Virtual Greyhound Racing Game

Anyone have any information about Triple Towers Greyhound Racing game. It's a virtual dog racing game. I can't find anything worthwhile on the web.

What's the house edge? How do these things work? Are the results determined using a RNG?

I saw a group of guys playing this thing while they pounding beers. They were having a blast. I'm just wondering how much they were "paying" for the entertainment.

Quote: DanMahowny

Anyone have any information about Triple Towers Greyhound Racing game. It's a virtual dog racing game. I can't find anything worthwhile on the web.

What's the house edge? How do these things work? Are the results determined using a RNG?

I saw a group of guys playing this thing while they pounding beers. They were having a blast. I'm just wondering how much they were "paying" for the entertainment.

I would guess it's strictly RNG based.

It looks something like a machine I came across in Reno in 1985, but instead of virtual greyhound racing, the machine showed actual quarter horse races (stored on a laserdisc); the odds are set in advance by the machine (which, presumably, knows the winner of the next race before setting them, rather than setting odds and then choosing a race at random). The main difference (between the animals and the fact that it's computer-generated vs live-action racing) seems to be that this version lets six players play at the same time and allows for more than "win" betting.

Dog racing is disappearing in real life. The few remaining dog tracks are racinos and are seeking to keep the casinos
and abandon the racing. Happening to horse tracks also,

Quote: buzzpaff

Dog racing is disappearing in real life. The few remaining dog tracks are racinos and are seeking to keep the casinos
and abandon the racing. Happening to horse tracks also,

I am under the impression that horse racing is "disappearing" in some places faster than others - California comes to mind, but I am under the impression this is because all California "dirt" tracks must be Polyturf, and quite a few owners want to stay as far away from the stuff as possible (isn't this, plus the fact that it's on prime Silicon Valley real estate, the reason Bay Meadows was torn down?).

When I inquired about the game I was told the machine has a database of hundreds of thousands of races and the odds going into the race with the outcome. The RNG picks a race, displays the odds, and then animates who won the actual race. I was told this by the techs installing the game at Stratosphere, where the game only lasted a month or so.

Quote: Pokeraddict

When I inquired about the game I was told the machine has a database of hundreds of thousands of races and the odds going into the race with the outcome. The RNG picks a race, displays the odds, and then animates who won the actual race. I was told this by the techs installing the game at Stratosphere, where the game only lasted a month or so.

Since they are simulating actual races/results, I guess the takeout would mirror a real track takeout of 15%-20% for WPS wagering, and higher for exotics. This would be one of the worst bets in a casino. But maybe the takeout is much lower considering the game doesn't have to pay purses to the winning owner, and doesn't have the expenses of running a real dog track.

Anyway, thanks for the information.

Quote: ThatDonGuy

I am under the impression that horse racing is "disappearing" in some places faster than others - California comes to mind, but I am under the impression this is because all California "dirt" tracks must be Polyturf, and quite a few owners want to stay as far away from the stuff as possible (isn't this, plus the fact that it's on prime Silicon Valley real estate, the reason Bay Meadows was torn down?).

Real estate val;\ues do play a part. But attendance at race tracks is dismal. For too many years tracks treated customers like suckers, rarely, did any promotions, used improvement funds for building parking lots, etc. Fondest memories of my dad are when we traveled to half-mile tracks in Maryland. All of whom are now gone, except for Timonium. It is always combined with the Maryland state Fair.
Nothing like a Ferris Wheel next to the track, or being able to walk out of the track for a buttered ear of corn or a crabcake.

The Walthamstow Dog Track was torn down for real estate in East London. Used to do a big trade on some days, and for a two quid entrance and 20p bets, was a cheap way to pass the time with a few bets. Got lucky to win 80 quid on a trifecta one time.

The actual mechanics of dog racing though is pretty brutal. The dogs can be ill-treated and rapidly discarded if they aren't winners. The dogs are lovely gentle animals, I know a couple of rescue greyhounds, and so calm and placid. They don't need to much exercise either, couple of quick runs per day. Take 'em for a long walk and they aren't happy.

Quote: thecesspit

The actual mechanics of dog racing though is pretty brutal. The dogs can be ill-treated and rapidly discarded if they aren't winners. The dogs are lovely gentle animals, I know a couple of rescue greyhounds, and so calm and placid. They don't need to much exercise either, couple of quick runs per day. Take 'em for a long walk and they aren't happy.

I think you meant to say they ARE happy! (Actually, after typing this, I think you're right... greyhounds don't particularly care for strolls. They like running, and unless you clock miles per hour when you run, you won't keep up.

Anyways, my parents rescued a greyhound when I was in high school. Tai was incredibly sweet, and I only heard her bark one time, when she spotted a squirrel running across the yard. She was 3 or 4 when we rescued her, and she lived to be about 12. The last year was really painful as her joints were clearly rusty and she was having a hard time moving around.

What I found most amusing was that while Tai loved being around people, if we were just watching TV or something she wasn't all that excited about, she would go to her kennel and sit. She kept to herself and as was pointed out, she would run in the backyard quite a bit. Once or twice a day was all she needed though.

Triple Towers Virtual Racing.

I have had 2 retired greyhounds as pet. They are terrified at steps at first. Always walk up ramps to the scale, I know. And rarely inside a house before retiring. Super protective of my children.

Stephen. thanks for the link. Sure hope I never live to see the day horse racing is only on video. SIGH

Quote: buzzpaff

Real estate values do play a part. But attendance at race tracks is dismal. For too many years tracks treated customers like suckers, rarely, did any promotions, used improvement funds for building parking lots, etc. Fondest memories of my dad are when we traveled to half-mile tracks in Maryland. All of whom are now gone, except for Timonium. It is always combined with the Maryland state Fair.
Nothing like a Ferris Wheel next to the track, or being able to walk out of the track for a buttered ear of corn or a crabcake.

Another possible reason: similar to racinos, a lot of California tracks have "satellite wagering" where you can bet on races nationwide. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if that's the only reason the track in Vallejo is still standing (i.e. because they need a track there to make the satellite wagering legal), even though there have only been something like five days of racing there in the past three years (and I seriously doubt there will be racing there this year, either; it used to get two weeks as part of California's Fair Circuit, but one week became a third week at Santa Rosa (with its new turf course), and then the other became a third week at Pleasanton).

I can remember when it was a big deal that a 9th race was added to the program at Maryland racetracks. Now you can virtually bet hundreds of races a day. Gone are the days of making a big bet because a horse looks really fit in the saddling ring or post parade. Or dutching a race because the favorite looked sore.