Playing Slots to Win
Online Slot games are universally appealing. When one thinks of a
land-based casino, it
is often the image of people sitting in front of slot machines, feeding coins
randomly into the machine, that comes to mind. The slot machine has been
around since about 1898 and their appeal lies in the opportunity they offers to
win a lot of money with a small wager. Many people have become instant
millionaires by playing slots online and at land-based casinos. However, slots are big business for
land-based and online casinos
- in excess of two thirds of annual land-based casino income is attributable to slot games.
Online casinos are probably near this number in terms of income.
So is there a way to play slots and maximise your chances of winning?
Many people around the world claim to have invented systems and methodologies to
beat the slot machine. Is this possible?
It is not possible to use a system or methodology to beat the casino at
slots. Today's slot machines are highly sophisticated computerized machines, and
there is no legitimate way to "beat" them. In any event, when it comes to paying
out a jackpot, the casino can refuse to pay you if there is any evidence to
fraud or illegitimate play. The casino will examine video footage and other data
to ensure that the win is legitimate.
It is possible to play slots more smartly. To do so its important to
understand how these sophisticated slot machines work and particularly something
referred to as a Random Number Generator (RNG). When a player drops a coin
into a slot machine and pulls the handle to spin the reel, the computer within
the slot applies a mathematical formula to through the RNG to determine the
result of the action. This result is established in terms of the casino's
predetermined percentages. Before the slot machine is put in the casino, the
casino will determine the percentage it wants the slot to pay out over time, for
example, 94.8%. The percentage payout of that machine will vary day to day, but
over the life of that slot machine it will be 94.8%, and you may be the lucky
player who wins the jackpot. I guess it is that random element that keeps people
playing slots.
So while you can't use a system to beat a slot machine and win, you can
improve your percentage payout during the course of playing. Lets examine some
ways to do this.
Firstly - slow down your play. Put your money in the slot machine slower,
pull the handle slower and enjoy the experience. You do not increase your
chances of winning by playing faster, so you may as well enjoy the journey.
Secondly do not play the smallest or largest coin size machine - play one in
the middle. Slot machines that accept small coin sizes, generally pay out less
than those that accept middle range coin sizes A slot machine that accepts
nickels, for example will generally play out less than those that accept $1 and $2,
so rather play these slots.
Thirdly, understand that progressive jackpots normally have a much lower
payout. While the amount to be won is high, the percentage payout rate is much lower, in
the region of 83%. Slot machines that are not linked generally payout
somewhere in the 90 percentile.
Lastly, if you are a slots enthusiast, and believe that you will one day win
the big one, than its advisable to become a member of a slot's club. Take
advantage of loyalty programmes and comps on offer - and keep playing. One day
the odds are sure to be in your favour!
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