Las Vegas casinos, like all other businesses, are feeling the impact of skyrocketing inflation, which has reached unprecedented levels. The surge in labor and various other expenses has hit them hard, leaving no room for escape. It's common knowledge that inflation has soared to heights unseen in decades, casting its shadow over the entire industry. From the cost of hiring employees to managing overhead expenses, the casinos find themselves facing the same challenges as their counterparts. The unavoidable truth is that inflation has struck, and it's causing significant disruptions within the Las Vegas casino scene.
Many casinos in Las Vegas have chosen to adopt a contrasting strategy in response to inflation, rather than simply increasing the minimum bets on their games. It's evident that there has been a noticeable decline in the availability of $5 table games over the last few years, and limits lower than that have almost entirely vanished. Nevertheless, some establishments are embracing an alternative approach.
As an assistant, I'm here to provide you with a personalized passage that explores the concept of shrinkflation. Shrinkflation occurs when businesses maintain the price of a product while reducing its size or compromising its quality, all in an effort to counterbalance the rising costs associated with their operations. This clever tactic serves to mask the effects of inflation, making it more challenging for consumers to discern the true impact on their wallets. By seemingly keeping the price constant, businesses create an illusion of stability, deceiving buyers who may not immediately perceive the reduction in quantity or the degradation in the product's overall value.
On a recent outing, I couldn't help but observe the downsizing phenomenon - Gatorade bottles have shrunk from 32 ounces to a mere 28 ounces in just a few months. Surprisingly, the price tag remains unchanged, leaving consumers with 12.5% less Gatorade for the same cost. It dawned on me that this clever ploy is not exclusive to beverages; casinos have taken this strategy to a whole new level. They employ similar tactics, albeit on a grander scale, to maximize their profits.
Recent instances of video poker
In downtown Las Vegas, there's some interesting gambling news circulating. It seems that Four Queens, once known for having the best bar video poker, has undergone a change. The popular 10/6 Double Double Bonus game, which offered a generous payout for a full house or a flush, has been downgraded. Now, at the $0.50 and $1 denominations, the payout has decreased to 9/5. Additionally, the $0.25 game, which previously had a payout ratio of 9/6, has been reduced to 8/5. These alterations have surely caught the attention of avid video poker players in the area.
In comparing the old and new versions of the game, a remarkable increase has occurred in the house edge. The theoretical house edge for the 10/6 game used to be a mere 0.04%, but now it has skyrocketed to an astonishing 2.13%. This signifies an astronomical 5225% surge in the advantage held by the house. Consequently, players can expect to lose at a significantly accelerated rate on the 9/5 game, averaging over 50 times faster than they did on the previous 10/6 game.
I can't believe it! The house has really upped its game. You won't believe the numbers. So, we used to have this Double Double Bonus game that had a theoretical hold of 1.02%. It was a pretty decent deal. But get this, they've changed the pay table to 8/5 now, and the theoretical hold has shot up to 3.21%. That's a whopping 215% increase in the house edge! Can you imagine? Now, if you play this new 8/5 game, you'll lose more than three times faster than you would on the old 9/6 table. It's a real bummer, I tell ya.
Reopening the Main Street Station is a prime illustration of how the advantage of video poker in casinos is undergoing a significant surge. The Boar's Head Bar, for instance, initially resumed operations by offering 9/6 Jacks or Better, a favorable pay table for players. However, just a mere week later, they made the regrettable decision to downgrade it to 9/5, and that too, only on a limited number of machines. This sudden alteration signifies a tremendous leap in the casino's theoretical house edge, skyrocketing from a mere 0.46% to a staggering 1.67%. Mathematically speaking, this translates to an astounding inflation rate of 263%.
Table games are also vulnerable to concealed inflation.
Since 2019, I've observed a noticeable increase in table game minimum bets across the majority of casinos. The primary driver behind this upward shift can be attributed to the pandemic, which has led to rising costs and a shortage of labor. In the face of inflationary pressures, it only seems logical for a casino to consider adjusting its prices or, in this specific scenario, the minimum bets for table games.
Let me illustrate the correlation between the house edge and the minimum bet in various games. To simplify matters, let's assume that every player is wagering the minimum amount and employing flawless strategy. However, it is improbable that all tables adhere to such conditions, meaning that the expected outcomes for the casino and mathematical calculations may not align precisely. Nonetheless, this analysis effectively showcases the surge in costs for individuals playing at lower limits.
The rate of inflation for table games is elevated due to the increase in the minimum bet.
- $5 to $10: 100%
- $10 to $15: 50%
- $15 to $20: 33%
- $15 to $25: 67%
Here are a few instances where casinos go beyond simply raising the minimum bet to gain an even greater advantage over players. Certain establishments opt to modify the rules of the games, thereby subtly increasing their edge. Let me provide you with a few examples of how they implement these covert and significant price hikes.
Including an additional zero to the game of roulette.
In Las Vegas, there's been a recent alteration to roulette that has caught my attention. They've decided to up the stakes by transitioning from double zero to triple zero. Now, let me break it down for you: a double zero roulette game typically holds 5.26% of all bets. However, with this new triple zero version, the house edge reaches a staggering 7.69%. That's a whopping 46% increase in favor of the house when you compare a double zero table to a triple zero one. It's certainly a game-changer, but not necessarily in a good way for the players.
Implementing modifications to the rules to decrease the payouts in blackjack.
When it comes to blackjack, there are a few modifications to the rules that can significantly raise the advantage held by the house. One of the more inconspicuous alterations involves eliminating the option to surrender or re-split aces during gameplay. By removing just one of these rules, the house edge experiences a spike of roughly 15%. However, if both rules are taken away, the house edge skyrockets to around 30%.
When it comes to increasing the advantage of the house in a game of blackjack, casinos implemented hitting soft 17 as one of their early strategies. By doing so, they were able to raise the house edge by a significant margin, ranging between 30% and 50%, compared to the payout of a stand on soft 17 game, taking into account the various other rules in play.
Over the years, I've witnessed a significant shift in the house edge at numerous Las Vegas blackjack tables. The most striking change occurs when casinos alter the blackjack payout ratio from the traditional 3:2 to 6:5. This shift has become increasingly prevalent, with countless establishments adopting the new payout structure.
Converting a 3:2 blackjack game into a 6:5 one results in a staggering 308% increase in the house edge. Perfect strategy in a typical 3:2 blackjack game can keep the house edge to a low 0.6%, but the same rules in a 6:5 game will shoot it up to 2%. It's a substantial difference that significantly favors the house.
The game of crapless craps is gaining popularity on certain craps tables.
In Las Vegas, there has been a surge in the popularity of crapless craps, making it one of the fastest-growing table games in the city. This game has gained such momentum that it has now taken over one or two craps tables at all the MGM Resorts properties scattered throughout Las Vegas. Additionally, a handful of Caesars properties have also jumped on the crapless craps bandwagon. Not to be left behind, Westgate is also dealing this exciting game.
Crapless craps and traditional craps may seem similar at first glance, but upon closer inspection, one can discern several notable distinctions. In the realm of odds, the disparity becomes evident. While the casino's advantage on the pass line and come bets in crapless craps amounts to 5.38%, a standard craps game merely exhibits a 1.41% house edge. Such variance signifies a significant leap in favor of the house when transitioning from a regular craps table to its crapless counterpart, specifically a staggering 282% surge in the absence of odds wagers.
On the Las Vegas Strip, the prevailing crapless craps odds are typically 3-4-5 times. This rule applies to every casino except for The Strat. According to the Wizard of Odds, the casino's advantage is approximately 0.37% when players take full 3-4-5 times odds in traditional craps. However, in the case of 3-4-5 times crapless craps, the house edge jumps significantly to 1.29%. This represents a staggering 249% increase in the casino's advantage when comparing these two variations of the game.
Engage in games with attractive benefits, and ensure the casinos are aware of your reasons.
Over the past few years, I've noticed a trend in most of the casinos here in Las Vegas. It seems that many of them have been reducing the odds on their games. It's not just a few machines that are being downgraded, but rather a significant number. It's as if they're trying to make it harder for players to win. I've also come across some casinos that have completely stopped offering anything that's even remotely playable. It's a bit disheartening to see this shift in the industry, as it makes it less enjoyable for those of us who love to gamble. However, there are still a few places that have managed to retain some better machines, perhaps in an effort to keep their existing players satisfied.
If your home casino decides to exponentially increase the house edge, my recommendation is to take proactive measures by shifting your gameplay to a different casino that still provides favorable games. By doing so, you are safeguarding your interests and ensuring a better chance of winning. Additionally, it would be wise to communicate your reasons for leaving your former favorite casino, expressing your dissatisfaction with their decision. Conversely, when you join the new casino, make it a point to convey your reasons for choosing them as your new gaming destination, emphasizing the favorable gaming experience they offer.
If you're looking to avoid a repetition of past experiences at casinos, it's crucial to consider this. Making a conscious decision to opt for a different establishment in the future can save you from encountering similar issues. Moreover, the significance of your actions should not be underestimated – a collective departure of dissatisfied players might compel your previous go-to casino to reintroduce the enjoyable games it had abandoned.