Meadows Casino
SEP 2007
The best game I saw was a quarter 8/5 Jacks or Better game that was labeled 'Bonus' poker but paid 30 coins on all four of a kinds. This 8/5/30 JOB game was at the bar in the casino. The payback on this game is around 98.4 percent. There is also a game listed All-America Poker at the bar but the four of a kinds are shorted to a regular 25 coins. Shorting All-America Poker to 25 coin four of a kinds (instead of the normal 50 coins) makes it a 97% game.
The second best game I saw was 7/5 bonus boker in denominations from five cents up to $2. They also have 7/5 BP in 3/5/10 play from five cents up to $2. I was there on a weekday and there were a lot of people. I guess Pennsylvania is hungry for gambling.
JUN 2007
I visited The Meadows Casino, which is located about 30 miles SW of Pittsburgh. The best game is 9/6 DB @ 97.8%. There are also 8/5 DDB and 8/5 JOB. If you want Spin Poker or multiline the paytables are worse. Interestingly, all paytables are the same no matter what the denomination, nickels thru dollars. Comps are .1% with no CB. The place was crowded midday on Tuesday. The $13.95 lunch buffet was sparsely populated.
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Philadelphia Park
FEB 2007
I checked out Philadelphia Park on Sunday. The number of people there prevented me from checking every machine. Based on what I saw I would infer they have no video poker machines with a base pay table in excess of 98%. For example, they have 8/5 Jacks, 6/5 Jacks with quads paying 175, a version of All-American (USA Poker) returning only 125 for quads, 9/6 Double Bonus, etc.
I did notice at least one progressive which, in theory, could turn positive. However, with a 7/5 Jacks schedule, it would take a long time and plenty of short-coiners for it to get there.
They had a promotion for January where anyone with a premium card from another casino (e.g Diamond from Harrah's, black label from Borgata) could receive a premium card for Philadelphia Park. Which entitled you to two free meals at Philadelphia Park every day (only for January), preferred seating at the buffet, and free valet parking.
Because of how late in the month I waited to go there, I took advantage of the free buffet offer only once. Not bad, but nothing I would actually pay $17.95 for. Instead of having a dessert station, the server brings over a plate of assorted pastries at the end of your meal.
Even though I could get there in less than 10 minutes by car, I don't see myself wagering a dime in the casino. I'll travel an hour or so for the better games in Atlantic City.
However, for a slot jockey living close by needing a quick fix, it might work. It certainly seemed to work well enough for the people I saw there as nearly every quarter machine had someone playing it.
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