Dungeons and Dragons Slot - Screens

Here on Beat the Casinos blog, I promised a week or two ago to bring you full screenshots from the new and very exciting Dungeons and Dragons slot machine that's available at Virgin Casino. Well, I've done it - but rather than placing the screenshots here, I've placed the article over at my sister blog, Beat the Slots.

Come and read the "Dungeons and Dragons Adventure article. I'm sure you'll really enjoy it - it will give you a great insight into the game play of the IGT Dungeons and Dragons slot machine, and it provides some good ideas about the types of features and bonuses available.

Enjoy playing the Dungeons and Dragons slot machine at Virgin Casino. Don't forget that Virgin Casino offer a 100% match play bonus when you join - giving you an even better chance to win Richard Branson's cash!

IGT Multiplay Video Slots

Ever wanted to play more than one slot game AT THE SAME TIME in your local casino? This is now a reality thanks to IGT who've brought out their new range of Multiplay Video Slot machines. This technology has now been licensed in 38 jurisdictions, so if the technology is not yet at your local casino, it's probably not too far away.

Here are some details from the press release: "IGT announced that its MultiPLAY video slot has been approved and released in 38 jurisdictions including Nevada, California and Oklahoma, along with five additional pending jurisdictions. The MultiPLAY video slot is the only one of its kind in which players can choose to play up to four video slot games on the same machine – at the same time.

In addition to playing up to four video slot games on the same machine at the same time, players can hit four progressives sequentially or even hit four bonuses on one spin. Bonus rounds fill the base game screen, and play one after the other. "It's the multi-hand video poker experience now in a multi-game video slot for the very first time," said Ryan Griffin, IGT product manager for Standard Products. "And the flexibility, superior design and options provided by MultiPLAY Video Slots set it apart from all the competition."

MultiPLAY Video Slots themes available today include Cleopatra MultiPLAY Video Slots and Wolf Run MultiPLAY Video Slots. A variety of additional themes are already in development, guaranteeing to keep casino floors fresh with new content. Another benefit is the screen layout with four equal-sized game screens, causing less eye strain and making it easy to follow the action. Plus, each game spins independently, allowing a clear understanding of each outcome." Sounds pretty cool huh!

Want to see what the Multiplay video slots look like? There's a picture of the Cleopatra slot machine cabinet here. Have a look. I'm going to ask our local slot machine supervisor to investigate getting these at the casino I play in - they look really cool!

Have you played these machines? Let me know of your adventures at davewestlondon@yahoo.co.uk so I can tell others about how they play, and what to expect!

Global Gaming Expo in Macau

I see today that there is a Global Gaming Expo coming up in Macau very soon... in fact only a week or so away! Having attended similar events in the past, I can recommend them as a great way to spend a day or two. It's a brilliant way, even as a player, to meet representatives of all sorts of casino suppliers, slot manufacturers, casino chains and the like, and acquaint yourself with all of the new games / tables / chairs / food options that will soon be in your local casino.

Ok, Macau is a fair way away for most of us (in terms of location), but its a great place. I had a great time fleecing some of the casinos there (e.g. the Sands Macau brings back good memories for me, for a start), and the staff are friendly. So you can go to the Global Gaming Expo by day, and play in the casinos at night! Great fun!

The Macau Global Gaming Expo is on from June 2 to June 4, 2009. There is a website for the event: www.g2easia.com. Have fun if you do go, and let me know your experiences via email at davewestlondon@yahoo.co.uk.

Wish Me Luck - Playing Poker

Now I'm not a huge fan of poker. It's not because I don't like the game - I do. But I just feel its unfair to take money off other people in order for me to win. I prefer house banked games like blackjack and baccarat, played against large casino corporations, who can afford to lose a few thousand at a time. I like to take their money - but I don't want to feel any guilt afterwards. Sadly, when you're winning in poker, you are taking any money won from a fellow PLAYER rather than the casino. That sucks in my book - although I know many of my regular blog readers will have no issue with it. After all, gambling is gambling right?

Tonight I've been offered a seat at a VIP invitation only event at my local casino. There's about 50 seats in all, and prizes for the top 3 players (I'm not even sure what they are - I think $500, $1000, and $2000 or something like that). I'm not expecting to win - but hey, if I get to the top table even, that would be cool. You see, because of my dis-inclination to win from other people, I don't play poker very often at all. Maybe 2 or 3 times a year. So I don't rate myself very highly as a poker player. I stick to blackjack and the other games I play well.

Anyway, as I believe that luck is a big part of poker, wish me luck! Perhaps if enough readers of this blog send good lucky vibes my way, I'll do better than I expect! You just never know when it comes to gambling. I'm not superstitious, but I do think there are lucky and unlucky days, and lucky and unlucky cards. And honestly, where poker is concerned, I need as much luck as I can get!

Itching to play poker yourself? There are some EXCELLENT poker websites featured on my blog (look in the right hand column of the site) and many offer FANTASTIC sign up bonuses. So feel free to click on the adverts, and visit the sites. If you should end up joining and playing on one of those sites via my blog, let me know at davewestlondon@yahoo.co.uk as I'll send you a very special gift as a thank you! And good luck to you when you do play - it's only fair for me to send you luck, as you're sending it to me! We're a team! Let's all continue to beat the casinos together!

SkyCity Auckland - Sammy's Bar

I visited Auckland New Zealand recently and visited the large SkyCity Casino that is in the middle of the city. Wow, it's quite a big place. Nowhere near as luxurious as many of the casinos I've played in throughout the world (Monte Carlo, Las Vegas, Reno, Atlantic City, London, Sydney, Melbourne and elsewhere), but it does have its own unique feel. The table games were reasonable with single zero roulette on offer, although the blackjack was fairly tight, using 6 deck continuous shuffle machines. If you've read my earlier blogs, you'll know I'm not too keen on CSM's.

But that's besides the point... of this entry at least. I wanted to say that if you're ever in that same neck of the woods, that the Sammys Bar at SkyCity Auckland is well worth visiting for cheap high quality food. Sammys Bar is named after Frank Sinatra, and has a jazz / Sinatra type theme throughout. It's a bit of a secret, hidden at the back of the casino - but worth the walk. They offer lots of dishes including hamburger and chips, freshly cooked and tasty for $6.50NZD (about $3.50USD / $5AUD), egg muffin for about $3 NZD (really tasty, nice scrambled eggs on a toasted muffin), etc. I'm a big fan of cheap or free food in casinos - and this food is some of the best I've tasted in those environments. I tried the Deli and Fortuna restaurant there also - was not impressed by either of those... the food quality reminded me of a visit to the Gold Spike in Las Vegas quite a few years ago. But Sammys Bar is a winner.

Have you been to SkyCity Auckland, or one of its sister properties at SkyCity Queenstown, SkyCity Hamilton etc? Drop me a line and let me know your thoughts at davewestlondon@yahoo.co.uk.

Dungeons and Dragons Slot

Dungeons and Dragons slot machine has just arrived at Virgin Casino. I've played it over the weekend - and it's great. I'll be writing a blog entry with full launch details and screenshots shortly - so watch this space.

In the meantime, use the links on the right hand side of my blog pages to visit the Virgin Casino website: they have a range of excellent slot machine games on offer. And don't forget that Virgin Casino currently offer a 100% matchplay bonus up to 100GBP!

Totesport: Deal or No Deal

I’ve long been a fan of the “Deal or No Deal” game on TV. The game has also been available online for quite some time, in a number of online casinos such as Totesport Casino. You'll find links to Totesport Casino and other reputable online casinos to play in, in the right hand column of my blog.

Like a normal slot machine, Deal or No Deal relies on luck. Picking the right box at the start of the game will to some extent dictate your final win. Unlike a slot machine though, you have the chance along the way to stop the game at various points and accept the banker’s offer. This does change the nature of the game, and whilst I’d stop short at calling this approach “skill”, it does mean that you might be able to get a slight edge on the game, short term, simply by knowing when to quit. How do you know when to do this?

If you’re playing simply to make any short term profit, no matter how small, then I believe it’s as simple as leaving the game at any point when the banker’s offer is more than what you paid to play the game. If you did this EVERY TIME, then you’d be a winner in the long term. Of course if your initial picks are less than optimum, or you eliminate the top prizes early, then the banker’s offer will never exceed the price you paid to play. And on those games, you’ll likely lose money. So in the long term, the house will still have an edge. But this is a game for fun, not for investment.

Totesport Casino lets you play Deal or No Deal for free. That’s a great way to learn, with ZERO risk! Have fun playing, and don’t bet too big or too often. I believe those tips alone will help you to steer clear of serious problems. If you decide to play for real cash, Totesport Casino offers a 100% match play bonus, up to 100GBP. Let me know at davewestlondon@yahoo.co.uk if you sign up to Totesport Casino via my blog links - and I'll give you some extra cash from me (to your bank account, or via Paypal) as a thank you!

Lucky 88 Slot Machine

The other day, I came across a new slot machine in our local casino, Lucky 88 by Aristocrat. I’m always a little dubious about new slot machines these days, because I’m suspicious of casinos when they swap out old machines for new - only because the new ones typically seem to pay out at a lower percentage than the old classics. Maybe I’m just getting cynical. Saying that, I play in land-based casinos and online - I know the risks, and take my chances.

Anyway, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with Lucky 88. I played a 2c derivative the other day, and with just $40 in I won around $250. That’s not a bad result from a small denomination machine, and from the free spins bonus. I’m not sure of the overall payout percentages - but i’d expect it to be in the 80c-90c range. Probably not too much higher, based upon the small denomination for play. Higher denomination machines may be set higher.

The gameplay on this machine is quite good. Eight is considered the luckiest number in Chinese culture, so the Lucky 88 represents the chance to get double good fortune for players. The game is set in China where regal lions guard players’ fortunes; majestic cranes stand for peace and long life; drums beat the sounds of power and strength; lanterns illuminate the path to luck; and a friendly guide shows the way to free bonus games.

You can play up to 25 lines at a time on Lucky 88. From my own experience, volatility in the game is high, and the feature frequency range is average. When you get the feature (triggered by three lucky red lanterns), you can choose a range of possible payouts for winning combinations, in conjunction with a number of free games. Take 20 free games paying 8x or 18x winning combinations, or 15 free games paying 18x or 38x winning combinations, etc.

The choice is yours. You must play in PowerPay mode to be able to choose the lucky dice game. I didn’t like the “roll the dice” feature option when I played, and preferred the standard free games - but this is all down to personal choice. Long term I’m sure the payouts on all of the feature games are probably pretty similar. Lucky 88 slot machine is probably available in your favourite land-based casino.

Slot Machine Payouts 2009

If you enjoy playing slot machines as I do, then you’ll want to make sure that you’re playing machines that give you a reasonable chance to win. It’s well known that all slot machines keep something back for their owners (the casinos) - and this is called the house edge. The house edge will differ from machine to machine, from manufacturer to manufacturer, and often from coin / play denomination to denomination.

Generally, the higher the average bet likely to be acheived by the slot machine, the higher the slot machine payout percentage. So if a 5c slot machine returns say 82%, a 25c slot machine might return 90%, a $1 slot machine might return 93%, and a $5 or above slot machine might return say 96%. I say might, because each casino decides individually on the slot machine game configurations they purchase from the slot machine manufacturers, and on the style of slot machine games they purchase.

It’s generally difficult to get true payout percentages for slot machines, because they are closely guarded secrets from the slot machine manufacturers - well, as far as players are concerned anyway. Imagine you walk into a casino and see a big sign on a machine: “I only give you back 83c for every $1 you put in me”. Would you play that machine? It’s unlikely. But in reality this is what’s REALLY happening. Every so often this manufacturer information gets reported on in an industry publication, or magazine like Strictly Slots. I read these publications, so often take note of these stats.

For your playing benefit, I’ve assembled a table of likely payout percentage ranges for a variety of slot games popular in 2009. The figures range because the manufacturers produce these games in various formats / configurations, and the casinos can choose which configuration to buy to meet their slot floor purchasing policies. The games may differ by jurisdiction / country also. The ranges below show the approximate payout percentages that the manufacturers offer the games in. By looking at these percentages, you can get a feel for which games are better to play than others.

Aristocrat Slot Machines Payout Percentages
African Storm: 87.86% - 94.84%
Boot Scootin (US market): 87.20% - 97.15%
Dinosaur: 87.98% - 94.96%
Double Happiness: 85.96% - 93.05%
Mr Woo: 90.63% - 92.17%
Tiki Talk: 87.95% - 94.86%
Wild Panda: 88.00% - 95%

IGT Slot Machines Payout Percentages
Addams Family: 88% - 93.5%
Austin Powers: 88% - 98%
Diamond Jackpots: 87.9% - 96.5%
Elephant King: 85.03% - 98.04%
Enchanted Unicorn: 85% - 98%
Fortune Cookie: 85.03% - 98.01%
Imperial Dragon: 88% - 94.99%
Neon Nights: 87.53% - 98.03%
Pink Panther: 88% - 95%
Price Check: 85% - 98%
Price is Right - Cliffhangers: 85% - 98%
Red White and Blue: 85.03% - 97.45%
Soul Train Mystery - Progressive: 87.59% - 94.27%
Texas Tea: 87% - 97% (Note: Virgin Casino offer this game online also).
Viva Las Vegas: 87.5% - 87.8%
Wheel of Fortune Super Spin: - 87.5% - 89.40%

Konami Gaming Slot Machines Payout Percentages
Splendors of India: 82% - 96%
African Diamond: 82% - 98%


This list is of course just a very small subset from the slot machines available in your typical casino. Is there a machine you really enjoy playing that you’d like me to source this information for? Is there a slot machine manufacturer i’ve not yet listed that you’d like information about? Let me know at davewestlondon@yahoo.co.uk, and I’ll do my best to help.

Aristocrat Viridian Slot Machines

I’ve been playing some slot machines at my local casino, based on Aristocrat’s Viridian platform, and I have to say that I really do like them. They’ve got great stereo sound, good clear LCD displays, and importantly, that nice new feel about them. As a regular slots (and table) player, I often get bored playing the same old games, day after day. These new Viridian cabinets and game varieties are enjoyable, and for the time being at least, they’re appealing to me. That’s quite something. Well done Aristocrat.

Another thing I’m liking about the slot machine derivatives I’m playing generally, including these Viridian based games, is the recent inclusion of the “Player Information” (i) button. Now I no longer need to guess how high the payout percentage is on my favourite slot machines. Just one press of the button tells me the odds of hitting winning combinations, and also the long term theoretical payout / hold of each machine. Just knowing this information is useful - I switched from playing one favourite game to another for good the other day - because the old game I liked paid 91%, but my new favourite game pays 95%. And that’s on a 2c game denomination.

As our local casino players club adds about half of one percent in cashback, I’m playing a slot machine with a hold of 100% - 95% - 0.5% = approx 4.5%. For a land based casino slot machine, that’s pretty good. Factor in the free food / drinks I’m able to access, and it’s basically an “even money” proposition. As I’m part of my local casinos VIP program, my extra comps / days out / theatre and sports tickets actually puts me in the positive. Theoretically at least.

Online I do find better slot machine payouts - 96% - 98% is common - and I’ll continue to play online (as its been profitable for me). And of course you can get a great deal of free bonus cash when you join up to online casinos (see those adverts featured on the right hand side of my blog pages, for reputable places to play), which you don’t typically get in the land based casinos. But that said, 95% return on a 2c slot in a land based casino with full amenities is not to be sneezed at.

I’m not sure if all of the Viridian games will continue to be in that high paying range, or whether our local casino has just bought a higher denomination version as part of a promotional period, but if this payout percentage begins to be the norm on those slot machines, I’ll continue to play them! What are the slot machine conditions like in your local casino? Feel free to email me at davewestlondon@yahoo.co.uk with your thoughts, or leave a comment.