How does one organize a slot pull?

[tea4ular]

I've only participated in one (fun!) - what are some rules, etc.?

 

Anyone?

[poz222]

I have organized a few... pick a time and promote it with your group. I usually notifynthe casino,host and they typically throw in some freebies. When people arrive, I have them sign up with their name, room #. A trick I learned, is I bring smiley stickers and give them a sticker when they spin (check of each name on list). I like wheel of fortune $1 game. I have done $20 each (max bet $5'each Pull so 4 pulls) or $15 (5 pulls on a $3 max bet machine)... after everyone spun, I ask group if they want to do,another round of a spin (if pot is low) or cash out... majority rules.... when cash out, I split winnings between all players (no coins) any leftover after evenly distributed, any (cents) are given a a "bonus" for the highest spinner (as it is a pain to deal,with change.... it is a LOT of Fun!! This is how I do it, I have attended some,that are done a bit different

[honestguy]

has a group ever hit it big on a slot pull?

[tea4ular]

The one we did was $20 each, and after all was said & done we each walked away with our $20 + ~ $35 each.

 

Ours sounds like the one noted above -

[richfret]

I have also found that if you check with the Casino prior to the event, they provide some one to help you at the event.

[fkfad]

I organized one and the casino host provided us with a couple of robes, a couple of caps, and a couple of towels to give away -- which we did via a drawing at the end of the pull. I met with her on the first day of the cruise and told her that I was bringing a crowd of 35 people into the casino on whichever night to host a slot pull. She was very excited, participated by cheering everyone on, and was a very nice host! Also, the cashier in the cage split the winnings into equal stacks for me, and I handed out the winnings in front of the cage. It was a lot of fun (we didn't win, but we had fun)!

[tea4ular]

I organized one and the casino host provided us with a couple of robes, a couple of caps, and a couple of towels to give away -- which we did via a drawing at the end of the pull. I met with her on the first day of the cruise and told her that I was bringing a crowd of 35 people into the casino on whichever night to host a slot pull. She was very excited, participated by cheering everyone on, and was a very nice host! Also, the cashier in the cage split the winnings into equal stacks for me, and I handed out the winnings in front of the cage. It was a lot of fun (we didn't win, but we had fun)!

 

What kinds of "rules" and such did you implement? This sounds really cool.

[jwjax]

has a group ever hit it big on a slot pull?

 

Big? Well a 4X return on $20 was Big for our group a few years back. We had about 10 or so fellow Spinners, some from previous cruises, on a WHoF $3 max bet machine.

 

We were up a few $$, when I hit, I think was 3XDiamond/7 or something like that. Payout was about $750. Of course we kept on Spinning!

 

To organize a Slot Pull , it takes someone to gather the names etc, set the time/place from either a Roll Call here on CC, or from one of the other unnamed places. Notify the players on the List via email prior to the cruise!

 

Have Fun!:):)

[TraSeaTrvls]

I have organized a few... pick a time and promote it with your group. I usually notifynthe casino,host and they typically throw in some freebies. When people arrive, I have them sign up with their name, room #. A trick I learned, is I bring smiley stickers and give them a sticker when they spin (check of each name on list). I like wheel of fortune $1 game. I have done $20 each (max bet $5'each Pull so 4 pulls) or $15 (5 pulls on a $3 max bet machine)... after everyone spun, I ask group if they want to do,another round of a spin (if pot is low) or cash out... majority rules.... when cash out, I split winnings between all players (no coins) any leftover after evenly distributed, any (cents) are given a a "bonus" for the highest spinner (as it is a pain to deal,with change.... it is a LOT of Fun!! This is how I do it, I have attended some,that are done a bit different

 

 

How far in advance did you contact the casino host and set things up? I am running my first group page and we have a ton of people wanting to do the slot pull...I am a big casino player but I've not organized one for this many ...how do you determine what day and time it will be with the group if you aren't sure you can have it ok with the casino for the time and day you want ....hummm...our cruise isn't until March of next year but we already have way over 100 ppl and only have had our page up a little over a month ..we may need more than one machine at this rate ;p;p..can I set this up this soon with the casino? Just about everything else has to be 180 days out ;p

[jwjax]

How far in advance did you contact the casino host and set things up? I am running my first group page and we have a ton of people wanting to do the slot pull...I am a big casino player but I've not organized one for this many ...how do you determine what day and time it will be with the group if you aren't sure you can have it ok with the casino for the time and day you want ....hummm...our cruise isn't until March of next year but we already have way over 100 ppl and only have had our page up a little over a month ..we may need more than one machine at this rate ;p..can I set this up this soon with the casino? Just about everything else has to be 180 days out ;p

 

If you have to organize other events, see if someone will volunteer to take on the "Slot Pull"?:)

 

If it turns into a major event...lots of players...the casino host needs to be involved. The best time to hold a slot pull is before the casino gets busy. Right after the sail away, before all the tables open etc.... If it gets crowded, break it up it into multiple groups. :):)

 

Enjoy and have fun!:D

[Ziggy7]

Example of one I was in:

 

· Slot Pull Director: __________________________.

· Slot Pull Event to be held on first sea day 1/22/18 at 11;00 am in the casino. Sign-ups at 10:30 in casino bar just prior to event!

· Players need to sign up on the roll call board, so a count can be totaled for a minimum of 15 players to proceed with planning the event. If 15 players are not committed, slot pull will not be held!

· Slot pull to be held on first Sea Day at 11am in the casino.

· Participation will be in the order of Slot Pull Registration sign up at the Casino bar beginning at 10:30 AM. Money will be collected and names put on the pull list. Or you may sign up at the Bon Voyage Lei Party on Embarkation day!

· Give your name and $16 entry fee (exact cash please!) to the Slot Pull Director.

· $15.00 will be put in the machine, with $1.00 going to the High roller prize pool (split if tied)!

If a registered player is not present when their name is called to pull, their name will be moved to the bottom of the list. You must play to take part in any winnings. If you are a “no show”, you will forfeit all shares of the winnings.

· Show up on time to the designated meeting place for the Slot Pull.

· No one may enter the Slot Pull after the first player makes their first pull.

· Make note of where you are in the order for pulling, be ready to pull when it is your turn. If you are not around when it is your turn, you will take your turn after all other players have taken their turn. If you do not take your turn, money will be forfeited to prize pool!

· Slot machine will be chosen by Slot Pull Director. The same slot machine will be used by all players.

· When it is your turn you will have 5 - $3 pulls (this may vary depending on the machine chosen; your total pulls will add up to $15), plus any bonus spin rounds you may win. You will take all of your pulls consecutively.

· If you are confused about how to operate the machine or how many pulls you have, ask the Slot Pull Director - they will be right next to the machine with you.

· After your turn, remain in the area to be sure to get any winnings you are due.

· All payouts will be paid immediately after the last pull is made and the money can be divided.

· Player winnings will be paid from the equally divided money collected by the Slot Pull Director from the slot machine after the last player has made their last pull.

· High Roller Pot (split if tied) will be paid to the player with highest total winnings during their turn.

· In the event we hit a taxable jackpot, taxes will be deducted from earnings before winnings are paid by Slot Pull Director!

· Slot Pull Director’s sign n sail card will be used and awarded all points as a thank you for their service!

Please be patient while any winnings are divided!

[comiso13]

I participated in a Slot Pull on a previous cruise and was surprised at just how much fun I had, cheering on each person. We had some close calls, but didn't win anything big. I think we got about half our original stake back. Don't often have that much fun for that little money.

[jgh1204]

The FB group for my last cruise organized one. I passed since one of the rules was you had to win a certain amount to share in the overall winnings.

[maryred]

Here's an example of the rules I posted for the one that I ran on 1 of our many Pride cruises. It was published on that social media site we can't mention as well as here...

 

In the EVENTS section -

Second Sea Day Slot Pull Full details in the File section

http address to the link

Cost: $20 buy-in per seat

Meet: 10:30-10:55am casino bar non-smoking area for check-in

Time: Slot pull start at 11am

Ends: All play will stop prior to Noon

Pay Out: 12:15pm in the EA Sports Bar

In the FILE section -

Second Sea Day Slot Pull

 

How it’s Run: We play on a slot machine at max bet, usually a video slot, with an interesting bonus feature and a jackpot potential of at least $2,000. We each take will take 4 spins if a $5 max bet, 5 spins if a $4 max bet, or 8 spins if a $2.50 max bet.

For security and tax purposes a single S&S card will be used to track play on a win/loss statement. Any that wish to dispute this may talk me prior to the close out of physical sign-in.

Couples may choose to “share” a seat, dividing the set # of spins as they see fit.

If a large enough jackpot is won and all participants agree play maybe halted at that point even if everyone has not had a chance to take their spins. All must agree otherwise we will continue to spin till all have had their equal chance to increase the winnings. If no jackpot is won, time allows, and the group wants (majority vote) after each player has had at least 1 round of play to hold a second round of spins, the number of spins will depend on the remaining credit balance on the machine.

All play will end by Noon so those involved in the Cabin Crawl or wishing to play the afternoon tournament in the casino at 1 pm will have time between the events.

End of Game Payout: After all have spun, the credits left on the machine will be divided to the nearest dollar and paid out back to each player starting about 12:15 in the EA Sports Bar adjacent to the casino. The uneven remainder (if any) will be added to the prize money given to the player who had the highest total amount won for the group during their spins, in the event of a tie this will be split.

 

TAXES: In the event that any single winning pull results in a credit payout exceeding $1,199 (USD) the casino will issue a hand payout in the form of a check (cashable at the casino cage) and fill-out a 1099-G form reporting the win to a single SS# to the IRS. So as to not wipe out one person’s share of the overall winnings, 20% of the hand payout amount - the group buy-in will be taken off the top of the community pot and given to the “winner of record” (the person accepting the IRS paperwork) to cover the additional income tax burden.

Example if we have 10 players at $20 per seat ($200 group buy-in) and hit a jackpot of $2000, then we finish play with a total of $2,100 left in credits, 20% of $1,800 ($360) will be given separately to the person whose name appears on the paperwork to cover the income tax burden and all participants will evenly split the remaining $1740 for $174 each.

 

Door Prizes: I will ask casino host and John Heald to provide some sort of prize(s), since this is a courtesy I cannot guarantee what, if any prize(s) will be supplied, but if given these are usually things presented to winners at ship sanctioned activities like a bottle of house wine. If prizes are provided, raffle tickets will be handed out at the sign-up table in the casino bar, drawing to happen after the slot pull in the sports bar.

 

Please Note: Others are welcome to join in the day of even if they do not sign-up online as long as they sign-in the day of the event, but a minimum of 10 players in advance are needed to go forward.

 

In anticipation of the event before leaving for the cruise I prepared a sign-up sheets that included space for the person's full name, cabin#, check-off boxes to track the # of pulls, and a place to initial that they received their payout (if any). As part of the sign-up sheet I also state by signing up that the participants agreed to the "rules" and printed 30 copies of the "rules" (about double of what indicated interest online) to hand out to each player. For the raffle I picked up at the dollar store sheets of 2 part #ed tickets. I also went to the bank for $100 in singles (the casino doesn't always like to part with more than 10 at a time).

About 1 month prior to the cruise I contacted the OPC via email at their website about the event providing my booking info, that they could inform the on board host staff that I would like to meet with them about door prizes for the event on embarkation night. Then about 4 days prior to the cruise I contacted John Heald on his social media page to inquire if the ship had any door prizes they could provide. Once I received a reply to these correspondences I printed off 2 copies of each of the responses, since they did indicate gifts would be available for the event.

After boarding I went to guest services gave them a copy of John H's reply, and they said they would forward it to the correct dept. for the "giveaways". By dinner a ship on a stick, a winners medal, and a bottle of house wine was delivered to my cabin with a note wishing us luck from JH. Later when the casino opened I talked to one of the hostess, and she promised a cap, a shirt, and a "drink" chip along with help to secure a machine for the hour of the event.

This particular cruise out of the 15 or so that indicated interest online, about 8 showed up along with another 3 or 4 that had not. We picked a machine went through a first complete round of people spinning, were down bit, but the group decided to go again, about half way through the "respins" we hit one of the small jackpots for something like $380 and decided to quit while now ahead. I think everyone received like $41, our jackpot getter received $47 the bottle of wine and the winner's medal. We raffled off the other 4 items, by having the bartender pull 4 tickets from the hat.

Just so you know this was only the second time that I participated in a slot pull where we came out well ahead. Most either break close to even or we go for broke. Also this was one of the smallest ones, 25-35 (showing up) people being typical, and over 90 being the largest. The one with 90+ lasted nearly 2 hours just to get through everyone's initial spins. So you may want to limit the number of participants and plan a second separate time if there is great interest, because most times the casino staff really wants you on only 1 machine.

[Mommawo]

How far in advance did you contact the casino host and set things up? I am running my first group page and we have a ton of people wanting to do the slot pull...I am a big casino player but I've not organized one for this many ...how do you determine what day and time it will be with the group if you aren't sure you can have it ok with the casino for the time and day you want ....hummm...our cruise isn't until March of next year but we already have way over 100 ppl and only have had our page up a little over a month ..we may need more than one machine at this rate ;p;p..can I set this up this soon with the casino? Just about everything else has to be 180 days out ;p

 

 

Hum what cruise you on in March. I am March 10 out of NOLA

[crusinpsychRN]

These are very thorough plans to organize a slot pull. Thanks!

[purple42173]

Do they have to be mid day? Does anyone ever have one in the late hours?

 

[Ziggy7]

17 hours ago, purple42173 said:

Do they have to be mid day? Does anyone ever have one in the late hours?

 

You can choose anytime you want, but keep in mind, if you want others to join the fun, you need to be mindful of the other ship activities that might be happening at the same time. Many of these slot pulls are done as a filler for not much happening on the ship at the time and lets make some money hehehe. Also choice of machines you want to used have a better chance to be empty. They do not reserve or let you reserve the machines.

[Bonita232]

I am organizing a slot pull and this information has been very helpful! Anything else anyone can suggest would be great.

[MishelleMcc]

I'm planning one too!  Have never done one before so this is VERY helpful!!!  Thank you!!

[kskelley40]

I have done several....all of the posts have great information already.  My biggest tip would be to bring change, i.e. ones, fives and tens.  I have run across several ships that were very stingy with their change.  Especially at the start of the cruise.  

I check out the machines the night before, usually a Wheel of Fortune.  About 30 minutes before the schedule pull time, my husband will sit and play at the machine to "hold" it for us.  We always had ours right after the Meet & Mingle.  Made it easy to just go from the meet to the casino.

We even schedule a second one later in the cruise if it is a longer cruise.

Good luck and let us know if you have any more questions.

[MishelleMcc]

3 hours ago, kskelley40 said:

I have done several....all of the posts have great information already.  My biggest tip would be to bring change, i.e. ones, fives and tens.  I have run across several ships that were very stingy with their change.  Especially at the start of the cruise.  

I check out the machines the night before, usually a Wheel of Fortune.  About 30 minutes before the schedule pull time, my husband will sit and play at the machine to "hold" it for us.  We always had ours right after the Meet & Mingle.  Made it easy to just go from the meet to the casino.

We even schedule a second one later in the cruise if it is a longer cruise.

Good luck and let us know if you have any more questions.

 

Wow!  Thank you!!  We bring change for tips, etc., but will remember to bring more for the slot pull!  I've read a couple of times about the Wheel of fortune so will zone in on one of those.  Is there a reason why it's favored?  Thank you again!!

[CaneDawg]

The organizer usually does good and ends up with free drinks with their card in the machine. We has a couple hundred participate on the Horizon the first sea day and hit nothing big. It took about 3 hours and there was a meet up later at the casino bar if you wanted your $11 back. If you chose not to come it was donated to the St Jude fundraiser they have on most ships. I thought that was a good idea. Also pick a machine near a hallway to easily line up if there is a good turn out. I have done a pull on every cruise that offered one and they all picked wheel machines. My advice, pick another machine, not one has been profitable.

 

[MishelleMcc]

1 hour ago, CaneDawg said:

The organizer usually does good and ends up with free drinks with their card in the machine. We has a couple hundred participate on the Horizon the first sea day and hit nothing big. It took about 3 hours and there was a meet up later at the casino bar if you wanted your $11 back. If you chose not to come it was donated to the St Jude fundraiser they have on most ships. I thought that was a good idea. Also pick a machine near a hallway to easily line up if there is a good turn out. I have done a pull on every cruise that offered one and they all picked wheel machines. My advice, pick another machine, not one has been profitable.

 

 

Thank you CaneDawg!!  Great advise! 

 

We will have a drink package so maybe the free drink could be passed on to another in the group. 

 

I can see that I might want to designate a later time to dispense the "winnings" as some of the folks may not want to waste valuable ship time waiting around for us to spit up the funds!  Good call!

 

As a rookie gambler, I am curious why you recommend choosing a different machine.  Can you explain?

[CaneDawg]

2 minutes ago, MishelleMcc said:

 

As a rookie gambler, I am curious why you recommend choosing a different machine.  Can you explain?

It was more of a joke...

The wheels are nice because everyone can see them spin when you hit a bonus but I have had no luck hitting anything on them. I like playing slots that are tied to a progressive jackpot just in case it hits, usually a bank of 5-10 machines tied to one jackpot.