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Remember the days when all Vegas locals' casinos had bountiful full-pay Video Poker versions and your most pressing decision was "Do I play 9/6 Jacks+, 10/7 Double Bonus with a generous 50 coin full house payout or 9/5 Deuces Wild?"
No waiting and hoping for other players to leave, because "I'll just play this machine nearby". The exception was a large VP progressive that teams of locals were hogging and hammering for the win.
Well...say good-bye, my VP playing friends, for due to a shortsighted marketing policy and the downright greed of casino management, the full-pays are disappearing rapidly in La-La land.
I figure that the casino management summit was held late last year and the conspiracy developed from there. How else do you explain the downgrading of so many machines in quick succession?
It's certain that the casinos have thumbed their nose at the loyal VP players that built their kingdoms and reputations, all in the name of profits.
You can always go elsewhere, you say? Maybe 6 months ago, but not so easily done now.
For example, one sure bet was Arizona Charlie’s - Decatur. The banner above the parking lot entrance was noticeably dusty over the years, but you could still detect the message, 'The Best VP Payouts in the World.'
I could always count on Charlie for All American Poker, Deuces and a bank of full pay progressive 10/7's that paid out more than $1000 for a Royal many times. For VP newbies, a progressive that is full pay is very rare in this city. That same carousel has been re-fitted as cashless, ticket in/out with a pay schedule that is now 9/6--what a bummer!
Believe me when I say that 5 coins less for a full house and/or flush is disastrous to players.
That 5 coins is a hand lost and decreases your playing time by the number of times you get that particular payout. This once crowded carousel is now empty or occupied by one or two inexperienced VP players.
Why, you ask, have I not boycotted this casino? For the time being, the All American Video Poker GameMaker machines, a row of Deuces and a few scattered 10/7's have not been touched.
I hear the 'demolition date' is soon and I understand that their Boulder Hwy. location is subject to the same fate.
The third property in Mr. Icahn's little empire is the Stratosphere where the 9/7's and 8/6's Super Pay VP's offering a 10 coin dream payout for 2 pair have long ago been assigned to the dumpster.
To compensate for the fall of 'the best VP payouts in the world', we are led to believe that the heavily promoted Ultimate Rewards Club membership for all 3 properties is 'our reward'. Not!
After Icahn, the 'corporate raider', has completed his snub against skilled players, I will not be contributing to his holdings.
Jackie Gaughan's little boy has been busy also. The four Coast properties: Suncoast, Gold Coast, Barbary Coast and Orleans have re-fitted over 400 VP schedules to incorporate a downward slide with the accompanying downward attendance of casino patrons.
I remember when you could get your exercise for the day with the long walk from the very back of the parking lot at the Suncoast to play 'full-pay' magic. Now, a half-full lot is the norm and sending a message.
Some of that crowd flow is spilling over next door to the Rampart who has done an admirable job of 'treating VP players right'.
Another casino that welcomes locals with plentiful pays and excellent promotions is the Palms, directly across the street from Gold Coast. Makes your VP heart 'flush' with the sweet taste of revenge, does it not?
I'm wondering why these casino bosses have not learned from the past boycott against the Station Casinos Group? They tried to pull out the 'best VP schedules' while locals fought back with a boycott push and won.
In addition, you can be sure that Slot players will experience the same betrayal.
It only follows that when VP payouts go down, so goes the reels and multi-lines.
You can still find the best VP in the world at these casinos whether you are a local or tourist:
Fiesta: Rancho and Henderson locations. Rancho was voted #1 by locals for VP and correctly so.
My slot points are sky high at the Rancho location as this is our top choice.
Palms: isn't it ironic that a locals' casino would be a couple of blocks off the Strip, but that's the way it goes.
Rampart and Cannery: these sister casinos way off the strip make it very clear they want the locals business.
MonteLago Casino: recently opened adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton at Lake Las Vegas has already advertised that they have the most full-pay VP's in Vegas. There's an attitude I can applaud.
Station Casinos: Santa Fe, Texas, Sunset, Green Valley Ranch, Palace and Boulder. All have 'pockets' of the best VP, but we are not talking plentiful. There is but one carousel of 9/5 Deuces at Boulder and the casino policy of allowing any card member to play three, (that's 3) machines at one time makes it almost impossible to grab a seat.
Downtown Fremont St.: you can count on the good ol' El Cortez, Union Plaza (why has Jackie's, the father, VP policy not been inherited by his son?) and Main Street Station.
I am not affiliated with these 'local player friendly' casinos, but I do appreciate the extra cash their VP's bring my way.
I say "Bring back, Bring back, ohhhh Bring Back my VP's to me"!
Gayle Mitchell is author of Casino Gambling Made Easier books, EBooks, booklets & Slots Trilogy and Editor of Casino Players Ezine.
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