vpFREE2 Forums

VLT vs Slots vs VP

#1

"Can someone please explain in simple terms what at Video Lottery
Terminal is as compared to a regular Slot or Video Poker machine?
What is the difference in how they operate?"

I can share with you what little I know about VLT vs slots/video
poker. VLT are terminals, not "independent" machines, such that any
player faces the same odds no matter which terminal they play for
that particular game.

In contrast, slot/keno machines has its "individual chip" that sets
the return for the game. For example, if you and your significant
other walk up to and play two identical slot machines side by side,
it is possible each of the machine may have different returns. Let
say two "Wheel of Fortune" machines are set side-by-side, but
unbeknownst to everyone but the casino, one of the machine has a
return of 95% while the other machine returns 92%, even though both
machines look the same, have the identical pay tables, and same
denomination. The returns are derived based on the **predetermined**
distribution of symbols/numbers/cards. Since the distribution of
the symbols is generally not known, it is very difficult to
ascertain the actual return via independent methods because the
standard "cycle time" used is generally 10,000,000 spins. Also, keep
in mind there may be up to 256 "virtual" stops on each reel, if not
more.

For video poker machines, under Nevada regulations, the card
distribution by the game must be no different than if dealt by
a "human being." That is to say the **card distribution must be
random** (plus other details). The return is based on pay table
limits and can be easily derived by computers via simulation or vp
analyzers.

Here are the summary of my two key concepts used in the "general"
sense because each state has different regulations.
1) Are the distribution of cards/symbols/numbers random?
A. Yes for VP, no for slot or VLT
2) Does each machine has an independent "cpu" (used here loosely) to
determine the outcomes?
A. Yes for Slots and VP, and no for VLT.

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, itch4@a... wrote:

#2

I spoke briefly with a representative of a company that manufactures VLT's.
I was assured that they work exactly like stand-alone Slot and VP machines,
the only difference is that the result is picked at a central server rather
than the individual machine. I was quite busy and didn't have time to get
into the details. This explanation does not correspond with what has been
seen in Washington, but the rep was speaking of Delaware (I think). One of
these days I'll find out more.

Bill

···

At 09:12 AM 06/29/2004, you wrote:

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, itch4@a... wrote:
"Can someone please explain in simple terms what at Video Lottery
Terminal is as compared to a regular Slot or Video Poker machine?
What is the difference in how they operate?"

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#3

After reading this thread, the salient points, as I see them, are as
follows:

1. Games will be better/fairer in places where there is competition
(Seneca vs. Niagara) or regulation (NV and NJ).

2. Without the conditions mentioned above, there is no motivation to
offer a fair gamble, and I wouldn't assume that one exists.

3. If Bally Gaming/IGT is truly manufacturing non-random machines,
and making them look identical to their Class 3 counterparts, the
issue becomes further muddled. The house manufactured Turning Stone
machines, for example, have an initial screen where you pick
a "pulltab" to determine the outcome of your game, and thus are easy
to spot as non-random.

Dave