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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