The "Sticky Button Curse"

[FloridaPhil]

It seems to me that sticky buttons are being intentionally used by casinos to increase the house edge. It's getting to be an epidemic.   Sometimes I have to go through a whole line of machines before I find one with buttons that work or where the draw button isn't screwed up some how.  Complaining to slot help is worthless and management acts like the problem doesn't exist. Is it me or is this problem getting worse?   If anyone out there works for a casino, I would be interested in the input.

[Tomcat1569]

Getting worse. Especially Caesars properties but it's definitely a worrisome trend. My impression is that it's not so much intentional as much as a by-product of layoffs of casino personnel, including slot techs. I heard that exact story from a fellow player at Caesars AC the other day. He talks to many of the employees there and heard it directly from them.

[marie meijer]

That situation has occurred in every casino where I have played and seems to be getting worse. "Authorities" warn NOT to play those machines as they will keep you from focusing on optimum play. Sticky buttons can create grumpy and irritable players, I have heard tell! YES, it sure sounds like a conspiracy deliberately done by greedy casinos to up their edge! 

[FloridaPhil]

I wonder if Bob Dancer would comment on this as he works with casinos on a regular basis.  I'll bet the buttons on a $100 machine don't stick. 

[Vman96]

It's likely just a lack of maintenance. Video poker units have been played for many many more years than your random video slot.

[OTABILL]

Its not just sticky buttons. It is also buttons that pop up and don't hold cards. About a year ago, I lost a straight flush when the button popped up. When I called the casino staff, the manager came and after verifying that the original hand was an outside straight flush draw, said there was nothing wrong with the machine,that I didn't hold the card and walked away. Since I was playing slowly and deliberately, I know it was not a careless mistake. Needless to say, we have not returned to that casino nor its sister properties. The other annoyance is buttons that don't work at all. A few weeks ago, playing a favorite machine, the draw button did not work so I had to hit the draw on the screen every hand. I will not speculate as to the reason for so many machines that don't function properly. However these machines certainly cut down on winning hands.

[Lucky Larry]

We dealt with this very issue last night. One of our four favorite multi-hand machines had a broken "deal/redraw" button.   With the number of "pounders, bangers, etc." i was not surprised. I immediately went out to tell security I needed a slot tech or pay attendant. Within 4-5 minutes a pay attendant arrived, saw the issue, and called Edwin one of our favorite slot techs. He reset and fixed the button within 5 minutes of arrival and then worked on another player's machine as well before he left the area.

First, because we are regulars we make it a point to try to get to know all of the staff at the Isle this is easier since turnover is low.   Second, because it is a relatively small casino, only 1250 machines it probably easier to operate and maintain operations. The staffing at Isle doesn't seem to have been significantly reduced over the past year. While we don't see the techs doing the previous preventative maintenance as in the past they seem to be readily available. In the past the graveyard staff were even seen vacuuming and cleaning the inside of each machine row after row. Finally, we make it a point to compliment techs and pass on to the Floor Directors of Slots what a great job an individual has done.   

Our biggest problem is usually having the AC temp raised. The meat locker where we play (20x20 VP room) has 4 vents and usually requires long sleeves and a jacket.

[davidearl]

   When I find a machine with buttons that don't work right or a screen that needs to be recalibrated, I press the button and use a nearby machine until someone shows up. Usually they press the button and walk away. I say "Did you fix that machine?" and show them the problem.
     Most people just move on to another machine. That's why so many don't work right. They usually don't fix em if nobody complains.


   If machines don't work, people don't play them, then the casinos say "nobody's playing them" and get rid of them. Video poker machines require more maintenance than slots. So I get em fixed so the casinos don't have another reason to get rid of video poker machines, even if I have to stick around longer than I wanted to.

     So good job getting them fixed, Larry. I bet you find a lot more sticky buttons at casinos you don't visit as much.    

[Lucky Larry]

    When I find a machine with buttons that don't work right or a screen that needs to be recalibrated, I press the button and use a nearby machine until someone shows up. Usually they press the button and walk away. I say "Did you fix that machine?" and show them the problem.
     Most people just move on to another machine. That's why so many don't work right. They usually don't fix em if nobody complains.


   If machines don't work, people don't play them, then the casinos say "nobody's playing them" and get rid of them. Video poker machines require more maintenance than slots. So I get em fixed so the casinos don't have another reason to get rid of video poker machines, even if I have to stick around longer than I wanted to.

     So good job getting them fixed, Larry. I bet you find a lot more sticky buttons at casinos you don't visit as much.    


A playing machine is a paying machine. Paying the casino salaries.

[Vman96]

Our biggest problem is usually having the AC temp raised. The meat locker where we play (20x20 VP room) has 4 vents and usually requires long sleeves and a jacket.

Well, if you want the opposite of this, go to Fitz Tunica and play the VP near the hotel walkway on the upper floor. It's like a miniature version of Hell thanks to tons of heat-generating units and no a/c vent nearby...haha



   If machines don't work, people don't play them, then the casinos say "nobody's playing them" and get rid of them. Video poker machines require more maintenance than slots. So I get em fixed so the casinos don't have another reason to get rid of video poker machines, even if I have to stick around longer than I wanted to.

I complained about a machine at my local casino that was off on the touch screen (made me max bet when i didnt want it). It was fixed by the next time I got there (a few weeks later).