As you likely know we have fun keeping track of exactly what each strike costs us. We always keep great records, especially now that the machines can be ordered with different payouts. We had played plenty enough at El Cortez, Plaza and Las Vegas club to get a great feel for what they were paying out. Plaza was OK, but, El Cotez and Vegas Club were at $18 a piece in the long run. A ridiculously high price per strike to have to pay. I really had no doubt that thois wasnt incredibly bad luck as we had played fo rsome time over a period of s few days. Pete Ryan went to a slot manager asking for a food comp. The slot manager looked up his play and mentioned that it would be no problem as he had been playing the strike machine which has a 25% hold ( lowest allowed by law). So...the $18 a strike comes from my figures and the 25% hold comes stright from the casino. I suspect that mirage and TI have theor machines at $18 each also, but, have not played them enough to really know for sure. At least they are on the strip and tradionally set their machines tight. Las Vegas Club and El Cortez have no excuses.