Are the Casinos Secretly Downgrading Machines?

Okay, after a period of good VP promos that kept me busy, I’m back with time to discuss, as I promised earlier, that awful gambling subject called Losing!

I hope you have been reading the many good comments written these last couple of weeks – there is SO much helpful information there, including links to sites that talk about the regulations that govern how casino machines can operate.   Some of those who need support  during a losing streak may find these reassuring.

Although some people will always have doubts, I believe that VP machines in REGULATED jurisdictions are random and you can depend on the pay table to show you an accurate long-term EV.  Yes, it IS possible for a casino to put in rogue chips that would alter that but there are several reasons why I do not worry about this.  This is a complicated process and would take a group of people to do this on a large scale and it would be hard to keep this secret.  A casino would risk losing its valuable gaming license .   The larger the casino the less likely this becomes.   And that it is a conspiracy of casinos all over the country, like many of you seem to think – that just doesn’t make sense.

On a more practical level, we have played VP for almost 20 years and been able to pull out a  profit every year but one – and that was a very small loss.  We have known personally scores of others – and hundreds by reports – who have done the same.   And here is another fact:  people who lose usually are more apt to write about their experiences.  Players who are winning aren’t writing as much:  They are too busy studying and scouting plus they often are trying to stay “under the casino’s radar.”   Brad and I had our 2nd best winning year in 2009 and I know many many players who are still winning, even as VP conditions have worsened. 

It IS getting harder, that is true, and one has to work harder.  That is why I am going to give you some practical hints on how you can improve your VP results and LOSE LESS!  I’ll warn you now that I may sound tough when I write these discussions.  But gambling to win – as opposed to just having fun – is a tough business.

I’ve written this before – I do not think everyone has – or should have – the goal of making gambling a money-making endeavor.  There will always be more people who look at it as just an entertainment option.  But I find that most people do not need advice on how to lose more in a casino – and even the recreational gambler would like to lose less.  So in the days to come, I am going to discuss boo-coo ways to lose less.  You might pick out only a few of them that sound good for your style of playing and your goals.  That’s fine.  And there might be a few who will become inspired to do as many of them as they can.  That’s good too. 

I will not judge you on how many of my suggestions you will take to heart.  If you throw enough spaghetti against the wall, some is bound to stick!

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10 Responses to Are the Casinos Secretly Downgrading Machines?

  1. sam says:

    I’ve written numerous letters to the Indiana Gaming Commission requesting information about the regulation of vp machines: if they allow the casino to alter vp machines from their NV settings? if they are not only random but also if any card has an equal opportunity of appearing? I have never received an acknowledgement of receipt much less any info that I requested. I don’t play any vp machines at an Indiana Casino.

  2. Hal Bochin says:

    Your faith in the casinos is based on your faith in the regulators; but when was the last time that unannounced regulators checked any machine (video poker or slot) in Las Vegas to see if it was playing what it should? No one is losing a license but maybe it is because no one is checking anyone.

  3. also boo·coo or boo·koo (bū’-) Chiefly Southern U.S.
    adj.
    Many; much: beaucoup money.

    So I guess boocoo is a real word!!!!!

  4. sam says:

    I think your comments about the dangers of a casino rigging a vp machine from the gaming commission may be accurate in some states but maybe not so much in some of the newer states to have gambling. In some of those states, gaming’s success might be more important than making sure gamblers have a fair chance. For example, I have asked the Indiana Gaming Commission repeatedly if it allows changes made to the machines that are produced in NV. As you know purchasers must agree to refrain from altering the machines that are produced in NV. I have not received a single response from the IN Gaming Commission which suggests to me that they are not knowledgeable enough to know the answer or that they do allow such alterations. Thanks for your good columns.

  5. I know – but boo-coo looks so cool!!!

  6. Mikey says:

    One suggestion I hope you mention is to NEVER play only because you are treated well or to gain a higher tier level in a slot club. Most hosts are trained to be nice for a reason! Your gambling investment should be based on machine selection, bankroll AND comps/promotions. You need all three to play successfully.

  7. Dave says:

    beau coup is the term, teach. 🙂

    Thanks, for all you have taught us

    Dave

  8. Norm G. says:

    I really like the tone of your message! Throw that spaghetti!

  9. ed p. says:

    That is very nice of you to give us tips on how to win or lose less. That is why we play so it is great to hear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! t.y. Ed

  10. John Forte says:

    There is no doubt in my mind that the Casinos are putting in machines that require a sizeable bankroll to play successfully. On my last weekend visit to AC in Harrah’s casino I encountered something that isn’t Kosher with me. They removed the Progressive feature from all of their Blazing 7 machines. Now if you want to play them it is a guessing game to which machines have been played. To me there is no longer an incentive to play them. I will be crossing off Harrahs A.C. as a place to play and stay. Incidently, Harrahs machines are tighter than drums and they frown on people winning.Their machines are all House machines and many of them have been screwing people for years. I enjoy reading your column and I look forward to meeting you someday……………JDF

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