Playing off a jackpot

John,

I'm sorry if you have answered this before. If you are playing a multi-line video machine are you increasing the house percentage by not playing all of the lines? As a corollary, is it the same thing playing a 20-line machine at one coin or playing only 10 lines at two coins?

Thanks for the advice.

Steve

Dear Steve,

The only way you would be increasing the house edge by not playing all lines is if there is some sort of reward (either an increase in payout for one or more combinations or qualifying for some sort of bonus) for playing all lines. Most progressives, for example, require you to play full coin to qualify for the progressive and the house edge is lower when you qualify to win the progressive.

As for your second question, unless there is a reward for playing 20 lines, your long-term payback will be the same in each situation.

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

You recently wrote:

"The rule of thumb that many players follow is to not play machines that have recently hit a big payoff. That's why many casinos ask you to play off a jackpot so the combination doesn't remain on the reels."

There is actually another, more important, reason why the casinos ask you to "play off" the win on a machine — they don't want another playing coming to that machine with the big payoff displayed and claiming that they just hit it and demand a payoff.

Best,
Alan

Dear Alan,

I suppose players could try to claim an already-paid jackpot, but they'd have a hard time explaining why the machine is back in game mode and no longer locked for a hand-pay!

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

I read your article on the machines at the casinos in the state of Washington. If the tickets are preset as to payback, what happens if money is put on our players' club card? Many of the people who go to the Indian casinos here are seniors who go with many different groups on buses and your answer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Harriet

Dear Harriet,

This question is best answered by the casinos in which you play.

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

Is it possible to get a list of which casinos carry a particular video poker machine?

Thanks,
Sue

Dear Sue,

You have a couple of choices for getting information about the video poker machines in a casino. First, many casino companies now list the machines in each casino on their website. Second, you can always call the casino and ask if they have a particular machine. Finally, your best bet for finding which casinos have high-paying video poker machines is VP Insider (www.vpinsider.com).

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

Send your slot and video poker questions to John Robison, Slot Expert, at slotexpert@comcast.net. Because of the volume of mail I receive, I regret that I can't reply to every question.