Dear Mark,
One of my greatest fears
in a casino is playing over a jackpot, especially one that has a big
payout like a royal flush. Does this horror story happen often? By the
way, I normally play in Atlantic City. Thomas R.
No cause for concern, Thomas. The New Jersey Casino Control Commission
requires that all machines lock-up when the top award is hit. So if you
are dealt a natural royal flush, you won't screw up and chuck those
terrific cards. Which is a good thing because casinos offer free booze
alongside gambling.
Additionally, all reel slot machines lock
up when awards are higher than $1,200. Not because the casino wants to
avoid payment and give you a blooper award instead, but because it's an
IRS regulation. Uncle Sam wants his piece of the win as well.
Dear Mark,
Is it true that the minimum required payout on slot
machines in Atlantic City is 83%? Millie L.
It depends on the type of slot machine
that you are playing, Millie. For a pull handle slot machine, yes, it
must be programmed to return "at least" 83%. But for a game of skill,
like video poker, the return must be two percent higher. Why the
additional two percent? Because characteristically recreational players
never bother to include skill in video poker, resulting in mistakes,
creating 2-4% lower paybacks. If a video poker machine was programmed to
return just 83% and had a non Deal Me In reader playing it, the
return would be less than 83%. Hence, games of skill need to return a
higher percentage.
Dear Mark,
In past columns you have
informed your readers how to identify a good jacks-or-better video poker
machine from a poor one. I exclusively play Deuces Wild. Is there a way
of determining one machine from another? Jeff N.
It is very simple to tell the difference
between an excellent Deuces Wild paytable and an inferior one. Simply
look at what you are paid for four-of-a-kind with one coin inserted. If
the machine returns 5 coins, you are on a full-pay machine. By playing
perfect basic strategy, your return can be 100.76%. If the video machine
returns just 4 coins, your yield will be considerably lower-94.34%. It
makes sense, Jeff, to always shop for value and play a premium paytable.
But also note, Jeff, theoretically, the
machine is pre-programmed to return $100.76 for every hundred dollars
inserted if you implore "optimum play"-that is, play every hand
perfectly. Plus, "theoretically" means over the long haul, not each and
every time your posterior is sitting in front of the machine.
Dear Mark,
I have been told that
there is no way of telling how much the machines return to the players
on the Indian reservations in Michigan. Nor have I ever seen it
advertised anywhere. Is this true? Jenny G.
Yes, to a point, Jenny, that statement is
correct. The Indian casinos of Michigan are not required by law to
release information on their slot machine percentage paybacks. But,
according to the Michigan Racing Commission, which is responsible for
regulating the tribes' slot machines, the casinos must meet the same
standards for machines as in New Jersey or Nevada. In New Jersey the
minimum return is 83%; Nevada it's 75%. Thus, Michigan Indian casinos
must return at least 75% in order to comply with the law.
But it is
competition or a lack of it, not laws, that really dictates the return
to patrons. All casinos in Nevada and Atlantic City return well over 90%
because the competition is fierce for your greenback. The same can't be
said in Michigan where the Indian casinos are spread out all over the
state. Let's hope, Jenny, with the three additional casinos coming
on-line in Detroit, casinos up north will start advertising payoff
returns to keep current patronage.
