Playing casino slots can be a fun (and sometimes addictive) hobby. These machines can bombard your senses with lights, sounds, or vibrations, all of which are designed to entice you to play either in a casino or online. Because of their ability to draw attention, slot machines tend to be the most popular type of game at a casino. In fact, there are so many that you might simply feel overwhelmed, but if casino bonuses aren’t enough to add ammunition to your winning slot machine strategy, then you want to add slot game variety. Only the best gaming sites offer a wide selection of games, satisfying the hardest of slot machine enthusiasts with layers of immersive game play.
The phrase “slot machine strategy” causes the eyes of some
players to light up with visions of untold riches. For others,
it makes about as much sense as “skydiving without a parachute
strategy.”
This polarizing topic has long been the subject of debate
among gamblers. Some insist that employing various strategies
can give the player a long-term advantage, while others dismiss
the notion as nonsense.
No matter which side of the fence you’re on, we hope this
article is able to shed more light on the subject. We’ll be
examining a number of slots strategies, as well as explaining
how modern games work and dispelling some of the more popular
myths.
How a Slot Machine Works
Before you can even begin to think about applying a strategy,
it helps to know how a slot machine works. In this section,
we’ll offer a basic rundown on the inner workings of the games
once known as “one-armed bandits.”
The main element of any modern slot machine is the random
number generator. If we want to be entirely accurate, the random
number generator is actually the function, while the chip
installed in every slot is known as an EPROM (or “erasable
programmable read-only memory”). For the sake of simplicity,
however, most refer to the EPROM as the random number generator,
which is what we’ll be doing for the remainder of this article.
What Is a Random Number Generator?
The RNG is constantly selecting a series of numbers, and the
result can range from miniscule up to several billion. This
function takes place whether or not the machine is being played,
which means every unattended slot machine on the casino floor is
generating a flurry of numbers every millisecond.
It should also be noted that the generated numbers are in no
way determined by the size of a potential jackpot, the number of
credits deposited, or whether or not a slots club card is used.
No matter the circumstances, the computer spits out its numbers
with pure impartiality.
Once a number has been generated, it’s divided up using a
formula that’s been programmed into the heart of the slot
machine. The resulting number corresponds to a “stop” on the
reel of the machine.
What’s a Stop?
As the name would imply, a stop is a stopping point on the
reel. This could be a cherry symbol, a blank space, or the face
of some popular movie character on a licensed game.
Older slots had a smaller number of stop, often around 10 per
reel. That’s changed significantly in the last several decades,
and now anywhere from 25 to 50 stops is commonplace. The reason
for this is because old-school slots had fixed images on their
reels, while video slots can produce virtual icons as needed.
When a game is created at the factory, some symbols are
programmed to show up more often than others. This process is
known as “weighing,” and it’s the main reason why slots aren’t
paying out massive sums of money every few spins. Let’s say, for
example, that you need three “Jackpot” symbols to get a big
payday, but each of these icons only appears (on average) every
100 spins. While the odds of getting one aren’t great, the odds
of getting all three would be one in one-million.
How Do Slots Work?
The actual gameplay of a slot occurs differently than what
most players would imagine. Since the game is constantly
generating numbers, pressing the spin button simply selects the
most recent string of numbers to be randomly produced. Once this
has occurred, the reels spin and eventually stop to display the
icons that correspond with those numbers.
The real outcome of a spin takes place the moment the
customer presses the button, as a randomly generated number is
selected. These numbers correspond to various stops on the
reels, and some icons are weighted to show up more often than
others.
Common Myths (When Slots Strategies Go Wrong)
myth /a widely held but false idea or belief.
While most associate the word myth with tales of ancient gods
and epic heroes, you’d better believe that the world of gambling
has its fair share of myths and legends.
In this section, we’ll be looking at some of the most popular
and/or persistent slots myths. To make your life easier, we’ll
also verify or debunk their credibility, although anyone hoping
for the former is likely to come away disappointed.
Myth #1
At land-based casinos, loose slots are always placed
by the doors and heavy traffic areas to attract more customers.
This is inaccurate. A number of third-party studies have been
conducted about the placement of slot machines, and no evidence
has been found to suggest that casinos engage in this sort of
practice. People are already coming to the casino to gamble, so
resorting to such tricks would just be a waste of time.
Myth #2
You’re more likely to win on a slot machine by
pulling the lever instead of pressing the spin button.
Also inaccurate. Most slots no longer have a lever on the
side. Those that do, however, offer no advantage to the player
who chooses it over the spin button. All the winning
combinations are being generated internally by the RNG, so it
doesn’t matter which method you decide to use.
Myth #3
The looseness or tightness of a slot machine varies
by the hour of the day and the day of the week.
Not true! In order to ensure repeat business, casinos must
find a balance between making money and paying out a certain
amount to players. If they were to somehow tighten up their
slots during the busy times of the day or week, they would
likely notice a significant drop-off in their business. In
addition, somehow magically adjusting all the machines on the
casino floor would be a major pain in the rear.
Myth #4
In a land-based casino, employees have the inside
scoop on the loose slots.
False. The average cocktail waitress has no clue about the
payout percentage of the slots. We’ve heard of some customers
offering employees a cut of their winnings if they direct them
to the loose machines, but we would certainly advise against
this. Not only do they not have the answers you’re looking for,
but some might still play along in the hopes that you’ll win and
give them a cut of the profits.
Myth #5
Using a player card reduces the potential payout of
a slot.
Don’t let this garbage trick you into skipping the slots
club. The only purpose of the player card is to keep track of
player spending for the purpose of awarding complimentary items
such as meals and show tickets. If slots actually tightened up
when club cards were used, the casinos would render these items
useless and send comp hunters to the competition.
Myth #6
If a slot machine hasn’t paid out a big win in a
while, then it’s due to hit. Conversely, a slot that just
delivered a winner is going to be cold for a while.
A slot machine’s random number generator ensures that each
spin is independent of the last one. While the odds are stacked
against getting multiple top jackpots on the same machine within
a short span of time, there’s no special internal program
designed to prevent such a thing. Ultimately, blame it on the
math.
Myth #7
The casino can remotely alter the payout percentage
of a slot.
This myth is dangerous because it is based on fact. There are
certain slots that now allow their payout percentage to be
altered remotely, but these are in the vast minority. In most
states, they don’t exist at all. But even in a market like Las
Vegas where such devices are being tested on a limited basis,
the state laws regarding a minimum payout percentage still
apply.
Myth #8
Warm coins increase your chance of winning.
False. There’s an old belief that rubbing your fingers
against a coin makes it more likely to produce a winner. This is
one of the more ridiculous slot machine myths out there,
especially since most players no longer even use coins. If you
buy into this one, you’ll just wind up looking like an imbecile.
Myth #9
Slot payoffs are produced on a predictable cycle.
False. While each slot is programmed to pay back a certain
percentage of money over the long haul, this takes place during
millions of spins. There’s also no pattern to predict, as the
RNG ensures that each spin is completely self-contained and
unrelated to what’s come before.
Myth #10
If you use a player card at a land-based casino, it
enables the establishment to report your winnings to the
Internal Revenue Service.
The casino monitors your winnings when you go to the window
to cash out. If your payout is larger than a certain amount
($1,200 in Las Vegas on slots and bingo), then the casino fills
out a W-2G form and sends it along to the IRS, along with the
size of your winnings and personal information. There’s no
escaping the tax man.
There are a significant number of myths surrounding slot
machines. Falling prey to these false beliefs can result in
everything from players looking foolish to losing money. Your
best bet is to pick a machine that looks like fun, insert your
money, and ignore the superstitious ramblings of fellow
gamblers.
Simple Slots Strategies that Work
The outcome of a slot machine is impossible to predict. In
addition, a number of the suggested ways to win are nothing more
than ridiculous myths. When these facts are combined, it might
seem as though no successful strategy can be applied to slots.
Luckily, that’s only half true.
There’s no magical way to “beat” a slot machine. Casinos and
game developers have spent a considerable amount of time and
money making sure that these games can’t be overcome on a
consistent basis. There are, however, steps that can be taken to
give yourself the best possible chance of winning.
If you prefer real-world practicality to pipe dreams, we
suggest committing the following slots strategies to memory and
utilizing them each time you set foot in the casino or log into
a virtual establishment. Even though your win/loss ratio may not
increase immediately, you’re bound to be better off in the long
term.
Watch for High Advertised Payback Percentages
In an effort to attract business, some casinos may advertise
slots with a specific payback percentage such as 98% or 97.5%.
These are always a wise decision, as the casino has just
revealed the long-term expected payout (such information is
usually closely guarded). Always watch for deceptive practices,
though, as “up to 99% return” is not the same as a guaranteed
99% return.
Manage Your Bankroll
Before you start playing at a casino, take careful stock of
your finances and determine how much money you can afford to
lose. If you can’t afford to lose any, then you shouldn’t be
playing in the first place. If you have a certain amount of
disposable income, set a number and never play beyond that
figure. This can mean the difference between a losing session
and a session that forces you to borrow money or miss a car
payment.
Always Take the Game’s Advice
An increasing number of slots are beginning to include skill
features, and it’s commonplace for these machines to offer some
basic advice on how to succeed at such in-game elements. Unless
you designed the game and know some special trick, it’s always a
good idea to follow such advice.
Play a Table Game Instead
While slots can be a lot of fun, they’re also one of the
biggest bankroll killers in the casino. They rely almost
exclusively on the element of chance, and a machine can
sometimes go years without delivering its top jackpot.
Meanwhile, table games offer better odds and interaction with
other players.
Remember Your Ticket
After you’ve hit a jackpot, the machine prints a ticket that
can be redeemed at the cashout window. While it’s natural to get
excited after a big win, don’t walk away and forget to grab your
ticket. If you do, then someone else may wind up snatching the
ticket and walking out of the casino with your winnings.
Get a Player Card and Use It
Player cards are used by the casino to keep track of how much
you’re betting at their establishment. If you’re a frequent
player, you can expect to be rewarded for your patronage in the
form of comps, which often include free meals, rooms, or tickets
to a show. Since you’re not paying for these items, comps can
turn an otherwise losing session at the casino into a profitable
gaming excursion.
Play Physical Reels
Games with actual reels are quickly becoming a thing of the
past. If you can find one, though, you’d be smart to play it.
That’s because these games almost always offer a higher payout
percentage than their virtual counterparts. That’s because fancy
video slots take longer to play, which means the casino has to
make up for this lost time by siphoning off more of your money.
Slow and Steady
By adopting a slow rate of play, you can satisfy your craving
for gambling while also limiting the amount of your losses. This
might not seem like much of a strategy, but we’ve seen people
blow their whole bankroll at a slot within five minutes of
sitting down. Don’t be that person.
Simple Games Have Better Odds
While massive games with spinning wheels and impressive video
displays are popular, they’re often not the most profitable
machines. That’s because casinos know that these games are going
to attract customers regardless, so they can get away with
setting the payback percentage lower. The more basic machines,
meanwhile, offer better odds to make up for their more
straightforward presentation.
Avoid Statewide Progressives
Sure, it would be nice to hit the Megabucks statewide
progressive in Nevada and become a multi-millionaire. The odds
are against it, however, and you’re likely to receive far fewer
payout while fishing for that top jackpot. That’s because
twenty-one cents of every dollar wagered goes toward either the
jackpot or the casino’s profits. That doesn’t leave a lot of
money to return to the player on smaller wins.
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Higher Denominations Have Better Odds
Since a game with a higher denomination is ultimately making
more money from players, it can afford to offer higher payouts.
Use this to your advantage by sticking to games with a larger
minimum bet. For example, playing one coin per line on a nickel
game offers you better odds than playing five coins per line on
a penny slot (even though you’re spending the same amount of
money on both).
Summary
Anyone seeking a foolproof way to beat slot machines is going
to be disappointed, as these games are consistently the biggest
revenue generators for any casino. However, by utilizing tactics
such as playing slowly and signing up for a free player card,
you can increase your chances of winning. Considering how much
the odds are stacked against you, this is about the best you can
hope for over the life of your gaming career.
Remember the movie National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation, when gambling fever consumes Chevy Chase’s character, Clark W. Griswold? He goes on a losing streak to beat all losing streaks while his son, Rusty, wins four cars by playing the slot machines. Maybe Clark would have done better if he had read Probability For Dummies! In this article, you discover the basic ideas behind slot machines and how they work, so that you can get past the myths and develop a strategy based on sound probability.
Understanding average payout
When casinos advertise that their slot machines pay out an average of 90 percent, the fine print they don’t want you to read says that you lose 10 cents from each dollar you put into the machines in the long term. (In probability terms, this advertisement means that your expected winnings are minus 10 cents on every dollar you spend every time the money goes through the machines.)
Suppose you start with $100 and bet a dollar at a time, for example. After inserting all $100 into the slot, 100 pulls later you’ll end up on average with $90, because you lose 10 percent of your money. If you run the $90 back through the machine, you’ll end up with 90 percent of it back, which is 0.90 x 90 = $81. If you run that amount through in 81 pulls, you’ll have $72.90 afterward (0.90 x 81 = 72.90). If you keep going for 44 rounds, on average, the money will be gone, unless you have the luck of Rusty Griswold!
How many pulls on the machine does your $100 give you at this rate? Each time you have less money to run through the machine, so you have fewer pulls left. If you insert $1 at a time, you can expect 972 total pulls in the long term with these average payouts (that’s the total pulls in 44 rounds). But keep in mind that casinos are designing slot machines to go faster and faster between spins. Some are even doing away with the handles and tokens by using digital readouts on gaming cards that you put into the machines. The faster machines can play up to 25 spins per hour, and 972 spins divided by 25 spins per minute is 38.88 minutes. You don’t have a very long time to enjoy your $100 before it’s gone!
The worst part? Casinos often advertise that their “average payouts” are even as high as 95 percent. But beware: That number applies only to certain machines, and the casinos don’t rush to tell you which ones. You really need to read or ask about the fine print before playing. You can also try to check the information on the machine to see if it lists its payouts. (Don’t expect this information to be front and center.)
Implementing a simple strategy for slots
Advice varies regarding whether you should play nickel, quarter, or dollar slot machines and whether you should max out the number of coins you bet or not (you usually get to choose between one and five coins to bet on a standard slot machine). In this section, you’ll find a few tips for getting the most bang for your buck (or nickel) when playing slot machines.
Basically, when it comes to slot machines, strategy boils down to this: Know the rules, your probability of winning, and the expected payouts; dispel any myths; and quit while you’re ahead. If you win $100, cash out $50 and play with the rest, for example. After you lose a certain amount (determined by you in advance), don’t hesitate to quit. Go to the all-you-can-eat buffet and try your luck with the casino food; odds are it’s pretty good!
Choosing among nickel, quarter, and dollar machines
The machines that have the higher denominations usually give the best payouts. So, between the nickel and quarter slots, for example, the quarter slots generally give better payouts. However, you run the risk of getting in way over your head in a hurry, so don’t bet more than you can afford to lose. The bottom line: Always choose a level that you have fun playing at and that allows you to play for your full set time limit.
Can You Read Strategy While Playing In Casino Slot Machines For Fun
Deciding how many coins to play at a time
When deciding on the number of coins you should play per spin, keep in mind that more is sometimes better. If the slot machine gives you more than two times the payout when you put in two times the number of coins, for example, you should max it out instead of playing single coins because you increase your chances of winning a bigger pot, and the expected value is higher. If the machine just gives you k times the payout for k coins, it doesn’t matter if you use the maximum number of coins. You may as well play one at a time until you can make some money and leave so your money lasts a little longer.
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For example, say a quarter machine pays 10 credits for the outcome 777 when you play only a single quarter, but if you play two quarters, it gives you 25 credits for the same outcome. And if you play the maximum number of quarters (say, four), a 777 results in 1,000 credits. You can see that playing four quarters at a time gives you a better chance of winning a bigger pot in the long run (if you win, that is) compared to playing a single quarter at a time for four consecutive tries.
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The latest slot machine sweeping the nation is the so-called “penny slot machine.” Although it professes to require only a penny for a spin, you get this rate only if you want to bet one penny at a time. The machines entice you to bet way more than one penny at a time; in fact, on some machines, you can bet more than 1,000 coins (called lines) on each spin — $10 a shot here, folks. Because these machines take any denomination of paper bill, as well as credit cards, your money can go faster on penny machines than on dollar machines because you can quickly lose track of your spendings. Pinching pennies may not be worth it after all!