Shamrock 7s stands out as a widely embraced video poker game, particularly in the southern regions of the United States. This unique game incorporates a single joker and can be found at esteemed establishments like Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River, both situated in North Carolina. Additionally, select California tribal casinos, as well as various establishments in West Virginia and Louisiana featuring video lottery options, also offer Shamrock 7s. Notably, it has even found its way into the gaming offerings of certain bars and gas stations in the southern states.
Originating from the inventive minds at Leisure Time Technology, Shamrock 7s was initially tailored for tribal casinos. Over time, it seamlessly integrated into the Pot O Gold platform, a versatile gaming system encompassing a variety of video poker titles, slots, and keno.
Special Features of Shamrock 7s
One distinctive feature of Shamrock 7s is its enticing bonus round. When a player manages to assemble three or more sevens in a hand, they unlock a bonus round. Within this round, the player is presented with a choice of three pots of gold, each concealing a mystery reward. The machine then awards an amount ranging from six to thirty times the initial bet. In addition to this bonus, the hand maintains its regular payout for trips, a full house, four of a kind, or five of a kind. In the event that a player hits five sevens, qualifying for the progressive jackpot, a hand pay becomes necessary, and the bonus round payout follows once the machine is reset.
It’s noteworthy that each Shamrock 7s machine requires a different coin configuration to trigger the progressive jackpot, complicating direct comparisons with other games. Typically, the progressive jackpot reset stands at 500 to 1. For instance, a quarter machine demands eight coins for a $1,000 payout, while half-dollar games necessitate $4 for a $4,000 prize. The dollar and two-dollar machines, on the other hand, require four coins.
Restrictions and Navigation of Pot O Gold Machines
Pot O Gold machines are designed to operate within a single denomination. To transition between limits, players must seek out a different machine tailored to their desired stakes.
Identifying the Best Shamrock 7s Machines
Discerning players seeking the optimal Shamrock 7s experience should focus on games that offer 15 coins per coin wagered on four of a kind, coupled with a 2-coin payout on three of a kind. The pay tables, revealing these details, are conveniently displayed on the screen when selecting the game from the menu.
Exemplary Shamrock 7s Pay Table
As a general rule, pay tables tend to improve with higher denominations. The following pay table exemplifies the lucrative structure found on the two-dollar machines at Harrah’s in North Carolina. The displayed amounts represent the winnings per coin wagered, and a special bonus round is triggered by landing three sevens.
- Five of a kind: 500 (progressive, resets at 500:1 with four coins)
- Royal flush, with or without joker: 100
- Straight flush: 50
- Four of a kind: 15
- Full house: 5
- Flush: 4
- Straight: 3
- Three of a kind: 2
- Two pair: 1
Locating Premier Shamrock 7s Video Poker
As of now, the pay table described above is exclusively available on the two-dollar machines at Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River in western North Carolina. Specifically found in the high limit salon, this favorable pay table is not extended to other casinos. Regrettably, Shamrock 7s has yet to make its appearance in the realm of online casinos.
Strategies for Maximizing Returns at Shamrock 7s
Despite its popularity, the best Shamrock 7s pay table offers a modest return of approximately 97 percent with perfect play. While the return may marginally increase with the size of the progressive jackpot, savvy players might opt for alternative games within the casino. However, if the allure of Shamrock 7s, with its bonus round and relatively easier-to-hit jackpot, proves irresistible, consider the following strategies:
- Coin Wagering Limits: These machines allow players to wager up to 50 coins, but the progressive jackpot remains constant. It is advisable not to exceed the number of coins required to trigger the progressive jackpot.
- Bonus Round Understanding: Familiarize yourself with the dynamics of the bonus round. Avoid discarding pairs in pursuit of a bare 7. Prioritize open-ended straight draws over a lone 7, but opt for a pair of 7s over an inside straight draw. Never sacrifice a full house for the sake of the bonus round. Treat the joker as equivalent to a 7 when it appears in a hand.
- Player’s Card Benefits: To offset the house edge, consider utilizing a player’s card. At Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River, $10 of coin-in translates to a mere penny in comps through the Caesars Rewards loyalty program, equating to 0.1%. However, the potential value lies in the mailers received, often containing tickets worth hundreds of dollars multiple times per month, along with bonus tier and credit days.
- Comprehensive Rewards: Caesars Rewards may extend beyond monetary compensations, encompassing hotel rooms, food comps, and even offers for other destinations like Atlantic City or Las Vegas. Acquiring a Caesars Rewards card before engaging in Shamrock 7s at Harrah’s is a prudent move.
Unfortunately, the majority of other gaming establishments featuring Shamrock 7s lack comparable perks, with the best-case scenario being a complimentary soft drink or a match play offer.
FAQ
What makes Shamrock 7s a popular video poker game in the southern United States?
Shamrock 7s’ popularity in the southern regions is attributed to its unique incorporation of a single joker, making it a standout game at prominent establishments like Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River in North Carolina, as well as in select California tribal casinos and various locations offering video lottery in West Virginia and Louisiana.
Who is the creative mind behind Shamrock 7s, and how did it evolve in terms of gaming platforms?
Leisure Time Technology invented Shamrock 7s, originally tailored for tribal casinos. Over time, it seamlessly integrated into the Pot O Gold platform, encompassing a diverse range of gaming options such as video poker titles, slots, and keno.
What special bonus feature does Shamrock 7s offer, and how is it triggered?
Shamrock 7s boasts a special bonus round that activates when a player manages to assemble three or more sevens in a hand. During this round, players choose one of three pots of gold, with machine awards ranging from six to thirty times the initial bet.
Are there specific requirements for triggering the progressive jackpot in Shamrock 7s?
Yes, each Shamrock 7s machine requires a different coin configuration to trigger the progressive jackpot. This adds complexity to direct comparisons with other games, and the progressive jackpot reset typically stands at 500 to 1.
Where can players find the best pay tables for Shamrock 7s, and what should they look for in these tables?
The best pay tables for Shamrock 7s are often found on machines that pay 15 coins per coin wagered on four of a kind and offer a 2-coin payout on three of a kind. Players should look for these specific pay tables, conveniently displayed on the screen when selecting the game.
What is the exemplary pay table for Shamrock 7s on the two-dollar machines at Harrah’s in North Carolina?
The exemplary pay table for these machines includes a progressive jackpot reset at 500:1, with varying payouts per coin for combinations such as five of a kind, royal flush, straight flush, four of a kind, full house, flush, straight, three of a kind, and two pairs.
How can players maximize their returns while playing Shamrock 7s, considering its modest return with perfect play?
Players can consider alternative games within the casino or explore strategies within Shamrock 7s, such as understanding bonus round dynamics, limiting coin wagers to trigger the progressive jackpot, and making informed decisions about discarding cards based on the presence of a joker or pairs.
What benefits can players gain from utilizing a player’s card at Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River?
While the direct compensation through the Caesars Rewards loyalty program is modest (0.1%), the true value lies in the mailers received, often containing tickets worth hundreds of dollars multiple times per month, along with bonus tier and credit days.
Is Shamrock 7s available in online casinos, and where can players find machines with the described pay table?
As of now, Shamrock 7s is not available in online casinos. Machines with the described pay table can be found exclusively on the two-dollar machines at Harrah’s Cherokee and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River in western North Carolina, particularly in the high limit salon.
How does the progressive jackpot reset work in Shamrock 7s, and what coin configurations are required for different machine denominations?
The progressive jackpot reset is typically 500 to 1, meaning a quarter machine requires eight coins for $1,000, half-dollar games require $4 for $4,000, and dollar and two-dollar machines require four coins for the reset.
