Tampa Update

[FloridaPhil]

I play VP at one of the largest casinos in America and it's about the get larger. Here's an article written recently in one of our local newspapers.

With more than 4,000 slot machines and 125 table games, the Seminole Hard Rock Casino Tampa is already one of the largest casinos in the world, but a new $700 million expansion will make the resort even more of a destination.

The roughly 24-month expansion will add nearly 1,000 slot machines and 75 table games, but the real focus of this expansion is the non-gaming aspects. When finished, the casino floor will be one of the largest in the world, clocking in at roughly 200,000 square feet of gaming floor space.

I don't know the exact number of video poker machines in Tampa, but I am sure it's in the hundreds. Even though this casino doesn't offer positive VP games, I am pleased with the facility and believe they offer a competitive Recreational experience for my money.

One of the things I like about this casino is its sheer size. I like to walk around and play the machines as I go. I get some exercise this way and sometimes I am paid for doing it. I never know if a machine is going to pay me or not. I realize I could have the same result if I stayed on the same machine, but it wouldn't be as much fun for me. The anticipation of walking up to a new machine is part of the fun.

We are all unique in some way and our VP play is no different. Some of us only play VP when we have math on our side. Unfortunately, if I waited until I found that opportunity I wouldn't play much VP. Some of us, like my wife, play the same game slow and steady. This works for her. I find it boring at times. Some of us like to take chances and play above our bankrolls. This isn't a problem if you are willing to expand your bankroll to cover your losses. Unfortunately, there is no bankroll that the casino can't deflate.

My point is VP can be anything you want it to be. It can be a math exercise. It can be a regular day of entertainment similar to having season tickets to a sports team. For example, compare my annual cost of playing VP with the price of tickets to a Dolphins or a Magic game. It can also be an occasional escape like going to a movie or a nice restaurant. For a tiny few, it can even be a career.

It's all the same game as far as the machine is concerned. It's the player that decides if the outcome is positive and positive outcomes in VP are not always monetary.

[FAA]

I would play there if my lone de facto option. I walk or drive by the HR entrance a lot now. The huge inscription is: "Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends." With subpar AC VP, the losing never ends. Two guitars, 30 and 60 feet.

[FloridaPhil]

With subpar AC VP, the losing never ends.

You have to lose sometime so you can win sometime. It's part of the game.

[FAA]

I get it, but prefer to lose with better odds and softer music. HR makes me feel so old and grouchy with the high decibel music. I'm not the average gambler pushing buttons.

[Jstark]

It didn't seem that large to me. Exclude the poker room and its really not that big.

[advantage playe]

hey fl. phil if u want sheer size try foxwoods.its the size of a small city!tons of v poker and some f pay jacks o b but min dollars for f pay 9 6.

[DaBurglar]

A 200,000 square feet area, if it actually we're a perfect "square" shape-wise, would be a square with a length/width roughly the size of 1-1/3 football fields each way! (Appx 445-450 feet L x W)!!!!!!

Imagine that....a Square 450 feet by 450 feet, indoors and filled with casino "stuff" (games, tables, ATMs, waitresses ferrying booze, oblivious & obnoxious overweight customers walking/waddling around with every fourth or fifth one whizzing past on a scooter!)

[FloridaPhil]

I get it, but prefer to lose with better odds and softer music. HR makes me feel so old and grouchy with the high decibel music. I'm not the average gambler pushing buttons.

The Tampa Hard Rock seems to be a little lighter on the music. I have been in a few others where the sound level was deafening. The non smoking casino in Tampa is better than the main floor. AC/DC is not all that popular with seniors.

[Tedlark]

WinStar World Casino Resort and Casino, Thackerville, OK over 600,000 square feet of gaming space with over 7,400 machines.

Makes a casino with 200,000 square feet look like a dingy.

[OTABILL]

We are all unique in some way and our VP play is no different. Some of us only play VP when we have math on our side. Unfortunately, if I waited until I found that opportunity I wouldn't play much VP. Some of us, like my wife, play the same game slow and steady. This works for her. I find it boring at times. Some of us like to take chances and play above our bankrolls. This isn't a problem if you are willing to expand your bankroll to cover your losses. Unfortunately, there is no bankroll that the casino can't deflate.

My point is VP can be anything you want it to be. It can be a math exercise. It can be a regular day of entertainment similar to having season tickets to a sports team. For example, compare my annual cost of playing VP with the price of tickets to a Dolphins or a Magic game. It can also be an occasional escape like going to a movie or a nice restaurant. For a tiny few, it can even be a career.

It's all the same game as far as the machine is concerned. It's the player that decides if the outcome is positive and positive outcomes in VP are not always monetary.

Phil. Some good relevant points particularly the last few words, "positive outcomes in VP are not always monetary." From the perspective of casual recreational players like my wife and myself this is definitely the case. Of course the goal is to leave the casino with more cash than we had when we arrived. However, the reason to go in the first place is for entertainment and enjoyment. If we had a good time we would count it as a success. No other reason for us to go to the casino. Certainly not to make money. To have a good time paid for is/was a bonus.