Slots account for the majority of a casino's
action and winnings. They are simple to use, inexpensive
to maintain, and require little attention or player skill.
Types
There are many different slot machine
games. Jackpot size, combinations, symbols, size and number
of coins allowed in each play vary as well. Included in
these games are the popular video poker games. Modern slot
machines are completely electronic. Symbol combinations
come up randomly and machines are pre-programed to return
a certain percent to the players.
House advantage:
A slot returns between 85 percent and
98 percent, depending on the game, location and usage. The
average house advantage is calculated to be about 9 percent.
General slot tips
Recognize the symbols that constitute
a jackpot on your machine. All machines are different. Las
Vegas attendants say winners routinely walk away from winning
machines without waiting for the rest of the payout from
slot attendants. The largest jackpots are all paid by attendants.
If you're lucky enough to hit an attendant-paid
jackpot -- typically $1,200 or more -- do not touch your
machine or leave it for even a second. Do not insert more
coins or allow anyone to touch it. A slot attendant must
come by to complete the transaction.
Always play the maximum bet. If a machine
will take a bet of five quarters, place the five-quarter
bet. This gives you the best odds of winning long-term if
you get a good hand.
Hot tips slot players need to know Slots are
the easiest and most popular game to play in the casino.
Insert a coin, pull the handle, then reach into your billfold
for more money. Unfortunately, that's what normally happens
when the house has such an enormous built-in edge against
you.
So popular are today's slots that they now
constitute 70 percent of all casino action. The quarter
machines alone takes in more in profit for the casino ($2.6
billion in Nevada) than blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette,
keno and the sports books combined.
Are there any sure-fire ways to win at slots?
Absolutely. I will give you three.
Get a casino gambling license and operate
your own slot business.
Invest in the solid companies that manufacture
slot machines.
Buy an antique slot machine and sell it
when the demand increases.
Otherwise, if you're one of the 70 percent
willing to do battle against these cybernetic one-armed
bandits, some of these slot tips below will help you overcome
the casino's huge house advantage.
Sorry, I can't guarantee that you'll become
an instant winner, because it's tough to beat a house edge
that generally runs well over 10 percent, but it also doesn't
have to be so tough on your bankroll. So, let's get started.
The only true skill to playing slots is machine
identification. Example: progressive machines offer the
opportunity to compare and shop around for the best value.
One 25 cent ;slot machine carousel; can have a progressive
jackpot of $2,600, and another bank of machines- exactly
the same and standing side by side-$1,900. You should always
be looking for the best slot opportunities possible.
Casinos will advertise machines that have
a 98.5 percent payback. WOW! A casino game holding just
a percent and a half, and on a slot machine no less. But
there's a down side. If you look closely at the advertisement,
it will probably say ;on select machines.; Furthermore,
it probably won't be posted on the machine itself, and it
will generally be limited to a single bank of machines in
the casino. Now it becomes your responsibility to find them.
Easiest way: Ask a slot employee, and if he or she doesn't
know, have one of them ask a direct supervisor.
Casinos give away millions of dollars in comps
each year, and as a slot player, you deserve your share.
Repeat, you deserve your share. How? Casinos now offer you
the ability to ;comp yourself; by using one of their player's
club slot cards. It's generally based on the number of coins
you cycle through a machine, so you might as well get credit
for all those quarters you're inserting. Shop casinos for
comp value and find out what you're worth to them.
You always want to treat ;comps; as a form
of profit, but you never want to gamble just to receive
them. It's much better to play a 98percent payback machine
and increase your winning opportunities than play machines
with a poor return that cycle more of your coins. Remember,
you're there to stay in action and possibly win, not lose
your bankroll for a free buffet.
If you can't afford to play the maximum amount
of coins, you shouldn't be playing that denomination of
machine. If dollar slots are too rich for your blood, drop
down to a quarter machine. It's always better value to play
five quarters versus one dollar or five nickels instead
of one quarter.
I recommend not playing back the credits you've
accumulated. Cash out and take stock. The problem with playing
back credits is that the longer you stay, the machines built-in
advantage eats away at them. It doesn't take long to zero
out.
Can't decide which type of slot machine to
play? If you're going to choose between video poker and
slots, play video poker. Even poor play on a video poker
machine will have a better payback than most slot machines.
Before you walk away from a machine, don't
forget to press the cash-out button. Millions are lost each
year by gamblers forgetting their winnings (stored credits).
It is your responsibility, if destiny favors
you, that you receive full payment when hitting a jackpot.
Even with some relatively small jackpots, if the slot is
short coins in the hopper, you'll receive only a partial
cash payment in the tray, with the balance to be paid by
a slot attendant. If you were to insert more coins and pull
the handle, say bye-bye to the remainder of your jackpot.
Read all the posted material on a slot machine.
It is your responsibility to fully understand all printed
information concerning the number of coins to insert, lines
needed to be lit, prizes or awards. In most cases, when
someone calls a slot attendant over and complains the machine
;just ripped me off,; that individual generally didn't read
the pay schedule correctly.
When you insert coins, don't assume all the
tokens register before you pull the handle. Played five
but only four recorded? Sorry. You'll get a sympathetic
pat on the back from the casino, but no money.
Avoid machines that use video representations
of symbols. With these slots, there is absolutely no way
to figure out what the payoff percentage of that machine
is.
Most casinos will hold a slot for you while
you go to the restroom, take a short break or even go on
a buffet run. Just ask a slot supervisor to reserve your
machine and give a specific time when you'll return.
Don't chain yourself to a cold machine, even
if it's your favorite. Why? Because the longer you stay
on any slot, the more time the machine's built- in mathematical
advantage has to work you over. This is how casinos build
megaresorts, time always working on their side and a mathematical
edge on each and every slot.
Even though you're only playing slots, you
still need to set a loss limit on your bankroll for both
your trip and each individual gaming session. Divvy up your
wad per playing session, discipline yourself and stick to
it.
When searching for high payback machines,
ask a few employees where the local players find the best
slot value. Simply put, locals don't play dog machines.
Leave both your credit and bank teller cards
at home so you will not be tempted with the easy convenience
of getting cash. Only bet what you can afford to lose.
Finally, I can tell you with 100 percent certainty
that all slot machines consistently pay. They pay the casino's
rent, the light bills and all the employees' salaries. They
also pay millions of dollars in profits to casino owners
and stockholders. You the player just so happen to be on
the low end of the food chain.
