Getting a Handle on Slots Odds

admin — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:48:12 +0000

Before you decide to drop your quarter, nickel, or penny into a slot machine, you first need to understand the odds. Sad but true, coming up with a strategy to beat the odds — when they favor the house so strongly — is impossible. (Check out Chapter 3 for more on house odds.)
The payout of slot machines generally falls somewhere between 90 and 95 percent. That means for every $100 you put into a machine, your average return is $90 to $95 (a loss of $5 to $10). This hefty house edge makes slots one of the worst games in the casino. When you factor in the speed of the games, you start to understand why slots are so profitable for modern casinos.
If you’re serious about slots, check online for the most up-to-date slot payout information at sites such as www.wizardof odds. com. These watchdog sites post names of Las Vegas casinos with their observed rates, and they breakdown the odds of winning per coin played. The results show that nickel slots tend to be the tightest (worst odds) machines, returning about 91 percent, while $1 and $5 slots are the loosest (best odds), returning about 94 to 95 percent.
Generally, you find the best machines and odds where the competition is most fierce. Try the Las Vegas Strip, where casinos are clustered closely together, each of them vying equally hard for your gambling dollar. On the other hand, playing slots on the water often leaves you all wet. Because cruise ship casinos aren’t under the jurisdiction of U. S. gaming laws, some have payouts as low as 80 percent. Consequently, you’re better off tucking your money back into your purse or wallet and waiting until you’re on dry land.

Engaging in interactive machines

admin — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:42:00 +0000

The new interactive slot machines have become enormously popular with gamblers. Interactive means the player gets to make some decisions (usually done with a touch screen) during the game. However, other than blackjack slot machines, most interactive slot machines have few (if any) choices that allow skill to enter into the equation.
But even if these interactive machines don’t change the odds, they’re still extremely popular. They’re fast and fun to play, but they’re also mesmerizing, seductive, and hard to tear yourself away from. They hypnotize you with their subtle chant: “Must. Have. Your. Last. Dollar.” And they usually get it.
The advantage of interactive slot machines is that the manufacturers get really creative. These games often have increasingly challenging levels, and each step up the ladder offers more money to make the game interesting and the journey worthwhile.
Most players are hoping to reach these bonus rounds — where the fun really begins. For example, on one version the reels disappear, and animated characters pop up as the game progresses. You choose between several images and click on one to reveal the bonus hidden behind the icon. The object is to win additional credits before clicking on a character with no credits, which ends the bonus round.
The total amount you win in the bonus round depends on the number of coins you play, so it’s important to play the maximum coins allowed on interactive machines. Some bonus rounds also award bonus spins, where you can double or triple your winnings and win additional free games.

Slot Machines

Getting a Handle on Slots Odds

Engaging in interactive machines