good times are gone and not coming back..

[notes1]

for just a moment, let's presume the RNG, the shuffle, the seeding has not changed. i am not saying this is true. let's imagine, the machines have not changed.  in the old days, every machine's paytable was at least a 9/6, now many machines are 7/5 and even 6/5. people can say don't play them, but if that is all that is available, what is one to do. in the old days, comps were outstanding. when i would make a single night trip to the TAJ, i would earn enough points to always bring something home from the casino store. most of the bed linens in our house are from comps. today, i am lucky to earn enough comps from the same trip to get a buffet.   so, in the old days, my bankroll lasted much longer, i could play longer on the same amount of money. i could play longer, which gave me more chances to hit premium hands. there were many more players, it was difficult at times to get on a machine. that meant the machines turned over faster. and, even when we lost (which was still most of the time), i got to play longer and bring some 'free stuff' home.   in other words, i got much more value for my entertainment dollar. this is the arguement i have with my friend in the casino business. due to a multitude of factors, the value of casino play keeps diminishing. and, while there will always be the die hards who will play, others will take their entertainment dollar, and spend it elsewhere. 

[JIMDUECE`SWILD]

I was at the Borgata for the weekend. I notice they removed 8 VP machines and replaced them with penny machines. On Friday I saw the asst. Casino manager or slots and poker machines. I told him if keeps taking out the VP machines I'll have to stay in PA. and play. He assured me that they won't be taking anymore VP machines out. He said they are putting in more penny machine in because the make the most money off them. The terminology he used is " They have the largest hold " meaning money. They want to bring in as much money as they can. The next step I'm waiting for is for them to start lowering the pay tables like CET did.

[alpax]

Casinos do seem to distinguish reel/video slots and video poker play. Obviously the reel/video slots carry far more weight in terms. I recall certain times in Vegas where casino hosts at strip casinos would do formal introductions to new card members that are playing on penny slots at $1 or $2+ a spin.

It is logical that when paytables are lowered, the bankroll won't last half as long (mathematically) in most scenarios, taking away a credit for a full house or flush from a full pay game does makes that big of a difference. At the same time, the casinos expect you to meet the coin-in you've put in or even some more for them to give you the comps you are accustomed to. But when it costs nearly twice as much to achieve it, does it really become worth it?

I would say the best way to achieve casino comps is to play low variance games. In the end, the over all return will be similar, but you'll put in more coin-in on average than a high variance game without being ruined.

I am on a hiatus from doing long distance and multi day gaming trips, as I do not have the bankroll any more to substain them, I am still somewhat suffering from my poor play from the past as a big factor, but now I plan out better gaming decisions. Knowing the status quo of the casino industry, I do not expect to receive much from a casino any more so I will not go the extra requirement to be treated like a king. I am content with a free meal or an occasional gift, though I do get some free hotel stays.

[notes1]

I would say the best way to achieve casino comps is to play low variance games. In the end, the over all return will be similar, but you'll put in more coin-in on average than a high variance game without being ruined.

 -having a plan when one walks into a casino, is always a good idea.-i/m/o, playing for comps/status, is foolish-while playing low variance games or less than max coins may work for some, it would be a mistake to assume that it works for everyone. there are other ways to reduce your losses, and still enjoy yourself, including limiting your time in the casino or reducing the size of your bet. one should consider all options. i believe the key is to tailor your bet, your game selection to meet each person's situation.the wrong time to do this, is when you are already in the casino. think your situation out, before you go.  no different than having an investing plan. making decisions, when the markets are surging or tanking, is the wrong time. 

[alpax]

I misunderstood. I thought that you were looking to find other ways to get more from a casino even though current times have changed.

I now evaluate playing at different casinos as well as practice the best games offered there. If the game is no longer there, I'll quickly just play the basic strategy as best as possible for the next highest game.

Playing for status is only worth it if it comes with additional benefits that the player can make use of.

e.g. The MGM mLife card boosts ExpressPlay (free play) and ExpressComps (comp) from the normal 0.10% rate each to 0.11% (Pearl) 0.12% (Gold) 0.13% (Platinum). Also MGM cards offer hotel reservation guarantees and free upgrades. Once you are in Platinum, you get it for at least a year. You can coin in 200k of VP at 0.13% free play and 0.13% comp credits, $260 in free play and $260 in comp credits on top of your mailers.

Low variance generally gives you higher play sessions, but overall I've mentioned many times that finding the bare minimum amount of play to get you eligible for the comps you would need is vital. That will take trial and error. Playing Deuces Wild over DDB or TDB may be a nice substitute.

My personal goal is to keep Video Poker theoretical losses to under $100 a day.

[Carcounter]

I'm on the fence when it comes to wondering whether the new VP games have an RNG that runs differently. Sometimes I think so and other times everything seems normal. I have pretty much played .50 SDB at the Borg, a 99.69%game for the last 2 years. Down a little over 3k for 2014 and am down a little over 1k this year, although I have hit 2 royals. Within my expectations.

[notes1]

alpax, was not attempting to correct you. simply wanted to point out, that while playing low variance (JOB) or others who keep mentioning less than max coin, some players just do not like playing those games. not disputing that both methods may save some money, may help get comps, may lengthen the time one can stay in the casino, but, if you do not like playing the game, it is no fun. for that reason, those folks need to find another way to adjust their play.there is no single method to cure the VP situation that exists today.  

[FAA]

My personal goal is to keep Video Poker theoretical losses to under $100 a day.Elaborate on "theoretical losses." If you play $100, your theoretical loss is $0.46 on 9/6 JOB. So if you play $2173 worth of JOB and your loss is under $100 you'd be elated? I guess I'd be thrilled too. Most likely I'd lose a grand, though.

[alpax]

alpax, was not attempting to correct you. simply wanted to point out,
that while playing low variance (JOB) or others who keep mentioning less
than max coin, some players just do not like playing those games. not
disputing that both methods may save some money, may help get comps, may
lengthen the time one can stay in the casino, but, if you do not like
playing the game, it is no fun. for that reason, those folks need to
find another way to adjust their play.there is no single method to cure the VP situation that exists today.  
I just think it is beneficial for a player to appreciate small wins and focus on mitigating losses (got this from Phil's cheapvideopoker.com site) knowing that the casino is in the position to win against most players playing negative expectation games in the long run. People get thrilled from jackpot wins but neglect the losses it took to reach it.At least to make JoB a little more interesting to me is that I double my bet (from $1 to $2) when I get a 3oaK/Straight for the next 2 hands, Flush/Full House for the next 3 hands, and 4oaK for the next 5 hands. JoB has less than half the variance than DDB, so getting a quad on a double bet can give you the same benefit as getting a 5s thru Kings quad in DDB. I make one $5 bet before returning to $1 if I hit 3oaK or better on the $2 bet.
My personal goal is to keep Video Poker theoretical losses to under $100 a day.Elaborate on "theoretical losses." If you play $100, your theoretical loss is $0.46 on 9/6 JOB. So if you play $2173 worth of JOB and your loss is under $100 you'd be elated? I guess I'd be thrilled too. Most likely I'd lose a grand, though.
Theoretical losses as in the coin in portion and not actual loss, good amount of recreational casino players get confused over this. There is many occasions of breaking even in video poker, and it will increase the number of hands you play.Assuming you play JoB optimally, which I am able to will return 99.5439% in the long run. Actual loss may be different and off from the theoretical for sure.I play on $1 / $2 / $5 JoB machines, my maximum coin in that I will ever play will be $20k coin in, but its half on most days.$20,000 coin in will have at a theoretical loss of 0.46% will be $92.

[Vman96]

I'd be happy with a $100 loss on $20k coin in on 9/6 JoB for dollars when I didn't hit the royal!