I have found the following to be some of the factors affecting the finding of slot cards:

1. More people seem to be using bungee cords. That way they don't walk away and leave their cards behind.

2. Lately, I have seen casino floor personnel picking up stray cards on and/or in the machines. I have noticed this at the STARDUST, ORLEANS, HARRAH'S, BALLY'S, PARIS, ALADDIN and PALMS.

3. There are still quite a few people who don't use cards at all. I have talked to players who think that when you insdert a card, the slot machine switches from a "winning" computer chip to one that doesn't have as many winning combinations. They think that the LESS they use a card, the more they win.

4. Anyone going through a casino after I have been there, isn't going to find many cards. That happened to me one night just after the CANNERY opened. I couldn't find any cards for over an hour. Then I saw Pat & Daryl Lamb with a handful of cards. We were all there at the same time, doing the same thing.

PS - I was at the Palms last night and found 15 cards - 10 old and 5 new.

PPS - There are new cards at the PALMS (4 levels), ALADDIN and TUSCANY (2 versions).