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December 5th, 2023 at 4:31:20 PM permalink
Here is a first look at the Durango, based on a visit around noon on December 5, 2023, opening day. I will post more on the game selection shortly.















Overall, I found the place very bright with lots of natural lighting. There was a lot of white and browns, which give it a comfortable feeling. I would put it on par in terms of quality with the Red Rock and GVR.

More information to come as I work through my notes.
Last edited by: Wizard on Dec 6, 2023
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
rainman
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December 5th, 2023 at 4:44:02 PM permalink
I like it, particularly the use of neutral colors even the red in the carpet is subdued.
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December 5th, 2023 at 5:11:22 PM permalink
Here are table game counts on the main casino floor:

Blackjack: 19
Baccarat: 6
Roulette: 5 (4 double-zero, 1 triple-zero)
Face-up pai gow poker: 5
Craps: 4 (3 traditional, one electronic)
Ultimate Texas Hold 'em: 4
Free Bet Blackjack: 3
Mississippi Stud: 1
Three Card Poker: 1
Crazy 4 Poker: 1
I Love Suits: 1

In the high limit room:

Blackjack: 5
Baccarat: 4
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Wizard
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December 5th, 2023 at 5:44:41 PM permalink
Here are games and pay tables on a randomly chosen video poker machine on the main casino floor.

$0.25, $0.50 Denom

Game Pay Table Return
Bonus Poker 7-5 98.01%
Double Bonus 9-6-5 97.81%
Double Double Bonus 9-5 97.87%
Deuces Wild 20-12-10 97.58%
Deuces Wild Double Double Bonus 12-10 97.42%
Bonus Poker Deluxe 8-5 97.40%
Super Aces Bonus 6-5 97.78%
Super Double Double Bonus 6-5 98.25%
Super Double Bonus 7-5 97.77%
Deuces Wild Bonus 10-4-3-3 97.36%
Super Bonus Deuces Wild 8-4-3-2 97.87%



$1, $2, $5 Denom

Game Pay Table Return
Bonus Poker 8-5 99.17%
Double Bonus 9-7-5 99.11%
Double Double Bonus 9-6 98.98%
Deuces Wild 25-15-9 98.91%
Deuces Wild Double Double Bonus 10-8 98.70%
Bonus Poker Deluxe 8-6 98.49%
Super Aces Bonus 7-5 98.85%
Super Double Double Bonus 7-5 99.17%
Super Double Bonus 8-5 98.69%
Deuces Wild Bonus 13-4-3-3 98.80%
Super Bonus Deuces Wild 8-5 98.84%


Here are links for some of the more obscure games:

Deuces Wild Double Double Bonus
Super Aces Bonus
Super Bonus Deuces Wild
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Wizard
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December 5th, 2023 at 6:51:52 PM permalink
On the same machine, the $0.25 and $0.50 spot keno followed pay table 5 at WoO, for a maximum return of 92.55% on the pick 10.

The $1 spot keno followed pay table 7, for a maximum return of 94.99% on the pick 6.

This is about as good as it gets with video keno. It's a good sign they set their slots loosely.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Wizard
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December 5th, 2023 at 6:58:20 PM permalink
The high limit video poker had the same selection and pay tables as at the $5 denom on the main floor.


Game Pay Table Return
Bonus Poker 8-5 99.17%
Double Bonus 9-7-5 99.11%
Double Double Bonus 9-6 98.98%
Deuces Wild 25-15-9 98.91%
Deuces Wild Double Double Bonus 10-8 98.70%
Bonus Poker Deluxe 8-6 98.49%
Super Aces Bonus 7-5 98.85%
Super Double Double Bonus 7-5 99.17%
Super Double Bonus 8-5 98.69%
Deuces Wild Bonus 13-4-3-3 98.80%
Super Bonus Deuces Wild 8-5 98.84%
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
Wizard
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December 6th, 2023 at 4:38:02 PM permalink
I previously called this property the Durango Station. It should be just the Durango.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
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December 6th, 2023 at 4:45:38 PM permalink
I doubt the meter movement is that good, but they do have $1 8/5 BP progressives at the bars.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
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December 6th, 2023 at 6:30:02 PM permalink
Driven by it a number of times. I received thousands in free table play and resort credits, all I'd have to do is call or text a host there and either do a legitimate stay or a one night place holder, but I don't have much time for this sort of thing right now.

I need that MDawg clone SooPoo once mentioned.
I tell you it’s wonderful to be here, man. I don’t give a damn who wins or loses. It’s just wonderful to be here with you people. https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/betting-systems/33908-the-adventures-of-mdawg/
ChumpChange
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December 8th, 2023 at 12:52:39 AM permalink
The Newest CASINO in Town - Durango Hotel & Casino
Living in Las Vegas
54.8K subscribers


There's some penny slot gaming that's sped up near the end that may or may not be interesting. Table games are packed but it's opening day and limits are generally high but there's a few lower limit tables around. I'd be playing the $5 Roll To Win craps table if I was in the building. I'll assume it has 2X or 5X odds on it but has hand pays for bets & wins over $1199. Still should be able to rack up over $10K on it somehow.
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December 8th, 2023 at 5:41:19 AM permalink
I was just curious what the DURANGO hotel rates would be. I assume these will be half this in 4 or 5 months ( ? ).

But right now, they start at $ 359.95 per night ( AAA / AARP ) plus 45 resort fee.



Here's the same AAA rate for RED ROCK for comparison ( plus resort fee ):



And just for fun, here is a screenprint of CAESARS property rates for December:
Last edited by: JohnnyQ on Dec 8, 2023
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
JohnnyQ
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December 11th, 2023 at 9:05:08 AM permalink
So the random VP machine that Wiz looked at has 11 game variations, but NOT Jacks or Better.

Is there a trend of casinos phasing that out ? And if so, why ?
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
smoothgrh
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December 11th, 2023 at 10:31:59 AM permalink
I felt like in the late 2010s, when I became aware of VP pay tables, I noticed that many casinos didn't offer JoB and I had to use Bonus Poker as a guide to payback %s. But in recent years, I'm not finding that to be the case anymore.

Could it be that people complained and slot managers responded? Or perhaps people complained with their dollars?
Wizard
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December 11th, 2023 at 11:36:44 AM permalink
Quote: JohnnyQ

So the random VP machine that Wiz looked at has 11 game variations, but NOT Jacks or Better.

Is there a trend of casinos phasing that out ? And if so, why ?
link to original post



I've noticed that at lots of casinos -- plenty of video poker variations, but no jacks or better. I frankly don't know why this is.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
DRich
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December 11th, 2023 at 3:18:31 PM permalink
Quote: smoothgrh

I felt like in the late 2010s, when I became aware of VP pay tables, I noticed that many casinos didn't offer JoB and I had to use Bonus Poker as a guide to payback %s. But in recent years, I'm not finding that to be the case anymore.



It is because a Jacks or Better paytable gets almost zero play on a multi-game machine. Everyone wants to have the bigger hits for the four of a kinds. That is why Double Double is the most popular paytable.
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December 11th, 2023 at 5:08:07 PM permalink
Quote: DRich

… It is because a Jacks or Better paytable gets almost zero play on a multi-game machine. Everyone wants to have the bigger hits for the four of a kinds. That is why Double Double is the most popular paytable.
link to original post

Even if this is correct, it makes no sense. I mean, how much extra would it cost to have another game option on the computer chip? Nothing!
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DRich
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December 11th, 2023 at 5:21:59 PM permalink
Quote: DJTeddyBear

Quote: DRich

… It is because a Jacks or Better paytable gets almost zero play on a multi-game machine. Everyone wants to have the bigger hits for the four of a kinds. That is why Double Double is the most popular paytable.
link to original post

Even if this is correct, it makes no sense. I mean, how much extra would it cost to have another game option on the computer chip? Nothing!
link to original post



Not quite true. It is usually determined by the memory or storage space on the device. Older Game King machines I believe had a limit of 14 games. Obviously newer machines they can pretty much put as much as they want because memory and storage is basically a zero incremental cost. the truth is that the manufacturers don't have much demand for newer video poker platforms. Compared to video slots they just don't earn enough.
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December 12th, 2023 at 5:59:26 AM permalink
Does the casino have to pay more for more variations to be "turned on?" E.g. does the casino pay the same for a Game King with 14 games as one with say, 5 games?

Also, I'm guessing there are no banks of "99%+" or "100%+" games (which seem to be standard at other Stations casinos) at Durango? That's a shame.
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DRich
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December 12th, 2023 at 6:01:57 AM permalink
Quote: Joeman

Does the casino have to pay more for more variations to be "turned on?" E.g. does the casino pay the same for a Game King with 14 games as one with say, 5 games?



On typical machines the answer is no. There are some specialty or royalty games where the manufacturer has to pay fees to others where they may charge more to have those games.
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JohnnyQ
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December 12th, 2023 at 11:25:45 AM permalink
Well at least to me, JoB is a classic and it would be nice to have it available.

AND, it is very easy to have a quick idea of what the payback is, ie every 1 unit drop from 9/6 is about 1 percent from 99.54 % payback, right ?

Is it possible that most players know the strategy pretty well for JoB, so they play it closer to theoretical, which is not good for the casino ?
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smoothgrh
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December 12th, 2023 at 2:19:02 PM permalink
Quote: DRich

Quote: Joeman

Does the casino have to pay more for more variations to be "turned on?" E.g. does the casino pay the same for a Game King with 14 games as one with say, 5 games?



On typical machines the answer is no. There are some specialty or royalty games where the manufacturer has to pay fees to others where they may charge more to have those games.
link to original post



The old Game Kings can have up to 12 games for each denomination from a roster of about 50 games (some of those are the "sequential royal flush" version). Frequently, the 12 games that the casino chooses is the same on all denominations except the pay tables will be better on higher denominations. Sometimes casinos put blackjack only on the higher denominations like $1 and above and only slot games on the penny or nickel denoms.

As far as I know, the newer Game Kings don't have anything licensed like game themes or songs, though there's probably an agreement with Action Gaming to include games like Spin Poker, Hundred Play Draw Poker, or Ultimate X.
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December 12th, 2023 at 2:35:53 PM permalink
Quote: JohnnyQ


Is it possible that most players know the strategy pretty well for JoB, so they play it closer to theoretical, which is not good for the casino ?
link to original post



(snip!)
My thoughts exactly.
I can only imagine that offering games that casual players are apt to make mistakes on offer more exciting payouts is a considered strategy.
May the cards fall in your favor.
DRich
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December 12th, 2023 at 2:39:43 PM permalink
Quote: Dieter

Quote: JohnnyQ


Is it possible that most players know the strategy pretty well for JoB, so they play it closer to theoretical, which is not good for the casino ?
link to original post



(snip!)
My thoughts exactly.
I can only imagine that offering games that casual players are apt to make mistakes on offer more exciting payouts is a considered strategy.
link to original post



From my experience almost no one plays JOB on a multigame machine.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
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December 12th, 2023 at 3:06:59 PM permalink
Quote: DRich

Quote: Dieter

Quote: JohnnyQ


Is it possible that most players know the strategy pretty well for JoB, so they play it closer to theoretical, which is not good for the casino ?
link to original post



(snip!)
My thoughts exactly.
I can only imagine that offering games that casual players are apt to make mistakes on offer more exciting payouts is a considered strategy.
link to original post



From my experience almost no one plays JOB on a multigame machine.
link to original post



Believable.
I'm sure there are inferences I want to make that I don't have enough information for.
In any case, professionals are likely to select the highest return option (possibly lurking on a single machine at the bar) and learn the optimal strategy for it, while casuals are likely to play whatever looks fun.
May the cards fall in your favor.
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December 12th, 2023 at 4:34:39 PM permalink
Recreational video poker players I know never seem to choose to play jacks or better. They seems to be drawn to the bigger pays on games like Double Double Bonus like a moth to a flame. I'm sure they barely notice the win is reduce on a two pair from 2 to 1.

If forced, I think it is probably disproportionately skilled video poker players who are drawn to jacks or better, which would cause it to not earn as much per unit. Thus, the casinos are not incentivized to offer it.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
ThatDonGuy
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December 16th, 2023 at 7:24:08 AM permalink
Quote: Wizard

Here are table game counts on the main casino floor:

Blackjack: 19
link to original post


And the report from Miles to Memories says that they all appear to be 6-5, even though it's nowhere near the Strip.
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December 16th, 2023 at 10:54:41 AM permalink
Quote: ThatDonGuy

And the report from Miles to Memories says that they all appear to be 6-5, even though it's nowhere near the Strip.
link to original post



I should have made a distinction there. If memory serves me correctly, it was about a 50/50 mixture.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
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