Virtual Slot Machines - Slot Machine Strategy
Add up all the variables about slots and you get one of those jokes
of the universe. Games that seem complicated, like craps and roulette,
have odds that are absurdly easy to calculate. Slots are easy to
play, but true odds and house edge (which are identical in this
situation) seem impossible to accurately determine. That's why casinos
love slots. Most people just give up, plunk their money into the
machine, and hope for the best. Here's the bad news for the casino.
We have a slot strategy that accounts for the mysterious house edge.
The first part of the strategy is a series of decisions and the
second part includes three playing options to correspond with different-sized
bankrolls. Ready?
Decision 1: Progressive or Non-Progressive?
Do you like many small jackpots or do you want to give up some
smaller wins to shoot for the big enchilada? Either choice is fine.
Just be sure you understand the implications. You'll lose more in
the long run playing a progressive. That is guaranteed.
Decision 2: Maximum Coins or Maximum Edge?
We've covered this previously. If you're playing a progressive,
choose a lower denomination and play maximum coins. Reverse that
if you're playing a non-progressive that doesn't pay a bonus for
maximum coins.
Slots Money Management Strategy: Level 1
If you're playing a very short session or twenty to forty coins
(typically one-half or one roll of quarters), the machine may gobble
them all, give a few back, or deliver a jackpot. There is simply
no way to predict. The most practical strategy for a very short
session player is to play once through with your bankroll and expect
zero percent back. Your price for fun is one coin per pull. The
probability of winning something and paying less than the full price
using this strategy is extremely high. If this strategy sounds too
conservative consider the alternative. Putting forty coins into
a machine and only getting twelve back is a drag unless you were
prepared to spend the money.
Slot Money Management Strategy: Level 2
Longer session players with bigger bankrolls are more likely to
experience payout's closer to the average, so they can reasonably
include some of the value of those expected payout's in the price-for-fun
calculation. Let's say your session bankroll is $100. You're playing
single coins on a quarter machine. $100 will buy you 400 spins.
How much should you expect to win back? Anything can happen, but
remember that you're setting a maximum price for fun. My personal
favorite is an ultra-conservative and easy-to-figure 50 percent.
That means when the original $100 is gone and the 400 spins are
over you intend to have at least $50 in winnings. You're willing
to pay up to $50 for the pleasure of 400 spins. I've never seen
other people who have. The key to avoiding such a catastrophe is
monitoring your winnings. One quarter of the way through your bankroll
(100 spins) you should be down a maximum of $12.50. Anything more
and you're paying more than 50 percent, way too much for fun. Find
a looser machine.
Slots Money Management Strategy: Level 3
You're in for the long haul and playing for multiple hours. It's
possible to see returns approximating the actual house edge at this
level of play, but don't count on it. Set your overall price for
fun at 25 percent of your bankroll (75 percent return) and play
the money once through. Periodically monitor your winnings at 50
or 100 spin intervals. If you hit a cold streak or a tight machine
your price for fun will shoot through the roof. When that happens
you should take a break and play another machine.
|