Anyone ever confirmed whether

Anyone ever confirmed whether some machines are programmed to generate 99% fewer bonus rounds once max bet is played but generate them frequently at smaller bet amounts?

Also reminds me of machines that constantly generate 2 bonus symbols but rarely the third.

I guess I will comment since no one else had any, anyway.

(yeah, I like to play slots that are no advantage)

Not the only time I ever noticed this.

I don't remember the particular machine, except it was a 4 progressive bonus. Nothing low, but 500- 5000 dollar range. I had played it several times before. Maybe bonus hit sometimes 5 minutes apart, sometimes 30.

Played maximum coin in. 3 hours later, finally hits the first bonus.

Another machine I remember specifically what it was. Old Twilight Zone machine. This one was only 3 dollars max. You would hit bonuses off and on at 20 cents. Go to max bet. Almost as bad as the one I described above.

Third one was at an Indian casino. Max 8 dollar bet. Same issue.

I didn't bother to count the individual spins just that playing roughly the same speed, the ridiculous amount of time to a bonus at maximum bet.

BTW, I'm not talking about the progressive bonus, just the typical bonus games that come up.

I do remember reading a Pennsylvania regulation stating that basically any button pressed cannot have more than a 1% difference in the return. What exactly the 1% means,worst case overall return, best case much less(99% v 99.01%) and I'm not sure but tend towards the first. If this is also used in Nevada, NJ, etc. don't know. Could a machine lessen the odds of a bonus, and increase other win probabilities, probably not, but not sure. Are electronic buttons considered buttons, don't know.

I've looked at stats on WMS machines where it shows how many spins between bonuses, common to see 1500-2000, though I dont remember seeing any over 2000. That's a good two hours of continuous play if the spins were continuous. Now these machines pay obviously near state minimum returns, it's common for people to leave as soon as they get a bonus, they're too afraid to keep playing just because of 24/7 Hoover mode. That's why people notice it when they are determined to get a bonus or one more, bad streaks.

Quote: rxwine

Anyone ever confirmed whether some machines are programmed to generate 99% fewer bonus rounds once max bet is played but generate them frequently at smaller bet amounts?

Also reminds me of machines that constantly generate 2 bonus symbols but rarely the third.

Wouldn't the type of programming you are describing work counter to maximizing the casino's hold? Discouraged by the lack of bonus play, max bettors would give up... or reduce their wagers and win more due to increased bonus activity, or take longer between wagers due to the wait for bonus animations to finish.

On the other hand, could the game be designed so that max bets are necessary to open the possibility for rare jackpot prizes that contribute a large proportion of the player's edge, but due to their rarity greatly increase variance? There's a group slot "fishing" game by Aruze that allows players to pick their "bait" to either attract more frequent "small" winners or less frequent "big" winners. I assume the average works out to be equal in the end, but variance is a cruel mistress...

Quote: Ayecarumba

Wouldn't the type of programming you are describing work counter to maximizing the casino's hold? Discouraged by the lack of bonus play, max bettors would give up... or reduce their wagers and win more due to increased bonus activity, or take longer between wagers due to the wait for bonus animations to finish.

Not sure what the reasoning is but actually I was thinking the opposite way from you. Somewhat like a poker player invited to play a friendly game of poker at low stakes. Seeing as how he is winning he accepts the higher wager offer, that's when the real money parts from his wallet.

Seems also like many of the newer games give back little to nothing if the bonus never hits.

I'm more concerned about slot return switcheroos on must hits progressives, and regular long cycle progressives. Concerned, but not positive.

To me, it makes sense that bonus's would appear more often at low stakes.The payouts are much smaller, so they should be more frequent.

Quote: billryan

To me, it makes sense that bonus's would appear more often at low stakes.The payouts are much smaller, so they should be more frequent.

This makes perfect sense to me too. Maybe more often at lower stakes but regularly enough for high stake players also.