YR End Review: Difference in Winning

[Lucky Larry]

As we approach the EOY I usually review our play and do an analysis compared to the previous years. We've only been playing since 2006 but I keep accurate records of RF, G statements and when I get it our annual Coin-In/Coin Out (which I prefer to W/L Statements). We knew there was a huge difference in 2014 vs 2013 play and the analysis shows the results:

2013 Isle -Lake Charles (95% of annual play):
* 13 Royals $1K+
* $2.1M Coin In (not how much we played but coin-in) For example: $5 in the machine-deal $5 hit/even; deal $5 hit/even; deal $5 loss is $15 Coin In on $5.

In March when Isle removed most of the VP machines and my favorite (3/5 play 99.73% NSUD) we moved to Coushatta.
March 2014-Current Coushatta:
*27 Royals $1K+ (Including a Royal on 12 consecutive trips and 4 in one day of play).
*$4M+ Coin In

Reasons:
1) Hitting winning hands gives more bank roll to play.
2) Coushatta has greater VP machine selection with 98-99% Pay Returns which = +hours of play=+Coin In
3) Achieving Top Tier. Top Tier has 10% cash back vs Isle Top Tier 2% cash back.
4) No State tax withheld (Native American Casino)
5) Luck, Luck, Luck

Side note: Look forward to seeing how our New Year's Eve stay goes. I have a trend going.
New Year's Day 2008 - hit a Royal Flush;
New Year's Day 2011 - was dealt a Royal Flush on 25 hands: Sweet C hit the Progressive Royal Flush just after midnight NY Day.
New Year's Day 2014 - caught 2 Royals in first 2 hours of play.
If the trend holds I'll have to wait until 2017 for the next NY Day Royals.

Here's hoping we all have a great 2015 VP year.

LL

[notes1]

LL, i am not very bright at math and do not quite understand the 'coin in' definition. in my simple mind; $1/machine@ max bet= $5, play 400 hands/hour, 6 hours/day, 360 days a year equals $4.3m coin in. is that how you have defined your coin in?

[Lucky Larry]

Notes1,
Your math is correct. 99% of mine is multi-hand and about half of Sweet C's is multi-hand. My norm is 25-50 hand @ 5¢ and 10-25 @ 25¢. Normal sessions are around 8-9 hours. After 1-2 AM I start losing concentration and my brain is tired of me sitting on it.

Another way to calculate is to take your total points earned and multiply by the $Coin In to make a point. For example we had 6000+ points last night @ $20/point CI. 6000 x 20 = $120K CI playing from 4:30 to 1:00 AM with a 30-45 minute supper and a couple of restroom runs.

[notes1]

LL, thanks, i had heard much about coin in, but was unsure if what i was thinking was correct.  when i first read the your post, i was a little surprised at the number of RF. as i play very little muti hand, i did not think about that. but, considering you have 2 people playing, you play a lot of multi hand and you play a lot, the large number of  RF makes more sense.     without giving exact numbers, would you say your net results (without calculating comps) was what you expected. also, you mentioned you started playing around 2006, which is when i also started playing, have the net cost been higher or lower over the past few years?if i am asking too much personal info, please disregard my question. it is just you keep accurate records and i am interested if my own results are an anomaly or others are having similar experience. 

[Lucky Larry]

LL, thanks, i had heard much about coin in, but was unsure if what i was thinking was correct.  when i first read the your post, i was a little surprised at the number of RF. as i play very little muti hand, i did not think about that. but, considering you have 2 people playing, you play a lot of multi hand and you play a lot, the large number of  RF makes more sense.     without giving exact numbers, would you say your net results (without calculating comps) was what you expected. also, you mentioned you started playing around 2006, which is when i also started playing, have the net cost been higher or lower over the past few years?if i am asking too much personal info, please disregard my question. it is just you keep accurate records and i am interested if my own results are an anomaly or others are having similar experience. 

"Expected" We allocate money to our "401G" account each month as our entertainment. I would consider ourselves to be moderate players in that we rarely play higher denomination games. Yeah, i know, no high denomination but playing 10-20 hands of 25¢ @ $25/hand. Single hand to me is boring and I want to spread out the risk and increase the number of chances. But, I'm working on trying to play smaller number of hands at bigger denominations.    Sweet C is less of a risk taker (hands) but prefers riskier games DDB/TDB over my DW/BDW.

"Comps/Return" I don't calculate our pay back, I also don't count how many calories I get eating out multiple times a month. I can say that we've had incredible opportunities as result of VP gaming. We travel a lot and many a night has been comped by playing/staying at casinos throughout the US/Canada. We consider it part of the cost of travel. What else would we be doing during the night?    OK, that too...

"Learning How to Play" We have learned a huge amount since 2006. First, we practice, practice, practice, to get the highest percentage of hands correct. Second, we have learned to "learn the system" and "play the system". We learn what it takes to get comps at each location, Coin In requirements and we work as a team to gain the player level of comp we want. While traveling that usually means playing on one account if they're not linked. At our home casino we become loyal players, we get to know all the staff that we can - hosts, slot techs, hostesses, suits...we are not afraid of asking questions many times to finally get the information we need. We are also not afraid to ask for changes...I complained several times to "slot directors" about the old coin trays on our favorite machines interfering with my play (knees) and they were removed within a month. We also always try to treat everyone (especially underpaid casino staff) with respect which goes a long way when we want a favor like shutting down a machine for dinner to insure we get it when we return. Third, we play knowing that playing the right hand is important but that "timing" and "luck" are the crucial element to hits. Finally, we just enjoy and appreciate the opportunity to do something like playing VP which keeps us engaged. We are also "disciples of VP". We are always willing to share information and I'm always selling this site to anyone who will listen. Must be the "once a teacher...." in my blood.
"Records" I record all of our big hits and RF over $1K with a yearly total and a running total. Close to 150 RF since 2006. I also request a Coin In annual report although it is hard to get because it usually tells not only CI/CO but hours played annually.

Hope I've answered some of your questions.

[notes1]

thanks for answering some of the questions.