickel machines) that
are enjoyable to play on a modest bankroll (under $20).
I have never been one to be critical of any player who limits
his or her gambling to nickel machines. By playing solely
nickels, you are in total control of your bankroll, plus
you can enjoy casino gambling while limiting your cash outlay.
Also, Vicki, given a choice, it is better to play video
keno versus regular keno. Besides being inexpensive to play
at 5¢ a pop, video keno does not give as large an edge
to casinos.
Dear
Mark,
When I applied for my slot club card at a casino, the slot
host told me that all points were based on "coin-in"
machines. What was she talking about? Karen K.
When you insert your slot club card into a slot machine, the magnetic strip enables the casino to know exactly how much money you are actually betting. "Coin-in" machines count the total amount of your coins inserted, then fund your slot club card with comp points without distinguishing between remaining credits played or coins inserted.
Dear Mark,
I loved to play this one particular machine at my favorite
casino in Reno. The best way I can describe it is that it
has a frog on the front of it. I called it my "little
froggie." On my last trip the machine was no longer
there. When I inquired what happened to the machine, I was
told by someone in the slot department that the machine
was not performing up to expectations. What did he mean?
Beverly K.
From the casino's point of view, your beloved froggie didn't
hop, skip or jump all the way to the bank.
All machines, Beverly, need to show reasonable results or
their replacement is inevitable. A gaming machine's performance
is measured by two factors: the amount of coins wagered
daily ("coin in") and the amount collected daily
by the casino ("win"). If a machine's performance
falters ever so slightly, a slot manager could decide a
change is needed in the slot mix, meaning the placement
and positioning of machines on the casino floor.
Dear
Mark,
Next month I'm going to London, England. I've planned a
few hours of relaxation and would like to try my luck at
the slot machines in their casinos. Any recommendations?
Calvin R.
Realize, Calvin, that by being a punter across the pond you will need a special membership to enter London casinos.
The
waiting period for a membership is 24 hours. Another shortcoming
is that all casinos in London are limited by law to just
six slot machines. Plan on waiting, and waiting and waiting
to lose your money.
Furthermore, Calvin, your slot strategy shouldn't blueprint breaking the bank. The maximum jackpot is limited to 300 pounds of sterling, or $450.
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