While playing slot machines can often be a fun and entertaining experience, many gamblers leave disappointed with their losses. Knowing how to maximize your winnings can help keep you from being one of those people. Consider these tips to help you learn how to spy high-paying machines and increase your odds of winning.
Step 1
Play responsibly. The number one rule for making money on slot machines is to be wise about how much you play. While the right strategies can give you an advantage over the average gambler, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to maintain any kind of steady income from playing slot machines.
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Step 2
Establish realistic expectations for yourself so that you don't get carried away. Set limits for yourself BEFORE you begin playing. Determine how much you are willing to gamble, and do not go over that amount. Pocket your winnings and only play from your original bankroll.
Some gamblers also set limits for how much they collect in winnings each night. If you find that you have won more money than average, keep the winnings and call it a night. Odds are that your winnings will even out if you continue playing.
Step 3
Join the casino's reward club. Most casinos offer some type of loyalty card, where members receive additional cash or other rewards (discounted hotel rooms, free meals, free drinks, etc.). While the actual money these cards pay back is rarely noteworthy, joining is free and it will earn you other valuable discounts that will help you save money while you gamble.
Step 4
Throw out the belief that machines are "due" to win soon. All slot machines are run by a random number generator (RNG) that is constantly selecting combinations of numbers at random every fraction of a second. When you pull the machine's handle, it chooses the RNG's current number as the winning combination. Since the number selection is at random, machines have the same odds of winning with every spin. For the same reason, playing faster does not increase your chances of winning either.
Step 5
Learn to identify areas where high-paying, or "loose," machines are likely. Like any other business, casinos make the most money when they draw a high number of customers. For this reason, casinos often place loose machines in areas where people are likely to see other players win big. Look for these machines near change machines, on elevated platforms, near the bar, and in other places that draw attention. Loose machines are less likely to be located at the entrance and near areas where other games are played. However, keep in mind that these locations are only guidelines. Casinos rearrange their machines frequently, and no spot is guaranteed to contain a loose machine.
Step 6
Move to the machine besides yours. Homepokergames.com notes that most casinos avoid placing two tight machines beside each other. If you're not having much luck at your current machine, scoot over to the next one.
Step 7
Play the maximum number of coins on a machine within your budget. It's better to bet the maximum on a machine that requires smaller coins than to bet the same amount on a more expensive machine. Slot machines pay more for multiple winning lines in one turn than they do for any of those lines individually. So a less expensive machine may pay out more for the same bet.
Step 8
Use machines with only three or four reels when you first start. While these machines have smaller jackpots, they also have better odds of winning and will help you get the feel of using a slot machine.
Warning
Remember, gambling can quickly become addictive in nature. Always play within the limits of what you can afford. If you feel you have a gambling addiction, contact the gamblers anonymous group listed in the resources section of this article.
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