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.