I have enjoyed the dialogue on this board that has accompanied Bob's
column. It is interesting to read the various points of view. As
background, I am a recreational gambler living in the Dallas area
who visits LV 3-4 times per year. The remaining gambling is done in
the Shreveport area, primarily at the Horseshoe. I have been a
reader on this and a couple of other boards for the past couple of
years but never have posted. This is a rather long post so please
bear with me.
My wife and I just returned early this morning (red eye special)from
a LV trip. While we stayed at MSS, we visited Caesar's and Bally's
for some VP, dinner and show. It is from this perspective that I
offer the following observations and opinions.
At MSS, we searched out the few machines offering 10/7 DB and
generally played only those. While MSS has a very extensive
inventory of VP machines, these in particular (the ones located near
the valet parking entrance) were busier than any others on the
whole. It reinforced the basic economic principle that a
knowledgeable consumer seeks out the best deal, but not
universally. Either the other players (consumers) are not as
knowledgeable, don't care or use other criteria to make their choice
of machines. Given that, these particular machines were not
universally being played for the best paying game. Like my wife,
perhaps the DB game is a bit intimidating to many people. I have to
give credit to Jean Scott's Frugal Video Poker for allowing me to
print out a strategy sheet as I only practiced for just 30 minutes
on this game (we usually play JOB or BP) prior to our trip. It was
slow going but enjoyable picking up the new game.
Sorry for the digression, so back to the observations. For those
unfamiliar with MSS, there is a bank of machines with a sign on top
that clearly says "Over 100% payback". Out of this bank of 12, only
3 have this particular game and pay schedule. Despite this sign,
only these three machines received play of any consequence.
Clearly, these players knew there was a difference. Capitalizing on
that, though, was an entirely different story. As I mentioned, not
all of the players played the best game. Even those that did play
10/7 DB made errors that would clearly reduce their return below the
optimum return. These were not egregious errors but the ones that
FVP would characterize as Low. These errors were not random due to
accidental error but clearly a deliberate choice. Since I was a
novice at the game, I rechecked the strategy chart several times to
see if they were making an error or I just misunderstood. Sometimes
they were correct but often they were wrong.
What is my bottom line take on this? Clearly, some players have
become educated to seek out better pay schedule machines. However,
most are not able to capitalize on that either through choice
(playing a less desirable game) or lack of skill. The end up to the
casino is greater play on the desireable machines but still
profitable play given the choice or skill of the players.
The observations at Caesar's was essentially confirmation of the
same phenomena. As we walked through the much reported
decimated "garage VP area", we observed very little action both
during the day and at night, albeit it was a weekday. When we went
to the 9/6 JOB machines in the Palace Casino as reported on this
board, again we observed a lot of action. The seats for the few
number of machines were virtually always full although a small wait
would enable someone to sit at a "good machine". Again, despite the
knowledge, the choice of games by the players was not always the
best. What was even more startling was the decidedly poorer skill
level of players. The machines are not your budget variety, with
play starting at the dollar level. I witnessed a few $5 single line
players who skill level was decidedly a couple of percentage points
short of optimum. With one point equal to approximately $150 per
hour shortfall, their play was a good contributor to Harrah's bottom
line. Again, despite a proclivity for the players to play the
better paying machines, the casino was still getting a good return.
So, did Bob Dancer's column create the change made by Harrah's at
Caesars? IMHO it did not. I have witnessed the Harrahization of
the Horseshoe when they took over from Jack Binion in Shreveport.
Bob Dancer did not write about that. It took a while, but it
occurred. There are still some decent plays available at the Shoe
(strictly 9/6 JOB) but with cash back and bounce back and multiple
point days, the house edge drops still more but decidely not to
clearly positive territory without factoring in comps.
The genie is out of the bag. With the advent of PC's, the
ubiquitous internet and ability to exchange information globally,
nothing remains a secret very long. Those of us that are relatively
new to taking VP seriously are indebted to the likes of Bob, Jean
and Dan Paymar (his book Video Poker - Optimum Play was my first
education in VP). Their education work does make it more difficult
for the select few who play professionally and the other more
serious recreational players. That is a price to pay but that
happens in all human endeavors. Better players beget more difficult
conditions - witness the Tiger proofing of golf tournament
courses. Overall, I believe their efforts are more beneficial to
the whole than not.
Last bit of input a bit off this particular topic. As a Harrah's
Diamond player, I took the advice from this board and inquired about
free theater tickets at the Total Rewards desk at Caesars. They
gave us several options and we chose Jubilee at Bally's. What an
absolutely spendid production. Seats were smack in the middle of
the theater $85 seats. Great benefit.