NicksGamingStuff
NicksGamingStuff
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July 2nd, 2012 at 6:07:41 PM permalink
If anyone cares the sigma derby is up and running.
s2dbaker
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July 2nd, 2012 at 6:10:57 PM permalink
Quote: NicksGamingStuff

If anyone cares the sigma derby is up and running.

Yay, my next trip, I will visit!
Someday, joor goin' to see the name of Googie Gomez in lights and joor goin' to say to joorself, "Was that her?" and then joor goin' to answer to joorself, "That was her!" But you know somethin' mister? I was always her yuss nobody knows it! - Googie Gomez
tupp
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July 2nd, 2012 at 8:22:03 PM permalink
Great news! Thanks!
DJTeddyBear
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July 2nd, 2012 at 8:59:08 PM permalink
Looking forward to trying it in October.

Unless something changes, I'll be staying at theD two nights: 10/4 and 10/5.

:)
I invented a few casino games. Info: http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ ————————————————————————————————————— Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
MrV
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July 2nd, 2012 at 10:03:08 PM permalink
The one at MGM worked just fine when I was there a few weeks ago.
"What, me worry?"
DJTeddyBear
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July 19th, 2012 at 1:34:27 PM permalink
Although I couldn't find any info about it on their website, the Sigma Derby is one of the featured photos in rotation on the D home page:

Admin note: removed image www.djteddybear.com/images/d_sigma_derby.JPG
I invented a few casino games. Info: http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ ————————————————————————————————————— Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
kmumf
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July 19th, 2012 at 1:55:16 PM permalink
It was busto at MGM a few weeks ago when I was there very sad. Love that crappy game.
Wizard
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July 19th, 2012 at 3:05:07 PM permalink
I hear there is a similar, but more modern, game at Jerry's Nugget. I plan to check it out and write about it.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
jml24
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July 19th, 2012 at 4:29:48 PM permalink
Given the cult following this game has I am surprised there are not more installations. I can only guess the maintenance costs are high given its mechanical nature.

I will have to check it out next time I visit although the 'D' left a bad taste in my mouth the last time I stopped in. A surly UTH dealer went on a huge run. She was berating my (correct) play and continuously eking out winning hands. OK it's a given I will have losing sessions but don't try to tell me it is because I am playing wrong! OTOH I have enjoyed Nick's contributions to this forum and would not mind meeting him there.
duckmankilla
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July 19th, 2012 at 5:10:04 PM permalink
In my few trips to vegas so far, I have spent at least 3-4 hours at this crazy game and consumed several adult beverages while yelling at the horses to move their lazy asses. What a riot this game is and I am very happy to hear that others have begun installing it. As far as the reason it doesn't have more installs, the one at MGM had at least one seat out of order each time I was there and attendants were constantly being called to fix jammed quarters, buttons not working, etc. etc. At 25 cents per race minimum, I can understand why casinos avoid this type of game but as a late night drinking game, it certainly got me in the door.
duffytootx
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July 19th, 2012 at 5:11:35 PM permalink
I don't know why ..... I too, like playing the Sigma derby. As does my wife. If it's working in October, we'll be giving it a whirl.
rxwine
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July 19th, 2012 at 5:32:00 PM permalink
I played it years ago when there were quite a few around. I know people who don't otherwise gamble much who enjoy it.

I think one of the hooks is the come from behind horse.

There's often a horse that goes lollygagging around the course, until suddely there seems to be a fire under its butt, and it starts passing the herd on the last turn or so -- will it win or 2nd or 3rd?!!!!! You never know.
There's no secret. Just know what you're talking about before you open your mouth.
rudeboyoi
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July 19th, 2012 at 5:47:49 PM permalink
saw the one at fitzgeralds. its upstairs kindof by the 5c 101.6% payback vp machine.
98Clubs
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July 19th, 2012 at 8:19:05 PM permalink
Foxwoods had Several Sigma Installations, including DERBY back in the early 90's. Fun to play then. They also had Sigma Video Poker, the installed 50c Deuces Wild Console versions had an unusual paytable of 5/10/20/20/20/45/75/125/800/4000.
Some people need to reimagine their thinking.
Beardgoat
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July 19th, 2012 at 9:03:57 PM permalink
The derby is my girlfriend's favorite thing to play in Vegas. We always have to play for at least an hour a trip. I always find it very comical that usually quite a few young woman sit down to play and a lot of them don't understand the rules/payouts
WongBo
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July 19th, 2012 at 9:19:48 PM permalink
Quote: Beardgoat

I always find it very comical that usually quite a few young woman sit down to play and a lot of them don't understand the rules/payouts


you could be talking about either gender and any game with this quote...
In a bet, there is a fool and a thief. - Proverb.
DJTeddyBear
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July 20th, 2012 at 6:18:40 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

I hear there is a similar, but more modern, game at Jerry's Nugget. I plan to check it out and write about it.



A few years ago, I saw a video horse race system at Mohegan Sun CT. Two back to back large screen monitors, with 5 or 6 betting stations on each side. I have no idea what the betting limits were or what types of bets it took. I watched in amazement for a few minutes, as the people were screaming at their animated horses, every bit as much as people in the race book scream at the monitors of the live races.

There was about a minute (maybe less) between races to get new bets down, and it's back to screaming at the animated horses.

Interestingly, this thing was installed right outside the race book doors.

Every time I look at the Sigma Derby picture, I imagine the system I saw at Mohegan Sun to be the modern version. Perhaps it's what you'll see at Jerry's Nugget.
I invented a few casino games. Info: http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ ————————————————————————————————————— Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
JohnnyQ
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August 4th, 2012 at 9:44:34 PM permalink
Played the "Derby" at MGM this past week a couple
of times. What a Blast !

I had never seen or heard of it before this thread.

So thanks for posting/sharing this info. It seemed
like it also got pretty decent drink service when I
was there, so maybe the "Derby" crowd are good
tippers.
There's emptiness behind their eyes There's dust in all their hearts They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
DJTeddyBear
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August 14th, 2012 at 5:38:22 AM permalink
www.LVAdvice.com (not to be confused with Anthony Curtis' www.LasVegasAdvisor.com) has a thread about Sigma Derby.

It includes a link to a Las Vegas Review Journal article about the game. The article primarily talks about the game at the D.
I invented a few casino games. Info: http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ ————————————————————————————————————— Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
Boz
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August 14th, 2012 at 8:00:03 AM permalink
There is also one of these at the Montblue in Stateline South Lake Tahoe. It is in the Sports Book bar and works about 1/2 the time.
NicksGamingStuff
NicksGamingStuff
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August 14th, 2012 at 8:22:34 AM permalink
I heard the only 3 in the state are Montblue, MGM,and D.
FinsRule
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August 14th, 2012 at 8:50:34 AM permalink
Quote: DJTeddyBear

www.LVAdvice.com (not to be confused with Anthony Curtis' www.LasVegasAdvisor.com) has a thread about Sigma Derby.

It includes a link to a Las Vegas Review Journal article about the game. The article primarily talks about the game at the D.



Great article, thanks for the link.

I'm thinking next time I go I'm going to time the race, see the horses' fractions, and do my handicapping based on that.

I wonder what the sigma derby world record time is....
buzzpaff
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August 14th, 2012 at 9:25:48 AM permalink
Finn we will expect you to post your selections here so we can get a bet down too !
Shuksan
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September 21st, 2012 at 8:48:00 AM permalink
I was just in Vegas last weekend for the WSU vs UNLV game and I stayed at MGM. Go Cougs! I searched and searched for sigma derby only to find it in pieces off to the side of the casino with a lot of other machines that were out of service. Security said they were replacing the carpet or cleaning the carpet or something. The wife didn't want to drive the rental car to The D just for Sigma Derby, so I missed out. It was a shame too, because I had a roll of quarters ready to go. Maybe next year...
Wizard
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September 21st, 2012 at 5:46:06 PM permalink
I went by the D today to check out the Derby game. I took notes of the wins and analyzed it when I got home. They set it to the stingiest known setting, with a house edge of 20%. The other possible settings are 10%, 12%, and 15%. On the good side there was a change lady standing around the game, selling rolls of quarters.





Click on either image for a larger version.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
rxwine
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September 21st, 2012 at 5:57:31 PM permalink
There should be an unofficial contest for the first member to record a 4000 coin win. Or maybe official.

(ah, that's a terrible return, Wizard, but it wouldn't stop me from some rolls of quarters when I see one again, assuming I do)
There's no secret. Just know what you're talking about before you open your mouth.
JohnnyQ
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September 21st, 2012 at 7:43:46 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

I went by the D today to check out the Derby game. I took notes of the wins and analyzed it when I got home. They set it to the stingiest known setting, with a house edge of 20%. The other possible settings are 10%, 12%, and 15%.



Interesting ! Have you had a chance to do the same for the
game at MGM ?
There's emptiness behind their eyes There's dust in all their hearts They just want to steal us all and take us all apart
Wizard
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September 21st, 2012 at 10:16:24 PM permalink
Quote: JohnnyQ

Interesting ! Have you had a chance to do the same for the
game at MGM ?



Yes. They set theirs to 12%. Or at least when I checked for the survey in the Derby page.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Switch
Switch
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September 22nd, 2012 at 2:33:43 AM permalink
Just left The 'D' having gone in to see the Sigma Derby. Just had 3 staff at one terminal - trying to repair something on it ! No players around but that was 2am.

I'm not surprised that the 'D' chose the 20% edge version.
LonesomeGambler
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September 23rd, 2012 at 9:21:37 AM permalink
A "D" move, for sure.
bigfoot66
bigfoot66
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September 23rd, 2012 at 10:35:52 AM permalink
We are lucky the game is still available. It is obviously not a money maker as only one other Las Vegas casino has one. I will give them a pass on putting this on the stingy setting. It is a very slow, novelty game, that costs only 25 cents to play and probably requires a ton of maintenance. If the theoretical return is your first priority you should play the loose duece VP machine around the corner instead.

BTW, the 'loose' setting of only a 10% house edge ain't all that great either.
Vote for Nobody 2020!
Wizard
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Wizard
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September 23rd, 2012 at 11:24:23 AM permalink
Quote: bigfoot66

I will give them a pass on putting this on the stingy setting.



Me too. That game is the best casino time killer ever. Assuming one race per minute, the expected loss at 25 cents per race is only $3/hr.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
MakingBook
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September 23rd, 2012 at 11:46:06 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Me too. That game is the best casino time killer ever. Assuming one race per minute, the expected loss at 25 cents per race is only $3/hr.



Another good one is the bubble craps machine at El Cortez.

$1 min bet; 5x odds.

Edit- and the location of the machine is perfect- one of the best "people watching" locations in Vegas.
"I am a man devoured by the passion for gambling." --Dostoevsky, 1871
rxwine
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September 23rd, 2012 at 12:24:24 PM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Me too. That game is the best casino time killer ever. Assuming one race per minute, the expected loss at 25 cents per race is only $3/hr.



It's only anecdotal, but I know of convention people "who don't gamble" but played Sigma Derby while in Vegas. So, other machines may be producing nothing from certain people being in the casino, for all their vaunted return.
There's no secret. Just know what you're talking about before you open your mouth.
coilman
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September 23rd, 2012 at 2:27:05 PM permalink
Windsor had this machine years ago but it didnt stay around long. It was funny that the guys playing it were often the same guys who played the live races at Windsor Raceway...but most times it was unused

Short funny story....

guy tells me the Bob and Tim ( two regulars from Windsor Raceway) were at the casino playing the game for hours the week before we talked. Said Bob was getting upset losing all the time ( same as when he bet the live races) so I guess he figured he would fix them and "accidentally" poured pop into the coin slot

Nothing happened ...but the door was opened for me

Week later run into Bob and ask how he is doing....odd for me as I dont associate with the TRACK BUMS .... he says he is doing alright. Well I proceed to tell him I was at the Casino the other day and ran into a buddy of mine who is a supervisor in Security there....that while I was talking to him I asked what all the 10 by 12 photos he had in his hand were for..... to which he replied people we caught on the cameras that we want to talk too ( arrest and charge) Bob looks at me funny...I said he showed me the pictures and I knew one of the people, you Bob.... was that coke or diet coke you were pouring into the coin slot on the horse racing game? Oh the look on his face...... I dont think he has ever stepped foot in the casino since ( 4 or5 yrs now) as he thinks they are going to arrest him
tringlomane
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September 23rd, 2012 at 3:59:13 PM permalink
With the D setting the Derby machine at 20%, I'm shocked they still have the Loose Deuces machine there. Played it once, got deuces full and failed to bink.
98Clubs
98Clubs
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September 23rd, 2012 at 8:11:42 PM permalink
Laddy's has a video version W-P-S + Exacta. As one might surmise, being British, some of the names are "amusing". The link is to free-play with all of it's time-wasting trappings. Edit: the Classic is the "Virtual Horses" game.
Some people need to reimagine their thinking.
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