Page 6 - November 2009 • Southern California Gaming Guide

Bill Burton: About Gambling
TOhe Jackpot Myth
ver the last year, I’ve heard players complain they are not winning as many jackpots on slot machines as in the past. I rst heard this from a few of my friends who said they believed that casinos were tightening slots because the bad economy was forcing people
to make fewer trips to the casino. I didn’t pay too much attention to this, but then I noticed players posting the same opinion on several Internet forums. It seems many casino players have come to believe that casinos are lowering the payback on their slot machines.
A month ago, I was contacted by a newspaper reporter from Colorado who requested an interview. He said he was writing a story about casinos lowering slot paybacks that resulted in making it harder for players to win. He wanted my opinion on the subject.
And he was surprised by my answer.
Why Players Win Fewer Jackpots
I told him I believed that while some casinos may be ordering new slot machines with lower payout percentages, I did not believe this was the main reason why players may not be winning as much as before.
I explained that over the years there have been many myths associated with casino gambling. One of the most common is the belief that a casino can raise and lower a slot machine’s payback with the ip of a switch. is is not true. Slot machines have a computer chip that determines the payback percentage. ese chips are set in the machine at the factory. In order for a casino to change a slot machine’s payback, they would have to change the chip. In most gambling jurisdictions there is paperwork that has to be led and submitted to a casino control commission for each machine, if the chip is changed. It is time- consuming, and the chips are very expensive. For this reason, the cost of changing the chip in numerous machines on the casino oor doesn’t make economic sense.
Some gambling jurisdictions around the country require casinos to report overall payout percentages
on a monthly basis, although California is not one. e gures are a matter of public record and are published in some national gaming publications. I looked back on these gures over the last year and saw there was very little change for most casinos around the country. In some instances, some of the
payback percentages had even increased.
But one reason why some players may feel they are not winning as often is that they may be making fewer trips to the casino, so they are playing less. Because they are playing less, they have fewer big jackpots and
fewer winning sessions overall. It is all proportional. And some players may now be playing lower denomination machines. Many nickel and penny slot machines have a higher hit frequency, which means you receive many smaller wins, but not as many big
jackpots.
What to Do
If you still honestly believe that your favorite casino is lowering the return rate on slot machines, you have several choices of action. e easiest thing to do is play older slot machines. It is doubtful that a casino would go through the expense of putting a new chip in an older machine to lower the return rate.
And, of course, you can always play at another casino. You may nd that your luck is better at a di erent casino, and that a change in your routine may present
some enjoyable new experiences.
Or you could switch to playing video poker. Video
poker is the only slot machine game that will let you
know the payback of the machine by reading the pay table. However, if you do decide to play video poker, make sure you learn the strategy or get a strategy card to bring along when you play.
Or you could try playing table games. Playing the tables can be very exciting, plus they o er a lower house edge than slot machines. Many casinos give free table game lessons so you can learn the basics before you sit down.
I will close by saying that I do believe that there are some slot machines on casino oors with lower returns. However, casinos are in competition with each other for your business, so they do not want to alienate players by o ering games where nobody can win. Remember, as a customer/player you always have the option of taking your business elsewhere. e ultimate decision of where to play is entirely up to you.
Until next time, remember: “Luck comes and goes.. Knowledge Stays Forever.”
Bill Burton is the author of 1000 Best Casino Gambling Secrets and Get the Edge at Low Limit Texas Hold’em available online at www.billburton.com. Burton is also an instructor for Golden Touch Craps: www.thecrapsclub.com..
November 2009 Gaming News
asino Pauma Sponsors Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride
C
asino Pauma and the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) Chapter CA-1N are sponsoring the 22nd Annual Motorcycle Benefit Ride in support of the USMCR Toys for Tots on Wednesday, November 21st. e ride begins at the Oceanside Harbor Parking
Lot #1, with registration from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. e Oceanside Police & National Public Safety- escorted ride departs at 11:30 a.m. Cost is $10 per person and a new unwrapped toy. All those who register will also receive $10 in Pauma Play. Co ee and treats are included with registration, and lunch will be provided by Casino Pauma. Call 760-741-8230 for information.
U.S., Canadian and international members in 53 foreign countries in just 32 years. Over 800 active chapters are managed by 4,000 volunteer
leaders working with members to foster safe, enjoyable riding.
Casino Pauma is owned and operated by the Pauma Band of Mission Indians.
...Gaming News continues on page 10
e Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is the fund-raising, funding and support organization for the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for
Tots Program. e Foundation has supported Toys for Tots since 1991. e mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year,
and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.
e Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) is the world’s largest social organization for owners and riders of Honda GoldWing/Valkyriemotorcycles.Foundedin
1977, GWRRA has grown to more than 80,000
Page 6
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
November 2009
Gaming News About Gambling with Bill Burton