Reader vents about randomness of video poker

By John G. Brokopp
I am probably the No. 1 video poker fan in the world. The random number generators are totally baloney. Random refers only to the cards you receive when you are in a winning or losing mode. IGT and all you writers call that random. I do not. Random number generators are random in separate modes.

Frank S.

The very foundation of the gaming industry is based upon the integrity of the games. Before being introduced on casino floors, the games are thoroughly tested by independent laboratories for randomness and retested by individual state regulators.

Take my word for it. The video poker games developed by IGT assure that every hand you are dealt and every card you draw is as random as a computer program will allow and as close to shuffling and dealing from your own 52-card deck at the kitchen table as technology will allow.

A virtual deck is constantly "shuffling" between plays. When you hit the deal button, the shuffling stops and five cards are dealt from the top of the deck. While you are deciding which cards you want to hold, the remaining 47 cards are shuffling. After you decide and hit the draw button, the cards stop shuffling and the x-number of cards you need to fill your draw hand come off the top, one by one.

Whereas the payback percentages of video and reel slots are a closely guarded casino secret, those of video poker are an open book for educated players. Casinos make their money on the pay tables, which are there for everyone to see.

Some pay tables are "tighter" than others, so that's why it pays to shop around.

The randomness of playing a nickel or quarter video poker game as opposed to a $1 or $5 game does not change. The games will have identical return percentages, given the same pay table.

I found your smoking in casinos story interesting. As someone who is a lifetime non-smoker I am glad for the Illinois ban. With that being said, I really don't mind it in casinos. Locally I do not play, but in Nevada (the casinos) are so big and wide open it does not bother me at all. I was so glad that they did ban it in restaurants.

Terry D.

The permanent "Great American Smokeout" goes into effect in Illinois on Tuesday. No exemption appears in the works for casinos. It will be interesting to see how this will affect business and if the predicted migration to northwest Indiana of gamblers who smoke will become a reality.

Casino news

New Year's Eve galas are planned at all area casinos, including Four Winds Casino Resort in New Buffalo, Mich., which will celebrate New Orleans-style with a marching band parade, street dancers and beads, among other French Quarter traditions.

Starting at noon Monday, two W Club player's club members win $2,008 every hour until 4 p.m. On Tuesday, cash drawings take place throughout the day, and at 8 p.m. a lucky player wins a 2008 BMW 328i.

News Added: 28 December, 2007

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