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.
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