| Video poker in Nevada is a game of skill and luck. That skill factor must be there for a machine to be a video poker machine. They are not slot machines." IGT, which makes most casino video poker machines, says its games are the same everywhere in the country, including Illinois. They are all tests of both luck and skill All the additions and changes have left Trump with a good variety on its slot floor, one that is looking more modern all the time with plenty of player-friendly ticket printers. Look for most of the new reel-spinners on the entry level and one deck down, while the new poker games are one deck up from entry level. OVERNIGHT SENSATION: Man does not live by slots alone--a little food and a little sleep help, too. I'd never stayed overnight in the Trump hotel, so I decided to do just that before my slot tour. I had a very comfortable suite and had a good night's sleep that was only briefly interrupted by a train whistle. But what makes the hotel a big plus for Trump is that it has its own restaurants apart from those in the casino pavilion that Trump shares with Majestic Star. The Lakeside Cafe is a solid breakfast option, with egg dishes, pancakes and the like. I was really impressed with Chops steakhouse. One bite of my ribeye told me that this was a far, far better restaurant than the Buffington Harbor casinos have previously boasted. A. My primary reaction is as a player. The state regulates the casinos. If it also owns a casino, it means the casino regulators work for the casino owner. Anyone else see a basic conflict of interest here? A situation in which the regulators work for the owner is a scandal waiting to happen. Beyond that, I'm troubled by some issues that have to do with putting a government-owned business in competition with private businesses. The biggest recurring expense for each casino in Illinois is the gaming tax, which must be paid out of gross gaming revenue, not out of profits. A state-owned casino wouldn't have that expense. It would be writing into law a huge competitive advantage. I can't think of any businessman who would be happy with such a lopsided playing field. But that's a problem for casino owners, rather than for players. The regulatory issue is another matter. That's something that affects players directly. I'd be extremely wary of playing in a casino in which the regulators are in the owner's employ. From here on, the system makes a comeback, as the player makes place bets that pay either 9-5 on winning bets if the number is 4 or 10, 7-5 on 5 or 9, or 7-6 on 6 or 8. If the place bet loses, the player breaks even because it is offset by a winning don't pass bet. If the place bet wins, the player profits because the payoffs are higher than the don't pass loss of $30. |
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