So what would you do?

Quote: odiousgambit

come to think of it, I still don't know exactly what this "double up" entails? Why is the offer made if it is zero house edge?

In the double up scenario, if you choose it, 5 cards are displayed. The first is the "dealer" card and is face up. The other four are face down and you may pick one. If you card beats the dealer, you "double up". The scenario is repeated as many times as you like until you lose.

"I'm surprised he was able to take the ticket straight up. Wasn't there some IRS paperwork, and a hand pay?

I've told this before, a funny story on the other end of the spectrum. Maybe 15 years ago I was playing nickel VP at the Gold Coast, and the machines had the double-up option. I am playing and a likely homeless man sits two machines from me and puts 2-3 nickels in for a couple hands. He hits a winner, and doubles and wins, and doubles again and wins, and again and again literally 8-10 times or more. I keep hearing his machine racking up the credits and soon I see that he has won about $250 or so.

He stops and is staring at the machine like he is confused, so I ask him "Do you know what you are doing?" and he says "naw, man...I'm just trying to get my money out of this thing". He had no idea that he had been going double-or-nothing so many times, he had just been pushing buttons! I told him which button to hit to cash out...he did, the machine locked up while they came and hand paid him, then he goes back to betting 2-3 nickels at a time, but never tried the DON option after that LOL.

Quote: Johnzimbo

I've told this before, a funny story on the other end of the spectrum. Maybe 15 years ago I was playing nickel VP at the Gold Coast, and the machines had the double-up option. I am playing and a likely homeless man sits two machines from me and puts 2-3 nickels in for a couple hands. He hits a winner, and doubles and wins, and doubles again and wins, and again and again literally 8-10 times or more. I keep hearing his machine racking up the credits and soon I see that he has won about $250 or so.

He stops and is staring at the machine like he is confused, so I ask him "Do you know what you are doing?" and he says "naw, man...I'm just trying to get my money out of this thing". He had no idea that he had been going double-or-nothing so many times, he had just been pushing buttons! I told him which button to hit to cash out...he did, the machine locked up while they came and hand paid him, then he goes back to betting 2-3 nickels at a time, but never tried the DON option after that LOL.

How would he not realize he was still playing the game when he had to look at the dealer's card and then select a card to try and beat it?

Quote: VegasVic14

How would he not realize he was still playing the game when he had to look at the dealer's card and then select a card to try and beat it?

The buttons for 'Yes" or "No" light up...he was just pushing the button for yes time and again

What an awesome "Only in Vegas" story!

Is there a maximum number of times the machine will let you double up?

Quote: Ayecarumba

What an awesome "Only in Vegas" story!

Is there a maximum number of times the machine will let you double up?

I think until the amount reaches a hand-pay jackpot, therefore locking up the machine.