When to play a progressive vs. normal machine?

[chuck arl]

Chances are that you'll never get a seat at a progressive machine at the optimum levels. I've seen them all in use for much less. I also wonder if slot teams are still in play to knock off these high progressives, because I know many casinos(especislly downtown)have banned them from playing.---CWA---

[Eduardo]

Well if I don't see one that is a good amount then it won't be hard for me to resist. There is plenty else to do.
 
So  the amount shown in the progressive includes the royal flush winnings as well? ($5,000 means a $1,000 bonus?)

[shadowman]

That's correct for a 1$ machine. When a RF is hit it returns to it's reset value which is usually 4000 credits. However, this is not always the case. As I mentioned in another thread Sams's as a quarter 9/7 DB that resets to 6000 credits. Once in a while a machine utilizes two meters, one for the next royal and one used at reset. With this approach you will almost never see it reset to 4000 credits.
 
I should add that no matter how the progressive resets, the base ER of almost every game is calculated using 4000 credits so determining the current ER would use that as a base.

[Eduardo]

I'm plugging in the 8/5 pay table to VPW and changing the royal to 8666. The game analysis does indeed make 100%.  I'll generate a strategy chart and bring it with me just in case.  Thanks!
 
Edit: I'll study this chart a little on the plane but it doesn't look too tough compared to regular 9/6, but are enough little changes to make a mistake without some practice. I won't plan on being 100% perfect if I do end up playing this one. Some of the obvious changes in return (hold 4 to a royal over a 4 of a kind) aren't really competing any way since you wouldn't have to choose between the two. Some are are subtle (hold a queen over unsited AJ or any other face card). And the straights and SFs are the real headache as always.
 
Thanks again, everyone!