Ever gone on a run on Sigma Derby?

I LOVE sigma derby, especially when I am not in a mood for 'serious' gambling. I have come out ahead more often than not especially when counting drinks. I did hit a 87:1 payout once on a dollar bet. Its always fun watching the little plastic ponies run.

 

Yeah it sure bit us in the ass. Bah.

 

I only play absurd long shots and exactas, and I did once hit a 78-1 on $5. Of course, I've also sat there watching others high five for making far more reasonable bets while my doddering old nag limped across the finish line in last place...

 

Believe it or not. I hit a hand pay on Sigma Derby betting long shots. I had lost the better part of a $300 voucher at VP while watching a game and I think I had $30 or so left. I decided to play SD and just put some money on each of the longshots. I don't remember now how much I put or the exact odds. but I ended up winning a bit over $1,700.00. The attendants were pretty much gaping. As was I. I know nobody will believe this - so here's the picture. You can barely make out the background showing the game.

This was a bit over a year ago. I've tried to replicate this luck last few times I've been in Vegas - never happened. Needless to say this is a new tradition for me.

Edit: I realize this was on Fortune Cup - Sigma Derby is a longtime fave of mine, and I view them as one and them despite the obvious differences. I never had such luck at the "real" Sigma Derby either.

 

I love these games. Slots-a-Fun in front of Circus Circus used to have a dog racing game—video, not actual models of dogs. I would make a special trip whenever I was in Vegas. Won over $100 one time. Last time I checked, however, maybe four or five years ago, it was gone, sadly. Guessing it didn't pull its weight and they had replaced it with Buffalo machines.

 

Yep, I hit it once and have played it ever since. Only had a quarter on it, but fifty bucks is fifty bucks.

 

I have never won money at it. I have never really even come close. Sitting there playing for a couple of quarters or maybe a couple of bucks while the free drinks were flowing sure made me feel like I was winning. Sigma has always been my “gambling isn’t going well and I need to take it easy while still drinking” game. It’s a lot of fun, especially when you get a rowdy group on the machine at the same time.

 

I have been on may runs on sigma derby. Sadly they were all losing runs.

 

Well, when it does come around it looks like this IF you are cheap drinking and only bet 25 cents a race.

 

If anyone cares, my "strategy" with Sigma Derby, if you can call it that, is to bet on a close to favorite and a close to long shot.

It keeps the smaller payouts coming in and every so often it really pays!

 

When observed this strategy is considered “rich”. Most middle of the road gamblers bet only one quarter per race and always (always) leave one arm / hand free for alerting the waitress of cocktails for the player.
(previous post of two quarters per race is moderate however if only playing every other race).
A strategy to “appear” as a High Roller is to quietly slip in one quarter and make your choice while appearing to study the odds and making 2 or 3 other choices (ghosts) which are underfunded. NEVER leave money in the bank as this negates the “ghost” bet. (I believe that is correct isn’t it @Ty?).

 

Where’s this game at?

 

The D downtown is the last one in Vegas.

 

Pretty accurate. Honestly I don't believe the first quarter is needed. Just hit buttons, cheer for a horse, get drinks.

To address the OP's subject, one night my nephew and I started with $10 and cashed out $110. That was probably my only time cashing out ahead.

 

Interesting. I think at my next Vegas trip I will take 100 bucks and just play the long shot at 2 bucks and give myself 50 chances at hitting it.

 

Somebody will certainly ask you "Uh, if you're not playing that ... ..."

 

I have spent many drunken joyous hours over the years playing the derby.I have hit 200-1 twice in an hour before. Wife and I turned a roll of quarters split between us into $90 back in the day when you had to buy the quarters from the girl in the change cage. I only bet odd's of 20-1 or higher. It is a loser strategy most days but when the long shots come in it can pay off well. The game is very streaky and once I have fed $40 in with no wins its time to move on. But usually a few long shots hit to keep the fun rolling along. I will cry when the d game finally dies, its days are numbered. Stevens has already removed the quarter vintage games upstairs or converted them to tito. The derby is half the reason I go to Vegas .

 

I haven't played the one at the D yet. I never seem to think of it.
Since they took it out of MGM, I don't find any reason to go back there. First the Lions Share was won and now they removed Sigma Derby.
Those were the only reasons I ever went to MGM.

 

This Sigma Derby adventure story from some guys in CA never gets old..Great read!
http://www.bandergrove.com/2008/02/sigma-derby-vintage-horse-racing-ambrosia/