Slots simplified
20 October 2000
By Mark Pilarski
Dear Mark,
KISS, keep it simple stupid. That's how I gamble
by playing only slot machines. Can you share
some simple tips on the easiest game to play,
slots? Sherry B.
Sherry, you're right, no great mystery here.
Slots are the easiest game to play in the
casino. Insert a coin, pull the handle, then
reach into your purse for more money.
Unfortunately, that's what normally happens when
the house has such an enormous built-in edge.
But that doesn't mean you can't at least close
the gap against you and throw in some fun to
boot. So, Sherry, below are some of my favorite
slot tips to help you overcome this huge house
advantage. These tips won'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. Let's get
started.
1. 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 $2600 and another bank of
machines-exactly the same and standing side by
side-$1900. You should always be looking for the
best slot opportunities possible.
2. 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 downside. 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 generally will 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.
3. Las Vegas gives away over one-half billion
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.
4. 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 98
percent 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Avoid restaurant, bar, supermarket and
airport slot machines. Notorious for being
tight.
8. 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 "reel" slot machines.
9. 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).
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. I recommend avoiding 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. For
all you know, your true chances of hitting a
major jackpot could be 2,097,152 to 1.
14. 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.
15. 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
mega-resorts. Time always working on their side
and a mathematical edge on each and every slot.
16. Just because 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.
17. I'll come clean here. I don't play slots.
But as a local in a casino town, I know where
the locals who do play find the most
cluck-for-the-buck. Simply put, locals don't
play dog machines. So when searching for high
payback machines, ask a few employees where the
locals find the best slot value. Even if they're
not slot players themselves, they at least know
where their friends like to play.
18. Leave both your credit and bank teller cards
at home so you will not be tempted with the easy
convenience of getting cash. Also, allow me to
take the obvious one step further. Only bet what
you can afford to lose.
Finally, going to slot heaven-Las Vegas? Your
best return in Las Vegas, and the country for
that matter, are in the casinos downtown.
Average return on quarter machines: 95.5
percent. That almost makes it a decent wager.
Good luck, Sherry.
|
