How to Win Slot Machines
Seriously, my advice: play dollar machines - except Megabucks. The more money it costs to play a machine, the "looser" the machine can be and still make enough money for the casino to keep the machine there. Megabucks is the exception, since enough people are drawn to it by the promise of a huge jackpot that the machines can be tighter and few people are going to notice, or care.
Second: don't listen to people who tell you things like, "Play the machines that you can see from the entrances - they are looser so that people walking by the casino will see a lot of winners and come in to play," or, "A particular machine is 'due' to hit at any time." The best example of a machine that was "due" for years was one called Lion's Share at MGM Grand.
Slot Machine name is 88 Fortune.
Quote: InduAny tips,suggesion or blog which suggest how to win from slot machine in Casino.
Indu,
Welcome to the forum! If you search around here, you'll find many suggestions on how best to play the slots. I'll start with a few of my own:
- Play video poker, where you can determine the house advantage (HA). It is generally less than the HA on regular slots.
- Look for progressive slot machines that "must hit by" some number. If they are close to hitting, pound them to death.
- Understand that your overall likelihood of winning is not great. Other games in the casino often have a much lower HA. But, don't forget to factor in various casino comps, such as free slot tournaments, free drinks, free (or discoiunted) meals, and perhaps even free nites in the casino hotel. Yup, you might be "down" at the machines, but these other "perks" also have tangible value that help to balance out any losses.
I'm sure others will suggest their own comments. Don't take it hard if someone suggests stuff like, "You can't win playing slots." Heck, the casino has the advantage on all the games it offers. We know that already.
Quote: InduBest Slot Machines to play as per Gaming Revenue Report Nevada is MEGABUCKS and 1 CENT slots
Woah... what basis are you using for this conclusion? I suspect many here (myself included) would say Megabucks is the worst option for slots.
px?documentid=12213
Win PERCENT for Megabucks is highest in all slot categories.
Please let me know if my analysis is wrong.
Replace space with dot(.) Currently i am not allowed to put any url
Quote: InduCheck following link
px?documentid=12213
Win PERCENT for Megabucks is highest in all slot categories.
Please let me know if my analysis is wrong.
Without looking, I think the "win percentage" is the casinos, not the players.
Quote: IbeatyouracesWithout looking, I think the "win percentage" is the casinos, not the players.
That's exactly correct... that is the percentage of every dollar that the casino keeps.
But this begs another question for Indu.. if you thought the "win percent" meant the win for gamblers... why would you consider playing something or try to figure out how to win at slots if you were only winning 8 - 15% of what you put in?
From the same pdf it mentioned -- The "Win Percent" for games provides a ratio which has been adjusted for effects of credit play. The "Win Percent" for slot devices provides a ratio which represents the reported win amount divided by the total dollar amount played by patrons.
And for Megabucks its is highest.
1) Find the slot machine you plan on playing.
2) Take the money you plan to use, say, a $20 bill.
3) Hold one end in each hand.
4) Fold it over so the short ends meet and put a nice strong crease in it.
5) Stick the $20 bill in your pocket and walk away.
:D
Step 2. Tie it to your $100 bill with an end for you to pull it with
Step 3. Insert into slot machine and pull it out until you get free credits.
Step 4. If it doesnt work, continue onto next machine until you find one
Step 5. Dont get caught
Quote: IbeatyouracesWithout looking, I think the "win percentage" is the casinos, not the players.
Correct. The higher the win%, the more that the casino holds.
casinoinreno(dot)blogspot(dot)com/p/reno-casino(dot)html
Quote: InduSorry yesterday i am not able to reply becuase my limit for post exceed.
From the same pdf it mentioned -- The "Win Percent" for games provides a ratio which has been adjusted for effects of credit play. The "Win Percent" for slot devices provides a ratio which represents the reported win amount divided by the total dollar amount played by patrons.
And for Megabucks its is highest.
No. June's report here. The Win% represents the casino's win amount / total coin in.
To prove my point, look at months where Megabucks was won. The last time it was won was August 2016 at the Wynn.
You will see a consistent win % except in the month where it was won. By your logic, you would expect the win % to jump. It does the opposite. You can see that if you divide the Win % by the monthly win you get the coin in which remains fairly consistent month to month. You would expect that to change as the jackpot grows and by seasonal visitor variations.
Quote: monthly gaming reports, Nevada,
Report splashpage.
Statewide, all non-restricted locations, Megabucks line, Win% for month or quarter.
June 2017 - 14.16% - total coin in 5,024,000 / .1416 (win amount / win %) = 35.48m
May 2017 - 14.32%
Apr 2017 - 13.45%
Mar 2017 - 14.01%
Feb 2017 - 13.28%
Jan 2017 - 15.35%
Q4 2016 - 13.88%
Sep 2016 - 13.37% - total coin in 4,962,000 / .1337 = 37.13m
Aug 2016 - 2.74% - total coin in 924,000 / .0274 = 33.72m
July 2016 - 13.65%
Q2 2016 - 13.30%
Mar 2016 - 1.57% March 2016 winner
Megabucks and Penny slots in general are the worst games to play and it calls into doubt your loose slot list if you don't understand this. Megabucks runs at close to 85% payback to fund the jackpot.
Quote: boymimboMegabucks runs at close to 85% payback to fund the jackpot.
I don't do slots, but if it runs at 85% to fund the jackpot, what does it run at over the long term, including the day that it pays that jackpot?
Do you really play that machine in the expectation of 85% return ignoring that jackpot, or do you pay it on the hope that the jackpot is included in your potential return?
The wizard has a great writeup on Megabucks at WOO here..
Quote: OnceDearI don't do slots, but if it runs at 85% to fund the jackpot, what does it run at over the long term, including the day that it pays that jackpot?
Do you really play that machine in the expectation of 85% return ignoring that jackpot, or do you pay it on the hope that the jackpot is included in your potential return?
The jackpot is included in the 85% return. Which means in between jackpots, you are playing at something less than 85%.
The way they set up a progressive is to determine how much they want to feed the progressive (so let's say $0.03 per dollar bet), so then they would set the slot machine to return $0.82 cents per dollar with the jackpot paying at the reset amount. ($10 million for Megabucks). That way they guarantee themselves an 85% return, regardless of how big the progressive gets.
Of course, for Megabucks, this is all muddied by the fact that it's an annuity paid out over 26 years, and so present value calcs have to happen as well.
$1 in
$.15 to house
$.05 to progressive
$.80 to base game payback
Quote: OnceDearI don't do slots, but if it runs at 85% to fund the jackpot, what does it run at over the long term, including the day that it pays that jackpot?
Here are the annual holds in Clark County (Las Vegas area), using a July-June year (e.g. the 2017 number is July 2016-June 2017):
| Year | Coin In | House % |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 60,010,000 | 13.07 |
| 2016 | 61,140,000 | 12.46 |
| 2015 | 61,110,000 | 11.84 |
| 2014 | 61,970,000 | 12.04 |
| 2013 | 67,300,000 | 11.66 |
| 2012 | 93,710,000 | 12.84 |
| 2011 | 58,280,000 | 11.86 |
| 2010 | 54,220,000 | 11.52 |
| 2009 | 67,760,000 | 11.23 |
| 2008 | 88,310,000 | 12.36 |
| 2007 | 83,070,000 | 11.97 |
| 2006 | 92,790,000 | 11.32 |
| 2005 | 84,530,000 | 12.56 |
| 2004 | 57,270,000 | 9.9 |
| 2003 | 85,860,000 | 11.19 |
As you can see, the percentage the house keeps is around 11.8% from year to year,
Of course there are ways to beat slots and there are people who see the advantages at the progressives and play with a large enough bankroll to overcome variance and have a +EV experience.
Non-progressives? Not possible.
Quote: boymimboNo. June's report here. The Win% represents the casino's win amount / total coin in.
Apologies, as I know this is mostly off topic, but since the link is posted here...
I'm surprised to find that the win % on table games is double that of slots. Clark county shows a steady 7% win, but games like 21 & craps which have much lower HE are way more profitable per dollar of action than the slots. How is that possible? Are people really so atrocious at these games? I guess VP would get folded into "slots" in this report, but still, 14% on BJ? I thought even the hold on a 6/5 game was closer to 3-4%.
This site has changed my whole viewpoint. I see so many strategy errors, including a few i don't make any more (thanks, Mike!). Even more on carnival games than blackjack, but plenty there. And not subtle ones.
Also some horrendous sidebets are on most bj tables these days. They would get folded into that report.
https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/online/28270-edgeless-casino-soon-to-open/
Quote: razmaspazQuote: boymimboNo. June's report here. The Win% represents the casino's win amount / total coin in.
Apologies, as I know this is mostly off topic, but since the link is posted here...
I'm surprised to find that the win % on table games is double that of slots. Clark county shows a steady 7% win, but games like 21 & craps which have much lower HE are way more profitable per dollar of action than the slots. How is that possible? Are people really so atrocious at these games? I guess VP would get folded into "slots" in this report, but still, 14% on BJ? I thought even the hold on a 6/5 game was closer to 3-4%.
I donât believe the win % for table games is an accurate reflection of the house edge, like it is with machines.
From what Iâve been told here, itâs the % of money dropped won by the casino.
Quote: boymimboMan when I read the thread title, I thought it was "how to win a slot machine". I'd like to win a slot machine.
Of course there are ways to beat slots and there are people who see the advantages at the progressives and play with a large enough bankroll to overcome variance and have a +EV experience.
Non-progressives? Not possible.
I think you could beat Non-Progressives but you need some help like faulty meters, promotions. mailers... etc etc.
I've done it so it can be done but usually when your on some promotion you can find progressives unless stated "no progressives" in the promotion rules.
I played on a Reel Machine Flat that was 97.5% payback but you could use your points to turn the game over 100% return
In that same shop later down the road the Goldfish Slot game was best with the promotion that was offered. I put over a million coin in on Goldfish alone!!
Interestingly there is a Casino Promotion coming up going to double all slot jackpots but VP is not allowed and they cap it at a certain amount but it still might be worth a look.
It is pretty clear now for many years that most players do not want to go through the aggravation of Reels and I can understand that. I enjoy beating Reels as much as I enjoy beating any other game in the house but I have more fun finding glitches or advantages with Reels compared to other plays.
This last week I was on 3 plays and this is the session break down for them...
Machine 1:
1 hour and 50 mins of play
5170 Coin In
Jackpot Total: $1338
Net Win/Loss: + $228
Points Earned: + $52 cash back
Toke: - $10
Machine 2:
3 hours and 20 mins of play
7450 Coin In
Jackpot Total: $2058
Net Win/Loss: + $615
Points Earned: + $45 cash back
Toke: - $27
Machine 3:
27 hours and 10 mins of play
64800 Coin In
Jackpot Total: $5187
Net Win/Loss: + $6595
Points Earned + $195 cash back
Toke: - $65
Total Win/Loss not counting comps earned or written on the fly or Mail on the way.
+ $7,628.00
The figures are rounded up slightly.
How do you beat Slots? You get Lucky! I get Lucky alot!
I have the pictures of the jackpots but do I really need to post them? I want to post them but I rather just not. I've posted enough slot Jackpots to show where they are and how to play them. Most players aren't going to either have the time and energy or they just don't believe you can beat them. Do I always win at Reels? Not on every session or every Jackpot but at the end of the month/year I am always far ahead but remember you can't beat Slots... impossible!
Quote: gamerfreakQuote: razmaspazQuote: boymimboNo. June's report here. The Win% represents the casino's win amount / total coin in.
Apologies, as I know this is mostly off topic, but since the link is posted here...
I'm surprised to find that the win % on table games is double that of slots. Clark county shows a steady 7% win, but games like 21 & craps which have much lower HE are way more profitable per dollar of action than the slots. How is that possible? Are people really so atrocious at these games? I guess VP would get folded into "slots" in this report, but still, 14% on BJ? I thought even the hold on a 6/5 game was closer to 3-4%.
I don�t believe the win % for table games is an accurate reflection of the house edge, like it is with machines.
From what I�ve been told here, it�s the % of money dropped won by the casino.
Meaning what? The average player cashes out with 12% less than they buy in with? I don't know why you would report it that way, though I would be way more inclined to believe it.
Quote: razmaspazI don't know why you would report it that way, though I would be way more inclined to believe it.
There was a previous thread: "What is hold percentage?" I'm not allowed yet to link, but if you enter 3327 (the thread #) in the search box, it should appear in the results list.
Basically, it's reported that way because the casinos don't have a practical method of tracking every individual table bet and payout.
Quote: HugoSlaviaThere was a previous thread: "What is hold percentage?" I'm not allowed yet to link, but if you enter 3327 (the thread #) in the search box, it should appear in the results list.
Basically, it's reported that way because the casinos don't have a practical method of tracking every individual table bet and payout.
Read the thread top to bottom. That is still a really odd way to track, but it makes sense that there isn't a clear way to report any other metric.
It strikes me that if one wanted to sink 6/5 blackjack they could walk around buying into $10 tables for $1000, play 3 hands, and walk, no matter how they went. Do this a few dozen times a month multiplied by a half dozen people and you could throw off the hold % even at a smaller strip casino.
Machine: 4
Around 4 Hours of Play
54000 Coin In
Jackpot Total: $5238
Net Win/Loss: Loss - $755
Points Earned + $540 cash back
Toke: - $35
Net Loss - $250
Here is a Picture for those who like to look...
You can't always win... I was messing about with this game, scouting if you will. It was a pretty ugly start, getting stuck 7k... rushed up a bit and was only down 2500 and after that the bottom fell out again. I ended up putting in 10k and down 9500 at one point... went on a bit of a rush and hit the lower jackpot for 5238... after that hit some sevens and red sevens and decided to get out down 250 with 54k coin in. That specific machine does something I never have seen before which was interesting... very interesting.
Quote: monet0412Back on Topic... How to Win at Slots?
Machine: 4
Around 4 Hours of Play
54000 Coin In
Jackpot Total: $5238
Net Win/Loss: Loss - $755
Points Earned + $540 cash back
Toke: - $35
Net Loss - $250
Here is a Picture for those who like to look...
You can't always win... I was messing about with this game, scouting if you will. It was a pretty ugly start, getting stuck 7k... rushed up a bit and was only down 2500 and after that the bottom fell out again. I ended up putting in 10k and down 9500 at one point... went on a bit of a rush and hit the lower jackpot for 5238... after that hit some sevens and red sevens and decided to get out down 250 with 54k coin in. That specific machine does something I never have seen before which was interesting... very interesting.
That was a whirlwind of ups and downs, which I'm sure is the fun, but if after a 10k bankroll run and ending down $250 even after the freeplay/cash back, how is this winning at slots?
FYI.... getting stuck 10k or more is never fun even if you get out. Try it sometime and let me know how you feel when your down 10k or 20k.
Quote: razmaspaz
That was a whirlwind of ups and downs, which I'm sure is the fun, but if after a 10k bankroll run and ending down $250 even after the freeplay/cash back, how is this winning at slots?
First of all, he included cash back, but did not include any mail or other offers that might come by way of that play.
Second, and most importantly, you do not win every single play and cannot reasonably be expected to do so. If you did, by extension, players at -EV would have to all lose every time they play in the casino, which is obviously not the case.
Actually, I think Monet said something like 50k coin in and down $250? Youâre talking half a percent, there. Itâs pretty rare for any session to finish half a percent of total coin in in any direction.
Quote: monet0412
This last week I was on 3 plays and this is the session break down for them...
Machine 1:
1 hour and 50 mins of play
5170 Coin In
Jackpot Total: $1338
Net Win/Loss: + $228
Points Earned: + $52 cash back
Toke: - $10
Machine 2:
3 hours and 20 mins of play
7450 Coin In
Jackpot Total: $2058
Net Win/Loss: + $615
Points Earned: + $45 cash back
Toke: - $27
Machine 3:
27 hours and 10 mins of play
64800 Coin In
Jackpot Total: $5187
Net Win/Loss: + $6595
Points Earned + $195 cash back
Toke: - $65
Total Win/Loss not counting comps earned or written on the fly or Mail on the way.
+ $7,628.00
I hate to sound like a newbie but I certainly am when it comes to slots. I doubt I've put $100 into slots in my lifetime. When you talk about coin in is that the actual $$ that you put in the machine or what the machine has counted including your $$ and what you have played through?
Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer such a newbie question!!
It has nothing to do with how much money you put in the machine. It's what you have wagered on the machine period.Quote: Mikey75I hate to sound like a newbie but I certainly am when it comes to slots. I doubt I've put $100 into slots in my lifetime. When you talk about coin in is that the actual $$ that you put in the machine or what the machine has counted including your $$ and what you have played through?
Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer such a newbie question!!
You could put $1 into a machine, get lucky, hit a bunch of stuff and end up coining in thousands of dollars in action.
Quote: monet0412Obviously you missed the other post with the first three machines. Up over 7k total. Secondly... you must not understand how Casinos roll out the red carpet for reel players. 54k coin in on reels is no joke and will generate plenty of win. Lastly... this progressive is beatable in the long run.
FYI.... getting stuck 10k or more is never fun even if you get out. Try it sometime and let me know how you feel when your down 10k or 20k.
Sorry biting sarcasm is a key component of my charming personality.
You're right I didn't connect the two. I still don't really understand how you end up positive on this in the long run, especially if you are implying -1/2% is above expectation. For 50k coin in, figure a 95% return and 1000 in comps, that progressive has to be pretty good to make this +EV, and even then if you have say a 5% chance at winning that jackpot you're counting it as about 2000. Factor taxes into this and it gets pretty razor thin. Plus you'd have to discount the value of the comps since they aren't cold cash, right?
And re:getting down 10-20k, no thanks, I'll stick to low variance action.
This is part of what YOU wrote in a different thread. "Assume I'm going to spend the money on hotel/food/gambling/shows no matter what..."Quote: razmaspaz. Plus you'd have to discount the value of the comps since they aren't cold cash, right?
Its cold hard cash if you are going to be spending it no matter what.
Quote: AxelWolfThis is part of what YOU wrote in a different thread. "Assume I'm going to spend the money on hotel/food/gambling/shows no matter what..."
Its cold hard cash if you are going to be spending it no matter what.
Well if I wrote it, then it must be true. :)
Again, I'm not trying to be a jerk, I just can't help it most of the time, I genuinely started reading to understand the strategy. Seems like a tough grind.
Quote: razmaspazSorry biting sarcasm is a key component of my charming personality.
You're right I didn't connect the two. I still don't really understand how you end up positive on this in the long run, especially if you are implying -1/2% is above expectation. For 50k coin in, figure a 95% return and 1000 in comps, that progressive has to be pretty good to make this +EV, and even then if you have say a 5% chance at winning that jackpot you're counting it as about 2000. Factor taxes into this and it gets pretty razor thin. Plus you'd have to discount the value of the comps since they aren't cold cash, right?
And re:getting down 10-20k, no thanks, I'll stick to low variance action.
I understand that you don't understand what I'm doing or when certain progressives are at certain numbers and you literally can not lose in the long run. I do this almost every day in and out. Not everyone worries or is scared of the W2s or taxes. I try to put the information on here for players who are interested in beating reels.
Trust me that what I do is small potatoes compared to more educated and players who have larger bankrolls and better information.
I guess the point of my posts are to show my own personal experiences with reels that I constantly play. These plays end in yearly wins but is only one angle to beat reels consistently. Other players who get kickbacks or know strong promotions make more per hour than I could dream of.
Playing low variance plays that give guaranteed wins are great but I've done that enough to know that it is limited to 15 dollars an hour or so. I'm learning that higher variance plays are worth much more per hour and yield other benefits as well. When you start to add in cheating or mistakes things can get more lucrative as well.
That's the best I can explain it to you without trying to run all the abc's in exact order. I think I've given enough information if you know where to look. At the least I'm giving up small bread crumbs to get someone who is serious pointed in the right direction. It's more than I see most players giving up on this forum.
Tough grind compared to what? Digging ditches? Let's compare it to someone playing regular high limit slots losing thousands per hour.Quote: razmaspazWell if I wrote it, then it must be true. :)
Again, I'm not trying to be a jerk, I just can't help it most of the time, I genuinely started reading to understand the strategy. Seems like a tough grind.
I have no doubt there are other things he plays that have higher percentages and less risk.
If you have a good enough BR then going up or down 20k isn't that big of a deal, as long as you are making money overall, that's all that really counts.
If it was easy and void of risk everyone would be doing it and there wouldn't be enough for any individual to make living.
Quote: monet0412I understand that you don't understand what I'm doing or when certain progressives are at certain numbers and you literally can not lose in the long run.
Of course the long run is THE ONLY WAY it all makes sense, and a single beat is not representative of the long run any more than a single hand of BJ. I get all that. I just couldn't figure out how that particular example worked, and out of context it seemed like the math didn't add up. I'm not going to look up the thread Axel served up the quote from, but I'm pretty sure I was talking in the context of whether a property would care about my $2500 trip bankroll. Which is why chasing a 30k progressive with 10-20k in losses would quickly bankrupt me, but at the same time when I make $10-15/hr and cut a little off my trip costs, I'm over the moon. However I wouldn't expect the variance to change much on a $30k progressive vs a $300 progressive, same as how it wouldn't on $10/hand or $1000/hand BJ.
