Winning at Slot Machines
Most slot machines have three reels. The number of combinations for lining them up depends on the number of symbols on each reel. Most machines have between 20 and 28 symbols per reel. To figure out how many combinations there are, you multiply the number of symbols on each reel times itself as many times as there are reels. For instance, the fewest combinations that there probably are on a three reel slot are: 20 symbols per reel with 3 reels – so we take 20 times 20 times 20 – or 8000 combinations. So theoretically a certain winning combination would, on the average, appear once in every 8000 spins of the reels.
Each machine can be set for a rate of payback. Let’s say a quarter machine has a payback of 90 percent (the usual rate on quarter machines is 86 to 90 percent). That would mean that for every 100 quarters dropped into the machine it would pay back 90 quarters. The dollar machines often pay back between 97 and 99 percent.
The progressive slots are linked together so that a coin played in any of the link-up will increase the size of the jackpot. You don’t have a chance at the jackpot unless you play the maximum number of coins. Since the large jackpot games must reduce the amount paid in smaller winnings, you would be better off playing other machines unless you are willing to put in the maximum and go for the jackpot.
The best odds are on the dollar slots. They usually have the greatest payback – as we said, payback is between 97 and 99 coins for each coin played.
Some slot methods to increase your odds. Start out with only an amount of money you can afford to loose. Keep these coins separate from any other money, including your winnings. Play all your start-up coins. Now tally up your winnings. If you have less coins than you started with, go to a different machine, and using these coins start over. If you have more than you started with, put your start-up amount in your pocket. Then put an additional percentage in your pocket – 10 percent would be good, but whatever percentage you decide on, make the decision before you begin playing and stick with it. Now whatever you have left after pocketing the amount you use for your start-up coins, you can begin again. Then in each additional round you will pocket half the winnings. As you can see, if you come out ahead in the first round and stick to the method, you will go home a winner.
After the first round you will be playing strictly on winnings. If you don’t come out a winner on the first round, you still have a chance to win and you will loose no more than the amount you originally decided you could afford to loose. But you need to be in control – this method will be of no help if you decide to change your rules in the middle of the game.
Another way to play the slots for better winning odds is to form a slot club with other players. Each person puts up a predetermined amount – make sure it is an amount each of you can afford to contribute regularly. The amounts put up should be the same for each player. Then you track the progressive games – you should track them for a while BEFORE you make attempts to win them. Keep records so you learn the characteristics of each progressive game. From these records, your team decides at what point each game is pregnant for a payoff. When the jackpot of a given progressive reaches that predetermined point, a team made up of some or all of the members takes the club bankroll and plays until they win or go broke. The key to winning here is to gauge the payoff point.
Slots are not easy to beat and the odds are NEVER in your favor, but by putting yourself in control and using these techniques you will have a better chance of beating the odds than you had before.
Related posts: