Slot Machine Advice

Every time I walk into a casino, it seems that I bump into someone looking for slot machine advice. In some cases, they want to know how to “beat” the machine. In other cases, they want a quick tip to increase their winning percentage. Sadly, the former always seem to outnumber the latter.

Let’s get one things straight - you’re not going to beat the slots. The machines operate on a random number generator that even the brightest mathematician on the planet couldn’t decipher. After years of experimentation, the manufacturers of these devises have it down to a science, and you’re not going to beat science.

Still don’t believe me? Well, what if I told you that a whopping eighty percent of any casino’s revenue comes from slot machines? Granted, more people play the slots than any other game, but the biggest factor is the aforementioned random number generator.

You see, there are no dice to roll or chips to go all-in with. The human factor has been completely removed from the equation. It’s just you and a machine, and guess who’s going to win the majority of the time?

While you may not be able to beat a slot machine, there are things you can do to put yourself in a position to walk away with your next house payment intact. Take a look.

Comps and Clubs

Many casinos offer comp programs for frequent players. This can lead to free meals, free rooms and even free money to play with. If you’re going to be playing frequently anyway, why not get rewarded for it?

Manage Your Money

Before you set foot in the casino, decide how much you can afford to lose. When you reach that number, get the hell out of the casino. Don’t be the sucker that’s $200 down and still trying to break even. Chances are, things will only get worse. Why not walk away, regain your senses, and come back to battle the slots on another day?

Read the Rules

If you were going to play a board game with friends or family, there’s a good chance that you would read the rules. If there was money on the line, it’s even more likely that you would do so. So why in the world would you play a slot machine without knowing how many coins need to be deposited and how many lines need to be activated?

Big Payouts

There’s no reason to sit in front of a slot machine that’s offering an 80% payback, when there might be a 95% payback machine a few rows back. All you have to do is spend a little time looking around the casino, and you’ll immediately increase your odds of winning.

Something else you’ll want to watch out for are con artists offering strategies for slot machine success. Guys like John Patrick would have you believe that anyone can win at slots if they employ the proper strategy (and buy their book). Don’t fall for these schemes, or you’ll end up feeling very foolish.

The best strategy you can employ is one of patience and perseverance. While there may not be a way to beat the slot machines, a smart player can still win more than he or she loses over the long haul. If you can manage that, then you’re way ahead of the game.