31.
Understand that the casino has a built in house edge on all
slot machines that can't be overcome in the long run. Modern
slot machines use a computer chip called a random number
generator which determines whether or not you win or lose. This RNG is programmed to pay back, over the long term, a percentage
of all bets put into it. And it's never set for over 100%,
because if it were, the casino would literally be giving away
money.
32. Pay no attention to all the articles which describe how to find loose slot machines based on their location in the casino. You'll see a lot of writers talk about how the slot machines in the visible locations are set up to win more often because it keeps people playing more. This might have been true in the past, but modern casino management is a lot more sophisticated than this.
33. Avoid progressive slots unless you enjoy going after a big life-changing win. Since a percentage of every bet on a progressive jackpot game goes towards the big jackpot, the machine pays out less over the long run unless you actually hit the progressive. Guess how likely it is that you'll be the one to hit the progressive? (Here's a hint; it's similar to winning the lottery.)
34. Play max coin bets on buy-a-pay slots and on progressive slots, otherwise you lose your shot at the big prize. If you don't bet max coins on these machines, you're just contributing to a jackpot that you have no chance of winning. That's not a smart thing to do either.
35. Understand that usually, the higher denomination you play, the better the payback percentage will be. The casino calculates how much money they make based on a formula: house edge X spins per hour X amount wagered. A player wagering $20 per spin can lose a lot more money on a 98% payback than a penny slot player with a 94% payback machine.
36. Slow down. Look at that formula in tip #35 again. You can reduce the number of spins you make per hour and reduce the cost of playing significantly. And if you're enjoying some comp drinks while you pay, you might even be coming out ahead on your play.
37. Join the slots club. Slots clubs pay a percentage back to you for every wager you make. This automatically reduces the house edge. Reducing the house edge is a key to becoming a winning player.
38. Try video poker instead. It's a lot like slots, only better in almost every way. There is a skill element, you can actually get an advantage over the casino, and you can win lots of money at it. We offer a whole article called why play video poker.
39. If you do hit a jackpot, think about ending your session early and go enjoy a show or a meal. If you've already won, you've achieved your goal and can relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. But if you don't, then you're possibly going to play it all back and leave a loser. If you win, quit. At least for a little while.
40. Don't buy John Patrick's book about playing slots, or that ebook Slot Machine Secrets, either. You can read some really funny opinions about slot machine systems here at Chuck Flick's slots systems blog. He tests out John Patrick's slot systems, while keeping his tongue planted firmly in his cheek.
Also, if you're interested in online slot machine games, take a look at this site about online slots or this site about free slots.
