Slot machines are the biggest money makers for casinos in America. So, if casinos make money on them, that means they are paying out less than they are taking in (Duh!). How can you get more out of the machines than you put in when you are working against this fact? Well, it is difficult to be sure, but with a little strategy and a little luck I have known a lot of people that have won big using these strategies.
You might be a winner also! These are not scientific facts, but again, if anyone knew a scientific way to win at slots either every casino would close in 24 hours or they would change the machines so that strategy would not work anymore. Here are what some of the pros say though.
First of all, decide where you are going to play. The pros say that you should play at casinos with the highest possible payouts. This simply means that those casinos are easier to win with, kind of like a drunk college chick. This is what you want. You can find payout percentages listed at some casinos or on the internet, but usually it is pretty logical. The larger, fancier casinos on the strip tend to have lower payouts. Hey, it costs a lot of money to keep the neon flamingo lit up 24 hours a day, and the buffet stocked with oysters Rockefeller for the tourists in their Bermuda shorts. That money has to come from somewhere (i.e. you).
So, even though casinos downtown may be smokier than an 18 wheeler that needs a tuneup, and the cocktail waitresses are about 80, the odds more likely to be in your favor there. Even in the older hotels, you still need to be aware that some machines offer better odds than others. Usually if a machine has a car or motorcycle on top of it, good luck. Anyway, if you win the car or Hummer, you have to pay extra taxes on it and figure out how to add on to your garage, so stick with cash.
Also, the progressive machines that have multimillion dollar jackpots have pretty long odds. It would be nice to win $100 million, but the odds are firmly against you there, so be realistic. $1000 in the hand, is worth $100 million in the bush. Look for the straight ahead machines that are the most often played. The more loot people put in the more the machine has to pay out. This means quarter or dollar old fashioned reel slot machines or video poker. Look for ones that again are in the main areas of the casino that may have been played a lot and are stocked with cash for you to win.
In addition, some pros tell me that they have had good luck playing at machines that are in “high profile” areas. They often look for machines near the change cages, buffet, players club desk, or hotel bar. It kind of makes sense. If customers hear these machines paying out often, they will be more likely to play the other machines. People are often encouraged by seeing other people win, so paying out a little more at these locations just makes sense for a casino, kind of like an advertising cost for them. Pros also tell me the machines that are placed on platforms and on the main walkways in the middle of the casino offer some good odds as well for the same reasons.
When you do play, always place the max bet on the machine you play. If you can play three quarters, do that every time. Imagine hitting the big jackpot and only getting a tenth as much because you only bet one quarter. If you can’t afford to play the max bet every time, go to a cheaper machine like nickles. Although the odds there are a little longer, at least if you win, you will get a good payout.
Before you start to gamble, get a players club card. These little beauties make loosing a bit less painful. Even if you put in money all day and win nothing, at least you may be able to get a free steak or an erotic massage or two with your points. It costs nothing to get one of these, so why not use one? It’s a little like a cash back credit card, at least you get some swag for all the money you spend.
Even if you are just going for the weekend to have fun, these tips should help you win more, or at very least loose less. When you go, just treat gambling as any other expense. A good night at the movies with your family might cost $50, so maybe set a limit for yourself of dinner and a movie. Once you have lost that amount, give it a rest and try again later. In the end it is truly only chance, and no one can beat the house forever. If you hit the big jackpot, walk away and don’t give it back. Enjoy your winnings when you can, and minimize your losses to have the best time possible while gambling.