While I have never spent a lot of my time playing the slots, I enjoy trying my luck at the machines.
Being a player who tries to take advantage of probability as much as I can, I am always looking for an edge regardless of the game. Slots have always posed a challenge to me because it seemed at first look that there is no way a player can locate an edge on those appropriately nicknamed one-armed bandits.
But my experiences in Missouri with slot machines and slot players have made me wonder about that.
I lived in Springfield and there were two charter bus lines operating out of Branson and Ozark who serviced the casinos within a 160-mile radius and who were strong competitors. They kept continuous pressure on the casinos to give their customers perks and casino management had little choice other than to comply.
The nearest gambling casino to Springfield was Downstream in Quapaw about 10 miles from Joplin. It was a 60-mile trip from Springfield. The second nearest was Indigo Sky in Seneca, OK., a distance of about 70 miles.
Nobody likes to drive that far just to get to a casino, so it was an easy choice to use the buses. In exchange for $15, I received a round trip bus ticket, a free buffet and $15 in free play on the slots. I am not a Bingo player, but the passengers even played Bingo for cash on the bus, which they thoroughly enjoyed.
Rather than just give that $15 in free play to the casinos, I tried to figure out a way to make money or at least break even on it. And believe it or not, I came up with a system that actually works about 80 percent of the time.
Most slot machines at Downstream, Indigo Sky, Cherokee and Harrah's which we also went to are equipped with a recorder that tells the player how much that particular slot just paid out.
Players I talked to on the buses have two opposing theories on which machines they should play based on the payout. One woman said she preferred to pick a machine that paid out the least. Why, I wanted to know.
She shrugged. 'Because it's overdue to make a big payoff,' she said. Other players nodded in agreement.
I beg to disagree.
After arriving at the casino and collecting my perks at the Players Club, I would roam past the slots near the poker room and carefully read all the most recent payouts. I would always select the highest one, jam my card into the slot, give it a dollar in 'seed' money to kick in my bonus, and then play video poker, my favorite slot game.
I would devote half my money to the jacks or better poker game, and the rest of it to deuces wild. Then I would go for the gold.
On one occasion, I actually ran my $15 in free play up to just under $100. On another I collected $86. Those represented my two best payoffs, with the others ranging from $8 to $25.
It was fun, I caught the excitement of playing the slots, and there was always the chance of catching a royal flush for the $1,000 jackpot which I unfortunately never collected.
If you have a favorite method of playing the slots that makes money for you, why not share it with our readers. They'll appreciate it.
papaflop
5 years ago
Newbie
Can you beat the slots? Yes. Is it an illusion? Also, yes. In my experience, the worst thing you can do is keep hitting a slot expecting a payout eventually. Set a limit in your head, and stick to it. CUT YOUR LOSSES, do not expect the machine to eventually pay your money back. You will end up either losing everything,...
Can you beat the slots? Yes. Is it an illusion? Also, yes. In my experience, the worst thing you can do is keep hitting a slot expecting a payout eventually. Set a limit in your head, and stick to it. CUT YOUR LOSSES, do not expect the machine to eventually pay your money back. You will end up either losing everything, or making about half back. Playing catch up is the worst thing you can do on slots.
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dandan2227
5 years ago
Full Member
From my own experience when I keep spinning and spinning with nothing I tend slowly keep on increasing my wager then I usually hit this is online. My experience with the land based are completely opposite I tend to lose all of my money it literally will never hit
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Geno
7 years ago
Newbie
People never tire of bucking the odds. Thanks for your comments and keep coming back.
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pusher777
7 years ago
Mighty Member
real gamblers always have a problem to quit and cashout in a good moment.. When I play in high roll progressives, up You can see like "scatters escape, to not get sometimes too much. Without good regulation, chances are nearly not existent to win big.
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vixiedina
8 years ago
Full Member
Online slots, just like brick and mortar slots, are all run by computer programs. Whatever algorithm is entered allows for certain payouts after a certain amount of money is played. Playing max gives the highest payouts of course. But if you always play max, you will lose money more quickly if it is done with a big payout...
Online slots, just like brick and mortar slots, are all run by computer programs. Whatever algorithm is entered allows for certain payouts after a certain amount of money is played. Playing max gives the highest payouts of course. But if you always play max, you will lose money more quickly if it is done with a big payout cycle. So the best thing to do is never play the lowest amount and vary your bet a lot. This can almost "trick" the algorithm (almost) and if you notice, patterns will start to appear that lead up to payouts. That being said, those computer games that provide "donations" in certain bars where gambling is illegal will read out immediately after you deposit money how much payout you will get, without playing any games whatsoever. Of course we still play games, but learned to donate smaller bills more often than larger ones, because then you have a new "payout" if that makes sense. In Texas, these computer games donate to the Veterans. You can even "play" on the main screen without getting into a computer game itself and still win money. I saw a girl hit the $1,000 jackpot this way. It takes the "magic" out of the games a bit once you realize that no matter what you do, the computer already decided how much money you will win based on your deposit (or "donation").
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Geno
8 years ago
Newbie
To OOPALOO, thanks for coming back. I always enjoy your input.
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Geno
8 years ago
Newbie
You cannot force a slot machine to be kind to you. It is either lucky or it is not. Unlike poker and blackjack which are skill games, slots are pure chance. That is what attracts the players and that will never change. The House will install machines with generous micro-chips that will yield an above-average profit, but...
You cannot force a slot machine to be kind to you. It is either lucky or it is not. Unlike poker and blackjack which are skill games, slots are pure chance. That is what attracts the players and that will never change. The House will install machines with generous micro-chips that will yield an above-average profit, but you need to find those machines. Sorry for your loss.
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leannep
8 years ago
Full Member
I went for a few big play sessions this year and really, really, really lost hard. Spin after dead spin after zero after zero. To the point where I realized that I had outright lost. It is a small rural-ish casino, and if someone wins "$800!!!!"...they are practically hiring a marching band. It's insanely cold, for whatever...
I went for a few big play sessions this year and really, really, really lost hard. Spin after dead spin after zero after zero. To the point where I realized that I had outright lost. It is a small rural-ish casino, and if someone wins "$800!!!!"...they are practically hiring a marching band. It's insanely cold, for whatever reason. I feel like they're out to fool the dead. Therefore, to lose over a thousand dollars, there, even over several times, is to never see it again. I watch the big, big wins on YouTube, and it's often the same people that win. Or...the same people win often! But they are out there, making max bets...that is really the only way to win big, so if you're only bankrolling yourself a twenty, you may get lucky now and again, but not likely. The other is to go to a casino where you KNOW they're winning. You'll know right away. They're sitting there, pulling and pulling, like they work at a toffee factory, or the place is hoppin', with bells and whistles. Don't waste your money at cold-town. And good luck! Cheers.
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pinkxxx
9 years ago
Sr. Newbie
When I go to land casinos I always wander and park on slots. Over the years Ive learned ..or noticed a few things so now I stick to that . I go with a set bankroll...I tell myself if I lose it so be it ...most of the time that will happen . I always go with friends or my spouse and with the intention to drink and have a...
When I go to land casinos I always wander and park on slots. Over the years Ive learned ..or noticed a few things so now I stick to that . I go with a set bankroll...I tell myself if I lose it so be it ...most of the time that will happen . I always go with friends or my spouse and with the intention to drink and have a good time . On almost every occasion while chatting away, laughing not focused on if I have to win ...a JP has hit for me , interrupting my conversation...lol Its the most ironic thing but always happens like that . Ive made some trips that are a bust but they were enjoyable and more times than not I always leave with a nice jp in my pocket.
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Vanenhox
9 years ago
Sr. Member
I think casino's in the brick and mortar, not the cyber, world can manually adjust the payout percentage of their slot machines. And I read a long time ago that the slots in conspicuous locations on the casino floor tend to pay better, because these machines are more visible to players throughout the casino. I gradually...
I think casino's in the brick and mortar, not the cyber, world can manually adjust the payout percentage of their slot machines. And I read a long time ago that the slots in conspicuous locations on the casino floor tend to pay better, because these machines are more visible to players throughout the casino. I gradually changed from playing blackjack, poker and roulette to the slots without really noticing it, and do agree that one gets less back financially for the time and money one spends spinning those reels. I am trying to make a conscious effort to play less slots now and more of the games with better payout probability like roulette or those with an element of skill like poker and blackjack. Thanks for the interesting and stimulating reading. I have almost commented on every article you have currently posted on this site at this point in time.
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yapro123 9 years ago Full Member
I believe i could make instant answer 'no' on this question. Just because you cant'. No way, it is impossible. House always have edge, and you can't do anything with that. It is something like some players have their strategy for roullete games, they even have their systems, but it is just their believings, because you...
I believe i could make instant answer 'no' on this question. Just because you cant'. No way, it is impossible. House always have edge, and you can't do anything with that. It is something like some players have their strategy for roullete games, they even have their systems, but it is just their believings, because you can not beat math. Just remember this when you just think that you will be able to beat casino, and this could help to save you money!
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