At the casino; fun at The Fort

By Careful Gambler

While reading the last issue of this publication, I saw a promotional ad for a Slots at Fort Erie Race Track promotion, ≥TOUCHDOWN TO WIN,≤ that was intriguing, so Mrs. Careful Gambler (Mrs. C.G.) and I jumped into our trusty, 93,000 mile Olds, and went gambling. The Peace Bridge crossing was quick and we soon were looking at roughly 1,200 slot machines spread over one floor. The denominations ranged from 5 cents to $5, with the over-300 nickel machines getting the most play. All money references in this article are in Canadian dollars. So, if you start with U.S. currency, a 16 percent premium expands your money. Although this is a strictly slots casino, you can find machine versions of Black Jack and Let It Ride.

With Mrs. C.G., food is always an issue. ≥I never met a meal I didnπt like,≤ she has said. So we checked out the Carousel Restaurant and found $5 lunch specials that ranged from sandwiches with fries, to fish and chips. After 4 p.m., $10 full dinner meals are available. On the gaming floor, water, soda, tea and coffee are free, but alcoholic drinks are not.

In an earlier column, I stressed the importance of joining the casino slot club and getting a slot card. At Fort Erie it is called ≥The Winnerπs Circle≤ and is situated right inside the casino entrance. Using this card while you play will earn you both complimentary food vouchers as well as cash-back payments. The amount you receive is a function of the time you play and the monetary level you play at. Unfortunately, the casino will not divulge the exact methodology used in these computations, so you will need to inquire as to your entitlements at the ≥Winnerπs Circle≤ when you finish play or are hungry. As prior play has a bearing, I recommend checking on this before you play, as well.

Joining the club also allows you to enter the free ≥Slot Frenzy≤ tournament held each Thursday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., with a top prize of $150 as well as lesser monetary awards. Free money is great! You will also receive periodic mailings with promotional offers. The current offer being a series of ≥cheques≤ that can be machine scanned for cash or scratch-off prizes. Those of you 50 years and older can come on Fridays and enjoy breakfast specials, as well as a free slot pull and cash drawings. There is also free entertainment on weekend evenings.

However, we were there on a Monday to experience the ≥TOUCHDOWN TO WIN≤ promotion. We had chances to win football merchandise that featured an autographed Michael Vick plaque. Also, 10 people won chances to win a Big Screen TV in a Jan. 8, 2006, drawing. We won nothing, but enjoyed a fine meal. Large TV screens dropped down from the ceiling, and one could both watch football and play the slots at the same time!

Earlier, a tour of the casino showed many of the more popular slot machines, Double Diamond, Wild Cherry, Blazing 7πs, and Red, White & Blue to name a few. There are Wheel of Fortune progressive machines, and last month a local player won $93,000 on a 25 cent machine. There are lots of newer nickel machines and Mrs. C.G. did quite well on both the ≥Raking It In≤ and ≥Keeping Up With The Joneses≤ machines. There are almost 500 video display machines, many that have video poker on them, ranging from 5 cents to 5 dollars. By reviewing the pay-out schedule on a video poker machine, one can assess the overall pay-out percentage for that machine. I found higher percentages present on the Pickπem Poker and Deuces Wild games, both available on the Bally Game Maker machines. However, it is always advisable to know the proper strategy, or have a strategy card to use, when playing on a video poker machine, thereby avoiding costly mistakes when choosing which cards to hold. Smart play on these machines will put you in the mid-90 percent pay-out range. The Ontario casinos do not publish exact pay-out percentages for their casinos but are regulated to pay at least 85 percent.

When it came time to head home, we had enjoyed a fine night and Mrs. C.G.πs nickel winnings off-set my Pickπem Poker losses. So until next issue, ENJOY YOUR GAMBLING!