Strictly Slots August 2022

In any case, casinos change payback percentages on video poker games by changing the pay tables, not by changing the frequency of big winners. ” “

once per 39,639 hands,the same as on nickels with that pay table. In any video poker game,royal flushes are just one piece of the payback puzzle.Hands that occur a lot more often make up a much larger share of

In most casinos, nickel games pay less than quarter games because pay tables tend to be lower. I was in a casino recently that had games at 5, 10 and 25 cents on one bank of machines, and 25 cents, 50 cents and $1 on another bank.The first bank had 7-5 pay tables on Double Double Bonus Poker on the 5- and 10-cent games,but 8-5 on the 25-cent game.The second had 8/5 on the 25- and 50-cent games, but 9/6 on the $1 games. Royal flush frequency varies slightly on those games,at 1 per 40,799 hands at the 9/6 pay table, 1 per 40,066 at 8/5 and 1 per 39,639 hands at 7-5, but that’s because our strategy changes with the pay table, not be cause the cards are dealt differently. If the casino put a 7/5 pay table on a dollar game, I wouldn’t play be cause the expected return with optimal play is only 95.71%,compared to 98.98% with a 9/6 pay table.But those who did play could expect a royal

the return.On 9-6 Double Double Bonus,for example,royals make up 1.96 percent of the payback, while pairs of Jacks or better that just get your money back bring 21.1 percent of the return. Nor do casinos skimp on payback for bigger bettors.It’s always worth checking the pay tables before you play,but it’s common for casinos to put lower-paying games on low-denomination games such as nickels, while bigger players get better odds. In any case, casinos change payback percentages on video poker games by changing the pay tables, not by changing the frequency of big winners. Player strategies can affect the frequency of royal flushes, but there’s nothing in video poker game programming that would bring fewer royals and fewer big payoffs to bigger bettors. D

SUMMER READING 12issues $24 just AMERICA’S GAMING LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE CasinoPlayer THE LOOSEST SLOTS IN AMERICA ■ SPORTS BETTING NEAR YOU

Subscribe to Casino Player and Save 60% OFF THE COVER PRICE Take advantage of this special offer today! www.casinocenter.com

THE DOS & DON’TS OF BLACKJACK STRATEGY

HOW TO

Vegas!

YOUR GUIDE TO THE ULTIMATE LAS VEGAS TRIP

CP0921CoverBOG_Layout 1 12/14/21 11:10 AM Page 1

AMERICA’S GAMING LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE CasinoPlayer s P e SPECIAL DOUBLE ISSUE! YER • BEST OF GAMING 2016 • SEPTEMBER 2016 THE BEST E

PLUS: Great Gambles and Sucker Bets • The Best Sin City Eats Entertainment is Back! • Play It Safe and much, much more! AMERICA’S GAMING LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE JANUARY 2022 CasinoPlayer LAS VEGAS TO HOST SUPER BOWL LVIII VIDEO BLACKJACK ■ WYNN MILLIONS POKER SERIES ■ ONLINE BINGO

CP0122CoverKarrieUndewoodqxp.qxp_Layout 1 1/3/22 12:12 PM Page 1

$2 just PER ISSUE FOR HOME DELIVERY

SPORTS BETTING EXPANDS NEW STATES, NEW BOOKS & NEW DEALS

WPT CELEBRATES 20TH SEASON

BON APPÉTIT Casinos and top-class dining go hand in hand

OF GAMINGAWARDS } { — PLUS —

VIDEO POKER PRO: Play It Safe—Or Go For The Royal? $1 Million Baccarat Tournament ANNIVERSARY BASH: Casinos Nationwide Celebrate Major Birthdays The World’s Greatest Craps Player

www.casinocenter.com ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ AUGUST 2022 27

Carrie Underwood KICKS OFF

REFLECTION

egas Residency