Slot Machine Strategies

Alltiggeredout

Mouseketeer
Joined
Apr 13, 2007
In the past when the magority of machines paid out in coins,casinos used to put some regular payout machines near the entrances so that passers-by would hear people winning and would want to join in the fun.Is this still the case?What are your strategies for playing the various machines?My wife and daughter(21) will be playing the slots but they will just walk around randomly and put their money in a machine they like the look of.It would be nice if they had a good chance of winning a $ or 2 now and again.
 
the only def. slot machine Strategies to guarantee money is to keep the $ in your pocket.... The only stratergy I use is ALWAYS play max bet, if you don't you could miss out on the big prize- if you have to drop down to a diff demoniation do it. Rember even penny machines, max bet could be $5.00, you can hit big on them...
 
That is the only strategy I've ever known. But in reality I've won more in random locations than by sitting near a entrance.

It also seems the progressives keep me around a while, winning a little streak to keep me in my seat. I usually play for cars too, and have had decent luck at those machines. Almost won a BMW on a nickel slot on Freemont street years ago. The one spin I forgot the fifth nickel was a jackpot. 700 nickels, far short of the 35K beamer.

Odds are a lot better plaing odds and evens on roulette or a smart hand of black jack.
 
Because we have slots in almost every pub and bar in the UK its what we are used to.We won't have an enormous amount to gamble with,but we may get lucky.I suppose its just about being in the right place at the right time.
 


Keep in mind that slot machines may look like the cheapest option, but the play can be faster. Seeking out cheap table games may get you the longest play experience.

Learn to play craps, roulette or blackjack, they are all simple to play knowing basics.
 
How to get the most bang for your buck at a slot machine:

Play the penny slots and set a limit how much you want to spend.

Use the lowest bet.

Sit at the slot machine until the waitress comes around and then order free drinks.

So really, the value here is if you sit a cheap slot machines you get free drinks (of course, tip your waitress)
 


I always imagine sitting at the penny slot, playing the lowest bet...

And then I hit the big winner.

Instead of getting the $500,000 I get $50.

sure, I sat there for a longer time and I spent less money, but I try to imagine how I would feel getting that $50 from the cash cage....
 
Just realized that this board was here.

I know I'm late to this thread, but I wanted to mention that the last time I played penny slots, I played the maximum bet of $1.50 and won over $1,000! So, hey, ya never know!
 
When it comes to video poker, machines with a 9 coin payout for full houses and a 6 coin payout for flushes are programmed to hit more often. Those machines are very hard to find. Most are 9/5 or 7/5 (eww). The other tip is that off strip casinos have higher payouts than strip casinos. That keeps the locals coming back while the strip casinos just want to take your money. Sure some people win, but they do not build those casinos from the winners. Your best bet is live black jack. The odds are always in favor of the house everywhere else, but you have the best odds there. Good luck.

The best strategy as poster number two so eloquently put it is to keep your money in your pocket! I love poker but hate gambling.
 
I was in Vegas for the first time last weekend and I can say that there are no strategies in playing the slots except, as a PP said, keep your money in your pocket.

I didn't spend a lot of money, $50, but I did come out $10 ahead out of sheer luck. I sat down at a Goldfish slot playing 30 cents a pop and on the third bet, won $50. I cashed out at that point.

I played a Ghostbuster progressive and won $10 after betting 30 cents a couple of times.

I sat down at other machines and won nothing.

I did observe, as a PP mentioned, the progressives can pay out more.

I went to an off strip hotel/casino, believe it was the M, and my husband's cousin played for an hour off of $1 on a video poker machine and came out 65 cents ahead.

I did find that Goldfish, Wizard of Oz and Ghostbusters were fun to watch and play.

I never made it over to a Monopoly progressive but saw people having fun on that one.

A lot of people were playing the Wheel of Fortune progressives too.
 
After reading some other responses, I will add that the machines that do not require skill (most progressives) while fun to play, are the hardest to win. They are set to pay out very little. Some people will win a little, a few will win a lot but the vast majority will lose as much as they are willing to spend. If you play games that require skill (like poker), you have a better overall shot at winning.
 
The strategy to play slots, or any gambling for that matter, is to not play beyond your means. Have a set amount of money to play with and stop if it's all gone. And if you're ahead by a lot, bounce with joy and out of the casino!

TO be specific with slots... as I LOVE slot machines, you should always play Max Bet. SUre your money will go away rather fast, but there are slot machines where the max bet is low... they're just not that much fun to play. I personally love the video machines with all of the bonus rounds. Reels, not so much.
 
The strategy to play slots, or any gambling for that matter, is to not play beyond your means. Have a set amount of money to play with and stop if it's all gone. And if you're ahead by a lot, bounce with joy and out of the casino!

TO be specific with slots... as I LOVE slot machines, you should always play Max Bet. SUre your money will go away rather fast, but there are slot machines where the max bet is low... they're just not that much fun to play. I personally love the video machines with all of the bonus rounds. Reels, not so much.
They are so much fun! They're the ones I won what little money I did on. I played the Wizard of Oz in hopes of bonus rounds but no such luck.

But you are right, where you get into trouble is gambling more than you had planned.
 
Almost 30 years ago, my dad won $100,000 on a dollar slot machine (3 dollar max bet) at the Flamingo. He won on his second pull. He had no strategy other than a "gut feeling" about that machine. Unfortunately, my gut only speaks to me when I'm hungry and I've never won at the slots.

We're going to Vegas in a few weeks. I'll have to hit the machines at the Flamingo in dad's honor.
 
Best strategy - put your money in the bank.

Know your budget and treat gambling as entertainment like going to a movie or bowling. If you win, great, if not it was still fun.
Best odds are table games.

The state regulates how much a machine must pay out over its lifetime.
Always play Max bet - always

The rumor is that casino's will alter the odds of machines in certain places of the casino througout the day. Example when its getting close to dinner the machines near the restaurants will hit more.

I almost never gamble, I live here and slots are blase to me but I have been known to put a few pennies in a Munster's Machine ;). I have never mastered table games. Roulette confuses me, blackjack intimidates me and I have no idea how Paigow works:laughing:
 
After reading some other responses, I will add that the machines that do not require skill (most progressives) while fun to play, are the hardest to win. They are set to pay out very little. Some people will win a little, a few will win a lot but the vast majority will lose as much as they are willing to spend. If you play games that require skill (like poker or casino), you have a better overall shot at winning.
 
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Playing slot machines is a form of entertainment and there isn't any skill/strategy that will insure you win more then anyone else. Only play what you can afford to lose. It is NOT necessary to always bet the max unless playing one of those mega-jackpot machines. (Who would want to lose out on winning the multi-million dollar jackpot because they didn't bet the max?). On all other slot machines, you money lasts longer if you do NOT bet the max. Honestly, how often does the top prize payout (for you or anyone else) compared to the amount of time you will be playing? On some machines, certain combinations don't pay unless you bet the higher or max amounts. Take that into consideration when playing those machines or play some other machines instead. You can often find $.25 machines (especially the older ones) that cost less per spin than the so-called 'penny' slots.

The rumor is that casino's will alter the odds of machines in certain places of the casino througout the day. Example when its getting close to dinner the machines near the restaurants will hit more.

It's only a rumor and one of those bogus urban legends you often read about. It is actually illegal in Nevada for casinos to be able to remotely alter the payout odds. Casinos may place machines in certain areas of the casino with higher payout ratios due to foot traffic and to encourage more to play. However, NONE of them will tell you which machines they are.
 
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