Quote Originally Posted by Seahawk97:
MWC: I thought all vp machines were required to be completely random with a 52 card deck unless it's a joker game then that number would change. I thought the pay tables would determine the looseness or tightness of each machine. But with that said I would not be shocked if everything wasn't on the up and up.
Theoretically, the better pay tables equate to long term positive EV.
It's my experience that certain casinos and gaming bars around town have looser vp machines (with the same pay tables). The regulated random number generators should completely dispel this thoery, right? Wrong. Ask any local gambler, they'll tell you. Skeptics will call them out as degenerate liers or disillusioned fools. But I would disagree, I believe them. And only living and gambling here a year, I've developed my own opinion and it's similar to theirs.
I'll give a couple of examples. First, the bar back by the sports book at the Suncoast casino. A Boyd Gaming property, located out in Summerlin, a total locals casino. I've heard this from a million people: the vp machines at that bar were a lot looser the first few years the place was open. And, I've heard this from regular, everyday working stiffs that like to have a beer and play some vp after work to professional gamblers and everyone in between. They say they just can't win there anymore. So, I guess it could be a coincidence that a whole slew or regular players simultaneously went on a bad streak, or something changed. I choose the latter, something changed or those folks would still be playing there. And again, these are people looking for long term positive EV, they just didn't give up suddenly because of a bad night, a bad week or even a bad month.
Second, play video poker on the wizard of odds website. The guru of VP. Then go play at the machines at the casinos. It's different, trust me.
Third, this is similar to the Suncoast example. A new gaming bar opened fairly close to my neighborhood. Just ask the patrons and bartenders, they will point out the hot machines. The machines that have paid out the most since the place opened. In general, the machines there are a lot looser, with worse pay tables, than say the Red Rock casino. My guess is, that will change with time. People can believe what they what to believe. I'll continue to do the same. Nothing is going to convince me otherwise.
All you need to know about video poker:
The Wizard of Odds