Anyone been to Las Vegas the last few months - any good place to play slots ?

[cyber888]

I’m flying to Vegas in June. Not really doing card gambling .. just looking to find casinos where slot machines give back more money than eat it all in a few minutes. Thanks.

 

[Car-Guy]

I go to Vegas about once every 3 months... I don't play slots these days but when I did (years ago) I never found any casino slot machines (anywhere) that consistently paid more out than they took in. (they just don't work that way) Personally when I played slots, I liked to play video poker just for fun... Seemed like I had a little control over the outcome but it was probably just an illusion.

The problem with all slot machines anywhere in the US is if you win $1200 or more on any single play, they are going to issue you a W2G and you are responsible for the federal tax on that hit. State tax too if you are playing in a state with state income tax. (No state income tax in Nevada IIRC) Table games OTOH do not issue W2G's no matter how big a win is.

Craps tables "seem" to be best for me.

 

[gcgang]

If this is your first time I think you’ll do very well. I know a guy who won several cars playing slots his first time in Vegas. Think his name was Nick Papagiorgio, or Rusty or something.

I agree w Carguy, play craps. You’re not gonna win a car, but it’s a much more social game, and can be a lot of fun. Even if you know nothing about the game, it’s easy. Just bet the pass line, take full odds if you like, and every once in a while throw out a chip and yell “ hard eight” or “5-4 hoppin’” and you’ll fit right in.

 

[Golden Mean]

Slot payback percentages are regulated in Nevada. Typically 90% to 93%. Penny slots are typically closer to 90%, quarter and dollar, a little better.

https://www.americancasinoguide.com/info/slot-machine-payback-statistics#Nevada

 

[Dtail]

Yeah despite all the folks that state they won in Vegas, most of them are just plain lying.
Otherwise the casinos would not stay in business. It is that simple.

 

[Turbo29]

Slot payback percentages are regulated in Nevada. Typically 90% to 93%. Penny slots are typically closer to 90%, quarter and dollar, a little better.

https://www.americancasinoguide.com/info/slot-machine-payback-statistics#Nevada

I always liked the signs on some of the casinos such as, "Our slots return over 98.5%." I would always point out to those who thought that was a great deal that betting on a coin toss would return 100%, meaning that over the long run one would break even.

 

[COcheesehead]

All those buildings in Vegas are built on losers. Go to have fun, not to win money.

 

[cyber888]

All those buildings in Vegas are built on losers. Go to have fun, not to win money.

No no I never hope to win.
I just wanted to find slots to slow my losing to a few hours (instead of a few minutes).

 

[Bamaman]

We used to go to Vegas when the buffets were inexpensive and when the rooms priced reasonably--before they assessed Resort Fees. That was before $25 hamburgers in casino restaurants. My wife was the gambler.

We took the grandkids last June for one reason--because the roundtrip flights were only $141 each. We rented a car and hit 3 national parks--and had a great time.

But we were sure glad to find that Cracker Barrel in Vegas out by the race track. But I doubt we'll return to the city as we just don't get that much enjoyment out of the place.

 

[Badger]

Last time I played slots was a few decades ago on board a cruise ship. I had a roll of nickels that I lost in 5 minutes while playing as slow as I could. That was back when you had actual coins and pulled on the "one armed bandit". I haven't gambled since. I found out that losing money was not fun entertainment for me.
The closest I will get to Vegas is watching the old flick "Oceans Eleven" with Sinatra.

Cheers!

 

[pacergal]

I don't think there is such a slot machine!
The last two time we played, first time we got our money back (luck only), the second time we were done in less than 10 minutes!
I am not one to keep pulling out money to play. We have a set amount decided on ahead of time, and thats it.
We have friends who play frequently and visit Vegas often. They have won some big pots over the years, but certainly have spent/lost even more.
They do it for "fun".

And that's how we look at it too. It has to be money that I would be willing to just toss in the air and walk away from, as that is usually the same result--LOL/

 

[38Chevy454]

I don't think any one casino has significantly better odds at the slots than any other. As stated by Golden Means it is controlled. So just go to have fun in a casino where you get more of the drink perks for your gambling money.

One interesting thing to note in that link is that the Las Vegas Strip has the lowest odds for the LV area. Although all of the locations are less than 100%, so over the long run the house always wins.

 

[MuirWannabe]

Don’t play the slots so I’ve no idea. But I do love Park MGM for their smoke free casino. Only one on the strip. And a nice hotel to boot.

 

[Car-Guy]

If this is your first time I think you’ll do very well. I know a guy who won several cars playing slots his first time in Vegas. Think his name was Nick Papagiorgio, or Rusty or something.

I remember that guy!

But this is more my luck... (Particularly around the 2 min 45 sec mark.)

 

[mystang52]

Sorry for this thread creep: Some time around 1979, I was making an annual salary of about $25,000 with a stay at home wife and young baby. A co-worker of mine took a long weekend and went to Vegas. When she came back, she told me she had lost about $750 gambling, "but we had fun doing it." I told others I could enjoy spending $750 on something else, and maybe just maybe have fun gambling a tiny amount of money, but I could never put those 2 comments together in one sentence! I could easily afford it now, but it would still eat away at me if I lost $750 gambling. At least I recognize I sure as Hell am not a gambler.
With that very long caveat, I wonder what the allure is about slots. At least with the card games and [from what I hear] craps, one has some control about the result or at least how to bet on the result.

 

[Car-Guy]

At least with the card games and [from what I hear] craps, one has some control about the result or at least how to bet on the result.

The odds are ALWAYS in favor of the house on all games otherwise the game wouldn't be on their floor... For every big winner there are thousands that lost. Sure there is the occasionally big winner, but usually just be thankful if you break even and had some fun.

If the OP wants to try something different in a Vegas casino, try the "double ball" Roulette table game. A few casinos in Vegas have the game. Rather than the usual single ball Roulette game being spun by a dealer, the player actually spins two balls on a standard Roulette wheel... It is really different and sort of fun. Each ball becomes a winner but only pays half of the normal payouts. If you already know how to play standard Roulette (which is the easiest table game in a casino IMO) then you''ll know how to play double ball as soon as you walk up to the table.

 

[zinger1457]

Sure hope one travels to Vegas for reasons other than to play slots or gamble. If your state doesn't have casinos it's almost certain one of the states next to you does. It's actually pretty sad visiting casinos in my state AZ, mostly old retired folks with nothing better to do besides handing their money over to the casinos.

 

[Katsmeow]

Don’t play the slots so I’ve no idea. But I do love Park MGM for their smoke free casino. Only one on the strip. And a nice hotel to boot.

Oh! Thanks for this. We are probably going to Las Vegas for a few days next month. (We are thinking of moving there and are checking things out). We are not big gamblers (mostly low stake Blackjack and craps) but can't stand to be around smoke for too long. While we won't stay there, if we get time to do any gambling on this trip I will check that out.

With that very long caveat, I wonder what the allure is about slots. At least with the card games and [from what I hear] craps, one has some control about the result or at least how to bet on the result.

I am not a slots player either (occasionally have played video poker at a low level). But, I do understand people who do. First, it is basically brainless. Many people are intimidated by table games. They don't know how to play Blackjack or craps or whatever. But they figure they can have some enjoyment by playing slots.

When I play Blackjack it does require at least some thinking. Slots in a sense is more relaxing since you don't have that mental effort.

And, why do people do it even though they know they will lose in the long run? The same reason people buy lottery tickets. They may get lucky and win a big jackpot. I've known a couple of people who won some money ($35k in one case and a few thousand in another). I am sure that in the long run they may not come out ahead but there is always that possibility of the jackpot. I think as long as people are recognizing it as entertainment they pay for and they can afford it then that is fine (we occasionally spend $5 on lottery tickets just because).

 

[Sunset]

..... I sure as Hell am not a gambler.
With that very long caveat, I wonder what the allure is about slots. ...

I'm not a gambler either, that is what stocks are for

We went once to Vegas ~10 yrs ago, so I'm really a beginner.
To me the appeal of slots, is on a hot day (110F), can duck into the Casino for some A/C, signup for the card with free play money.
Sit at a machine and catch the waitress coming by to order a free drink and cool down.

I had to grab the waitress attention or she would have walked right by me, maybe because I was on the 5c slots. I ordered my drink and when she brought it I gave her $1. She said I didn't have to tip.

After that, she walked by very regularly to see how empty my glass was and make sure I was not thirsty. I tipped her $1 each time.
I have no idea if other's tip or not.

 

[The Cosmic Avenger]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned video poker. On my one business trip to LVmany years ago that's what I did with most of my gambling "budget", since it felt more interactive, I took my time thinking about what to hold, and having played poker a lot as a kid I felt more familiar with the choices. Maybe playing against people would have had better results, since they don't always play the odds, but after working a convention all day I didn't feel the need to interact with strangers any more in the evenings.