Machines tighter, looser or same?

Quote: GaryJKoehler

We just got back from a trip to Reno.

The Peppermill had zillions of machines. Love that place.

Next time, go to the Western Village in Sparks. They are owned by the Peppermill. Although they don’t have a lot of machines I think they have the best machines. They also have the best steakhouse in the area. Since I live across the street from the Nugget, I end up spending most of the time there. That’s where I hit my last RF.

Quote: rsactuary

or just variance?

how is it variance?
isnt the slot return just the avg of all the returns the slots are set to?

ie:
if there are 100 machines set to 89% return and 105 set to 92% then avg is
(8900 + 9660)/205 =90.5%

or am i not understanding how the published quarterly return is arrived at?
if this, then how is the avg return % arrived at?

Quote: 100xOdds

how is it variance?
isnt the slot return just the avg of all the returns the slots are set to?

ie:
if there are 100 machines set to 89% return and 105 set to 92% then avg is
(8900 + 9660)/205 =90.5%

or am i not understanding how the published quarterly return is arrived at?
if this, then how is the avg return % arrived at?

Casinos don't report their theoretical holds, they report actual results over the previous month/quarter/whatever. It could very well be variance and I suspect it is. It would be odd to change the holds on all machines so you could get just a few tenths of a percent more and it may not be possible. Hopefully Drich will comment on this but I suspect most machines have maybe 8-10 different return options that are all about 1% apart, not a dimmer switch where you can fine tune the return. If the theories being floated here were correct you'd think they would take an extra 4-5%, and why not? Pent up demand!

Casinos have a philosophy about how they are going to set their payback, and it is not done in a vacuum--in fact their marketing philosophy and their payback are closely intertwined. Some places give you great rules but are stingy with comps. Other places will tear you to shreds at the machines and then "pay" you handsomely with comps for playing. Still other places have so much demand they can give you lousy rules and minimal marketing because their demand is high regardless. Some places have different philosophies within the same casino! "You can play this very loose game but you won't earn any points," and that sort of thing.

I would be surprised if many places actually changed their whole approach because of covid. However they may make some temporary changes to their marketing. The fact that they lost months of revenue could be an argument for increasing or decreasing marketing budgets; regardless marketing is more flexible than payback, and that's where you are seeing the changes.

Quote: 100xOdds

how is it variance?
isnt the slot return just the avg of all the returns the slots are set to?

ie:
if there are 100 machines set to 89% return and 105 set to 92% then avg is
(8900 + 9660)/205 =90.5%

or am i not understanding how the published quarterly return is arrived at?
if this, then how is the avg return % arrived at?

The above poster did an excellent job explaining, but it's essentially actual hold. So $$ paid out / $$ bet.

I just 4 Aces with a K last night for a 1000 playing triple double. Different machine.

Just hut another Royal tonight. That makes two in one week.



http://imgur.com/gallery/s3NnZ1p

I voted looser, but I may be a little biased.

If you're winning Royal Flushes or big jackpots with less than a handful of spins left on the credit meter, I think someone in the backroom is watching your game so damn closely and triggering a win for you.