Slot Machine Tips

Casino Gambling Advice for Slots Players

Slot machine tips are a popular online search topic for those about to hit the casinos. Not only can they alert you to the fundamental pitfalls of playing the slots, but they’re also helpful in dispelling myths and imparting common-sense strategies which may (or may not) help you to win money in the long term. Below, I have included a dozen slot machine tips, each intended to make your gaming experience more enjoyable and potentially more profitable.

Slot Machine TipsSlot Machine Tip #1 - Each spin of a slot machine is entirely random. It doesn’t matter how many spins have come before, and it doesn’t matter whether or not you use a slot card. Each spin has an identical chance of winning, even if the previous spin paid out a jackpot. The sooner you come to grips with this sobering fact, the better off you’ll be as a slots player.

Slot Machine Tip #2 - Slot machines pay out less than they take in. One of the most important slot machine tips has to do with a game’s payback percentage. It’s a simple concept to understand, but you’d be amazed at how many people overlook this fact. Let’s say a slot machine offers a payback percentage of 96% (on average, they range from 80% to 98%). That means it pays out $96 for every $100 dollars put in over an infinite amount of time. Sure, hitting a jackpot can put you ahead of these numbers for a while, but ultimately slot machines are a losing proposition.

Slot Machine Tip #3 - Don’t fall for slot machine myths. Slots don’t get hot or cold, and wearing your lucky red blouse isn’t going to increase your odds of winning. The slots don’t care how many times you play, what you’re wearing, or the temperature of the coins being inserted. They’re going to give you an equal chance of success or failure on each spin.

Slot Machine Tip #4 - Anyone who promises to share a winning slot machine system with you is either lying or delusional. There is no such thing as a winning slot machine system, because all slots are designed to take in more money than they pay out. Guys like John Patrick and Bill Stone are to be avoided in particular, as they offer to share their secrets by getting you to buy their books. Don’t fall for it. You can also forget about the Martingale System and the Zig-Zag System, because none of these will allow you to beat slot machines.

Slot Machine Tip #5 - Know when to stop playing. Before you walk into a casino, figure out how much money you can afford to lose. When that amount is gone, it’s time to call it quits for the day. If you lose your predetermined amount and still find yourself headed to the ATM machine or the Western Union office, there’s a distinct chance that you have a gambling problem.

Slot Machine Tip #6 - Learn the rules of the game. Some slot machines can be confusing at first, so take the time to examine the rules printed on the machine. How many lines need to be activated? How many coins can be played on any given spin?

Slot Machine Tip #7 - Don’t play progressives. Yes, some progressive slots offer jackpots in the millions of dollars, but they typically have a payback percentage that’s lower than other machines. If you’re still determined to take a shot at a progressive jackpot, your best bet is to stick with the lower denomination variety.

Slot Machine Tip #8 - Playing maximum coins doesn’t matter in the long run. Many so-called experts will advise you to always play maximum coins on a machine, but the difference between maximum coins and a single coin is often less than one-percent of the total return. The only exception to this rule is on progressive slots. Since you’ll need to play maximum coins in order to be eligible for a progressive jackpot, there’s no reason to miss out on becoming a millionaire.

Slot Machine Tip #9 - If you want to lose less money, play the lower denomination slot machines. You’re going to lose more than you win on any slot, but playing the lower denomination games means you’ll be putting less money in on each spin. While the overall return on cheaper slots is less, it’s still surprisingly easy to bust out while chasing a payout on a five-dollar machine. Stick with nickel or penny slot machines and you’ll be playing for hours.

Slot Machine Tip #10 - Always use a slot card (also known as a player’s card). While using a slot card doesn’t increase your odds of winning, it will allow the casino to monitor how much you play and possibly make you eligible for comps such as free meals and hotel accommodations. Registering for a free player’s card only takes a few minutes, and you can end up saving money in the long run, especially if you’re a frequent slots player.

Slot Machine Tip #11 - Stay away from video reel slots. Since these machines offer all kinds of animated features, they take longer to play than a traditional no-frills slot. The casino compensates for this by making sure the payout percentage is lower. There’s nothing wrong with giving them a try purely for entertainment value, just don’t expect to win any money in the process.

Slot Machine Tip #12 - Play in casinos with the best payback percentage. Of all the slot machine tips I can offer, this is one of the most important. Casinos on the Las Vegas strip often offer the least payback percentage, because they’re going to draw in customers no matter what. Casinos located in downtown Vegas are often in the middle, while off-strip Vegas casinos traditionally offer the best paybacks. There are always exceptions, of course, but a bit of searching on the Internet should go a long way in helping you determine which casinos offer the best payback percentage.

The next time you visit a casino, be sure to keep these slot machine tips in mind. While you may still end up losing money, the advice provided in this article will ensure that you’ll be able to play longer and smarter than those around you.