I just came back from the main cage at El Cortez and was refused to trade in 2 dups I got out of their machine imedieatly before.

The cage manager said they never have and never will trade in strikes. If I want the 2 I did not have I need to play the machine and win them.
From my understanding this is opposite of their usual attitude regarding strikes.

Also at the Fremont on the 25 cent machine they have a card stating that they will NOT trade in any $10.00 strike for strikes of equal value.