Paul - I would say you had some good points and one that I don't agree with and that is the low mintage having anything to do with a casino's strike program or keeping them from getting into a strike program. The bottom line for any casino's strike program is THE AMOUNT OF PLAY OR MONEY THE STRIKE MACHINE MAKES. In the past a few casino's dropped their strike program because they weren't making money (I guess the didn't figure out that the play dropped off when the didn't come out with new designs)I wouldn't play if there wern't new designs to win at least twice a year. The other big factor in the loss of many casino's dropping their strike program was IGT's wanting to get out but still hold the rights etc.
One other thing that isn't making possible for more strike machines coming to more casino's is the lack of machine's them self( this was talked about at the club forum ) it was stated that at this time Sunshine mint didn't think or they couldn't afford to have new machine tops built, Sunshine mint people did say they were hoping to change this but then the casin'o have to get on board and thus far on the Mirage I think will soon have a strike program again. The others who were thing about it have said we will wait and see, this is how this old guy remembers the talks, if different maybe somebody else can comment.
Shaun Webster at the 4 Queens has the best program out their and he has said unless a club has a Red Cap and a $300 their strike program will never last.
For me the fun of collecting went away when the machines went away, I still play for the Red Caps at the 4 Queens when I get to Vegas twice a yaer but I am no longer collecting and in fact am selling my strikes or sending them to melt when the price of silver goes back up.
I do think the club still has some great members and does put out a nice newsletter and I will continue to renew my membership for to support the club for those reasons.
Walt