makes you wonder....

[mammajamma]

We all know about the (lack of / lousy ) conditions at most ethnic casinos. (This may not be the correct casino description.)Buttons that don't work and still aren't working 2 months later, touch screen functions that don't work, bill acceptors...same thing.And of course, the less than desirable paytables on VP and slots, although I know of a few 100%++ plays, hence I still frequent certain casinos here in the midwest.A few weeks ago, I was unable to cash out when I selected that function. I guess they wanted me to play down all my credits. The lady next to me said that it had been that way for a few days. Only having $2 left, I played it out rather than wait for the usual 45 minutes for someone to appear. (Another common trait of these casinos.) Usually the nice gamblers alert you to these problems before you put money in, but it wasn't her job to do so, and she may have been concentrating on her own play.So I returned a few days ago and I laughed out loud when I noticed another "trick" had occurred. There are some interesting video slots that offer a "minor" and a "major" jackpot which can be won on a minimum bet of 60¢. The major jackpot starts at $400 and can go up to $700 or more, but is usually won in the $450-500 range from what I've seen.Well, as I passed these machines, I glanced at them to view the jackpots and I immediately noticed that the "major" jackpots had been eliminated, leaving only the minor one. All machines were empty.Like I said, I stood there and laughed out loud.

[marie meijer]

Thanks for your interesting post, mamma. I appreciate it when players mention a particular machine will not take a ticket or $ or both or has a blurry screen or sticky keys, before I sit down to play. I try to return the favor to clue in others who happen along to play. It was a sad day for me when I realized MGM Detroit had eliminated the progressive on their bank of $ VP machines. I believe there is a $ progressive bank on the far side near the cashier. Change is inevitable in casinos but probably not in favor of the player! I check the pay tables on my favorite games before sitting down, as well. I encountered something new to me at the Red Rock Buffet. I had my players card and license ready for the cashier after waiting for a half hour in line. However, my pin number that I use on cards was not working OR was not taken when I received my card last trip. They also tried my birth year that they use if no other pin number. I was told I had to go to the players card booth to get a pin number before I could use comps for the buffet. It is possible they were not issuing pin numbers when I first got my players card or simply forgot about the pin thing and I did not know enough to ask for one. First time for this snafu.

[vpwillis]

I think most of these problems are caused by the casinos cutting back on labor costs. Less people on the payroll= bigger profits. As the rock band Metallica would say..."you know its sad but true'

[mammajamma]

There are certainly big profits being made but I see plenty of employees sauntering two-by-two, chatting to each other while patrons wait with flashing lights on their machines. The casinos are doing everything to rob more people of their money, yet we still patronize them. Only the very cautious and educated gamblers will have a chance to win from now into the future.Also, though I pointed out the shortcomings of the service and lack of machine repair in these casinos, my main point was how blatant of a move it was to eliminate the major jackpot that players were used to seeing. Now none of the machines are being played. Do they really think people are too stupid to notice the change? I'm sure they still made a tidy profit with the top jackpot intact.

[Lucky Larry]

I'll give a couple of other prime examples. The previous slot director at Isle Lake Charles openly told us he didn't like VP because it cost him too much profit. To his credit he brought in the latest bangs, whistles, and machines for slots and even virtual blackjack which was a hit. Eventually, he told us he was bringing in Ultimate X, Dream Card, and Good Times Pay - he'd seen them at the Vegas show. We were so excited since we loved Dream Card. When they came in GTP and DC were 25¢/30 coin minimum with 6/5 JOB and similar deuces wild, DDB. We couldn't believe it. Ultimate X had similar pay tables but was 2, 5, 10, 25¢ denominations.   

We've tried to explain to the slot director and GM that few people would venture $7.50/hand on such low odds for GTP/DC when $VP was 99% return. Two years later, GTP is out - replaced and DC sits idle every night. They won't even match Ultimate X denominations so it can be played. Ultimate X is played all the time. Players feel they can risk playing at 2¢. The one blessing is that we've been able to convince the techs to cannibalize the DC machines for replacement parts on the machines we play.

The same thing happened to the Multi-hand 5¢ play. The new GM came in and told the regulars he was a VP player- we were so thrilled someone understood VP. Within a month the 99% return MH was down to 98-97%. In the process he lost some of his highest big rollers who often played 10-12 hours and would play $1-2k per night. He didn't even blink when they quit coming. The machines you had to wait an hour for now are often barely full. And, all the 25¢ VP machines were reconfigured lower with Keno added (a horrible distraction) and JOB/DW removed. What type of sense does that make?    

You would think someone would begin to realize that hurting your players over the short-term leads to long-term loss. The Harrah's reps can't understand when we tell them their VP isn't worth the trips/offers. Such are the burdens VP players face.    

[vpwillis]

Mamma and Larry I see what you are saying.  I think you have describe capitalism at its finest.  I got it- you want it-play my way at my price or go away.

[Lucky Larry]

Mamma and Larry I see what you are saying.  I think you have describe capitalism at its finest.  I got it- you want it-play my way at my price or go away.

VP,
You are right which is why I don't play low VP pay returns at Harrah's properties anymore. I chose to go away to other properties. Capitalism at its finest.

[edog743]

with all due respect sir they are called NATIVE AMERICAN casinos

[mammajamma]

with all due respect sir they are called NATIVE AMERICAN casinosThere ya go.  I knew someone would say it.

[brmcc74]

We frequent an Indian Casino in the midwest as well. They took out the decent progressives vp they had. The sad fact is though I fear, people will still frequent this place and the casino will still make a killing