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.
