Originally posted by: Kevin Lewis
It might be relatively prevalent outside of Vegas, where the players aren't as sophisticated. The only Vegas example I've ever seen is when Binion's put in .25 9/6 JOB with a 2500 coin royal.
But in any event, there are LOTS of much more subtle ways to squeeze VP players. An interesting story is that that was the original impetus behind the installation of games like Double and Double Double Bonus. The story goes, they thought that downgrading the two pair payout would much more than just pay for the big quad hands; it would make the whole game murderous. They didn't anticipate VP experts crafting a complex and counterintuitive strategy that made the game +EV. For a while, it was the game of choice, not because of its modest positive return, but because people got comped up the wazoo for playing it and it could be attached to some great lucrative promotions.
I can't imagine anyone tolerating a short-royal game, but if they're as prevalent as you say, well...obviously, being paid $625 instead of $1000 doesn't bother people...? Gaah!
Or you play $0.50, and you get paid $1,250 instead of $2,000, and it's still taxable