Switching slot clubs for points

16 December 2017

By Jerry Stickman

Stickman,

During my May visit to the Atlantic City Golden Nugget, I decided to try my luck at one of the four full-pay Jacks or Better video poker machines.

Recognizing that these were dollar machines, I wrongly assumed that they would accumulate player points at the same rate as the other video poker machines in that casino. That is when I discovered that they give one point for every one hundred dollars that is played on those machines.

When I questioned the player's club desk about this, the response was that every machine in the casino had a different point calculation formula and no one really knows what they are.

Additionally, the connection between the 'tier points' received and the associated comp dollars received is also unfathomable.

Why they keep it a secret is a mystery to me. For those of us who are analytically inclined and pay attention to things like that, the mystery is a complete turn off. I prefer the Harrah's properties that clearly state the relationships between dollars played, points earned and comp dollars per point.

Bob

Hi Bob,

Sadly, this type of situation is all too common now. Full-pay video poker is harder and harder to find, and often when you are able to find them slot points are reduced or eliminated. At one Atlantic City casino one video poker game earns five times as many slot points as an identical machine in the same bank with exactly the same denomination and level of play.

When playing a new machine I always check the rate of earning slot points by playing 10 or 20 hands and then checking the number of slot points earned. I do this primarily as a way to determine how many hands I play, but it also highlights the bonus point value for play on the machine.

You talk about going to another casino where there is less variation in earning slot points. This could very well be a great idea, but make sure you consider everything before making the switch. Does the other casino offer the same full-pay games? If not, do the additional bonus points make up for the reduced return?

The best slot clubs tend to only pay .1 to .3% of your play. A 9/5 Jacks or Better game returns 98.45% versus 99.54% on a full-pay 9/6 game. Even if you got zero return at the first casino, you would need a slot point return of over one percent at the other casino just to break even.

There are also other factors to consider. Are comps easier to obtain at the current casino or the new one? What about the ambiance, the amenities, restaurants, bars, etc.? All these should be considered before making a change.

While it may be extremely irritating, you may still be better off staying rather than switching casinos. It may take a little more effort to gather the information you want and you may very well decide to switch venues, but don't let principle get in the way of sound gaming practices.

May all your wins be swift and large and all your losses slow and tiny.

Jerry “Stickman”

Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack and video poker and advantage slot machine play. He authored the video poker section of Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pai Gow Poker! You can contact Jerry “Stickman” at stickmanjerry@aol.com