Such-n-such percent
return means what?
4 August 2003
By Mark Pilarski
Dear Mark,
Exactly what does it mean when a casino
advertises that its payback percentage is
such-n-such percent? Dorothy M.
You speak of slot machines, n'est pas? Each
machine is scrupulously designed and tested to
assure the casino a definite payback. The
"payback percentage" is the portion of the money
that is put into the slot that is eventually
paid out to the player.
For example, with a payback of 95%, the casino
would latch onto about 5% of all money put into
the slot. You, Dorothy, should get back 95 cents
of every dollar you insert. Of course, don't
expect 95¢ to clang in the tray for every
dollar's worth of handle yanks. The percentage
return is a long-term concept. Your gaming
timeline is possibly limited to 200 yanks of the
handle, not millions, so any percentage return
(as low as a goose egg to as high as a
mega-jackpot), can, and will happen. But, of
course, if you knew ahead of time what the
result was going to be, you wouldn't be playing,
would you?
In most gambling jurisdictions, the law requires
that payback percentages be above a threshold
level, commonly around 75%. Fortunately, the
payback percentage in most casino machines is
much higher than the minimum, even some
advertised as high as 98%-plus. It's those
machines advertised for high paybacks, Dorothy,
which you want to play on. Leave the rest for
the slow learners.
Dear Mark,
Is there any possibility that a video poker
machine can be programmed to never give you a
royal flush? Cam F.
The short answer, Cam, is: yep, but--
Here's the long one: technology does exist for
machines to be set to act other than randomly.
Such machines are obviously programmed to avoid
giving the players sweetmeat hands, and instead
to give the house a much bigger advantage.
Reassuringly, these machines are illegal in
Nevada, New Jersey, Colorado and all other
states that pattern their gaming regulations
after those states. Calling 911 may not help.
Dear Mark,
In poker, could you please explain the
difference between a Blind bet and an Ante?
Candy G.
Just to stimulate that all-important action
before the first cards are dealt, most poker
games, Candy, require an ante or a blind bet. If
antes are used, all players must post a standard
amount of seed money up-front in order to
receive their first cards. You'll find antes
used in your traditional Stud games. Blind
wagers, as found in Texas Hold'em and Omaha,
have the same general purpose but with slight
differences. With blind bets, the first two
players to the left of the dealer post their
bets before they see any cards, and are thus,
still "blind." This required wager rotates
around the table. Because blinds exact forced
wagers, blind bettors, in return, can raise once
the betting has gone around the table the first
time and it's their turn to act again.
Dear Mark,
I have noticed recently an increase in poker
questions. That's great for me because it is my
favorite game. Any reason for it? Rick W.
Mark Twain once said, "There are few things that
are so unpardonably neglected in our country as
poker! It is enough to make one ashamed of one's
species." That won't happen here, Rick. Besides,
questions on poker are what's showing up in the
mailbag of late. It could be influenced by
coverage of the World Series of Poker on ESPN,
or the World Poker Tour on the Travel Channel.
But I'm guessing it's because there are over 130
million on the planet who, like you, enjoy the
game.
Gambling quote of the week: "There may be
glitter, glitz, and romance in a casino, but at
the end of the day they're just like any other
business: If they cease to make a profit, they
soon cease to exist." -- Gambling For Dummies
(The book)
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