Question of the Day - 11 July 2023

$20 at last check

I converted from blackjack to VP fairly late in the game, so to speak--the late 90s. Even then, the casinos were starting to wise up and dial back the goodies, but as Jean points out, their relatively primitive player tracking systems often couldn't distinguish between VP and slot play, especially on a multi-game machine. Now, of course, the bots track everything you do, including the accuracy of your play.

What was always amazing to me was that the machine manufacturers sold VP to the casinos as if the hold would be comparable to slots. I've seen their brochures from back then--they touted, for example, 9/6 JOB as having a 4% casino advantage. They couldn't have been that stupid, so obviously, they were overselling the game to the casinos. And as we all learned, casino slot departments were run by people whose mathematical skills would shame a five-year-old. No mas, of course. Now, they're run by descendants of an unholy union of Ebenezer Scrooge and Dracula.

Three bad things happened more or less simultaneously in LV. The vp/slot trend resulting in less vp comps was the last. First was the similar trend where sports and race betting had identical comps. Then sports comps, like vp, were reduced more and more vis-a-vis race. The second unholy trend was discretionary comps being reduced while points and comps became formalized. The third leg was the vp reduction vis-a-vis slots. For comps, the 90's was a bad decade. At some point, I'll do a bitch blog about the simultaneous slide.

In the beginning, without proper strategy, 9/6 JoB probably DID net the house around 4%. But once people were playing correctly, and then (like Jean), writing books about it, those percentages dwindled. And you can't play the slots "smarter", It's the same thing that happened once proper blackjack strategy became public knowledge. I'm sure that there is a different comp schedule between BJ and roulette too.

Kevin, did you really mean to write: "disgusting video poker-playing filth?" - I don't understand what you meant

So would card pulling befuddle the algorithms tracking player efficiency?
And would it enhance your value to the house by minimizing your wins?

It's my satirical take on what the casinos think of us now, especially compared to how we used to be treated.

Playing deliberately incorrectly might indeed mislead the algorithm, but it would also cost you money, without any real proof that it had the desired effect. BJ experts had a few "dumb mistake" plays in their pockets that actually cost very little or nothing, especially in negative counts (splitting 3's against an Ace is one I recall), but there really aren't any worthwhile ways to fool the bots.

One reason for that is that the companies who make the bots have employed former AP players as consultants, including one whose name you would instantly recognize if I had the temerity to name him.

Card pulling is not deliberately playing incorrectly. It simply means removing your players card from the machine before you 'draw'. For example, when you are dealt trips, before you discard the other two and hit 'draw', you pull your players card from the machine, thus ending your session as far as your players card is concerned, but not the hand. The resultant hand(s). Any subsequent quads, full houses or even the trips themselves would not be recorded as a 'win' as far as your win/loss is concerned.

Card pulling is not deliberately playing incorrectly. It simply means removing your players card from the machine before you 'draw'. For example, when you are dealt trips, before you discard the other two and hit 'draw', you pull your players card from the machine, thus ending your session as far as your players card is concerned, but not the hand. Any subsequent quads, full houses or even the trips themselves would not be recorded as a 'win' as far as your win/loss is concerned.

Pulling your player's card doesn't work, as the system records your play and results THROUGH the end of the hand during which you pull your card. That feature was added as a direct response to people trying to conceal their winnings by the method you just described.

Let's say that you are playing Scarab slots which I'm sure you Kevin are familiar with. For example you're on a roll and you have scarabs all over the board and you are on your 9th spin. Simply pull the card out and change tickets I don't think what you said is completely correct Kevin sorry. Slot card manipulation done properly definitely works but as you sort of pointed out under limited circumstances. 

'It's my satirical take on what the casinos think of us now, especially compared to how we used to be treated.'

oh sure, the good old day retread once again, please. Casinos ALWAYS took your money. Maybe a little slower, did it more politely, smiled a little more, better odds to lose money slower but in the end, keep playing, they take it all. Plus. 

Now one could argue they just take it faster in some aspects and frankly aren't they just being more honest about it now, not stroking the naive into thinking they are really getting something of 'value' in the long run? 'free' rooms? 'free' food? Come on. Those nice fancy buildings, the upkeep, the payroll with tons of employees, don't get built and maintained with giving anything to anyone, ever.