What should I do?

[Eduardo]

Not sure what I was thinking.... but basically, you can't just cash out your $500, you have to use it all as coin-in.  So if you put in $500 and play for $500 of coin-in and break even, you get to keep all $500.
 
I get it now, sorry.  Duh.
 
I guess maybe I was thinking it was a chance to play whatever you want with $500 and you could keep whatever you win above and beyond that $500 but had no risk of losing any of your own money.

[jm002546]

I really prefer multi line play though  I'm going to add my thoughts on multi-play so that newcomers don't assume it's automatically wonderful.  I don't like it  because when you are dealt a bad hand the excitement is over.  I'm talking 100 play.  The only royal I have was a 5 card redraw at single play.  If you do that at 100 play it doesn't mean doodly.

[EDC1977]

  Except that you've got 100 chances at RF on redraw. This also affects your bankroll at whatever denom. x 100 hands. I don't do it always but I like triple play and 50 play when the paytables are agreeable

[Eduardo]

Well, 100 play is interesting because it's pretty much the same as playing single line, 100 times faster. But when you get nothing on the deal, that's like 100 single line hands in a row with nothing on the deal.  Ouch. Taking chances at some hands like an inside straight is a good lesson in expected return since you see an average over 100 hands all at once.  And when you get a nice deal, look out! That's as good as 100 nice deals in a row on single line and can pay off huge.  But you are also highly likely to drain any bankroll very quickly. No question it's highly volatile and should be apprached with caution.  Even a small losing streak is multiplied by 100 times and could get depressing fast. I have not tried it in the casino myself.  But if you're looking for a high stakes rush, I can't think of a better game to try. If your first hand was a winner, you would be awfully glad you played it on 100 play rather than one line.

[MikeA]

I agree with the general sentiment you express Eduardo, HOWEVER, in the application of the principles specified by this topic, hitting that monster hand at the beginning, will still leave you having to run through the $500 in coin in before cashing out.  You'll definitely have to keep an eye on that count-down meter of what's left to play <LOL>

[EDC1977]

    Pretty easy to burn through 5 bills if you're not paying attention

[Eduardo]

Nah. Play it in dollars, max bet. 1 hand is easy enough to count.
 
After finally understanding what's at stake, I do NOT recommend this. I think it's smart to have fun with it but try to hold onto your full $500 after all the coin-in. That's what I'd do any way. But really, it depends on what you're after.  If you always wanted to try 100 play but never had the guts to risk the bankroll, this seems like the right chance. But you can probably have as much fun playing another game that's less risky and still give yourself some good odds over an hour and a half.

[EDC1977]

 You wouldn't try something different given the right paytables in 90 mins.?

[Eduardo]

I would. But like I said, it depends on what they are after. It's a good time to take a shot if that's something they always wanted to do.
 
But... I personally wouldn't treat it like it's not my money, since it likely could be had by playing a low variance game on a good pay table over enough hands. 500 bucks is 500 bucks.
 
It really comes down to the preference of the player.
 
It also probably matters how they earned this chance, and what $500 is worth to them.  If it was earned over many many hours of play and I generally play nickels or quarters, then I would be less likely to treat it lightly. If someone walked up off the street and gave me such a chance, or if I was a dollar+ player, sure I'd take a shot risk-free.
 
The original post suggested they were treating it like "fantasy money" so that leads me to think it might be a good chance for them to treat themselves to one of their video poker fantasies and see what happens.
 
But there is no right or wrong answer... and I assume you don't have to pick one game to play it all on.

[MikeA]

I had a coupon deal or maybe a new-member deal at Sahara a few years ago to get $50 in "blue casino chips" for $40 I think it was.  You could not cash those "blue" chips which were $5 each.  You had to play them.  I chose Blackjack.  You would bet the blue chips and get paid off in Red Chips (real $5 chips) but if you lost, they took the Blue Chips.  Kind of confusing.  Especially when I had a blue chip out there along with a match play and then drew a hand I wanted to double down on.  I could not play a blue chip on the match play coupon so I either hand to put out two red chips for a full double down or double for less.  Can't remember what I did on that hand.Most of the "experts" said to backcount the table and come in on a positive count and put the entire $50 out on one hand.  Probably not a bad strategy but it was all or nothing and anyone who knows anything about Advantage Blackjack knows that at best counts you are only at something like a 5% advantage over the house.I played as normal and ended up turning that $40 into $175 I believe it was.  It took for bloomin' ever!I would probably play that $500 "rationally" as though it was "my money".  Hell, it IS YOUR MONEY.  I think the casinos count on you considering it "funny money" and to a certain extent it is.  But if you do play it as though it were your money you will usually come out better off.I do understand the temptation to do something "wild and crazy" with it though.  I've resisted that temptation so far <LOL>