Q. I have enjoyed reading your book on Slots. I do the 5 or 6 coins and if nothing happens, I'm out of there.  I've done pretty well, no great jackpots, ($1300 at Horseshoe in Tunica, then turned around and won $500 on another machine), but I usually break even, and play pretty much 7 or 8 hours straight on $200. 
As long as I don't lose too much, slots are a lot of fun for a little money. Joan.

Joan: That’s the way to have fun in a casino and streeeeetch your gambling bankroll.

Q. It seems like things have changed since I moved away--both the slots and the video poker machines are much tighter these days. Back in the good old days, if one were to play at the old Castaways for example, payouts were regular. Same could be said of other “locals" hangouts, e.g., the El Cortez. Some of the cabbie hangouts were pretty cool in their day as well. I guess all the above pretty well preceded the corporate takeover of LV gaming.  I am keenly aware of randomness and its attendant rules, but playing slots or video poker in Vegas today seems more like feeding a parking meter (LOL) than actually "playing".  I used to be able to take $100 and play for hours--Sam's Town and the old Continental were great for that.
O.K. getting a bit windy, so I'll cut to the chase...reservations for the Texas Station across from the Fiesta. Coming to town on business (Big Apparel Show). No big allusions of winning the BIG jackpot, but would like to be able to play both the slots and video poker without breaking the bank immediately.
If I had $100. to play with where in town would I have the best chance of playing the longest without an immediate wipeout? Should I get the club cards for the perks? Just looking for a good, fun time. Seems like a UNLV alum should get some kind of special dispensation. Yeah right :-) Ken.

Ken: I suggest you play in northwest Vegas (rather far from your alumni campus), however always the top payouts in this area. Yes to the Fiesta, Santa Fe, Suncoast and AZ Charlies. Sign up for freebies and build your bankroll before and if you head downtown. With these casinos, high returns should be 'apparalent'.  LOL.

Q. You helped me before in response to some of the things in your book and I thought I would ask you for some extra tips.
1.  I may be going to Vegas soon.  If you were me and approaching the slots for the first time, what would you personally recommend?
2. Double Diamonds and Red, White, and Blue.  When the machine says "Deluxe" is that much of a benefit?
3.  Tell me again what is a non-progressive slot machine. Thanks for the help. Ed

Ed: 1) I would start with basic, single payline, two-coin max. slots--DD and RWB 7's to build your bankroll, then you can move on to progressives and bonus slots.
2) Deluxe versions offer the 'nudge' feature where the symbol will 'jump' or move up or down to offer a payback. They are fun to play and watch, but slightly lower payouts than basic slots described in #1.
3) A non-progressive slot is a version that has a constant top jackpot that never changes, as described in #1. 

Q. We love the 9 and 15 line video nickel machines, and would not want to end up
somewhere that still has mostly quarter and dollar reel machines.  Your help would really be appreciated before we book our trip.  Slot player.

Hello fellow slot player: To answer your question, you will not find any casino on the strip or downtown that does not have the multi-line slots and most of the time in higher numbers than basic slots. Therefore, I would suggest the larger casinos on the strip--MGM Grand, Bellagio and NewYork, New York. Also Paris, Venetian and Aladdin for the largest selection. Downtown Fremont Street--Golden Nugget and El Cortez.