I just saw a report that Bonus Poker at the El Cortez has been reduced to 6/5 and they reduced all of the 4OAK hands to 125 units. If that is true, and 4 5-K pay 125, 4 2s,3s,4s pay 125, and 4 aces pays 125, we're talking a 94.9961%EV game. Absolutely horrible. I don't know where inside the ElCo this is happening, but if someone can verify, that would be helpful. At 1 coin, this is a 93.76% game. Just wow. I hope it's not true at all. That's bad.
The El Cortez has officially become what I predicted long ago - a clone of the Strip casino model that we find now in Vegas. As the age of the average visitor becomes younger, and as the older generation of Vegas visitors stops visiting Vegas - Vegas has "trained" today's majority of visitors to find high prices and worsening gambling as the "norm". And as long as these visitors pay these ever esculating prices, it will not change. Vegas is fast becoming a victim of it's own greed. Fewer people are coming to Vegas, spending less and with fewer repeat visits.--- Here is a list of changes Vegas has embraced - all at the cost of the visitors ---Ever esculating resort fees and room rates, paid parking, 6/5 blackjack with higher game minimuns, triple zero roulette, outrageous food and drink prices, later check-in times, fewer comps, tipping brainwashing, higher rental car prices, higher show ticket pricing, fewer buffets with those still existing priced outrageously. The list continues as "bean counters" continue to find more ways to nickel/dime visitors.
Originally posted by: Neil Black
I just saw a report that Bonus Poker at the El Cortez has been reduced to 6/5 and they reduced all of the 4OAK hands to 125 units. If that is true, and 4 5-K pay 125, 4 2s,3s,4s pay 125, and 4 aces pays 125, we're talking a 94.9961%EV game. Absolutely horrible. I don't know where inside the ElCo this is happening, but if someone can verify, that would be helpful. At 1 coin, this is a 93.76% game. Just wow. I hope it's not true at all. That's bad.
My, you got quite the widdle speechie in response. The reality is not quite that dark. Not all of the machines have been downgraded that badly. According to VPFree2, there are still a few games over 99%, and a goodly number of 9/6 DDB and Airport Deuces, which return 98.9%.
While that is obviously worse than it used to be, there may still be short-term promos that will wipe out any disadvantage --like a kiosk game I remember, 300 points earned got you a spin, and the prizes were $5 and up. There also may be point multipliers days.
Furthermore, running $1000 through one of those 99 percenters could serve to get you established for future room offers, and would only cost you $10 (EV-wise). The EC is still a pretty good place to stay downtown.
Originally posted by: Kevin Lewis
My, you got quite the widdle speechie in response. The reality is not quite that dark. Not all of the machines have been downgraded that badly. According to VPFree2, there are still a few games over 99%, and a goodly number of 9/6 DDB and Airport Deuces, which return 98.9%.
While that is obviously worse than it used to be, there may still be short-term promos that will wipe out any disadvantage --like a kiosk game I remember, 300 points earned got you a spin, and the prizes were $5 and up. There also may be point multipliers days.
Furthermore, running $1000 through one of those 99 percenters could serve to get you established for future room offers, and would only cost you $10 (EV-wise). The EC is still a pretty good place to stay downtown.
"The reality" is what I have said here --The El Cortez has officially become what I predicted long ago - a clone of the Strip casino model that we find now in Vegas. As the age of the average visitor becomes younger, and as the older generation of Vegas visitors stops visiting Vegas - Vegas has "trained" today's majority of visitors to find high prices and worsening gambling as the "norm". And as long as these visitors pay these ever esculating prices, it will not change. Vegas is fast becoming a victim of it's own greed. Fewer people are coming to Vegas, spending less and with fewer repeat visits.--- Here is a list of changes Vegas has embraced - all at the cost of the visitors ---Ever esculating resort fees and room rates, paid parking, 6/5 blackjack with higher game minimuns, triple zero roulette, outrageous food and drink prices, later check-in times, fewer comps, tipping brainwashing, higher rental car prices, higher show ticket pricing, fewer buffets with those still existing priced outrageously. The list continues as "bean counters" continue to find more ways to nickel/dime visitors.
David, there is no need to repost what you already have said. This is a bad habit of yours.
Originally posted by: Kevin Lewis
David, there is no need to repost what you already have said. This is a bad habit of yours.
Why are you stalking me?
Originally posted by: David Miller
Why are you stalking me?
Why are there purple giraffes that smoke cigars on the moon?
David's ranting aside, there are still decent video poker plays to be found. Don't focus on the bad paytable machines--even the best VP joints, back in the day, had mostly lousy games.
1. Use VPFree2 and other online sources to find the best games.
2. Play the best games, and play them well--which means that you must learn the proper strategies and adhere to them.
3. Play during promo periods. Often, promos can wipe out the disadvantage from a negative EV game.
3. Scatter your play among several casinos. Just play long enough to get "established." Don't give more than modest action to any one casino--OR CASINO GROUP. This means that you don't, for example, move from one MGM casino to another.
4. Await mailers and offers for your next trip.
5. Lather, rinse, repeat.
There's still lots of good VP downtown. Plaza is excellent and Circa is pretty good as well.
There's still some good games at Four Queens. Just stop playing at places that don't offer them.
Originally posted by: Lynn Tubbs
There's still lots of good VP downtown. Plaza is excellent and Circa is pretty good as well.
There's still some good games at Four Queens. Just stop playing at places that don't offer them.
Circa isn't good--the best they have is 8/5 Bonus, and not even much of that. Everything else is worse. You're right about Plaza and 4Q--pretty much the only two remaining places downtown worth playing. You can find mediocre VP downtown that's better than the Strip, but not as good as the various locals' joints.
Downtown is still a good place for an LVA coupon run.
