Can VP machines be programmed for low return?

[BourbonJim]

I play video poker, usually bonus poker. Everything I have read says the return should be 90+% depending on the pay table and accurate play. I have found this to be true in the big casinos in LV and several other places, but not so much at the Horseshoe Southern Indiana. Some days the machines in that casino respond as you would expect, but most of the time the return is 50% or less. Other than by changing the pay table, can these machines be programmed to not deal random hands?

[kjohn]

This is an ongoing debate...Everyone has an opinion...In my limited research I'd say that a lot depends on the state regulations....Any machine CAN be programmed in any manner..After all it's a computer chip. So the question is can it be legally programmed or manipulated to play in a certain manner....Some say yes and some say no...In some states, NV being the biggie, the stat regulations are very tight...In Indian casinos and some other state this may not be the case...Some will say that the only way to lower the odds it to lower the pay table, others will disagree. It's just a gamble!!!!

[BillyJoe]

I did hear of a case years ago where IGT built some VP machines for an Indian casino where it "monitored" the number of RFs that it gave. It looked at every deal and draw, and if was going to be an RF, it looked at when the last RF was awarded on that machine. If it was "too soon", it re-dealt the hand. I am not sure if that was just a story, or really true, but as was said, it's just a computer, and can be programmed to do anything. Our only defense as players is the gaming regulators.   

[shadowman]

Check your state regulations. I suspect you'll find they require random selection of cards.

[JIMDUECE`SWILD]

BourbonJim: Welcome to the website.

[J Dubs]

Interesting topic considering I only play at an "indian" casino, Mohegan Sun

[GO]

I play at Indian casinos in New Mexico.  In this state, the casinos are "self-regulated," which probably means no regulation at all.  These video poker machines do not act like video poker machines in a regulated state like Nevada.  I'm not sure of the return, but I would bet it's less than 50%, even though the machines are marked "pays 80 percent or better."

[shadowman]

From the New Mexico compact:
 
"Within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this Compact, if it has not already done so, the Tribal Gaming Agency will adopt standards for any and all Class III Gaming equipment, devices or supplies to be used in any Gaming Facility, which standards shall be at least as strict as the comparable standards applicable to Class III Gaming equipment, devices or supplies within the State of Nevada. Any and all Class III Gaming equipment, devices or supplies used by the Tribe shall meet or exceed the standards thereby adopted."
 
http://www.nmgcb.org/tribal/2007%20compact.pdf

[Eduardo]

So the machines are still probably returning below 50%... when they are not returning above 200%?

[spxChrome]

Any machine CAN be programmed in any manner...
 
Being a programmer myself this is what I know.  Sure it maybe random before the deal by regulation but after that whos to say.
 
It's kind of like telling somebody you will pay them $10,000.  That is the regulation.
 
Ok so I pay the guy $1 a month, $500 a day maybe a penny an hour.  Maybe I will pay him in Pesos.  You get the point, just as in life there are loopholes, fine print and amendments to everything.
 
All everyone claims is regulation says that the draw and re-deal are to be random.  There is no law saying that if 4 to the Royal come only pick the case card every 1 in 100 draws.  Or if suited A J 10 come then if the players holds the A J10 give him two more 10's.  The possibilities are endless.