Gaming Guru

Do the Slots in the Smoking Area Pay Off Less Often Than Those in the Non-Smoking Area?

Good day to you, Frank,

I live in British Columbia Canada where casino gambling has been legitimate for some time.

Your 10 commandments regarding slot play was an eye opener for me and very informative. Thank you for that.

My question to you is based on the laws here in BC where smoking in public places is mainly prohibited. Therefore most casinos do not have smoking areas. For those that do, I have found that winning while in the smoking areas is less likely than when playing in the general area. Therefore, can the casino operate/control machines i.e. "All that Glitters, Open the Vault, Cool Cat, etc." in the smoking areas which net the player less chance to win? Or is this just coincidental.

Thank you, again, great articles.

Tom

Hi Tom:

I'm glad you like my articles.

Now to your question - the answer is yes! If the casino wants the machines in the smoking area to be tighter than the machines in the non-smoking areas, they can program the machines accordingly. That is, if your perceptions are correct and these machines are really paying less.

My advice is to play the machines in the non-smoking areas and then go smoke in the smoking areas. If you love the machine you are playing, put a cup (if they have one) over the handle or ask someone playing close by to watch your machine. (That is about the best you can do.) Or quit smoking! You might find you win more at the slots and you get healthier.

For your excellent letter I am giving you a free week on my private members-only web site at www.goldentouchcraps.com. We have over 5,000 members on this site and the conversations are interesting, lively and fun.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Frank Scoblete