Slot Pull

[eem0924]

What's involved with organizing a Slot Pull?

I've done them on other cruises and we had lots of fun.

 

[CntPAcruiser]

There are a few ways to do them on the day. The hardest part might be selecting a time and getting people there. We've announced them on a CC roll call, but I know others arrange them on a different social media site. On our last cruise, we arranged to meet up at the aft casino entrance and selected a machine based on our smallish group agreement. We did not involve the casino staff or ask for prizes, but for some larger slot pulls we've been involved in arranged by others, they did, and the casino "suggested" a machine to use and provided keychains and t-shirts as prizes for the luckiest spins.

 

We collected an agreed-upon amount of cash, writing down each name in order, put the money into the machine, and everyone took their turns. We recorded the wins, and once everyone had gone, we got the payout and redivided the money that was left. The residual we put back into the machine and had the luckiest ones do a last couple of pulls until the money was gone.

[firefly333]

The nice thing for the organiser is they get all the pts on their acct. Can be enough to be controversial. 

 

Nice for organizer I've heard. Cha ching. 

[neverbeenhere]

They are quite a bit of work to organize and run, so they deserve the points.

[teddybear231]

14 minutes ago, neverbeenhere said:

They are quite a bit of work to organize and run, so they deserve the points.

 

Agreed, I just ran my first slot pull this past November and nobody complained about me getting the points. But a lot of work goes into organizing one (we had over 22 people participate). 

[Nabalab]

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

The nice thing for the organiser is they get all the pts on their acct. Can be enough to be controversial. 

 

Nice for organizer I've heard. Cha ching. 

 

As long as the organizer makes that 100% clear beforehand, folks who decide to participate should have no issue with it.

[shellunderwater]

2 hours ago, Nabalab said:

 

As long as the organizer makes that 100% clear beforehand, folks who decide to participate should have no issue with it.

Bing bing bing!  We have a winner.  Shut down the internet for the day!

Very specific clear rules and following said rules is critical in my book.  No changing things around mid stream.

 

[eem0924]

Would anyone be willing to share their "rules"?

I've participated in slot pulls before but don't remember receiving any rules.....

 

I probably just don't remember.......

[neverbeenhere]

7 minutes ago, eem0924 said:

Would anyone be willing to share their "rules"?

I've participated in slot pulls before but don't remember receiving any rules.....

 

I probably just don't remember.......

Quick internet search for some rules

 

My House Rules

• The organizer announces the Slot Pull location (I know, in the casino, I meant the specific machine) and time at the Meet & Greet.
• • On Norwegian, you have to meet with the casino manager on the ship to set up the Slot Pull time and date, and that can’t be done until you’re on board. Remember, the casino usually doesn’t open until you’re in international waters. Also, it’s one more chance for people to decide to join in.
• • The casino manager may provide prizes. Don’t count on it. This is a good way to dispose of your Latitudes “champagne”.
• My standard entry fee in $15 cash per player.
• • On many $1 machines, this will give a player five pulls at maximum bet. The organizer will collect money at the start of the Slot Pull.
• The organizer deposits all collected money in the machine before the Slot Pull begins.
• Once the money is in, the roster of players is frozen. No late entries.
• Each player takes five Max Bet spins.
• • It’s easier to just take Max Bet than to have players play random amounts. This way, all bets are equal, and you know how many pulls each player can take.
• • Players take turns in the order of registration, or as determined by the organizer. Organizers generally go last.
• • Keep track of each player’s total, if you have a prize for biggest win. (I have a spreadsheet on my iPad, which can be cumbersome. We had one slot pull where the organizers didn’t play, but I’m not that dedicated.)
• After all players have taken their turn, the organizer cashes out the machine and head for the border splits up the booty!
• No player cards in the machine. This is a friendly game!
• Payouts are in round dollar amounts – the player with the largest win gets the change(*)

(*) For example, in our last slot pull, 11 players won $158. 10 players got $14, largest win got $18.

[eem0924]

Thanks!

 

That was very helpful

[vacationlover_mn]

On 1/23/2023 at 10:06 AM, teddybear231 said:

 

Agreed, I just ran my first slot pull this past November and nobody complained about me getting the points. But a lot of work goes into organizing one (we had over 22 people participate). 

How long did it take for the pull?  The two I’m doing now have over 40 people each!

[sellwingri]

I’ve run several slot pulls (largest was 85 participants) and just participated in many as well.  I’ve always used my card but made sure this was understood before starting.  On my last 2 cruises, the organizer put in the stipulation that if a jackpot was hit and a tax form was to be issued, that he/she would keep 20% of the total to pay for taxes.   I won’t participate if this is in the rules.  They already get the benefit of the points being added to their account.  
 

How do others feel about this?

[vacationlover_mn]

3 hours ago, sellwingri said:

I’ve run several slot pulls (largest was 85 participants) and just participated in many as well.  I’ve always used my card but made sure this was understood before starting.  On my last 2 cruises, the organizer put in the stipulation that if a jackpot was hit and a tax form was to be issued, that he/she would keep 20% of the total to pay for taxes.   I won’t participate if this is in the rules.  They already get the benefit of the points being added to their account.  
 

How do others feel about this?

That is the one thing that makes me nervous about my upcoming slot pulls- the jackpot.  Note, I did not put the 20% thing in my rules, but it’s tempting for next time.  Yes, I get the points added to my card, but it’s only 4 points per participant.

Edited January 31, 2023 by vacationlover_mn

[true45]

5 hours ago, sellwingri said:

I’ve run several slot pulls (largest was 85 participants) and just participated in many as well.  I’ve always used my card but made sure this was understood before starting.  On my last 2 cruises, the organizer put in the stipulation that if a jackpot was hit and a tax form was to be issued, that he/she would keep 20% of the total to pay for taxes.   I won’t participate if this is in the rules.  They already get the benefit of the points being added to their account.  
 

How do others feel about this?

I have also organized and participated in slot pulls — didn’t feel comfortable with the percentage for taxes so didn’t include it.  I don’t want to be alone on the hook for taxes due either.

 

But I don’t feel comfortable with being asked for 25% or 20% knowing I likely wouldn’t owe that much in my own bracket.

 

It is a lot of work to organize the slot pull and I do think it is fair to use the card of the organizer for the points.

 

⚓️

Edited January 31, 2023 by true45

[pcur]

A suggestion:  check with all the participants and see if anyone is from Canada, or pays no Federal income tax, and put their card in the machine for the payout.  This way if a large amount is won, you don't have to deduct Federal tax from the pot. Or, you keep back a lot less with a person with most of their income non-taxable.  

Edited January 31, 2023 by pcur

[sellwingri]

3 hours ago, pcur said:

A suggestion:  check with all the participants and see if anyone is from Canada, or pays no Federal income tax, and put their card in the machine for the payout.  This way if a large amount is won, you don't have to deduct Federal tax from the pot. Or, you keep back a lot less with a person with most of their income non-taxable.  

I read that for gambling wins, Canadians do need to pay taxes.

 

The issue of deducting a percentage wasn’t an issue a year or two ago.  It was brought up on my last cruise last week and my cruise in December.

Edited February 1, 2023 by sellwingri

[DallasGuy75219]

13 hours ago, sellwingri said:

How do others feel about this?

The minimal value of the points is not worth the risk of having to pay taxes on other people's winnings. 

Edited February 1, 2023 by DallasGuy75219

[pcur]

Let me clarify:

 

The casino will require the owner of the card in the machine to sign the W-2G form acknowledging the amount of the win.  The form is required for winnings over a certain dollar amount (ask in the casino).

 

The casino takes/withholds NO money.  It's the card owner that does that on their income tax, AND that estimated amount is deducted from the total winnings BEFORE paying out to each slot pull participant.

 

However, if anyone in the group has a personal tax situation where they don't pay any income tax, or can absorb the total slot winnings without paying income tax on it, they could put their card in the machine.  I would volunteer to do this, because my income tax rate is 0%, and I can absorb a large amount more in my income and pay no taxes on it.  

 

This leaves the pot larger for distribution to the slot pull participants, INCLUDING the person signing the W-2G.

 

Then, the W-2G person files their income tax, including the W-2G at tax filing time for that year.

Edited February 1, 2023 by pcur

[Windrush72]

besides cruise critic and no more meet & mingle, how/where would you find/locate slot pull attendees for a cruise ship?

[PhillyFan33579]

On 1/23/2023 at 10:24 AM, firefly333 said:

The nice thing for the organiser is they get all the pts on their acct. Can be enough to be controversial. 

 

Nice for organizer I've heard. Cha ching. 

This is the reason I never participate in a slot pull. Most of the people who organize slot pulls do it to get “free” casino points using other passenger’s money. I don’t know why someone would not want to start earning their own points in the casino. I have several friends and family who have gotten free cruise offers after only gambling a few hundred dollars in the casino.  From my experience, once you start getting casino offers they keep on coming as long as you spend at least a little time in the casino gambling. I already have 8 free casino cruises booked this year and I rarely bet/lose more than $500 - $600 a cruise. 

[vacationlover_mn]

2 hours ago, Windrush72 said:

besides cruise critic and no more meet & mingle, how/where would you find/locate slot pull attendees for a cruise ship?

I posted mine on our sailings social media site, and on our sailing on cc

[Mikew0805]

8 hours ago, pcur said:

Let me clarify:

 

The casino will require the owner of the card in the machine to sign the W-2G form acknowledging the amount of the win.  The form is required for winnings over a certain dollar amount (ask in the casino).

 

This is not true... the "require" part. 

 

This implies that anytime a jackpot (over $1200) is hit that it must be paid to the person who has their card in the machine, and in the case of no card in, then the casino does not have to pay.

 

The truth is.. the casino is only required to pay the person who wagered. (Hit the button) So long as the person that hit the button had the legal right to spend that money, (No found tickets, left over money that was forgotten, etc.) regardless of whose card is in the machine. Being designated to take the W2G is an accommodation to the slot pull, but does not have to be the person that has their card in the machine. Any host, or employee that states otherwise is wrong. (multiple first hand experiences here on various RCI ships..)

 

It is however, against Club Royale's rules to use someone else card to gain points for them. It is not printed that they make an exception for Slot Pulls, but apparently they do.. because they all know when slot pulls are happening. I personally do not participate in the Slot pulls, as I find them boring and loud.

[Mikew0805]

2 hours ago, Windrush72 said:

besides cruise critic and no more meet & mingle, how/where would you find/locate slot pull attendees for a cruise ship?

The FB group for the sailing. I see one on nearly all groups that I join.

[DallasGuy75219]

1 hour ago, Mikew0805 said:

It is however, against Club Royale's rules to use someone else card to gain points for them. It is not printed that they make an exception for Slot Pulls, but apparently they do.. because they all know when slot pulls are happening.

Same thing with couples where one is a whale and the other plays much less.  Saw the whale obviously swapping cards with her husband (so they both get casino status and and the corresponding amenities, including a second free annual cruise) and the casino host fawning over the whale, ignoring the card swapping. 

[pcur]

14 hours ago, Mikew0805 said:

This is not true... the "require" part. 

 

This implies that anytime a jackpot (over $1200) is hit that it must be paid to the person who has their card in the machine, and in the case of no card in, then the casino does not have to pay.

 

The truth is.. the casino is only required to pay the person who wagered. (Hit the button) So long as the person that hit the button had the legal right to spend that money, (No found tickets, left over money that was forgotten, etc.) regardless of whose card is in the machine. Being designated to take the W2G is an accommodation to the slot pull, but does not have to be the person that has their card in the machine. Any host, or employee that states otherwise is wrong. (multiple first hand experiences here on various RCI ships..)

 

It is however, against Club Royale's rules to use someone else card to gain points for them. It is not printed that they make an exception for Slot Pulls, but apparently they do.. because they all know when slot pulls are happening. I personally do not participate in the Slot pulls, as I find them boring and loud.

We have had different experiences with this.  The slot pull I participated in 1/16/23 the casino had the person whose card was in the machine since the beginning of the slot pull, sign the W-2G form.

 

We had 28 people, and had a great time.  When one of our group hit a $1,500 jackpot we went CAH-RAZY!!