Does the Casino have slot machine secrets they don’t want you to know?

The casinos don’t advertise the amount they make on slots. Slot machines are like an “ATM” for the casinos. When they advertise average payouts of 92%, for example, the reverse is also true – They are keeping, on average, 8% of every dollar spent on that machine.   In addition, this is all approved and audited by the gaming commission, meaning the information is readily available to the public.  It also means the casino’s percentages are guaranteed!

The ultimate teaser sign at the casino entrance!

Most casinos have THOUSANDS of slot machines, from mechanical to progressives. The sheer number of machines should be an indicator of how good these machines are at making money – for the casino.

It’s not that Casinos don’t want you to know, since that information is readily available; it’s that clever marketing, enticing games, slot tournaments, and the promise of whopping big prizes compel us average humans into the excitement of the casino floor.

Most people lose money gambling. I play for fun and the occasional, er, rare win. my secret is that I don’t get so caught up in it that I “bet the farm”! (or my house, bank account, etc. – I think you get it).

Funny slot machine T-Shirts, available on Amazon

I don’t advocate cheating the casino, or seeking out some hidden mechanism to consistently win (to my knowledge there isn’t any – unless you own a casino).

If you enjoy gambling on slot machines but want to spend less money at the casino, I recommend you become a “session gambler”, bringing a limited or very specific bankroll to the casino and wisely investing it in machines you like.  Session gambling is not cheating, it is a discipline that will structure your playing based on the amount of money you are willing to lose.  Even if you are a session gambler, you can still take a chunk of a “big win” and recklessly invest it in a slot machine – you just make that is a unique session as opposed to putting your whole bankroll at risk playing Max Bet until you jackpot or lose it all.

I explain about session gambling in this Blog on gaming. 

Having discipline and maintaining some rules for your gaming habits can extend your play, keep you away from the casino ATM (High fees; AVOID!) and allow you to feel better about having fun at the casino vs. gambling in a desperate attempt to win a jackpot.   These are usually random and happen to someone else.  If you are hoping to win a jackpot, there are some key tips to follow, to increase your chances, but nothing is guaranteed – except that the “house always wins”

  1.     Know the paytables.   Understand if the machine only  pays a jackpot on maximum bet (like a progressive machine), or pays out miserly on sub par bets.  The Paytable is available on every electronic machine, and it will make you much more aware of which machines to play and which to avoid.
  2.      Maintain financial discipline.  If you are going to have 5 sessions at different slots playing $50 per session, take a break in between sessions.   Go to the gift shop.  Take a walk.  People watch as you enjoy your favorite beverage.  Look at the events calendar, stop for live music and anything fun – don’t miss out.
  3.      Learn the ropes.   Many casinos have free gaming lessons, usually in the mornings, when the casino is less crowded.  Never forsake anything free  from the Casino!  It’s a risk-free way to learn a new game without risking your gaming/session bankroll.
  4.      Stop and reflect.   Is this fun?  Is this machine my friend or a bandit?  Slot machines have no emotions, so they don’t earn your loyalty.  Having a cold streak?  Give that machine a break.
  5.      Join the slot club.  Ask the slot attendants if there are any new games or a “hot sheet”.  Look around – what games are always available, which ones are always taken?  That clue may lead you to the more popular games.
  6.     Remember to have fun.  Bring a friend.  Make a friend.  enjoy the noise and excitement of the casino.  Trust me, I do!

So stop searching for the Casino’s secrets, and start enjoying your time at the casinos!  I hope to see you there soon!

super slot secrets book by John Douglas, Available on Amazon

 

If slot machines in casinos are rigged in general, why do they still exist?

Slot machines are REGULATED, not “rigged” (or programmed to cheat you for the owners benefit).

Regulated slot machines have payouts that are set by the gaming commission, based on the configuration of the machine. This guarantees the payout percentage of the machine, and also guarantees the percentage of profit that the casino can get from each machine.

Having said that, casinos don’t require a dealer to stand at the machine, and cost very little floor space in relation to the money they make for the casino. When you see a casino with 3,000 slot machines and only 50 gaming tables, it’s obvious that the slot machines make a handsome income for the casino.

Modern slot machines are also more complicated than the old 3-reel slot machines of old; you can wager on 10, 20, 50, or more lines at a time, and at different denominations. basic slot psychology says you have to bet more to win more and the flashing lights lure you in to one more spin…..

Even though the machines are regulated, Slot machines are still games of chance and you have the possibility of a large jackpot – but your winning is NOT guaranteed.

Rather than be upset you are not getting the jackpots you deserve, I strongly urge you to play only slots that are entertaining or fun – and play for the fun! Don’t anticipate winning, as jackpots are random and unpredictable events. limit your contribution to the slot machines, and take frequent breaks to enjoy the ambiance of the casino, and keep a little more of your bankroll out of the casino’s coffers.

Also use your players card! that is the casino’s measure for giving you back some of your wagers in exchange for food, prizes, or points. It isn’t much for me (I am a session gambler and a known “low-roller”).

Also look at the paytables, and bet accordingly. they are not all the same!

The secret to how I win at slots:

I own 2 antique slot machines. Hopefully all my houseguests bring spare change. And trust me, they are really loose! (I would never lie). It’s a great way to monetize my home. You can buy one of your own on eBay.

Thanks for the A2A!

Disclaimer: I own 2 slot machines, so technically I am a Casino owner, such as it is. I also enjoy writing about gaming on my blog, www.thechenkinreport.com.

Secrets of Winning at the Casino Slot machines!

Slot machines are like an ATM for the Casinos.
They often outnumber the customers and will take back your winnings over time.

 

Does that mean you should not play?
-No, it means that planning on winning or using a “system” to win will usually result in disappointment.
Here is my approach – Play the slots for FUN. Find one you like, observe the paytable (note the payouts, bet accordingly), and gamble for a preset amount of time or dollar value.  (Google “how to become a session gambler”).
If you happen to win, be disciplined enough to pull out the winnings, and put them aside so you can gamble more next time.
While there are many books and systems on how to win at gambling, Slot machines are notorious for sucking you into a game where you may invest considerable money with a poor return, especially if you don’t observe the machines pay table – many slots do not deliver a jackpot unless you have placed the maximum bet (like progressive slots). If you play the smallest bets you are comfortable with (presumably to extend your playing time), be aware of this fact, and check the payouts. You will be very upset if you got a winning payline but it only pays if you are maxing out your bets. You will feel that your jackpot was denied, and that would make for a bitter trip to the casino, feeling you have been cheated – when you actually were not following the payouts.
The penny slot paylines are complex, with 20 to 30 (or more) paylines.
If you are going to the Casino to win at the slots, you can increase your chances of a win (no guarantee here) by predetermining your stake (how much money you bring), learning the paytables, and betting within your means at machines that look fun. (My opinion of a fun machine is one that has Elvis singing, superman, Haywire jackpots, stampeding, and the like, even if your win is small).
Check out this article in Freakonomics:
Once you abandon the idea of a guaranteed winning streak, you will have more fun at the casino. Enjoy your playing and relish the occasional jackpot!
There are new “skill-based” slot machines coming to the casinos, mostly to attract younger gamblers.  They may not replace traditional slots, but it is exciting to see new technology on the casino floor.  We may not even recognize some of the new games of chance as slot machines!
Skill-based “slots”
Have fun at the casinos and mind your gambling, so you pay less and enjoy more.