Which are the best slot machine strategies?
When it comes to casino games, players are always looking for ways to beat the odds, to beat the system. Everyone has at some point sat down to analyze the machinations of each game and study the loop holes in order to concoct a strategy. Poker players have studied the statistics and probabilities to recruit and deploy the best possible hands; Blackjack players have scrutinized their chances at getting a hand higher than the houses’ and utilizing the different betting options; Craps players have down pat the betting strategies in order to make the most of and sway the odds in their favor so as to win many times over. Just about every game has a strategy or some sort of approach the players use to move the odds their way.
But what do you do with the slots? How do you construct a strategy when it’s a machine? All the player does is bet and push the spin button. Well, to be honest, there is not a whole lot of strategic plans a player can make, however, there are some tips that we can give you to make sure you have as much of an advantage as you can possible have. Here are some of the best slot machine strategies you can use.
Step 1: Know your game
The first way to get better at playing slots is to get to know the machine you play. This may sound strange, I know. No, you aren’t taking the machine out for coffee or a long walk on the beach. I mean understand how the machine works, in depth. A reel-spinning slot machine typically features three or five reels or cylinders on which there are imprinted symbols as well as spaces left blank. There are 22 symbols/blanks or “stops” on each reel. Matching these symbols in certain combinations leads to a winning payout. Video slots may have up to seven reels, each representing three rows of five symbols. Video slots have 32 to hundreds of virtual stops on their reels.
The symbols on a reel-spinning slot machine include brightly colored images of fruits such as lemons and cherries, numerals or shapes such as diamonds, hearts and bells. Video slot machines may use some of these traditional images but are likely to feature characters or symbols from popular TV shows, cartoons or movies or images of popular actors, singers or sports figures. In the case of the slot games here at Palace of Chance, our slot games are, for one thing, not reel-spinning slots, and for a second thing, the symbols are much more exciting. Know what symbols you need to win. Also know how the jackpot works and the paylines. Make sure you know the rules very well.
Step 2: Pick a strategy
As odd as this may sound, there are strategies. Choose machines with the smallest jackpots. The bigger the jackpot the harder it is to hit, so you’re better off choosing a machine with a smaller jackpot. Once you get comfortable with those, then move on to the ones with bigger jackpots. Also, play the highest denomination possible. Play the highest denomination slot that you can afford, as these machines pay back at a higher percentage. In other words, dollar machines pay more than quarter machines, which pay more than nickel machines, which pay more than penny slots.
Always, always play max credits. Most machines only pay bonuses and progressive jackpots when the maximum credits are bet. Even on non-progressive machines, the jackpot payout for the maximum credit bet is typically markedly higher than on any other level. Since you can’t win a progressive jackpot if you don’t bet the maximum, it makes sense to spend your money wisely. Most casinos have several banks of progressive machines, each with different payout percentages and jackpot amounts. Always choose the combination of highest payout percentage and biggest jackpot amount.
Step 3: Be smart with your money
Research the payouts for all the games you love to play. It’s good to know exactly how much you can get. Also, set a limit for yourself and keep it fresh in your mind. Set a “lose limit” and a “double my money” amount before you enter the casino.
If you’re winning, stop when you have doubled your initial amount. If you’re losing, stop when you reach your lose limit. Even if you are on vacation and gambling, know your budget, and in case things don’t go your way, have a back-up plan or two. Accountability buddies are good for keeping you in check.
Basically these are the best slot machine strategies you can employ. Know them well; use them wisely.
