Questions. We get lots and lots of questions.
On a multi-denomination machine, does the RTP change when I move up from a penny to 5 cent to 25 cents to $1, etc.?
Yes and no. It depends on whether you're asking about video poker or slots. For the former, it's variable. If the paytables are the same for nickels, quarters, and dollars, the return to player percentage remains the same. However, usually the nickel and quarter schedules will be at a lower RTP than the dollars. For slot machines, it's almost always the case that the payback percentages at the lower denoms, pennies, nickels, and quarters, are less than dollars and more.
How easy is it to request a check for a handpay at casinos? Does it matter by location or is this a pretty basic request? I’ve never had a hand pay, but I would like to be prepared in case I ever do.
Very easy to ask. Requesting a handpay check is a fairly standard procedure at most casinos, but the exact process can vary by property and jurisdiction. It’s generally straightforward, though some places are more streamlined than others. Which means at some casinos for smaller payouts, like a $1,000 royal, the bigger casinos, and smaller ones with skeleton cage crews, a check takes a lot more time, especially on the graveyard shift and around about 6 a.m. when many casinos switch over to the new gaming day.
One thing to be aware of is that some slot attendants would rather not be bothered, so they don't volunteer information about checks for handpays, unless they're so big that the stacks of cash are inconvenient or risky. Oftentimes, a supervisor will deliver the check, thus reducing the tip potential for the floor attendant.
Finally, keep in mind that the casinos would rather pay you in cash; it's easier for them and they want you to put it back in the machines.
Do the casinos ever track the win/loss stats for blackjack dealers? Would they ever notice that Dealer A is losing a lot more hands than
Dealer B?
You bet your sweet bippy they do. (Anyone remember "Laugh In"?) Casinos monitor dealer performance to ensure the actual win percentage for the house matches the expectation over time in order to detect anomalies that deviate from the expected distribution. Any discrepancy triggers an internal audit and a review of closed-circuit TV footage to look for unorthodox moves on the part of the dealer and possible collusion, such as the same player/players at a dealer's table and possible sub-rosa information sharing.
In times past, bosses tracked wins and losses per dealer in more of a seat-of-the-pants fashion, believing they could evaluate whether or not they were lucky or unlucky on a given shift, then make adjustments accordingly. In well-regulated operations, however, the goal is to ensure fairness and detect anomalies, not to micromanage each dealer’s personal win/loss in a punitive way. The focus is on game integrity, player fairness, and preventing cheating.
