So, I was in Portland recently and asked a local about nearby casinos.

None.

Ok, fine - I guess I'll just watch CNN in my hotel room.

Then, I walk by a downtown bar and see folks playing pool and doing what you do in a bar - so I go in.

Much to my surprise, over in the corner is a bank of video poker machines !!! Who needs a casino?

I cruise on over. One look at the JOB pay table and I almost fall out of my chair.

Get this - 8/5 JOB, but that's not the worst of it. Max coins is 8 (that's right, eight) and the non-progressive ROYAL only pays $800 for max coins. They have got to be kidding.

CNN it was.

So - was this just a bad place or are all the Oregon machines so crappy?

Inquiring minds want to know.