Published: November 27, 2006 05:51 pm            

New video gambling machine a sure thing — sort of

LAS VEGAS — When it comes to gambling in Las Vegas, nothing is guaranteed. Except for this: A new video poker machine ensures a certain amount of playing time, no matter how bad your luck.

The video poker slot machine is called “Guaranteed Play.” It was conceived not in the back room of a casino or at a slot machine laboratory, but at inventor Jay Walker’s office in Stamford, Conn.

The device, which is expected to be offered in Las Vegas casinos within six months, allows players to buy a certain number of video poker hands up front for a set price.

For example, Walker’s games can offer 150 hands of “Jacks or Better” for $20 and 400 hands for $40. Those hands could take 20 minutes to an hour to play. Games offer more or less hands for the money based on the type of video poker game and the odds that apply to that game.

The gambler should assume that he will lose his money — but that he will have enjoyed playing a guaranteed number of games in the meantime.

“At the movies you know you’re getting about an hour and a half plus some popcorn,” Walker said. “We can assure customers that even before they leave their house, they know they’re going to be on a game for a while.”

        

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