video roulette warning

I began playing video roulette this week in Atlantic City. I chose the single zero games since I figured I might as well take advantage of the smaller -ev.

After a few days I felt like my math was wrong. I kept track of my wins versus losses mentally and always seemed to cash out short.

I was shocked when I looked at the payout scale. I checked at different casinos and all the single zero games apparently have shaved payoffs.

shaved payoffs

payout of 34 on a straight up? Also note that the payouts are inclusive of your wager, so the 2:1 outside pays 3. That means a straight up paying 34 is actually a 33:1 win.

The house edge must be through the roof and they have everyone fooled because most people assume you have a better game at single zero. I didn't even think to check if the payouts were less than 35:1

So, be forewarned when playing these.

Are you referring to the single unit video roulette games? And double zero versions of this game pay 36 for 1 (35 to 1) there instead?

Heck, I saw worse than that in Downtown las vegas on an individual video roulette game at Four Queens over 3 years ago, iirc. It might have been as low as 32 for 1. I don't recall whether it was one zero or two. I was a little surprised by the single number paybacks myself.

But using the word "cheating" in your facebook pic is a bit harsh, imo. "Greedy" is probably better as they are following the terrible rules they stated.

Quote: tringlomane

Are you referring to the single unit video roulette games? And double zero versions of this game pay 36 for 1 (35 to 1) there instead?

Heck, I saw worse than that in Downtown las vegas on an individual video roulette game at Four Queens over 3 years ago, iirc. It might have been as low as 32 for 1. I don't recall whether it was one zero or two. I was a little surprised by the single number paybacks myself.

But using the word "cheating" in your facebook pic is a bit harsh, imo. "Greedy" is probably better as they are following the terrible rules they stated.

Aren those the machines that are by the players club?

Quote: tringlomane

Are you referring to the single unit video roulette games? And double zero versions of this game pay 36 for 1 (35 to 1) there instead?

Heck, I saw worse than that in Downtown las vegas on an individual video roulette game at Four Queens over 3 years ago, iirc. It might have been as low as 32 for 1. I don't recall whether it was one zero or two. I was a little surprised by the single number paybacks myself.

But using the word "cheating" in your facebook pic is a bit harsh, imo. "Greedy" is probably better as they are following the terrible rules they stated.

To me its cheating because they have not been very forthcoming with the info. Roulette has such standard payouts that most people will play without taking the time to check if they are being "cheated" of their expected return.

Lets say they went to a live table and this happened:

After you won on a straight up number you were paid 33:1 and questioned the dealer who then told you if you bothered to ask, she would have given you written pamphlets that they were shaving the payouts. Hmm, wonder how everyone would react to that.

This is where the "Buyer Beware" comes in. You did not read the pay table before you play.
I understand it is mostly 32 for 1 in Vegas.

The payout is set by the casino, 32/1 is the lowest
setting. These machines don't use random numbers,
they have an algorithm they use instead. They are
not like regular roulette, they're more like a slot.
They will screw you royally, in other words. The
hand payouts on wins over $1199 should be the
first warning sign.

Quote: darkoz

To me its cheating because they have not been very forthcoming with the info. Roulette has such standard payouts that most people will play without taking the time to check if they are being "cheated" of their expected return.

Lets say they went to a live table and this happened:

After you won on a straight up number you were paid 33:1 and questioned the dealer who then told you if you bothered to ask, she would have given you written pamphlets that they were shaving the payouts. Hmm, wonder how everyone would react to that.

That's what happens when you don't do your homework

Quote: EvenBob

The payout is set by the casino, 32/1 is the lowest
setting. These machines don't use random numbers,
they have an algorithm they use instead. They are
not like regular roulette, they're more like a slot.
They will screw you royally, in other words. The
hand payouts on wins over $1199 should be the
first warning sign.

The algorithm generates the (pseudo-) random numbers, and it's exactly like a slot, but there's no difference between using an RNG to generate roulette numbers vs. slot positions vs. card shuffles vs. keno numbers. They're all statistically valid in any well-regulated gaming jurisdiction. And for games like video roulette that are representations of live games, the odds have to be identical.

Quote: NGCB Regulation 14.040

5. For gaming devices that are representative of live gambling games, the mathematical
probability of a symbol or other element appearing in a game outcome must be equal to the
mathematical probability of that symbol or element occurring in the live gambling game.