Slot Pull

[Mikew0805]

14 hours ago, pcur said:

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!!

I believe you that it happened. What I am saying is they would have allowed the person who hit the button also claim it. Slot pulls are driven by the organizer and the group, so if they choose to put the card in, and that is the person that will take the W2G, that is fine. I am just saying that it is not required to be the person that has the card in. (I hit three JP's with someone else's card in last year. two times it was my husband because we moved down and forgot to sign out, the other time it was a stranger, and I must have had a few decent spins before hitting the jackpot. I didn't realize it until they came to get my info and called me by that persons name (was a female) and laughed. All I could think was... dang it, someone else got my points.

 

LOL @ CAH-RAZY.. I have heard it so many time. I usually will position myself at the other end of the casino, but in some cases I have been in the immediate vicinity. I usually have to put my AirPods in for that. LOL

[PhillyFan33579]

22 hours ago, pcur said:

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!!

People got excited over winning $53 each??? The only person who benefits from a slot pull is the organizer who insists everyone plays using their card so they accumulate casino points using other people’s money. 

[DallasGuy75219]

22 hours ago, pcur said:

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

How much was the buy-in for each participant?

[teddybear231]

On 1/30/2023 at 4:32 PM, vacationlover_mn said:

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

 

It was fairly quick since we did max beat, I'd say from the beginning when I was collecting everybody's money, to the end, it was certainly less than a half hour, maybe 20 minutes or so.

[pcur]

On 2/3/2023 at 3:24 AM, DallasGuy75219 said:

How much was the buy-in for each participant?

$30 each, 3 pulls at $10 on a dollar machine.

[pcur]

On 2/3/2023 at 3:07 AM, PhillyFan33579 said:

People got excited over winning $53 each??? The only person who benefits from a slot pull is the organizer who insists everyone plays using their card so they accumulate casino points using other people’s money. 

Of course we did!  It was a lot of fun, and we doubled our money. Our organizer said the points are not that much going on her card, especially when weighed against the time and effort of organizing it.  We all thought she did a great job and was welcome to the points.

 

She also gave out little "prizes", each person choosing based on the number of credits they earned from their pulls.  Of course, the lady who won the $1,500 jackpot got first choice.

[PhillyFan33579]

50 minutes ago, pcur said:

Of course we did!  It was a lot of fun, and we doubled our money. Our organizer said the points are not that much going on her card, especially when weighed against the time and effort of organizing it.  We all thought she did a great job and was welcome to the points.

 

She also gave out little "prizes", each person choosing based on the number of credits they earned from their pulls.  Of course, the lady who won the $1,500 jackpot got first choice.

It only takes 800 points to get a free cruise. So any decent size slot pull is going to get the organizer a free cruise or close to a free cruise. And if an organizer runs several slot pulls on several cruises, they will easily make prime (2500 points), which gets them another free cruise plus free unlimited drinks for over a year in the casino. Plus you frequently get additional free cruise offers once you hit prime and often even before you reach prime. Just my opinion, but I would rather win my own free cruises (I have 9 free casino cruises booked this year so far including one on Odyssey today) than have my money help someone else get free cruises. 

[rolloman]

43 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

It only takes 800 points to get a free cruise. So any decent size slot pull is going to get the organizer a free cruise or close to a free cruise. And if an organizer runs several slot pulls on several cruises, they will easily make prime (2500 points), which gets them another free cruise plus free unlimited drinks for over a year in the casino. Plus you frequently get additional free cruise offers once you hit prime and often even before you reach prime. Just my opinion, but I would rather win my own free cruises (I have 9 free casino cruises booked this year so far including one on Odyssey today) than have my money help someone else get free cruises. 

Well let's fact check your math. Every 5 dollars spent equates to 1 point. Typically, each player gets 3 five dollar max spins. This equates to a total of 3 points per player accrued on the organizers card. So assuming, as you say,  "any decent size slot pool" equates to 50 people (which is actually a lot), the total amount of points accrued on the organizers card would total 150. Even if you add another complete round, the number of points is far short of any free cruise as you described. 

[PhillyFan33579]

38 minutes ago, rolloman said:

Well let's fact check your math. Every 5 dollars spent equates to 1 point. Typically, each player gets 3 five dollar max spins. This equates to a total of 3 points per player accrued on the organizers card. So assuming, as you say,  "any decent size slot pool" equates to 50 people (which is actually a lot), the total amount of points accrued on the organizers card would total 150. Even if you add another complete round, the number of points is far short of any free cruise as you described. 

I agree with your example but that is a small slot pull with a very low entry fee. If I organize a slot pull at $50 per person and 75 people participate (not unusual on an Oasis class ship), that is 750 points minimum. Add in that often people agree to do another round based on current winnings and you are easily over 800 points. 

[Mikew0805]

1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I agree with your example but that is a small slot pull with a very low entry fee. If I organize a slot pull at $50 per person and 75 people participate (not unusual on an Oasis class ship), that is 750 points minimum. Add in that often people agree to do another round based on current winnings and you are easily over 800 points. 

I agree, I still think they are boring and loud, but there will be no earning a comp cruise on my $$.

 

If that is your zip code at the end of your screen name, we are neighbors.. HI!👋

[rolloman]

1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I agree with your example but that is a small slot pull with a very low entry fee. If I organize a slot pull at $50 per person and 75 people participate (not unusual on an Oasis class ship), that is 750 points minimum. Add in that often people agree to do another round based on current winnings and you are easily over 800 points. 

You think it is "not unusual" for 75 people to be in a cruise ship slot pull for $50.00 pp ??? I am going to have to check the exaggeration meter on that one... as that kind of a pull would be very unusual. To me, it seems you are trying really hard to make a point about your disdain for slot pull organizers and slot pulls in general. Most cruise ship slot pulls I have been in (or viewed) had about 10 to 30 participants with $20.00 or so entry fee. For the record, I was on 11 casino cruises the past year and currently have 4 in the hopper. I doubt anyone joins these pulls dreaming of getting rich...instead it is a fun way to meet people and spend your time....especially when your only other option is the basket weaving seminar or the Nassau port shopping show. 

[PhillyFan33579]

32 minutes ago, rolloman said:

You think it is "not unusual" for 75 people to be in a cruise ship slot pull for $50.00 pp ??? I am going to have to check the exaggeration meter on that one... as that kind of a pull would be very unusual. To me, it seems you are trying really hard to make a point about your disdain for slot pull organizers and slot pulls in general. Most cruise ship slot pulls I have been in (or viewed) had about 10 to 30 participants with $20.00 or so entry fee. For the record, I was on 11 casino cruises the past year and currently have 4 in the hopper. I doubt anyone joins these pulls dreaming of getting rich...instead it is a fun way to meet people and spend your time....especially when your only other option is the basket weaving seminar or the Nassau port shopping show. 

On a recent cruise on Harmony some guy had a $100 slot pull and had around 25 people join it.  I am not against slot pulls. If that is the only gambling you do on the ship I think it is a great idea.  But if you plan to gamble more than that, I think it is smarter to gamble using your own card.  Based on your comment you know how easy it is to get free cruises from the casino. One thing I have noticed lately is I am not getting as many offers in the mail as in the past. I am assuming/hoping this is due to cruises being pretty full these days with all the FCCs people are using from COVID cancellations. 

[rolloman]

59 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

On a recent cruise on Harmony some guy had a $100 slot pull and had around 25 people join it.  I am not against slot pulls. If that is the only gambling you do on the ship I think it is a great idea.  But if you plan to gamble more than that, I think it is smarter to gamble using your own card.  Based on your comment you know how easy it is to get free cruises from the casino. One thing I have noticed lately is I am not getting as many offers in the mail as in the past. I am assuming/hoping this is due to cruises being pretty full these days with all the FCCs people are using from COVID cancellations. 

I think it has slowed down a bit but I do know someone who racks up about 4000+ points a trip...she has a ton of offers I do not get. As for the slot pulls...there is a famous you tuber who is a high roller who actually has a slot machine created in his caricature. His slot pulls in Vegas have $200.00-$500.00 buy in...kind of crazy but people do it...more than likely just to be a part of his online shows. 

[flamingos]

7 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 Just my opinion, but I would rather win my own free cruises (I have 9 free casino cruises booked this year so far including one on Odyssey today) than have my money help someone else get free cruises. 

For people who normally don't go to the casino, it's a fun activity to meet people that cost ~$30, with a chance to get your money back or better.  I don't begrudge the organizer getting points for their efforts.

[PhillyFan33579]

55 minutes ago, flamingos said:

For people who normally don't go to the casino, it's a fun activity to meet people that cost ~$30, with a chance to get your money back or better.  I don't begrudge the organizer getting points for their efforts.

I agree with you for people who don’t gamble too much on a cruise. 

[nimbex1970]

ok, now after reading this thread, I am excited to join in!  I usually play craps, with nice odds, but this is a fun change!  Going to hit FB to find a group on my May cruise!

[sellwingri]

I’ve run several slot pulls, one with as many as 80 participants and never earned more than 150 points by using my card.    Usually it’s much less than that.  I’m not in it for the points.  It’s time consuming and can be frustrating at times but it’s fun.

 

Facebook group is the best place to organize since the Meet and Mingles no longer exist.

Edited February 6, 2023 by sellwingri

[pcur]

On 2/5/2023 at 7:27 AM, PhillyFan33579 said:

It only takes 800 points to get a free cruise. So any decent size slot pull is going to get the organizer a free cruise or close to a free cruise. And if an organizer runs several slot pulls on several cruises, they will easily make prime (2500 points), which gets them another free cruise plus free unlimited drinks for over a year in the casino. Plus you frequently get additional free cruise offers once you hit prime and often even before you reach prime. Just my opinion, but I would rather win my own free cruises (I have 9 free casino cruises booked this year so far including one on Odyssey today) than have my money help someone else get free cruises. 

I just go for the fun. Don't care who gets the points and drinks, since the extent of my cruise gambling is my free $8 and a few slot pulls.

[PhillyFan33579]

1 hour ago, pcur said:

I just go for the fun. Don't care who gets the points and drinks, since the extent of my cruise gambling is my free $8 and a few slot pulls.

In your situation I agree joining a slot pull makes sense.  I am on Odyssey right now and haven’t gambled too much and already won enough points for a free 8 day cruise (although you still have to pay port fees and taxes).  

[3red7s]

On 1/23/2023 at 10:51 AM, neverbeenhere said:

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

totally agree

[Eddie Wilson]

On 2/3/2023 at 3:07 AM, PhillyFan33579 said:

People got excited over winning $53 each??? The only person who benefits from a slot pull is the organizer who insists everyone plays using their card so they accumulate casino points using other people’s money. 

 

Tap the brakes a little, not in all instances.  I co-chaired a slot pull once, and the other person, a regular in the casino, purposely did not want to appear as if they wanted the points, and would not therefore use their card.

 

I on the other hand I have spent possibly $100 in the casino over a dozen cruises, so they asked for me to insert my card.  I don’t know how the points work and don’t care. 

 

Long story short, to cash out we needed lots of $1 bills, which the casino would only allow us to exchange one $10 bill for ten ones.  Went to guest services, they also were short on $1’s.  So the co chair and I rounded everyone else’s share to the nearest $5 and we received nothing, not even our original buy in amount.

 

I have never chaired another one, but participated, and brought $50 in $1 bills just in case the organizer ran into the same small bill problem.  They did need twenty of those $1’s.

 

Eddie