Lesson to be learned at Hollywood Hard Rock

[alpax]

On the most recent episode of GWAE.

Mr. Dancer (the host) normally brings up news in the world of gambling to start off the show. Since legality of the casino seems to be a hot topic recently, I wanted to bring another subject up that can possibly realistically affect most individuals here.

Mr. Dancer has heard the following story from Robert Nersesian, one of the most prolific attourney in Las Vegas specializing in the field of gambling law.

Speical Note: Nersesian is also a 2014 inductee of the Blackjack Hall of Fame for his contributions towards helping card counters battle legal issues against certain casinos in court cases.

Quick Synopsis of the News Incident

* This happened at the Hollywood Hard Rock Seminole Casino, a destination that is well known by FP.

* A known high roller played $25 denomination Top Dollar reel slot. The person landed the Bonus Round where the machine gives random offers where a player accepts or rejects it up to 3 or 4 times.

* The high roller's friend, a woman was with him at the time of the bonus game triggered. For the sake of good luck purposes, the high roller insisted that the woman pushes the button to trigger the bonus round.

* A jackpot of $100,000 was hit. However the casino awarded the money to the woman rather than the high roller. The high roller of course fought and disputed against management on the prize winner, but did not succeed.

* The woman used the full security privilege of being escorted out of the casino with the money and from any danger from the high roller.

* The high roller consulted with the well known Nersesian about this situation. Nersesian deemed the high roller has a legitimate case, but is not qualified to represent him in a case in the state of Florida.

* The other attorneys in Florida are unwilling to legally battle against the Seminoles. Not sure what happened next ...

Moral of the story of how this applies to YOU as a video poker player

If you allow someone else to play with YOUR money, any jackpot triggered by the person who pressed the buttons will receive the payout.

If you are dealt 4 cards to the Royal Flush or 4 Aces with a non-kicker card for the 5th card. Do NOT allow anyone outside of your immediate family to push the DRAW button. Otherwise the jackpot can be theirs! No matter how superstitious you get, just push the button yourself!



If you want to listen to the story directly from Mr. Dancer's mouth, here is the podcast link:

Gambling with an Edge March 2 2017 Podcast starting at 4:25 mark and the subject stops at the 9:15 mark

I only question the credibility of the winning amount on Top Dollar of $100,000. Normally I believe the maximum offer is around 1000 credits for $25,000 on a $25 machine, though it can be combined with other bills that are far less. No way it goes that high.

[FloridaPhil]

Great story and a good lesson.  $100K to have a woman hit the buttons for you then run off without even a kiss?  Yikes!! 

[Tedlark]

Wow, interesting read alpax; no happy ending in any way shape or form for the high roller.

[Galeygoo]

Suffice to say, that woman was no "friend" for sure...and I thought a $100K jackpot sounded a little strange, too.  Regardless, nice post, Al, thanks!

[billryan]

I don't get this. I assume the man's card was in the machine, the man put the money in the machine, it was his money, and he hit the button that won the bonus round.
To take it to an extreme, I'm playing a game when a woman slips and falls in the aisle behind me. I get up to help her and someone passing by hit the spin button on my machine and wins a jackpot. Is it his?
If I am on a bathroom break while my friend watches my machine. Someone wandering by hits the spin button and wins, what standing would he have?

[Come Back Kid]

I agree Billy, was thinking the same thing regarding, money in, card, and he hit the button to get to the bonus...
Doesn't seem right or fair at all...
It's good to know though...Thanks for the heads up Alpax.

[FloridaPhil]

I think the difference here is the man invited her to play with his money.  The casino wasn't there when she agreed to play and wasn't aware of any advance deal between them.  The casino had to decide, so they gave the money to the player who hit the jackpot.  I think the fair thing to do would have been to split the money 50/50.  I guess one of them didn't like that deal. A lot of my friends know I go to the casino once a week.  They always want to give me $20 and have me bring back money if they win.  I always decline.  Does anyone seriously think I'm going to bring them back a royal if I hit one on their dime?  I don't think so...  

[paco13]

I always thought it was who was actually sitting at the machine. Did he get up and let her sit at the game or was she standing? Smells fishy. I understand the logic if he actually "let her Play with his money". That wouldn't be any different than me lending a friend a $100 bill to play cause he or she was broke and I was doing good and didn't want to leave. The win would be my friends then and I would think they would offer me something out of it if not at least my $100 back. This sounds more like he just asked for her to press spin for her "good luck touch" but it was still his play. I am sure he would have kicked something her way for obliging. I know I would have.

[case]

I feel if it was the guys players card in the machine than he should be the one to collect the jackpot.

On another note about the Hard Rock. I heard they no longer charge for parking. This is a reversal of what is happening in Vegas.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=case]On another note about the Hard Rock. I heard they no longer charge for
parking. This is a reversal of what is happening in Vegas.[/quote]The Hollywood Hard Rock never charged for parking, only Tampa.  I was in Tampa on Friday and they were not charging.  I received a mailer from them recently stating they were having "free parking days" during the week. I don't play on the weekend, so I don't know if they still charge on Saturday or Sunday.  I suspect they got so much flack for the parking charge they rethought this move.