Strictly Slots November 2022

StrictlySlots THE MAGAZINE FOR SLOT & VIDEO POKER PLAYERS NFL-BRANDED SLOTS COMING SOON ■ HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS ■ JACKPOT WINNERS NOVEMBER 2022 ▼

MONEY MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR SLOT PLAYERS

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Our favorite slot games to watch for in the coming months

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IN SIDE VOLUME 19 l NO. 9 l NOVEMBER 2022

StrictlySlots

features 24 YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE Stretch your bankroll and avoid the deadly days by Frank Scoblete

26 MY TOP 10 NEW SLOT PICKS Here’s a totally subjective lineup of what I consider the top 10 new slot games revealed at G2E by Frank Legato

30 MERRY AND BRIGHT

Parades, light displays, musical events, festive celebrations and cold hard cash make these casinos very merry, indeed!

columns & departments

14 SPINNING REELS In the News:

42 PERFECTLY FRANK Rocks, Scissors and Old Folks:

New Las Vegas casino, NFL slots & more by Sean Chaffin

Aruze’s new game is simple, even for old folks like me by Frank Legato

16 SCOBE’S SLANT Slot Truths:

Veteran slot players tell their tales by Frank Scoblete

18 VIDEO POKER INSIDER The Big Ace Games:

Big paydays give video poker players a reason to play by John Grochowski

20 SLOT SPOTLIGHT

4 EDITOR’S LETTER A Saner Way to Play:

Jackpot Carnival, Long Bao Bao, Press Your Luck Series and Sinatra

How to avoid repeated mistakes in the casinos by Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic

34 SLOT PAYOUT PERCENTAGES

6 READERS TALK BACK

40 LUCKY WINNERS

8 UP FRONT

The latest news and events from casinos across the country

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

A SANER WAY TO PLAY How to avoid repeated mistakes in the casinos

I t’s a lot of fun to explore new slots at the casinos you frequent. Even if you’ve played the same game dozens of times, you might come across a new variant that offers new features, payouts and bonus rounds that you haven’t seen before. Everyone who has ever played slot machines knows that it’s easy to get carried away.To get lost in the moment of casino excitement. Before you know it, you’ve lost track of time, your money is gone and you’re regretting ever starting the game in the first place. Been there, done that. There are several common mistakes that players make that can end up costing themmoney.Although most of us are familiar with them, sometimes it helps to see them in print. If you want to avoid common gambling mistakes, read the below tips on how to play sensibly. Not Having a Plan Many players go to the casino with a pocket full of money and jump from game to game until all their money is gone. I have yet to find any one who can honestly say that losing all their money during a casino visit was an enjoyable experience.You can have a much better time if you just spend a few minutes making a plan for your next casino visit. Plan your time at the casino and decide how much you want to spend gambling. Poor Money Management The true essence of money management really comes down to bankroll management.This is how you handle your money in the casino to make sure you have enough to last for the duration of your visit.Money man agement systems will not change the odds of any game, but a good systemwill help you control the amount of money that you put at risk. Once you plan howmuch money you want to risk,divide your bankroll into playing sessions and take a break between sessions to stretch your money and make it last for your entire casino visit. Playing Too Long The longer you play, the more you are exposing your money to the house edge. Playing marathon gaming sessions is a sure way to lose money.Some players will play the slot machines for five or more hours at a time. Plan to take specified breaks during your playing sessions. Many players believe that if you keep on playing, you’re bound to win eventually.That’s simply not true.The longer you play, the more likely you are to lose. Playing Multiple Machines Playing more than one machine just exposes you more to the house edge. In the long run, you will just lose your money faster. Playing two machines involves standing or leaning out of your chair to reach over

to the adjacent machine.This is not very relaxing.Sit down in the chair in front of your machine, take it easy, and enjoy yourself.

Getting Greedy The downfall of most gamblers is when they get greedy.You win a little and you want more, so you start making higher bets (and prob ably playing faster, too). Before you know it, you’ve given back all of your winnings. If you want to leave a winner you need to lock up a small profit when you win to avoid giving it all back.When you get ahead, put aside your initial money you started with, along with a por tion of your winnings.Then play with the remainder of your profits. Not Using a Players Card Everyone can earn comps that include rooms,food,shows and freeplay. Earning comps is a way of getting something extra for your casino dollar.However, you can’t get them if you don’t use your card. Chasing Losses Nobody likes to lose when they play.Many times after a loss a player will feel the need to try and“get their money back.”They start playing higher denomination machines or betting big sums of money at the tables in hopes of making it back with one big score.This usually does not work and it just causes bigger losses. Most players will make one or two mistakes from time to time; however, it’s a good idea to review this list before your next trip to the casino. Just remember to keep it fun! The number one rule of gaming is never to bet more than you can afford to lose.You should always look at gambling as a form of entertainment and the money you use for gam bling as the price of your entertainment. If your gambling is no longer enjoyable, check yourself.The risk of gaming “too much” is higher if you’re stressed or depressed so be careful during these times.And remember, be careful of free alcoholic drinks when you’re gambling. Sure, it makes you feel special, but alcohol can also make you less inhibited and skew your judgment. Just like your gambling budget, know your personal drink limit and stick with it! Cheers to good health, good luck and winning days!

Lisa Robertson-Dziedzic Publisher & Editorial Director lrobertson@casinocenter.com

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READERS TALK BACK

The Magazine for Slot & Video Poker Players VOLUME 19 • NUMBER 9

P R E S I D E N T & C H I E F E X E C U T I V E O F F I C E R Derek James P U B L I S H E R & E D I T O R I A L D I R E C T O R Lisa Rober tson-Dziedzic

Hot Machine Hunting When my sister and I go to the casino, she in sists on walking all around first. I asked her what she’s looking for, and she says,“The hot machine.”On the way home,I asked again,and she insisted that was what she was looking for. How do you know a hot machine when you find it? —John S. Via the Internet She might be looking for favorite games, just getting the lay of the land and scouting where different games are, or maybe trying to spot games where others are winning. But there’s no way to tell a high-paying slot game from a low-payer. It’s different in video poker—where a glance at the pay tables will tell you the qual ity of the game. But on slots, two identical looking games can have different payback percentages, and looking at them won’t tell you which is the higher payer. RNG Revisited When playing slot machines with multiple coin denominations,does every game have its own random number generator? What about machines that have multiple games? Are there different generators for each game? Not necessarily, though the answer may vary from game system to game system and man ufacturer to manufacturer. The same RNG can drive results for different games and dif ferent payback percentages. The RNG does nothing but generate ran dom numbers.It doesn’t tell the reels where to stop, nor does it tell the game to launch a bonus event.That’s up to other portions of the programming. Numbers from the RNG are mapped onto possible outcomes. If the game designer needs more frequent bonus events in a higher-paying version of a game, it can use numbers that are mapped onto other sym bols in the low-paying game onto bonus sym bols in the high payer. If there’s a game that doesn’t have bonus events, numbers mapped onto bonus combinations in other games can be mapped onto other combinations in stead. In the casino world, RNGs are single purpose devices, adaptable to any number of games. —Anonymous Via the Internet

Attendants and Tips I love reading both your magazines; keep up the great work!There have been a lot of ques tions about slot attendants losing tips if Con gress votes to increase the reportable slot jackpot to $5,000. (Currently, the casino is re quired to issue aW-2G form for any slot win of $1,200 or more.) The casinos could keep the hand-pay limits the same on all the machines. If the jackpot is $1,200 or more, it would still be a hand pay, but when it’s over $5,000, then the casino must issue the player a W-2G. It is up to the jackpot winner to pay the taxes. Does this sound like a reasonable fix? —Rick Via the Internet It sounds like a very reasonable fix, Rick. It also sounds like something you shouldn’t hold your breath waiting to happen.Casinos, like any other business, are all about low costs and high profits.When ticket in/ticket out operation took the place of coins, it meant a lot lower labor costs for casinos, since players simply printed out tickets for wins under $1,200, where with coins, hand pays were almost always required for any thing approaching that.The machines would run out of coins before that many coins could be distributed, which meant atten dants were required to refill the hopper, even if a tax form was not required. Don’t expect casinos to rehire slot attendants who are no longer needed.Not in this lifetime, anyway. Sequential or Random? My question concerns this scenario: You’re dealt five cards in video poker and keep three. Are the next cards already behind the two dis card windows, or is there a random number generator selection for each window, waiting for you to hit the deal button? It doesn’t seem that the individual RNG situation would be likely because if they both stopped simultane ously, they could theoretically pick the same card from the 47 remaining cards. It would make a difference on if you might hesitate to influence the timing of the pick or play quickly because it doesn’t matter—the cards are al ready predetermined. Do the manufacturers publish such information so you could check the machines you tend to play? —ChuckV. Washington,MI

S E N I O R E D I T O R S Sean Chaffin Karrie L. Zukowski

C O P Y E D I T O R Lon Rozelle

P R O D U C T I O N D I R E C T O R Diane Stevens-Gillan

C O N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R S

Frank Scoblete Tim Wassberg Sharon Harris-Zlotnick

John Grochowski Steve Kieva Frank Legato Jerry “Stickman” Stich

N AT I O N A L S A L E S D I R E C T O R Karrie L. Zukowski

C I R C U L AT I O N MA R K E T I N G D I R E C T O R Maureen Rober tson

C I R C U L AT I O N D I R E C T O R Jessica Taylor

I T D I R E C T O R Rober t Walden S U B S C R I P T I O N & R E N E W A L C U S T O M E R S E R V I C E 1-800-969-0711 O F F I C E S ATLANTIC CITY: 333 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd., Suite 7 Galloway, NJ 08205-4123 (609) 484-8866 • Fax (609) 645-1661 LAS VEGAS: 1137 South Rancho Drive, Suite 110 Las Vegas, Nevada 89102-2259 (702) 736-8886 • Fax (702) 736-8889 Strictly Slots (ISSN 1527-5027). Strictly Slots is published 12 times a year by Casino Player Publishing, LLC POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Strictly Slots, 333 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd., Suite 7 Galloway, NJ 08205-4123 Periodicals Postage rate paid at Galloway, NJ and at additional mailing offices. © 2022 Casino Player Publishing, LLC. All Rights Reserved. No por tion of this publication can be reproduced without expressed written permission of the Publisher. Strictly Slots magazine is a publication of Casino Player, LLC, owned by Casino Player Media (CPM). Not responsible for typographical errors. READER’S ADVISORY: Readers are recommended to make appro priate inquiries and take appropriate advice before sending monies, incurring expense, entering into any binding commitment, or wa gering any sum in relation to an adver tisement, ar ticle, column or other feature published in Strictly Slots. Strictly Slots shall not be liable to any person for loss or damage incurred or suffered as a result of his/her accepting, offering to accept, or following an in vitation, advice, or other recommendation contained in any adver tisement, ar ticle, column, or feature published in Strictly Slots . The views and opinions expressed by the writers and columnists of this magazine are not necessarily representative of the views of its management and employees. 333 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd., Suite 7, Galloway, NJ 08205-4123 Basic Subscriptions: 12 issues $24; 24 issues $37; 36 issues $53.

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question we’ve received for the entire 34 years this magazine has been published.The answer is that different programmers set up the deal/drawmethod in different ways.Some deal 10 cards in a sequential fashion, placing the draw cards behind the deal cards. Others use the random number generator twice, once for the deal and once for the draw. The main takeaway? The method doesn’t matter. Regardless of which method is em ployed, your odds and the payback percentage are exactly the same. So don’t worry about it; just play. Bonuses and Possibilities Is it possible to help the bonus money fall into squares in a slot bonus sequence by touching the empty squares as the money falls? It seems that sometimes it works. —Clark New Jersey It doesn’t work. Touching the screen does not affect the result at all; the result is predeter mined at the start of the bonus.But if it makes playing the game more fun, have at it! It certainly can’t hurt. Tribal Slots I have two questions: 1. While in New Mexico recently, driving along the highways were several smaller Indian reservation casinos I passed.I stopped into three. On many slot machines, there was a little sticker that stated.“This machine pays out 80 percent or more,” Isn’t there a certain percentage that even Indian reservation casinos have to pay out, which I thought is higher than 80 percent? 2.Another big Indian-owned casino, having been advertised in your magazine, is Isleta Casino. So my question is:Are all these Indian casinos, the little ones like I mentioned above, along with the very big ones like Isleta, Class III casinos or the “bingo type,” or video lottery machines? Isleta Casino seemed like regular Class III machines while the three smaller ones seemed to play differently yet still had the same look.The payout amounts, except for any actual progressive amounts,were also much smaller at the smaller Indian reservation casinos.Thanks for a great magazine. —RS Via the Internet

accompanied with a 2, 3 or 4 kicker (with max coins wagered).The ExpectedValue for holding only the three aces is greater than holding the three aces with a kicker; therefore, you should discard the kicker and only hold the three aces. Video Poker or Slot? Could you please settle a question my friends and I have: Is Spin Poker a true video poker machine or is it a slot machine? Some of us believe that since it has a pay table, it follows the rules of video poker that the cards are“dealt”from a 52-card deck,even on the re-deal. Others believe that since the cards are spinning, it’s just a random slot that doesn’t follow the rules of the pay table.Who is right? Thank you! —Michael D. Chicago, IL Spin Poker is a video poker game.The cards are randomly dealt from an initial, virtual 52-card deck.The“spinning”cards are just for show.You should use the same playing strategy for Spin Poker as you would for a traditional video poker game. The Win-Loss How can I get my win/loss statement for 2022? —John G. Via the Internet It is very easy to obtain a win/loss statement for tax purposes from any casino player’s club. You can find them online at a casinos website, by signing into your players club account and navigate to“win/loss (tax) info.Remember not only does the casino issue you aW-2G, they also send a copy to the IRS so it’s important to keep a log of your play.

minimum payback percentages.We’re not sure why they would designate 80 percent, since casinos in New Mexico have to compete with nearby jurisdictions where the payout is typically much higher than 80 percent.Perhaps it is because the nearest huge commercial jurisdiction, Nevada, has a minimum payback requirement of just 75 percent. Second question: The machine classifica tion depends upon the state in which you play. Indian casinos in New Mexico are all Class III games, just as in Nevada.To offer these games, tribes are required to sign an agreement, called a compact, with the state that gives the state a portion of revenues in exchange for the privi lege. In states like Alabama, Nebraska and Texas, only Class II electronic-bingo slots are permitted.Many states, such as California and Oklahoma, offer both types of games, simply because tribes keep all revenue from Class II games. Stopping Play When someone stops the play on a machine time after time,does that change when the RNG will let someone hit a jackpot? I sat next to a woman who never let the machine stop on its own. She seems to be doing alright as far as wins go. Stopping between spins or going constantly does not change anything.The initiation of the spin will freeze the numbers generated by the random number generator at that instant, and that will translate into the reel result. Playing faster or slower, or spinning constantly or stop ping between spins—none of that affects the likelihood of wins or losses at all.The wins will come when the right numbers line up, and that’s it. Hold The Aces When playing video poker where fourAces and a 2, 3 or 4 pays 2,000 credits and you are dealt threeAces and the kicker, are the odds better to hold three Aces and the kicker or draw to the threeAces,since fourAces without a kicker pays 800 credits? —Jim R. Midwest City,OK —MaureenW. Woodgate,NY

GOT A QUESTION? e-mail to letters@strictlyslots.com PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR CITY & STATE Or mail your inquiries to: Strictly Slots, Readers Talk Back 333 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd., Suite 7 Galloway, New Jersey 08205

We assume the video poker game is Double Double Bonus, which pays $2,000 for four aces

First question: Indian casinos are not bound by state-imposed regulations, and that includes

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UP FRONT

BATTLEBOTS SLOTS HIT THE SCENE OF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP VII, LIVE IN LAS VEGAS

B attleBots, the world’s premier robot combat competition, announced a preview of the world’s first BattleBots casino slot games at World Championship VII, ahead of the upcoming official launch. Created by global casino games developer Kon ami Gaming, Inc., BattleBots slots are scheduled to arrive at casinos later this month, featuring iconic environments, sounds, scenes and machines from the popular robotic combat sport andTV show broadcast in over 150 coun tries. BattleBots slots invite players to take part in a clash for cash, as reel symbols, bonus events, and action sequences bring top bots roaring to life, and hungry for a handpay.“From cash awards to crazy explosions, Battle Bots slots are packed with features for players and fans to enjoy.There are appearances by some of the most iconic

BattleBots from over the years,and a jackpot feature involving the coveted Giant Nut,”said Edward Roski (Trey),BattleBots creator and CEO.“Working closely with Konami, we’ve taken the BattleBots into a casino slot—putting players right in the center of the action.” “Since BattleBots slots were first announced, fans in markets from across the globe have expressed interest and excitement,”saidTom Jingoli,executive vice president & chief operating officer at Konami

Gaming, Inc.“The anticipation around the world’s first BattleBots slots is unmistakable, and the wait is nearly over.” For more information, visit www.konamigaming.com.

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FireKeepers Casino Hotel Launches New Loose Change Charitable Initiative C ontinuing on a commitment to give back to the community, FireKeepers Casino Hotel in Battle Creek,MI,will collect loose change and slot machine vouchers to donate to local chari ties. Collection boxes are positioned around the casino floor and guests can drop loose change and slot machine vouchers.Quarterly, the casino will donate all of the money collected to various charities around the area. Charities that will benefit from the loose change initiative will rotate regularly, but will include non-profits such as the Haven of Rest Ministry, South Michigan Food Bank, and SAFE Place, among other local charities. Since open ing, FireKeepers has focused on reinvesting in the community by supporting hundreds of charitable endeavors throughout Michigan and neighboring states with in-kind donations and sponsorships. The company’s most significant investment isThe Fire Hub restaurant in downtown Battle Creek,which opened in 2017, and combines a restaurant and bakery with an adjacent dignified Kendall Street Food Pantry, operating as an agency of the South Michigan Food Bank. “Giving back has become the identity of FireKeepers Casino Hotel,”said FireKeepers VP of Marketing, JimWise.“From our multiple food, coat, toy and blood drives, FireKeepers Casino Hotel has consistently helped our neighbors in need.This loose change initiative is just another way that we will help give back to local charities.We encourage guests to drop their loose change or slide the slot machine vouchers in the boxes.”

IGT Extends Jackpot Excitement in Las Vegas with Wheel of Fortune Slots Zone at OYO Hotel & Casino

O n Oct. 6, IGT announced the launch of theWheel of Fortune Slots Zone at the OYO Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. The compelling space houses a dozen of IGT’s premiumWheel of Fortune slots games in an energizing environment synonymous with the popular theme.Standout game titles include the animatedWheel of Fortune 4D Collector’s Edition andWheel of Fortune Cash Link 2 video slots.The zone also features IGT’s largest cabinet to date, the Wheel of Fortune Megatower, while a bank of IGT’s attention-grabbing Peak Slant49 cabinets can host excitingWheel of Fortune Spin &WinTournaments. “OYO Hotel & Casino Las Vegas is thrilled to present the most exciting slots franchise to our guests in a unique way,” said KeithWilliams, executive director of casino operations at OYO Hotel & Casino Las Vegas . “Wheel of Fortune slots are renowned for their highly entertaining themes and big jackpots, and this collabora tion provides us with the opportunity to deliver our guests a one-of-a-kind memo rable Las Vegas gaming experience.” “IGT is excited to partner with OYO Hotel & Casino to bring another state-of the-art Wheel of Fortune Zone to Las Vegas,” said Nick Khin, IGT chief operating officer, Global Gaming. “The innovative space combines the trademark Wheel of Fortune slots entertainment that players love,and a distinct environment with games that will drive play and differentiate OYO Hotel & Casino.” “IGT continues to keep theWheel of Fortune slots portfolio fresh and relevant by introducing exciting new environments for players to enjoy the most famous slots brand of all time,” said Suzanne Prete, Sony Pictures Television, EVP, Game Shows.“For more than 25 years,Wheel of Fortune slots have established a jackpot paying legacy and IGT has propelled its industry leadership by perpetually creating compellingWheel of Fortune slots entertainment.” Wheel of Fortune is the most successful slots theme of all time.Since the game’s 1996 debut,IGT has made more than 250 variations of the player-favorite slots theme and distributed them to countries around the world.As a result,Wheel of Fortune slots have minted over 1,100 millionaires, awarded over $3.4 billion in jackpot payouts, and earned dozens of accolades on the merit of attributes ranging from innovation to player affinity.

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YAAMAVA’ RESORT & CASINO INSTALLS WORLD PREMIERE OF RESIDENT EVIL: VENDETTA SLOT MACHINES

Y aamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel launched the world premiere of Sega Sammy Creation’s newest slot, Resident Evil:Vendetta, which will be exclusively available at the Highland,CA,casino until the end of November. Resident Evil: Vendetta is based on the worldwide popular Resident Evil game series and movie franchise.This new game and the innovative multi-stage

feature,Zombie Feature and the chance to increase the win with the Multiplying Feature and the thrilling sounds and animation will have players sitting on the edge of their seats with anticipa tion for a big win. “We are extremely honored to have the opportunity to partner with Yaamava’ Resort & Casino at San Manuel for an exclusive world premiere of the game, and to have the play ers at Yaamava’ experience the thrilling, innovative game features,” saidTakashi Maekawa, SVP of Sales & Business Development, Sega Sammy Creation. “With over 7,000 slots,Yaamava’ is known for bringing the most popular,cutting-edge games to our guests,” said Kenji Hall,Yaamava’ Resort & Casino chief operating officer of gaming said. “With this world premiere,we are bringing thrills and chills just in time for Halloween with this Resident Evil Vendetta game!”

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I n celebration of its 25th anniversary, Silverton Casino Hotel has announced it is undergoing a complete reimagining of its hotel offering,creating a newboutique hotel experience to anchor the resort. The remodeled hotel will feature 300 “rustic-luxe” guest rooms and suites including three distinct “design stories,” each with its own curated style, decor and spirit that will transport guests into a unique experience during every visit. Suites include Cowboy Kitsch Collection, rooms featuring a quirky blend of rustic chic with tasteful modern accents; Rustic Modern Collection, rooms featuring natural, aged and weathered furnishings, with the sense of natural warmth of the outdoors;and Livin’Lodge Collection, rooms inspired by the elegant Rockies glam design and the legendary cattle baron homes found in theWest. “This is more than a room remodel,” Silverton CEO Craig Cavileer said.“This was an opportunity to creatively reinvent our entire hotel operation in Las Vegas.While we are keeping aspects of All-New Horseshoe Lake Charles To Open in December S ince closing for more than two years due to the pan demic and damage from Hurricane Laura,the former Isle of Capri Lake Charles will officially come ashore in a brand-new, land-based build-out as Horseshoe Lake Charles on Dec. 12, 2022.The all-new 60,000-square-foot property will bring the legendary Horseshoe brand to southwest Louisiana, showcasing the ultimate gambling experience for guests, including new rooms, unmatched restaurants and a variety of entertainment. The new property boasts nearly 1,000 slot machines and table games, as well as an official WSOP Poker Room, an all-new Caesars Sportsbook and 253 hotel rooms designed with inspiration from local scenery. In addition to a wide palette of food and beverage outlets that will be available on day one, Horseshoe Lake Charles will bring multi Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay to the Pelican State with the open ing of Gordon Ramsay Steak in mid-2023.The doors to Horseshoe Lake Charles will open for the first time at noon on Dec. 12, pending Louisiana Gaming Control Board approval. Room reservations are now available at Caesars.com. “When we closed the Isle of Capri in 2020, we were not expect ing the property to be shut down for this length of time,”saidAnthony Carano,president and COO of Caesars Entertainment.“But we couldn’t be prouder of our team and all of the hard work they’ve put into this beautiful property.We look forward to welcoming our partners and the community to celebrate with us as we commemorate this milestone and introduce them to Horseshoe Lake Charles.” “The support from the Lake Charles community has been tremen dous, and we can’t wait to welcome our guests back to experience our

all-new resort,” said Jeff Favre, senior vice president and general man ager of Horseshoe Lake Charles.“After being closed for more than two years, to reopen as a Horseshoe casino is the cherry on top of a pretty spectacular celebration.” Caesars Entertainment’s Horseshoe properties have been thrilling guests since 1951, as the home of the best odds, highest limits and biggest jackpots.With 10 locations across the country, including Horse shoe Bossier City, the Horseshoe brand is all about creating a gaming experience that is right for the gambler. Building a new Horseshoe for southwestern Louisiana, Caesars Entertainment has created a gaming first, integrated resort destination that pairs world-class slots and an abundance of table games with the resort amenities guests crave. In addition to Gordon Ramsay Steak, the first Louisiana restaurant by multi-Michelin-starred chef,Gordon Ramsay,Horseshoe Lake Charles will also have a stellar culinary lineup:Brew Brothers, the award-win ning brewpub founded by the Carano family in 1995; 7 Seven Noodle Bar, a Pan-Asian–inspired noodle restaurant featuring stir-fried entrees, hearty soups, sushi and an assortment of noodle dishes;and Slice Pizze ria & Pasta, all open on Dec. 12.Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins will round out the food and beverage options later in 2023.

BOUTIQUE GLITZ MEETS WESTERN GLAM

our lodge theme that our guests have enjoyed over the years,our new rooms and suites will envelop our guests in a new spirit of rustic elegance, providing a unique Las Vegas hotel experience.”

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i lani, one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier gaming destinations,recently unveiled a new sports wagering ILANI RAMPS UP SPORTS BETTING OPTIONS

facility.The property is part of the Cowlitz Reservation, located in Ridge field,WA,and was developed in partnership with the Salishan-Mohegan tribe, the group behind Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun. The Stadium Sports Bar & Grill features the region’s largest video wall, giving fans a front-row seat to all the action.Visitors can also take advantage of the Listen Everywhere app, allowing fans to customize their audio experience and listen to their game of choice right from their cell phones.The Stadium features an extensive food and drink menu, and completes the experience with elevated stadium and arena favorites. The watching and wagering extends to the adjacent Betting Lounge, where bettors can relax in oversized comfort seating while enjoying food and beverage specials as they cheer on their favorite teams.An official grand opening celebration is in the works as part of the venue’s unveiling. “At ilani,we are excited to introduce sports wagering as an amenity to meet the varied interests of our valued guests,” ilani President and General Manager Kara Fox-LaRose said.“With the level of anticipation and enthusiasm for this amenity, ilani has invested in a new addition featuring a sportsbook and a new dining experience.”

The Stadium at ilani caters to sports fans and bettors and features the largest video wall in the region, giving guests a front-row seat to their favorite games. Guests can also customize their audio experience by listening to their game of choice using their cellphones via the Listen Everywhere app.

Treasure Island Las Vegas Awards Nearly 140K in October Slot Jackpots

n Kimberly H. visiting from Florida won $15,255 on the Captain Riches Grand Progressive. n Terry R. visiting fromArizona won $21,606 on the Little Shop of Horrors Grand Jackpot.

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Joey D. doubles down on Dragon Link.

n Larry C. from Las Vegas won $13,498 on the Grand Machine.

T reasure Island Las Vegas awarded major jackpots in the month of October. n Joey D. visiting fromArizona won twice, $12,560 and $12,060 onThe Dragon Link Bonus Jackpot.

n Andrew F. visiting from North Dakota won $10,019 on theTreasure Jackpot.

n Jason M.won $11,065 on the Abundant Fortune Bonus.

n Luke L.won $10,043 on the Double Jackpot Bonus.

Terry R.

12 NOVEMBER 2022 ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ www.casinocenter.com

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SPINNING REELS BY SEAN CHAFFIN

IN THE NEWS New Las Vegas Casino, NFL Slots & More

Fertitta is the man behind Landry’s Inc., the corporation that includes the seafood restaurants of the same name as well as numerous other eateries and bars around the country.His portfolio also boasts several casino properties including the Golden Nugget in Downtown LasVegas as well as properties inAtlantic City;Biloxi, MS; Laughlin, NV; and Lake Charles, LA. Fertitta also owns the Houston Rockets NBA franchise. The addition of the new casino adds to quite an intersection right in the middle of the Strip. The land for the new property currently houses a Tex-Mex restaurant and other retail locations including a smoke shop.The intersection of LasVegas Boulevard and Harmon Avenue will now include a new property adjacent to Aria, Planet Hollywood and the Cosmopolitan.

JACKPOT OF THE MONTH

MEGA PAYOUT WITH SOME JACKPOT DREAMING

S ome big events are in the works for slot fans including a new casino right in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip.The NFL has also teamed up with a slot manufacturer and some games featuring your favorite teams are coming to casinos soon.This month’s Spinning Reels takes a look at those headlines and much more, including some massive winners and some possibilities for spending some of those winnings. NEW STRIP CASINO PLANNED FROM OWNER OF GOLDEN NUGGET The face of LasVegas is an ever-changing environment.The demolition of properties has become a regular part of life on the Strip with new megresorts then taking their place.Gamblers heading to Sin City will soon see another addition to the Vegas skyline with the announcement in October that Houston businessman and billionaire Tilman Fertitta would be bringing a new property to the Strip, located at the southeast corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and HarmonAvenue. Plans call for a 2,420-room hotel and 59,000 square feet of casino space.The property also will include a 2,500-seat theater and 2,000 space parking garage.Fertitta’s filings with Clark County estimate the project to begin in March and completion set for March 2025. His company purchased the land for $270 million.

S eptember brought a truly life-changing slot machine experience for one lucky gambler at Aria Casino.The player dropped a $5.85 spin of the reels on Dancing Drums Explosion and cashed in to the tune of $2.8 million.It’s been a nice run for slot players in recent months with several six-figure paydays also accrued across the country. So what could those seven-figure payouts mean for the winner? A little jackpot dreaming is always fun.Need some new wheels but prefer something for the outdoors? How about a top-of-the-line 2022 Ford Bronco, complete with Raptor package.The super-cool vehicle includes every all-terrain feature imaginable as well as Ford Co-Pilot360, which offers an advanced suite of standard driver-assist technologies. Better yet, roll that new Bronco toArizona for some off-road adventures. Follow that up with a trip to Super Bowl LVII, set for Feb. 12 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale,AZ.Tickets will only set a new jackpot winner back $3,273 per ticket, but also can run all the way up to $14,876. Splurge for four of the big tickets to bring a few friends or family members and check out Rihanna during the halftime show. Since you’re in a legalized sport betting state, a nice wager (perhaps a grand on the favorite?) on the game only adds to the experience.This jackpot shopping spree totals about $600,000, still leaving these two lucky jackpot winners plenty to put in the bank.

14 NOVEMBER 2022 ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ www.casinocenter.com

New Slot Additions Announced at G2E for Light & Wonder L ight &Wonder (formerly known as Scientific Games Corporation) unveiled several products in October at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas including several additions that may interest slot players. One highlight is the new Cosmic slot cabinet,which“offers players an immersive experience with revolutionary fiber optic lighting and advanced animations.”Cosmic uses an innovative contour design featuring a 27-inch top monitor display that flows seamlessly into the player panel.The setup includes the brightest “bash buttons”ever developed by Light &Wonder. The company is also making popular wide-area progressive jackpot games like Duo Fu Duo Cai and 88 Fortunes Jackpot Festival available to U.S. iGaming operators. Players engaged in some real money online slot play now have a chance to play some of these popular titles and win a major progressive jackpot.At G2E, the company also launched the new Celebrity Celebration feature for slot play.This is an enhancement to the bonus system giving operators the ability to send a personalized video message to winners on the slot floor. The company has taken a more multi platform approach in recent years as

TOUCHDOWN! NFL-BRANDED SLOTS COMING SOON F ootball season is here and gridiron fans may soon see some of their favorite teams at their local casinos. It’s no secret that the NFL has embraced sports betting in recent years, but it looks like slot machines have been on the league’s radar recently as well.Aristocrat Gaming has a license to develop league-themed games and offered visitors at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) a tease of what fans can expect. The company’s booth included a giant football helmet, and Aristocrat plans on tailoring games toward all of the league’s 32 teams. “We’ve taken a very specific approach to regionalizing the art and skins so that the Green Bay Packers game has the cheese hats—it has the flair that a fan of that team will feel like it’s a fun experience,” Aristocrat Senior Vice President of commercial strategy and business analytics Joe Hanlin told the Las Vegas Review-Journal . No specifics are available yet, but the games will certainly bring something new to the industry. Just a few ideas maybeAristocrat should consider:

players spin some reels in casinos, online, in social media environments, and on free-to-play mobile games.The company also recently acquired Playzido in May.That company uses a flexible technology platform, enabling creative independent studios by supporting every game type and incorporating elements including multiplayer games and jackpots.The deal gives L&W more opportunities to partner with other game developers. “We know player behavior is changing, and we are passionate about bringing players the best digital experiences, no matter where they are,”Light &Wonder iGaming ExecutiveVice President and CEO Dylan Slaney said. “With our recent acquisition of Playzido we are rigged for pace, accelerating our rapid custom game development for both in-house games and with our partners globally.”

n Touchdown celebrations for jackpots.

n A Hail Mary passing game feature for a chance to hit it big.

n Holding penalties mean some of those sought-after symbols lock in place as the reels keep spinning.

n Instant replay free spins. Relive some wins again and again.

Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer and senior writer for Casino Player and Strictly Slots magazines. Follow him on Twitter @PokerTraditions or email him at seanchaffin@sbcglobal.net for story assignments. n A Hall of Fame feature with some of the game’s true characters like Deion Sanders, Mike Ditka and Joe Namath.Grab a game ticket for some real (and reel) fun.

www.casinocenter.com ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ NOVEMBER 2022 15

SCOBE’S SLANT BY FRANK SCOBLETE

I am interviewing several veteran slot players.What do they have to say about their favorite game in the casino? Let’s take a look: FRANK Slot machines make more money for the casinos than any other play ing option. Somewhere between 65 and 90 percent of the revenue probably comes from the machines.With just about all other casino games, the player knows what house edge he or she faces; not so with slot machines. It’s a blind play. How do you feel about the slot game? KENYA Look, I know that the machines are programmed to beat me. I don’t think slot players play thinking they have the edge over the house.But playing the slots is relaxing for me. I do not consider the table games relaxing. I find too many of those players think of themselves as experts.That I find irritable. With slots I pick the exact machine I want to play and it is just the machine and me.The machine rewards me or it doesn’t.My game is a small game; just me and the machine.Now,I just have to convince the machine of that. SLOT TRUTHS Veteran slot players tell their tales

WILLIAM Machines are machines, right? I can look around any casino inVegas and it is no secret that slots rule the world of casinos.There are so many different kinds and yet they all do the same thing.You put your credits, which means your money, into the machine and hope for a favorable outcome. Slot machines are simple games.You do have so many different kinds of experiences, yet they are all the same—money in,hopefully some money out. I’ve had some good sessions. Mostly, I am down. I don’t think too many slot players are ahead. Are they? MATTIE Slots make that much money for the house? I never knew that exactly. But upon reflection, yes, that makes total sense.The casinos are filled to bursting with slot machines. I don’t care how many peo ple play blackjack.The casino is not bursting with blackjack tables or craps tables or roulette tables. You go into a big casino and it is all slots. It used to be that all the sounds came from the machines;you know,the coin sounds.Now everything is recorded.The sounds aren’t as loud. But the flashing lights are still bright and they still invite you to try your luck. I kind of feel that pull. It’s almost irresistible.

KENDRA Do you think many slot players really think they are going to win? Nope. I think slot players live on hope. That’s what drives them to the machines. It is all wrapped up in one big emo tion; the hope that they might win.That is the fantasy.At least I think that is the fantasy. I have that. I play a machine and if I am losing—after a while, a little while or a lot of while—I will go to a different machine with the hope that my luck will change on the new ma chine. You can say that playing the slots is a lesson in hope. Can you win? Yes, sometimes it goes your way. But I doubt many slot players are ahead of the game.Well,maybe those lucky play ers who won big jackpots.The rest? They can hope. All slot players are in a circle of hope.

16 NOVEMBER 2022 ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ www.casinocenter.com

they keep the money. You know, I have no problem with that.The casino is selling excite ment. I buy it. I enjoy my time in the casino, I really do. I’d love to win a bundle but I will play whether I win a bundle or not. If I have a big win, I probably should think of that as a loan from the casino that I will even tually pay back. I think I have paid back every win I ever had to this point. Oh, yes, there is always the future and that is what keeps me playing along with the excitement. Slot machines are simple games. You do have so many different kinds of experiences, yet they are all the same—money in, hopefully some money out. ” “

BRAD Slot players are jealous types. Oh, yes, they are. If I am screaming because I hit a big one and some players come over to congratulate me,they aren’t thinking,“Oh, I am so happy for that guy.”No, they are actually think ing, “That should have been me!” Listen, I don’t care if other players have good for tune. I want all the fortune to come to me.

You say that slot machines make a lot of money for the casinos. I want some of that money.You could say that I am greedy.I’ll admit to that. I don’t care about the world of the slot player; I care about the world of this slot player—the M-E player. LOURIE On the surface, it does seem ridiculous to put your money in a machine that is programmed to take your money.At times, the machine will re ward you but, in the end, it is all about your money going into the ma chine, not the machine’s money going to you. Do all slot players realize this? I think most do. Some might not. I don’t know how intelligent those players are but they do not have any sense about what a casino is all about. It ain’t about giving people money. It’s about getting people to think they are giving people the money when

FRANK All the best in and out of the casinos! D

Frank Scoblete’s website is www.frankscoblete.com. Frank’s books are available from Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, kindle, e-books, libraries and boookstores.

Frank Scoblete

#1 BEST-SELLING Gambling Authority in America!

Frank Scoblete and the Beautiful AP were a BEAT THE CASINOS! devastating card count ing team beating the casinos across the USA. Frank recounts their 25 year adventures in the casinos, and introduces you to some of the greatest and strangest blackjack players of all time.

I AM A DICE CONTROLLER

Frank Scoblete reveals his secrets and takes you step-by-step through his dice control techniques: sets, stance, grip,

CONFESSIONS OF A WAYWARD CATHOLIC

Confessions of a Wayward Catholic is a hilarious yet insightful account of Frank Scoblete’s years from kindergarten through grandparenthood as a confused, wayward, seemingly ever-sinning Catholic. Join Frank for an enter taining but possibly hell-bound ride as he attempts to understand

throw, arc, backspin, landing, proper bet ting and the 5-count. Join the leg endary Captain, the father of dice con trol. Marvel at the greatest dice controller of all time, the woman known as “The Arm” in the roaring days of Atlantic City! These two set the sage for the dice control movement that has revolutionized craps play. Inside the W NT AV AD orld of Y CRAPS A -PL GE A

Do you want to know what it’s really like to beat the casinos? Do you want to know some of the secret techniques Frank and AP used? Then this is the, book for you!

what God and religion are all about. Will Frank reach the pearly gates or be banished to eternal damnation?

These books are available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Kindle, e-books and at book stores. Visit Frank’s website at www.frankscoblete.com.

CHECKS / MONEY ORDERS TO: Frank Scoblete Enterprises PO Box 446 Malverne, NY 11565

www.casinocenter.com ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ NOVEMBER 2022 17

PLAYER’S EDGE BY JOHN GROCHOWSKI

THE BIG ACE GAMES Big paydays give video poker players a reason to play

V ideo poker games with enhanced payoffs on four Aces have been a video poker staple for more than two decades.Bonus Poker,Double Bonus Poker,Double Dou ble Bonus Poker,Triple Double Bonus Poker and beyond are among the most popular games around, and have proven stay ing power.This fascination with the big Ace games is reflected in a constant stream of emails from readers. Consider the following: DO VIDEO POKER GAMES DEAL FEWER ACES? Given a five-coin bet, four Aces will bring you 400 coins on Bonus Poker or 800 on Double Bonus.The payoff also is 800 most of the time on Double Double or Triple Double, but if the fifth card is a 2, 3 or 4, that leaps to 2,000 on DDB and a whopping 4,000—as much as a royal flush—on TDB. Compare that to the 125 on all four of a kinds in Jacks or Bet ter. There has to be some kind of adjustment, right? There is, but the adjustment doesn’t come from reducing the number of Aces dealt. It comes of adjustments elsewhere on the pay table. We don’t draw four Aces less often on the Ace-jackpot games. In fact, those who play at expert level get four-Ace hands more often in those video poker favorites.We get four Aces once per

5,106 hands in 8-5 Bonus Poker, once per 4,567 hands in 9-7-5 Dou ble Bonus, once per 4,252 hands in 9-6 Double Double Bonus— broken down into once per 16,236 with the low-card kicker and once per 5,761 hands without—and once per 4,578 hands in 9/7 Triple Double Bonus—broken down to once per 14,214 hands with the kicker and once per 6,751 hands without. The reason we get Aces more often in the big jackpot games is because we adjust strategies to go for them more often.Dealt Ace of clubs, Jack of diamonds, 7 of hearts, 4 of clubs, 2 of hearts in 9-7 Triple Double Bonus,we hold just theAce and give ourselves a long shot chance at four Aces with a kicker. Dealt the same hand in 9-7 5 Double Bonus, we hold both the Ace and the Jack. The adjustments to offset the big jackpot hands come on the rest of the pay table. In Bonus Poker,with the smallest Aces jackpot, two pairs pay 2-for-1, while they pay only 1-for-1 on the other games.Triple Double Bonus, with the biggest jackpot, pays only 2 for-1 on three of a kind, while the others pay 3-for-1. Other pay table adjustments are made on full houses, flushes and straights. Smaller payoffs on more frequently occurring hands make it unnecessary to tinker with card frequency to make the payback percentages come out right.

18 NOVEMBER 2022 ■ STRICTLY SLOTS ■ www.casinocenter.com