This sounds like these are VLT's rather than random deal
video poker machines.
Thanks for the report,
vpFREE Administrator
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"mercerem" <mercerem@yahoo.com> wrote:
local press has written that 12 video poker machines have been installed at
Saratoga harness raceway and went officially active at 10AM on Friday August
13th. I visited Monticello raceway on Sunday August 15th and saw that 12
machines have been installed there as well, and possibly at other racinos at
buffalo and finger lakes. I got there relatively early and played for about 2
hours, by noon the rows were packed 2 people deep at each machine, even mix
of VP newbies and veterans.
the machine look to be fairly standard jacks of better format 8/5 payback,
though there is a bonus "match the card" feature where a random card is
picked from a separate 52 card deck to compare with your fifth card after the
draw (all the way on the right). if the two cards match exactly (number and
suit), then you receive a bonus of anywhere from even money to 4 times your
original wager (could be more though). all machines are single line and you
can bet from 1 to 20 coins per play (standard 4000 RF bonus if you bet 5 or
more). assuming the machine is honest, net payback is probably 97.5 to 98%
including the match bonus, well above the fixed 92% return that the NY
Lottery programs into all of the video slot machines networked together.
Monticello does have a players club program with cash back, not sure exactly
how much coin-in to earn one point but I'd estimate $100 per. 50 points earns
$5 cash back so estimate 0.1% return, not great but not terrible
either...we're talking the New York Lottery here folks. you can also get a
mug for 15 points (I got two), an ugly bobblehead doll for 25, lunch buffet
for 40 and dinner for 60. Plenty of nearby free parking in the lot, high
rollers can get a valet for $2 more. I didn't try the food but overall the
facility is clean and quiet (no reel spinners...double diamond/blazing
7's/etc are simulated on video screens). I suppose all casinos look good in
their first month or two of operation.
Currently all VP machines are 25 cents, each racino should have 22 units
operational by this week, and $1 denomination should be ready soon if not
already. However, all video gaming machines in New York State are still being
challenged in supreme court - Lottery regulations indicate that all revenue
not paid out as winnings or administrative expenses must go solely to
education purposes. the percentage that the racetrack receives is debated as
being unconstitutional. The installation of the poker machines, along with
their differing payback percentages which cannot be regulated by a central
computer, will probably compilcate things even more. While the lawyers hash
out the details, business goes on at all racinos as normal.
the catskills are already advertising future casinos to be built by the
cayugas (at monticello) and the st. regis mohawk tribe in nearby
thompsonville (managed by Harrahs/Caesars Entertainment). Along with the
recent authorization of slots in Pennsylvania which will undoubtedly impact
the Poconos region across the state border, an impressive battleground is
taking shape.