Money Management Techniques
Slot Machine Money Management Strategies - Do They Help You Win?
Slot
machine money management strategies are employed by many slots
players as a way to prolong their bankroll and get the most out of
their gaming experience. And since all
slot machine games
will pay out eventually, playing longer provides a greater chance of
being there when the lights begin flashing and the coins come
spilling out.
This article is dedicated to some of the more popular slot machine money management strategies, as well as a few created by players just like yourself. While I don’t believe these systems will help you in the long run, I felt compelled to include them for your consideration. After all, it’s your money; you have the right to spend it any way you see fit.
The Martingale System
First invented in 18th-century France, the Martingale System originally applied to games of chance other than slot machines. It’s since been adapted for one-armed bandits, and it revolves around odds and mathematical probability.
The simplest version of the Martingale System states that you should double your bet whenever you lose and reduce your bet by half when you win. The idea is that losing will give you a greater chance of winning on the next spin, and winning will increase your odds of losing on the next rotation of the reels.
If you were playing with an infinite bankroll, this might work in your favor on occasion, but no human being on the planet possesses an infinite bankroll. And since all modern slot machines include a random number generator that makes each spin unique, your chances of winning or losing are exactly the same on every turn.
Keep in mind that this flawed system doesn’t work any better on table games. Even without a random number generator, each roll of the craps dice or spin of the roulette wheel is independent from the previous try. In other words, utilizing the Martingale as a slot machine money management strategy will deplete your bankroll even faster than usual.
The Anti-Martingale System
Some people never learn. In response to the wrongheaded Martingale System, some gamblers introduced what has become known as the Anti-Martingale. In this system, players increase their bets after a win and reduce them after a loss. The idea is to take advantage of hot and cold streaks. But, as I explained above, the random number generator included in all slot machines renders this strategy useless.
The Bankroll Slot Machine Strategy
For the purposes of explaining this system, let’s assume that you’re playing $1 per spin with a starting bankroll of $300. When you’ve played half your bankroll--150 spins in this example--begin to take stock of your funds. When they reach half of what you started with, move down one denomination on the slot machine. When your bankroll is once again halved, move down in denomination again. If your bankroll rises to equal or above what you started with, then you can move up one denomination. Think of this strategy as acting like a ladder for your finances. The better you do, the higher you can climb. While this example of a slot machine money management strategy won’t help you win, it will ensure that you play for longer periods of time.
The Bucket System
On a quarter machine, insert $5 and hit the “cash out” button. Take the $5 in quarters and place them in a bucket. Then play the slot until either the $5 is gone or you get four consecutive no hits. Cash out again and place any winnings in a second bucket. The money in the second bucket will not be used for play. Move to additional slots and repeat the strategy.
The Credit Meter System
Once you’ve deposited your money into a slot, set a high and low number to serve as your guides. If the credit meter rises to a certain level, cash out. If the credit meter falls to a certain level, cash out. For example, if you insert $10 in the machine, you might cash out when the meter falls to $5 or rises to $15.
The Plateau System
For the purposes of this example, let’s assume that you put $10 into the slot. Your low plateau is set at $7 ($3 below your initial wager). If you fall below $7 at any time, you cash out. If your credit meter rises to $13 ($3 above your initial wager), then you raise your lower plateau to $10. Continue in this fashion, although be prepared to cash out quickly on most machines. Three-dollar increments and a $10 wager were used for this example, but feel free to substitute numbers that you feel most comfortable with.
It can be difficult to stick with slot machine money management strategies, but you’ll find yourself playing longer if you’re able to do so. These theories work just as well at land-based or online casinos, but you’ll need to experiment a bit to find the one that best suites your style of play.