Hard Rock Hollywood Report

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=onemoretry]is there any way you can quantify these benefits, particularly the amount of slot play?[/quote]That's a great question.  Here's what I find works best for me. I never used to play slots.  One day on this forum "Bob Dancer" made the comment that playing slots would increase your free play.   I tried it and it immediately had the desired affect.  The problem with slots is getting the balance of play and benefit right.   Our slots have about a 90% return.   Obviously if you play slots all day, you are going to take a big hit most of the time.  I would never do that.I always play my free play on slots.  My free play averages between $25 and $85 a week.   I always play penny slots with maximum lines and minimum bet.    This makes my slot bets between 40 and 68 cents.  I walk with any free play slot win over $50.   During the day, I will take a break once in a while and play some penny slots.  I don't think I play slots for more than than 30 minutes all day and I never play more than $20 at a time.  If I get a big run up on a non free play slot, I will move to max bet.   Most of the time you give back your slot winnings.  On rare occasion the result is wonderful.   I have hit a couple of $1,000 penny slot jackpots and a lot more at multiple hundreds.   This happens when you bet big and hit the bonus rounds.  I consider slot play an investment in improved comps and quickly move back to video poker as soon as I can.The trick to playing slots is to play them sparingly and run off with your wins.  Never sit on a slot and continue to pump money into a losing game.   You will never beat a slot machine long term, but you can have some fun once in a while.   Playing slots will definitely improve your comps, just don't get sucked into playing them all the time.  Nothing is "free" if it costs you more than it's worth to win it.

[Tedlark]

There has been a lot of talk in Florida about opening up the State to new casinos. I hope they don't. I think less casinos is good as long as the ones you have take care of their customers.   We could use another casino in North Florida. Daytona would be perfect. Right now the only casino in Central Florida is Tampa.

Phil, isn't the above contradictory? In one breath you say that you hope they don't open any new casinos in Florida and in the next breath you say that you could use another casino in north Florida.

[pokerforme]

Nice pictures Phil, looks like they are building something really nice. Wish Nevada would go non smoking like that, just got back this morning from Tahoe and the first thing I always do is throw the clothes in the washer to get rid of the nasty smells. Just wondering if you have a idea where you sit with the new machines being upgraded and your slot club? Are you close to 100%?

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=Tedlark]Phil, isn't the above contradictory? In one breath you say that you hope
they don't open any new casinos in Florida and in the next breath you
say that you could use another casino in north Florida.[/quote]I don't want to see Florida turn into the Northeast where the landscape is covered with casinos and non of them are making money.   A north Florida casino would be nice.  The players in Jacksonville have to drive 200 miles to get to Tampa.  There is an offshore gambling boat, but it's terrible.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=pokerforme]Just wondering if you have a idea where you sit with the new machines being upgraded and your slot club? Are you close to 100%?[/quote]The return of the better VP machines was a pleasant surprise.  No changes to the slot club.  I am significantly ahead this year due to 5 royals.   I have been very lucky.   I don't expect it to continue. Our average annual cost to play quarter VP one day each week  plus numerous 3-5 day mini vacations runs around $5,000 at the most.  If you factor in 12-20 free overnight resort stays a year plus free play, drinks and food,  playing video poker is a bargain.  We see no reason to play VP bigger than quarters.   I recently checked Hollywood's $25 odds and they are half a percent worse than quarters.  There are no cash back or incentives that can make this profitable.