Best ways to Seven Stars or "Diamond in a Day" for Caesars properties around the US

[Dan Druff]

Atlantic City (Updated January 1, 2020)

The good games at Caesars properties Atlantic City all have $20 per tier credit or worse, which will take twice as long to earn tier credits. I will list the $20/tier games, as some are good enough to justify playing for tiers if you're not going to be in a better market.


Bally's Atlantic City

9-6 Jacks or Better 1 play & 3 play, $1/$2/$5 per credit (99.54% return), 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. There's 3-play in Diamond Pointe immediately to the left after entering (three slant top machines). The single play machines are all upright -- seven Game Kings in section BB near steps to Tower elevators, four Game Kings in section HF, and two machines in section BI.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $460
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4600

9-7-4 Triple Double Bonus, 1-play, $1/$2/$5 credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered, (99.58% return). On its face, this would appear to be the best option, as it has the highest return. Don't be fooled. It's a very volatile game and the strategy, which you can find here, isn't all that intuitive. There's also just 1 machine, located in high limit.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $420
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4200

9-6 Double Double Bonus Aces and Faces, 1-play, $1/$2/$5 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. (99.46% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. There are seven Game Kings in section BB near steps to Tower elevators, and four Game Kings in section HF -- the same machines housing the 9-6 Jacks or Better.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $540
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5400

18-7-5 Joker Wild (Kings or Better), 1-play, $1/$2/$5 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. (99.29% return): Strategy is here. There are seven Game Kings in section BB near steps to Tower elevators, and four Game Kings in section HF -- the same machines housing the 9-6 Jacks or Better.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $710
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $7100

8-5 Bonus Aces and Faces, 1-play, $1/$2/$5 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. (99.26% return): Same strategy as Bonus Poker. There are seven Game Kings in section BB near steps to Tower elevators, and four Game Kings in section HF -- the same machines housing the 9-6 Jacks or Better.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $740
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $7400

9-7-5 Double Bonus Aces and Faces, 1-play, $1/$2/$5 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. (99.24% return): Same strategy as Double Bonus Poker. There are seven Game Kings in section BB near steps to Tower elevators, and four Game Kings in section HF -- the same machines housing the 9-6 Jacks or Better.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $740
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $7400



Caesars Atlantic City

9-6 Jacks or Better 1-play, $1/$2/$5 per credit (99.54% return), 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. Three slant top machines are located in section CP. There's also three slant-top Game Kings in the high limit room which are $2 only.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $460
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4600

8-5 Bonus Aces and Faces, 1-play, $1/$2/$5 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. (99.26% return): Same strategy as Bonus Poker. Three slant top machines are located in section CP -- same machines housing Jacks or Better.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $740
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $7400



Harrah's Atlantic City

9-6 Jacks or Better 1-play, $1/$2 per credit, $5/10 per credit (99.54% return), 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. There's 8 slant tops in Diamond Cove, three slant tops in triangular formation in section DD, and 12 machines located near Brigantine entrance (all $1/$2 credits). For the $5/$10 machines, look for 6 slant top machines in Diamond Cove.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $460
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4600

9-7-4 Triple Double Bonus, 1-play, $1/$2 per credit, $5/10 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered, (99.58% return). On its face, this would appear to be the best option, as it has the highest return. Don't be fooled. It's a very volatile game and the strategy, which you can find here, isn't all that intuitive. Same machines as Jacks or Better above.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $420
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4200

9-6 Double Double Bonus Aces and Faces, 1-play, $1/$2 per credit, $5/10 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. (99.46% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. Same machines as Jacks or Better above.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $540
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5400

18-7-5 Joker Wild (Kings or Better), 1-play, $1/$2 per credit, $5/10 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. (99.29% return): Strategy is here. Same machines as Jacks or Better above.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $710
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $7100

8-5 Bonus Aces and Faces, 1-play, $1/$2 per credit, $5/10 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. (99.26% return): Same strategy as Bonus Poker. Same machines as Jacks or Better above.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $740
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $7400

9-7-5 Double Bonus Aces and Faces, 1-play, $1/$2 per credit, $5/10 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. (99.24% return): Same strategy as Double Bonus Poker. Same machines as Jacks or Better above.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $740
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $7400

[Dan Druff]

Mississippi (updated January 14, 2020)

Mississippi has seen some downgrading.


Harrah's Gulf Coast in Biloxi features a high-limit 9-6 Jacks or Better game, if you don't mind variance and you can take the fact that it's $25 per tier earned.

9-6 Jacks or Better $5/$10/$25 per credit, 3/5/10 play (minimum $75 per hand), 1 tier earned per $25 wagered, (99.54% return).
Average loss getting to Diamond: $575
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5750



Horseshoe Tunica is a little bit more reasonable, though not great:

9-7-5 Double Bonus Poker: $1 or $5 per credit, 1 play. 99.11% return. You'll probably want to play the $5/credit version, or it will take 10 hours to earn 2500 tiers. Note that this is Double Bonus Poker, not Double Double Bonus. These are located in "Game King" machines, in front of the buffet. The paytable is 9 for a full house, 7 for a flush, 5 for a straight, quads at 50/80/160, and 55 for a straight flush. Verify these payouts before playing.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $445
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4450

9-6 Double Double Bonus, $1 or $5 per credit, 1-play (98.98% return). You'll probably want to play the $5/credit version, or it will take 10 hours to earn 2500 tiers. These are located in "Game King" machines, in front of the buffet. There are also some bartop versions of this game.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $510
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5100

[Dan Druff]

Louisiana (updated January 14, 2020)

All the way through 2015, Harrah's New Orleans was the best option to earn tier credits cheaply. Sadly, 2016 was met with a massive degradation of paytables.

If you still want to play here, this is really your only option, which isn't very good:

25-15-9-4-4 Deuces Wild ("LV Airport Deuces") $5/credit 1-play (98.91% return). 8 machines located near poker room. There's also $1 3/5/10 play in the high limit room.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $545
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5450



Elsewhere in the state, you're a bit better off at Horseshoe Bossier City:

8-5 Bonus Poker $5/credit, 3/5 play (99.17% return), minimum $75 per hand. Located in the high limit room.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $415
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4150

8-5 Bonus Poker $1/credit, 50-play (99.17% return), minimum $40 per hand (8 hands mininum). Located in the high limit room.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $415
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4150

10-7-5 Double Bonus Poker $5/credit, 3/5 play (99.17% return), minimum $75 per hand. Located in the high limit room.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $415
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4150

[Dan Druff]

Illinois (Updated January 17, 2020)

Harrah's Joliet has three video poker variants worth looking at, though none are great.

9-6 Double Double Bonus Poker, $1/$2/$5 per credit, as well as $5/$10/$25 per credit, 1-play (98.98% return). If you don't have the patience to play the $1 progressive below, you can play at higher denominations and get this done faster. There are $1/$2/$5 slant top machines near the bar, and more $1/$2/$5 in Game King and Superstar Poker bartops. The high limit area also has $5/$10/$25 machines like this (slant tops). There's a few $1 machines located two rows from the bar, but if you're going to play $1, you might as well do the progressive (see below).
Average loss getting to Diamond: $510
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5100

9-6 Double Double Bonus Poker, $1/credit, 1-play with progressive (98.98% return or MORE). This is a "progressive" machine. These are new "Game King" machines located outside video poker alcove near left hand side of the bar. To figure out the actual return, look for the royal flush payout for max credits. For every $20 over $4000, add 0.01% to the return. Then look at 4 aces with any 2/3/4. For every $16 over $2000, add 0.01% again. Sadly, this only a 1-play, $1 machine, so it will still take you 10 hours to earn 2500 tier credits.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $510 (less with progressive as described above)
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5100 (less with progressive as described above)

Double Bonus Poker: $1/credit, 3 play (99.11% return). Located outside the video poker alcove. This will earn tier credits faster due to the 3-play. Note that this is Double Bonus Poker, not Double Double Bonus. The paytable is 9 for a full house, 7 for a flush, 5 for a straight, quads at 50/80/160, and 50 for a straight flush. Verify these payouts before playing. You will find these on the "Triple Play" machines right outside the video poker alcove.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $445
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4450

[Dan Druff]

North Carolina (Updated December 29, 2022)

There are two Harrah's Cherokee casinos in North Carolina.

One of them, simply called Harrah's Cherokee, has a number of very good (albeit somewhat high variance) machines to rack up tiers at minimum average loss. This is also a fairly nice place to visit, as it's right at the entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and isn't too far from scenic Asheville.

The other one, Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel has no good games, aside from some super-high-limit ones.

Below is a list of games at Harrah's Cherokee. All are located in the "new high limit room" (next to the table games area), unless otherwise indicated.

These machines have $1/$2/$5 denominations, but only the $5 variation has the good pay table!

Also, Harrah's Cherokee changed these games to $25 per tier credit sometime in 2019, but changed it back recently to $10 per tier credit. However, make sure to verify it's $10 per tier credit, by watching your tier credits build as you play.

25-16-10-4-4 Deuces Wild ("Not So Ugly Deuces") $5 per credit, 1-play (99.73% return): Find these in new the new high limit room next to the table games area. Strategy for this game is here. Do NOT play the one near the center atrium spiral staircase, as that is $25/tier credit.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $135
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $1350

The below machines can also be found in the new high limit room:

9-6 Bonus Deluxe $5 per credit, 1-play (99.64% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $180
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $1800

9-5 White Hot Aces $5 per credit, 1-play (99.57% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $215
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2150

9-6 Double Double Bonus Aces and Faces, $5 per credit, 1-play (99.46% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $270
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2700

9-6 Double Double Bonus Plus, $5 per credit, 1-play (99.44% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $280
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2800

[terri995]

North Carolina


Below is a list of games at Harrah's Cherokee. All are located in the "new high limit room" (next to the table games area), unless otherwise indicated.

25-16-10-4-4 Deuces Wild ("Not So Ugly Deuces") $5 per credit, 1-play (99.73% return): Six machines here. Also four others located in the second room on left side of aisle after entering from parking garage escalator. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance. Strategy for this game is here.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $135
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $1350

Thank you for all the great info!!
My husband and I did go to Harrah's Cherokee and did manage to get the diamond status, but never id find the "Not So Ugly Dueces" game described here. We may try to get back there before the end of the year since I got a notice that the diamond lounge requirement is changing in 2018:

Diamond members will continue to receive:

$100 Celebration dinner
Priority lines at hotel check-in, restaurants, cashiers and Total Rewards® Centers
Complimentary resort fees for all stays
Complimentary valet and self-parking
Complimentary 4-night stay at Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas
And more great benefits

In 2018, Diamond Lounge access will be complimentary for members who earn at least 25,000 Tier Credits in 2017.2

My question is - can anyone confirm this game is still there?
Thank You!!
Terri

[Aces]

First time poster here. I read through the entire thread and didn't see this mentioned. You can get a FoundersCard for $495 through The Points Guy link. One of the benefits is you get Diamond status with Total Rewards. I haven't done it as I wouldn't use it enough to make it worthwhile, but it seems like a better option than likely spending over $1000 and 5-10 hours on VP to get the same thing.

https://thepointsguy.com/2017/05/fou...two-new-perks/

Edit: Just saw this listed in another post. Sorry if repeat. Still pretty easy to get value back just from resort fees alone if you go often enough. I would assume you will still get other perks just from playing, I get comped now quite often and I'm only a Platinum.

[Lanman122]

So the games at valley river won’t let you get diamond in a day?

North Carolina

There are two Harrah's Cherokee casinos in North Carolina.

One of them, simply called Harrah's Cherokee, has a number of very good (albeit somewhat high variance) machines to rack up tiers at minimum average loss.

The other one, Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel has no good games, aside from some super-high-limit ones.

Below is a list of games at Harrah's Cherokee. All are located in the "new high limit room" (next to the table games area), unless otherwise indicated.

25-16-10-4-4 Deuces Wild ("Not So Ugly Deuces") $5 per credit, 1-play (99.73% return): Six machines here. Also four others located in the second room on left side of aisle after entering from parking garage escalator. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance. Strategy for this game is here.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $135
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $1350

9-6 Bonus Deluxe $5 per credit, 1-play (99.64% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $180
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $1800

9-5 White Hot Aces $5 per credit, 1-play (99.57% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $215
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2150

9-6 Jacks or Better $5 per credit, 1-play (99.46% return): Six machines here. Four others located in the middle of the casino, close to the circular beverage station. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $230
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2300

9-6 Double Double Bonus Aces and Faces, $5 per credit, 1-play (99.46% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $270
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2700

9-6 Double Double Bonus Plus, $5 per credit, 1-play (99.44% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $280
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2800

[Dan Druff]

So the games at valley river won’t let you get diamond in a day?

North Carolina

There are two Harrah's Cherokee casinos in North Carolina.

One of them, simply called Harrah's Cherokee, has a number of very good (albeit somewhat high variance) machines to rack up tiers at minimum average loss.

The other one, Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel has no good games, aside from some super-high-limit ones.

Below is a list of games at Harrah's Cherokee. All are located in the "new high limit room" (next to the table games area), unless otherwise indicated.

25-16-10-4-4 Deuces Wild ("Not So Ugly Deuces") $5 per credit, 1-play (99.73% return): Six machines here. Also four others located in the second room on left side of aisle after entering from parking garage escalator. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance. Strategy for this game is here.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $135
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $1350

9-6 Bonus Deluxe $5 per credit, 1-play (99.64% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $180
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $1800

9-5 White Hot Aces $5 per credit, 1-play (99.57% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $215
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2150

9-6 Jacks or Better $5 per credit, 1-play (99.46% return): Six machines here. Four others located in the middle of the casino, close to the circular beverage station. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $230
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2300

9-6 Double Double Bonus Aces and Faces, $5 per credit, 1-play (99.46% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $270
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2700

9-6 Double Double Bonus Plus, $5 per credit, 1-play (99.44% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $280
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2800

You can earn Diamond in a Day at Cherokee Valley River, but the games there are lousy, and it will cost you a lot more (on average).

I would suggest driving the extra distance to regular Harrah's Cherokee.

[mbrown205]

Are these still good for Cherokee? It's only about 3 hours from me, and was planning on doing a weekend trip

North Carolina

There are two Harrah's Cherokee casinos in North Carolina.

One of them, simply called Harrah's Cherokee, has a number of very good (albeit somewhat high variance) machines to rack up tiers at minimum average loss.

The other one, Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel has no good games, aside from some super-high-limit ones.

Below is a list of games at Harrah's Cherokee. All are located in the "new high limit room" (next to the table games area), unless otherwise indicated.

25-16-10-4-4 Deuces Wild ("Not So Ugly Deuces") $5 per credit, 1-play (99.73% return): Six machines here. Also four others located in the second room on left side of aisle after entering from parking garage escalator. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance. Strategy for this game is here.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $135
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $1350

9-6 Bonus Deluxe $5 per credit, 1-play (99.64% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $180
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $1800

9-5 White Hot Aces $5 per credit, 1-play (99.57% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $215
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2150

9-6 Jacks or Better $5 per credit, 1-play (99.46% return): Six machines here. Four others located in the middle of the casino, close to the circular beverage station. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $230
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2300

9-6 Double Double Bonus Aces and Faces, $5 per credit, 1-play (99.46% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $270
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2700

9-6 Double Double Bonus Plus, $5 per credit, 1-play (99.44% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $280
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2800

[B.Allen]

Hello Dan, this is my first post
I have a few questions regarding this.
I will be in Cherokee on Friday Jan 10, 2020 for about 15hrs.

Do you suggest playing the Deuces Wild (NSUD) at $1, $2, or $5 and do the 5bet
Which comes out to $5, $10, and $25 per bet?

Do you know if they still have this set of video poker machines you are referring to?

I would like to get diamond and possibly seven star ASAP this year.

Do you have any suggestions for me before I go this weekend that might help me get to the Diamond or Seven Star?

I only have about $1200 to take with me this time, but I only live about 1hr and 45min away from Cherokee Casino and plan on going again in a few weeks.

Thanks,
Brian

North Carolina

There are two Harrah's Cherokee casinos in North Carolina.

One of them, simply called Harrah's Cherokee, has a number of very good (albeit somewhat high variance) machines to rack up tiers at minimum average loss.

The other one, Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel has no good games, aside from some super-high-limit ones.

Below is a list of games at Harrah's Cherokee. All are located in the "new high limit room" (next to the table games area), unless otherwise indicated.

25-16-10-4-4 Deuces Wild ("Not So Ugly Deuces") $5 per credit, 1-play (99.73% return): Six machines here. Also four others located in the second room on left side of aisle after entering from parking garage escalator. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance. Strategy for this game is here.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $135
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $1350

9-6 Bonus Deluxe $5 per credit, 1-play (99.64% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $180
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $1800

9-5 White Hot Aces $5 per credit, 1-play (99.57% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $215
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2150

9-6 Jacks or Better $5 per credit, 1-play (99.46% return): Six machines here. Four others located in the middle of the casino, close to the circular beverage station. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $230
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2300

9-6 Double Double Bonus Aces and Faces, $5 per credit, 1-play (99.46% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $270
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2700

9-6 Double Double Bonus Plus, $5 per credit, 1-play (99.44% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. As this will be $25 per hand, expect some variance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $280
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2800

[Dan Druff]

Hi Brian,

$1200 is a bit of a thin bankroll for earning Diamond, but of course you can try.

You should attempt to earn at least 2500 tiers on this trip, so you should play the $5 denomination and 5 credits at once.

Make sure you know the proper Deuces Wild strategy, and keep the strategy page I linked up on your phone at all times.

I am not sure if the full pay Deuces game is still there, but make sure you verify the pay table before playing.

Let me know what you find there. Good luck.

[Dan Druff]

Iowa (updated January 17, 2020)

The best machines at Horseshoe Council Bluffs are three 100-play machines 25c machines. These are only 98.98% return, and the 100-play brings out some pretty high variance, so you are best off finding another option if possible.

9-6 Double Double Bonus 25c/credit, 100-play ($12.50-$125 per hand), (98.98% return). Located in the middle of the casino, about 50 yards due north of the players club.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $510
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5100

25-15-9-4-4 Deuces Wild ("LV Airport Deuces") $1/credit 1-play (98.91% return). Will take you 10 hours or so to earn 2500 tier credits -- maybe more if you're not that familiar with Deuces. Not a very good option. These are bartop machines near Caesars rewards.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $545
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5450



The same deuces game is also at Harrah's Council Bluffs.

25-15-9-4-4 Deuces Wild ("LV Airport Deuces") $1/credit 1-play (98.91% return). Will take you 10 hours or so to earn 2500 tier credits -- maybe more if you're not that familiar with Deuces. Not a very good option. These are at the TAG bar, just inside the casino entrance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $545
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5450

[Dan Druff]

Indiana (Updated January 17, 2020)


Horseshoe Hammond

Horseshoe Hammond features some good games, but they all require $25 or $50 per tier credit, which makes most of them unplayable for reaching Diamond or Seven Stars economically.

However, a few of the games are still good enough to where they are okayish to use to reach Diamond or Seven Stars, even with the $25 requirement. Those are listed below. Still, you are better off with the $10/tier options.

8-5 Bonus Poker, $1 per credit, 9-play Spin Poker (99.17% return, $45 per hand). Regular, 8-5 bonus poker, but it requires 9-play in order to get the proper return for the Royal. On the bright side, this is the best machine offering $10/tier credit in Indiana, and it will get you to Diamond in a little more than 2 hours. Located near poker room.
Make sure to verify that it is still $10/tier credit before playing!
Average loss getting to Diamond: $415
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4150

8-5-35 Bonus Poker, $5/$10/$25 per credit, 99.66% return, $25 per tier credit. I'm only listing this because the game is good enough to where the average loss is reasonable, but keep in mind that you'll be running 2.5x as much coin-in to get where you would normally. This machine pays 35 for all quads. Located in high limit room.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $425
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4250

9-6 Bonus Poker Deluxe, $5/$10/$25 per credit, 99.66% return, $25 per tier credit. I'm only listing this because the game is good enough to where the average loss is reasonable, but keep in mind that you'll be running 2.5x as much coin-in to get where you would normally. Located in high limit room. Here is the strategy for this game.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $450
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4500

9-6 Double Double Bonus $1/credit, 1-play,, (98.98% return plus progressive). Be aware that this will take you about 10 hours to earn 2500 tier credits. Not a very good option, though you will get a bit of a boost from the progressive. Located in the high limit room
Average loss getting to Diamond: $510 (actually a little less due to the progressive)
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5100 (actually a little less due to the progressive)

9-6 Double Double Bonus $1/credit, 100-play ($50 mininum per hand), (98.98% return). Located along a video poker aisle near the poker room.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $510
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5100


Caesars Southern Indiana (info from January 2018 -- please update if you know)

8-5 Bonus Poker $1 per credit, 1-play (99.17% return plus progressive). Located along the back wall of the 4th floor. It is not clear how many machines there are, please let me know if you find this and count them. As this is a 1-play machine, it will take about 10 hours to get 2500 base tier credits! However, this is the best returning machine at the property, especially because you get some added return from the progressive payout. Verify that you get 1 tier credit per $10 wagered. As of January 2018, this was the case.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $415 (actually a little less due to the progressive)
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4150 (actually a little less due to the progressive)

Double Bonus Poker: $1/credit, 3 or 5 play. 99.11% return. Note that this is Double Bonus Poker, not Double Double Bonus. This is located on the 4th floor in the high limit area. It is not clear how many machines there are, please let me know if you find this and count them. The paytable is 9 for a full house, 7 for a flush, 5 for a straight, quads at 50/80/160, and 55 for a straight flush. Verify these payouts before playing. Also verify that you get 1 tier credit per $10 wagered. As of January 2018, this was the case.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $445
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4450

9-6 Double Double Bonus $1/credit, 1-play (98.98% return plus progressive). Be aware that this will take you about 10 hours to earn 2500 tier credits. Not a very good option, though you will get a bit of a boost from the progressive.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $510 (actually a little less due to the progressive)
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5100 (actually a little less due to the progressive)

25-15-9-4-4 Deuces Wild ("LV Airport Deuces") $1/credit 1-play (98.91% return plus progressive). Will take you 10 hours or so to earn 2500 tier credits -- maybe more if you're not that familiar with Deuces. Not a very good option. You will get a bit of a boost from the progressive, though.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $545 (actually a little less due to the progressive)
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5450 (actually a little less due to the progressive)

[Stepbangin]

Iowa

The best machines at Horseshoe Council Bluffs are three 100-play machines 25c machines. These are only 98.98% return, and the 100-play brings out some pretty high variance, so you are best off finding another option if possible.

9-6 Double Double Bonus 25c/credit, 100-play ($125 per hand), (98.98% return). Located in the middle of the casino, about 50 yards due north of the players club.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $510
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5100

Don't bother with the other Caesars property, Harrah's Council Bluffs. There are no games worth playing that can earn you tier credits at a reasonable average loss at that casino.

What kind of bankroll would I need for this?

[skyjo]

Iowa (updated January 17, 2020)

The best machines at Horseshoe Council Bluffs are three 100-play machines 25c machines. These are only 98.98% return, and the 100-play brings out some pretty high variance, so you are best off finding another option if possible.

9-6 Double Double Bonus 25c/credit, 100-play ($12.50-$125 per hand), (98.98% return). Located in the middle of the casino, about 50 yards due north of the players club.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $510
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5100

25-15-9-4-4 Deuces Wild ("LV Airport Deuces") $1/credit 1-play (98.91% return). Will take you 10 hours or so to earn 2500 tier credits -- maybe more if you're not that familiar with Deuces. Not a very good option. These are bartop machines near Caesars rewards.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $545
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5450



The same deuces game is also at Harrah's Council Bluffs.

25-15-9-4-4 Deuces Wild ("LV Airport Deuces") $1/credit 1-play (98.91% return). Will take you 10 hours or so to earn 2500 tier credits -- maybe more if you're not that familiar with Deuces. Not a very good option. These are at the TAG bar, just inside the casino entrance.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $545
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5450

Made it to Diamond, baby (I saw Todd lament on Twitter a couple weeks ago that the 10x TC promo was going to create a lot of new Diamond members that'll be clogging up priority lines, etc. I guess I'm one of those cloggers. Sorry about that).

Just a heads up on the Horseshoe 100-play machines: There are only 2 now, and they have moved. As recently as March, they were in the location described above (although the count had already reduced from 3 to 2). Now (as of August) the entire video poker section has moved to what I think used to be a high-limit area. It's by the poker room. The poker room is off the corner of the main casino floor... you walk down a small hallway to get to the poker room. All the video poker machines are in a small glassed-off area along the edge of that hallway, near the Laurel Lounge entrance, across from the steak house.

[Bruno]

Remember that visitors to Mississippi who receive a W-2G for a Jackpot will be required to have a non-refundable 3% State Tax deducted from the Jackpot.

In Louisiana, State taxes will be deducted from the Jackpot but you must file Form IT-540B, Nonresident and Part-year Resident Form to have a portion removed. This should be considered when playing $5 and $10 VP.

[Nickdel]

Hi,

I found this forum while looking for a method to get to Diamond level. Thanks, all, for the great information. I'd like to reciprocate.

Last week I had occasion to visit Atlantic City. According to this thread, Harrah's and Ballys are the places to try this DiaD method, so we stayed at Harrah's. I followed the directions mentioned above and went to the high limit slot area. There is indeed a row of VP machines near the emergency exit door. I saw the Triple Double Bonus game, but not one with a deal/draw payout table. I looked at every machine in the high limit area. Over the course of the weekend, I asked three different slot attendants, each of whom searched their computer and asked colleagues. Not only did none of them know of this machine, but not one had heard of this kind of payout at all, even after I showed them a picture of it on my phone. I'm not saying that the machines don't exist, but maybe they are not in the high limit room. Perhaps they were, but I could not find them.

Also, I'd like to offer some advice for people on here that are new to VP play (which includes myself). I played for over two hours at a triple double bonus machine, $25/hand, lost $250, and made only 800 tier credits. I left the machine dejectedly, figuring I had done something wrong and ready to give up the DiaD dream. It was hours later, after rereading this thread, that I figured out my mistake. I went back to the machine I was on and sure enough there was a sticker directly under the screen I had stared at for almost two and a half hours: $20 to 1. I was so mad at myself, wasting my time, wasting my money.

But I learned a valuable lesson: Always Pay Attention! Whether it be examining the hand you were dealt, the pay table, or the tier rate, always make sure you know exactly where you are.

My next session that day was at a poorly paid JoB game, same bets, but this time $10 to 1. Racked up 1700 credits pretty quickly (in comparison). I would have kept going to get my diamond, but it was late and I had a long drive the next day. So, I did manage to get 2500 credits and the 5,000 bonus (and a host - Harrah's must be hard up). Up to 11,500. Next trip will surely hit the diamond.

Nick

[Dan Druff]

Hi,

I found this forum while looking for a method to get to Diamond level. Thanks, all, for the great information. I'd like to reciprocate.

Last week I had occasion to visit Atlantic City. According to this thread, Harrah's and Ballys are the places to try this DiaD method, so we stayed at Harrah's. I followed the directions mentioned above and went to the high limit slot area. There is indeed a row of VP machines near the emergency exit door. I saw the Triple Double Bonus game, but not one with a deal/draw payout table. I looked at every machine in the high limit area. Over the course of the weekend, I asked three different slot attendants, each of whom searched their computer and asked colleagues. Not only did none of them know of this machine, but not one had heard of this kind of payout at all, even after I showed them a picture of it on my phone. I'm not saying that the machines don't exist, but maybe they are not in the high limit room. Perhaps they were, but I could not find them.

Also, I'd like to offer some advice for people on here that are new to VP play (which includes myself). I played for over two hours at a triple double bonus machine, $25/hand, lost $250, and made only 800 tier credits. I left the machine dejectedly, figuring I had done something wrong and ready to give up the DiaD dream. It was hours later, after rereading this thread, that I figured out my mistake. I went back to the machine I was on and sure enough there was a sticker directly under the screen I had stared at for almost two and a half hours: $20 to 1. I was so mad at myself, wasting my time, wasting my money.

But I learned a valuable lesson: Always Pay Attention! Whether it be examining the hand you were dealt, the pay table, or the tier rate, always make sure you know exactly where you are.

My next session that day was at a poorly paid JoB game, same bets, but this time $10 to 1. Racked up 1700 credits pretty quickly (in comparison). I would have kept going to get my diamond, but it was late and I had a long drive the next day. So, I did manage to get 2500 credits and the 5,000 bonus (and a host - Harrah's must be hard up). Up to 11,500. Next trip will surely hit the diamond.

Nick

Hi and welcome to the forum.

nerakil (a user here) is the one who found that Triple Double machine with Deal/Draw. Maybe he can tell us if it's still there.

Bally's has a Double Bonus Poker machine for $5/credit which returns 99.11% and is $10/tier credit.

[nerakil]

Hi,

I found this forum while looking for a method to get to Diamond level. Thanks, all, for the great information. I'd like to reciprocate.

Last week I had occasion to visit Atlantic City. According to this thread, Harrah's and Ballys are the places to try this DiaD method, so we stayed at Harrah's. I followed the directions mentioned above and went to the high limit slot area. There is indeed a row of VP machines near the emergency exit door. I saw the Triple Double Bonus game, but not one with a deal/draw payout table. I looked at every machine in the high limit area. Over the course of the weekend, I asked three different slot attendants, each of whom searched their computer and asked colleagues. Not only did none of them know of this machine, but not one had heard of this kind of payout at all, even after I showed them a picture of it on my phone. I'm not saying that the machines don't exist, but maybe they are not in the high limit room. Perhaps they were, but I could not find them.

Also, I'd like to offer some advice for people on here that are new to VP play (which includes myself). I played for over two hours at a triple double bonus machine, $25/hand, lost $250, and made only 800 tier credits. I left the machine dejectedly, figuring I had done something wrong and ready to give up the DiaD dream. It was hours later, after rereading this thread, that I figured out my mistake. I went back to the machine I was on and sure enough there was a sticker directly under the screen I had stared at for almost two and a half hours: $20 to 1. I was so mad at myself, wasting my time, wasting my money.

But I learned a valuable lesson: Always Pay Attention! Whether it be examining the hand you were dealt, the pay table, or the tier rate, always make sure you know exactly where you are.

My next session that day was at a poorly paid JoB game, same bets, but this time $10 to 1. Racked up 1700 credits pretty quickly (in comparison). I would have kept going to get my diamond, but it was late and I had a long drive the next day. So, I did manage to get 2500 credits and the 5,000 bonus (and a host - Harrah's must be hard up). Up to 11,500. Next trip will surely hit the diamond.

Nick

Nick,

The $1|$2|$5 Deal/Draw TDB games are on the "Five Star Poker" VP machines in the Harrah's AC High Limit Room.

There are two machines back-to-back, with identifying numbers AT03 14476 and AT04 14023.



For reference, the "theo" on these machines is set at 3.9%. You should use this information to your advantage when it comes to back-end comps.

Good luck on your next trip to Atlantic City.

-nerakil

---

Druff: An update on the 99.11% Double Bonus machines at Bally's Park Place (High Limit Room). On two specific machines, $2 denom is offered, along with $5, $10, $25 denoms (...is that Rob Singer's car behind me?). Machine numbers: MS09 26816 and MS10 26817.