Video Poker Forum

I know this request is technical and may take some research and I appreciate your time.
My question specifically is directed toward the Video Poker Machines (IGT) at the Bar.
The Maryland VLT Legislation that I found states that the machines must :

Article .14 COMAR:
E. Once a random selection process has occurred, a video lottery terminal:
(1) Shall display an accurate representation of the randomly selected outcome; and
(2) May not make a secondary decision which affects the result shown to the player at the video
lottery terminal.

The paragraph below is from the Nevada Gaming Commission :

"For gaming devices that are representative of live gambling games, the mathematical probability of a symbol or other element appearing in a game outcome must be equal to the mathematical probability of that symbol or element occurring in the live gambling game."

My questions are:
1) Are the Video Poker Machines in Maryland free of a (computer) program that would alter the result of a random dealt deck of cards ?
2) Does a secondary decision occur before the cards are dealt ?
3) Is the pay table listed on the front of the machine, ie; 9/6 Jacks or Better (Indicates a payback of 99.54%) an accurate portrayal of the theoretical payback of that machine ?
4) If statement D highlighted in red below is true, has approval been granted for these machines ?

From Maryland Comar:       
B. A video lottery terminal shall have an average payout percentage which:
(1) Is 87% or more; and
(2) Does not exceed 100%.
C. Notwithstanding the requirements of § B of this regulation, in no event may a video lottery terminal
have a theoretical payout percentage of less than 87% at any wager level.
D. A facility may not make available for play a video lottery terminal with an average payout percentage
which exceeds 95% without the written approval of the Commission.
E. A facility’s gaming floor shall be configured to collectively achieve, at all times, an average payout
percentage which:
(1) Exceeds 90%; and
(2) Does not exceed 95%

Since I play real money on these machines I would like to know if it is free of programmed outcomes. None of the slots technicians could answer this question.

From what you have given nothing prevents them from a random, yet weighted selection process which is exactly what happens in regular slot machines. The computed payback assuming a non-weighted selection (that is, the NV rules incorporated) can not be assumed. However, based on your previous experience they do not appear to be the standard VLTs based on bingo. In those situations you would have seen two pair on the draw if you discarded them. Not sure if this is a new type of machine.  Have you read over the help text on the machine? Does the machine state that play is based on a 52 card deck like normal VP machines have on them? You could ask the casino if they have waivers for the machines. If not, then they are limited to 95%. If the paytable computes to a higher value then you will know they are not standard VP machines.

Greetings,

               A basic definition of a VLT can be found on Wikipedia.com stating, “A VLT is similar to a slot machine, except that it is connected to a centralized computer system that determines the outcome of each wager using a random number generator. Although the outcome of each wager is random, VLT operators are able to program in advance the total amount and number of payouts that its central computer system will allow at its connected VLTs. In this manner, VLTs can be thought of as computerized scratch-off lottery tickets.”

These machines are different from those you will find in Atlantic City and Nevada as the outcome in an Atlantic City or Nevada casino is determined by a random number generator in each game as opposed to the centralized computer system found in a VLT location connecting several games. Also, in Atlantic City or Nevada, operators are not able to program the total number of payouts for each game, but instead can minimally control the payback percentage over the lifetime of the game, which is regulated by the presiding Gaming Authority and usually around 98%. This type of gaming, usually referred to as Class III, is not legal in all states and therefore not present in Maryland where the lottery is legal so you have machines mimicking those of Class III gaming, but in fact act as a scratch off card because each pull of the lever on a VLT is another card.

Thank you for contacting the IGT Support Center.

It seems like there is some misinformation that you received from the IGT service center and I wanted to reply to clarify.  This is unfortunate since IGT manufactured the games.
I think you’ll be happy to know that all of the slot machines in Maryland are true Class III commercial slots, the same class of slot machines that you’d find in Atlantic City or Las Vegas.   Hollywood Casino, Perryville offers 65 video poker games, 52 of which are Action Gaming (multi-hand) type games.  I can also tell you that Hollywood Casino in Perryville, MD requested and received waivers so that all our video poker games can offer paytables with payback exceeding 95%.   We operate at a 67% tax rate here in MD, so we won’t be offering full pay games.   That said, our paytables are generally consistent with what you’d find in in Atlantic City and I think our selection of progressives and multi-hand games is some of the best!  
In April is a great time to check out our video poker in Perryville.  We are offering a $1,000 slot dollar bonus when a player hits a hand pay jackpots for a Natural Royal (no jokers).   
I hope this helps.
John S.
VP of Operations – Hollywood Casino – Perryville