Bob Dancer sends:
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"Changes at Palms Top of the Mint"
The Top of the Mint currently has 8 video poker machines ---
all of which have the "not eligible for any promotion"
sticker. The primary reason for the sticker is the casino
has been losing significantly on the 9-7 TDB games (99.58%
--- with a 98 variance), combined with normal 0.25% free
play in lieu of cash back, and the Sun-Tues-Thurs "Play Earn
Win" promotion, which is good for up to $410 free play for
$92,750 coin-in. (Lesser coin-in amounts qualify you for
lesser amounts of free play --- with the lowest amounts
worth 0.67%)
Although I'm sure I'll be criticized for speaking to Palms
management, I informed them that unless they find a way to
remove the "not eligible" sticker, they might as well close
the room. I told them removing 9-7 TDB and having the best
game 8-5 Bonus (99.17%) would not generate much business. I
identified a few options "in the middle," i.e. between
99.17% and 99.58%. They have decided to remove the 9-7 TDB
and replace them with 9-4-4 Deuces Bonus Poker (99.45% with
a 32 variance). The game will be found in all denoms the 9-7
TDB was previously found. Players who do not like the 99.45%
game option are welcome to play 9/6 Jacks (99.54%) for lower
denominations on the main floor.
According to Mike Tomasello, vice president of slot
operations at the Palms, the machines will be shut down at
approximately 10 p.m. Thursday (Oct 26) and will be reopened
at approximately noon on Friday (Oct 27). All times are
subject to change. It appears to be a lengthier process to
change out 8 machines than I thought it was.
There is an invitation-only promotional drawing this weekend
based on play on non-promotional machines. While the
machines are 9-7 TDB, points will not count toward the
drawing. When the machines are changed out to 9-4-4 BDW,
they will count toward the promotional drawing as well as
the open-to-everybody Friday-night drawing.
That is all I know about the subject. Most of the
information came from a phone call from Tomasello late
Wednesday afternoon.
Bob Dancer