Hey Grumpy;
I completely agree with your frustration (anger?) about poor pay tables and offers. I disagree with your analysis, however. Most modern casino marketers have noticed that the VAST majority of people who play video poker are clueless, lack discipline, or BOTH.
Just take a trip into an Indian casino (Win River) in my old home town, Redding, CA. You'll see machines FULL of people banging away at 6/5 JOB, 95% DW, etc. The place is doing so good, in fact, that they have been upping the denomination on most of the nickel machines to quarters, and bumping the minimum bet to get 800/1 on a royal from 5 to 10. It hasn't slowed business a bit.
All I can strongly emphasize with people on this website is to 1.) stand together and refuse to play poor pay tables; and 2.) Educate friends, family and even casual acquaintances to do the same. If machines sit idle, marketers WILL take note. This is far more likely to work in areas with competition (Reno, AC, Vegas) than in Redding, where there is no real competition.
Some might say "all they have is 95% games in my area, I just want to play." Personally, I deal with that, as I live in the Midwest. if it were me and I just wanted the "casino" atmosphere, I would play slots first--at least I'd get full cash back and I CAN'T make mistakes. Heck, I could drink if I wanted, it wouldn't change anything. Most people, on the other hand, play anyway on the theory that goes something along the lines of "who cares, I'll just get lucky!" Folks, that's exactly what casino managers WANT you to think. Witness the Win River Casino in Redding I used as an example, or witness it for yourself--go into any casino and watch people flock to poor pay tables when there are machines with better ones available.
As I don't care for smoke anyway, I prefer to go online to a place like Bodog rather than go to a crappy venue. Advantages: 99% or better VP, no smoke and heavens, and I DON'T HAVE TO SPEND A DIME ON GAS. In today's environment, this last one is really getting better! As for the "casino" experience, I save my pennies and plan a trip or two a year to Reno or Vegas. I play to win, not to lose. If I lose anyway, at least I know I did the best I could.
In closing, all I can reiterate is that playing is VOTING. By refusing to play poor pay tables, you are voting with your dollars. By playing them, you are actually telling casino managers "OK, this if good enough."
Thomas
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