Bored: Lost $500 @ $2/spin

Arrggg
My weakness is multiplers.
New buffalo game where there's 3 coin buckets:
Increase cash, buffalo gold, 4x/5x multiplers

Wasted $500 trying to get the multiplers option because bored and failed.

My hotel is the casino. There's nothing to do around the casino.
Suggestions to not too blow $500?

edit:

Quote: 100xOdds

Arrggg
My weakness is multiplers.
New buffalo game where you there's 3 coin buckets:
Increase cash, buffalo gold, 4x/5x multiplers

Wasted $500 trying to get the multiplers option because bored and failed.

My hotel is the casino. There's nothing to do around the casino.
Suggestions to not too blow $500?
link to original post

Pay a hooker.

You can look at it as blowing $500 or as paying for someone to blow you.

I don't know if this is the same Buffalo, but I got some free play and played it on this machine. I alternated between $20. and $30. a spin, not because I was calculating anything, but just to get it over with.

Buffalo stampedes galore!

Bonuses!



I ended up clearing about four grand off a couple grand in free play. I even got my first ever W-2G for a slot win, and given that I pretty much never bother with slots, that makes a statement!

On the very last spin, with $20. left and the Bonus having only half of the first letter B filled, I hit something that filled the entire Bonus at once, and won another six hunny or so.


At first I filled the machine with $500. of my free play, and then was going to move on to another machine, but figured $1500 more would fill the Bonus, which is it did, twice! Plus I kept getting stampedes and more and more free spins within the Bonuses.

A friend who was along on this trip she plays slots and I usually just give the free play slots to her, but that day she wasn't around so I just played it myself. She's quite young and one of those who believes in the vibe and all that nonsense on the machines, so she moves around from machine to machine and I have to keep inserting my card in to load whatever she wants to play on this or that machine, but my theory with free play slots is to just play and get it over with, since I know nothing about slots and don't care to learn. But in this instance my thought that two grand would be enough to hit the Bonuses was sound.

And yes I did tip about twenty bucks on the hand pay.

I do have a Q about this situation though.

When I play a slot machine with free play, I hit the cash out button every time the reels pay something off, whether $2. or $100. Is that necessary? I don't want to recycle any of the winning cash back into play.

One time I hit the button wrong and it did not cash out a few bucks, but on the next cash win, I cashed out and it paid out the sum total of the pay out from both of those wins, so it would appear that cashing out at every single win is unnecessary.

Perhaps all that is needed is to be careful not to play beyond the free play load / keep track of what is left? Is free play treated as FIFO (first in, first out)?

But hitting the cash out button each time does make it easier no need to keep track.

Quote: MDawg

I do have a Q about this situation though.

When I play a slot machine with free play, I hit the cash out button every time the reels pay something off, whether $2. or $100. Is that necessary? I don't want to recycle any of the winning cash back into play.

One time I hit the button wrong and it did not cash out a few bucks, but on the next cash win, I cashed out and it paid out the sum total of the pay out from both of those wins, so it would appear that cashing out at every single win is unnecessary.

Perhaps all that is needed is to be careful not to play beyond the free play load / keep track of what is left? Is free play treated as FIFO (first in, first out)?

But hitting the cash out button each time does make it easier no need to keep track.
link to original post

You don't need to cash out until the Freeplay is finished. The machines all deduct Freeplay first for each wager. If there isn't enough Freeplay to cover it will grab the balance and then deduct cash. So if you have $8 left in Freeplay and wager $20 it will deduct $12 cash to cover. If you don't have enough cash in the machine then it just won't spin.

"The Count" is the easiest way to keep track. Just divide your wager into Freeplay and keep count.

For example if you have $400 Freeplay and you will consistently make $10 a spin just count 40 spins and whatever is left over is your Freeplay turnover.

It's not rocket science but you will be surprised how few people playing slots on a regular basis don't think of this. They just keep playing till the amount in the machine is down to zero

As for the Buffalo game that's a false bonus meter (there are some games that aren't). As you noted the bonus hit before you even filled up the Bonus word. It can actually hit anytime and any spin is equally possible. I have seen it hit two spins after the last bonus and seen 500 spins WITH the bonus word filled up to the next to last notch and not bust.

You got lucky and trust me a few thousand in Freeplay at that Buffalo is actually not enough to guarantee the bonus round.

No, it is usually not necessary to cash out every win.

Freeplay is generally a form of restricted credit, and that gets spent first. There are some¹ freeplay systems that reimburse nonrestricted credits played with restricted credits, so cashing out nonresteicted credits ("cash balance") disables the play.

If there is some kind of meter that says "$320 free play remaining", you can just keep playing until it says $0 or free play session complete. Most of the people I know are OK with doing 1 paid spin, so when they see slot points accumulating, they know their freeplay session is ended.

1: It's to be compliant with local laws, so probably not a Nevada thing.

Right, so the free play is FIFO and as long as I keep track I don't have to cash out at each spin. Thanks!

Quote: darkoz

As for the Buffalo game that's a false bonus meter (there are some games that aren't). As you noted the bonus hit before you even filled up the Bonus word. It can actually hit anytime and any spin is equally possible. I have seen it hit two spins after the last bonus and seen 500 spins WITH the bonus word filled up to the next to last notch and not bust.
link to original post

The first "B-o-n-u-s" that achieved the W-2G filled gradually. It was half filled up to about the -n- by the time the $500. was gone, which is why I figured loading the balance of the free play $1500. would achieve the Bonus, which it did.

But yes, on the very last spin, with $20. left and the Bonus having only half of the first letter B filled, I hit something that filled the entire Bonus at once, and won another six hunny or so.

So in essence you are saying that it is not different from where 2/3 reels on an electronic slot machine hit the ultra jackpot image, and then the machine slows down to make it seem like you're almost there, and then the 3rd image doesn't hit anyway. I am aware of that the electronic machines have already decided at the moment the button is pressed as to what will (or will not) hit, and that pause is just for dramatic effect. I have seen this sort of thing many times when my friend plays with my free play.

But are you also saying that with one letter or a portion of a letter remaining in "B-o-n-u-s" the odds of filling it are the same as if only half of the first letter is filled? I assumed that the reason the Bonus filled on that last spin with only a half a letter filled, was that it hit some higher payoff lower probability to hit combination that filled the Bonus instantly, versus a higher probability combination that would garner only a letter or part of a letter.

And BTW the W-2G threshold for slots is obviously still just $1200.

Quote: MDawg

Right, so the free play is FIFO and as long as I keep track I don't have to cash out at each spin. Thanks!

Quote: darkoz

As for the Buffalo game that's a false bonus meter (there are some games that aren't). As you noted the bonus hit before you even filled up the Bonus word. It can actually hit anytime and any spin is equally possible. I have seen it hit two spins after the last bonus and seen 500 spins WITH the bonus word filled up to the next to last notch and not bust.
link to original post

The first "B-o-n-u-s" that achieved the W-2G filled gradually. It was half filled up to about the -n- by the time the $500. was gone, which is why I figured loading the balance of the free play $1500. would achieve the Bonus, which it did.

But yes, on the very last spin, with $20. left and the Bonus having only half of the first letter B filled, I hit something that filled the entire Bonus at once, and won another six hunny or so.

So in essence you are saying that it is not different from where 2/3 reels on an electronic slot machine hit the ultra jackpot image, and then the machine slows down to make it seem like you're almost there, and then the 3rd image doesn't hit anyway. I am aware of that the electronic machines have already decided at the moment the button is pressed as to what will (or will not) hit, and that pause is just for dramatic effect. I have seen this sort of thing many times when my friend plays with my free play.

But are you also saying that with one letter or a portion of a letter remaining in "B-o-n-u-s" the odds of filling it are the same as if only half of the first letter is filled? I assumed that the reason the Bonus filled on that last spin with only a half a letter filled, was that it hit some higher payoff lower probability to hit combination that filled the Bonus instantly, versus a higher probability combination that would garner only a letter or part of a letter.

And BTW the W-2G threshold for slots is obviously still just $1200.
link to original post

That's correct the letters filling up are just for show or more insidiously to make casual gamblers believe they are near a bonus and they will keep playing rather than abandon that bonus they are so close too

In reality they are no nearer the bonus than any other spin

One way to assess if the machine is actually getting closer to a bonus (although not 100% guaranteed these days) is to see if the bonus meter or bonus letters filling up continues to climb regardless of wager or denomination. If the meter rises the same as at $1 a wager as at $20 a wager then the meter is just a fancy animation.

For obvious reasons it would be a huge advantage if you could move the meter to almost full for $1 a spin and then switch to $20 a spin when the meter is near full. But they aren't that stupid. Not on that Buffalo game at least

A $300 to $500 buy-in at a $15 Black Jack table could last me an hour at a full table on a poor luck day. I'd have to bring multiple buy-ins to last 4 hours to fill the comp time-slot.

I like playing heads-up, so at 200 hands per hour I'd play 800 hands per 4 hours. I'd need 6 to 8 buy-ins handy if I can't pull some winning sessions out of that.

Of course, I'd like to win the first four sessions and walk away with $12.5K from a $500 buy-in.

Quote: MDawg

But are you also saying that with one letter or a portion of a letter remaining in "B-o-n-u-s" the odds of filling it are the same as if only half of the first letter is filled? I assumed that the reason the Bonus filled on that last spin with only a half a letter filled, was that it hit some higher payoff lower probability to hit combination that filled the Bonus instantly, versus a higher probability combination that would garner only a letter or part of a letter.

There is a fixed probability that the bonus will hit on any spin. That probability never changes. There's no persistent state (other than the amounts of the progressives). The spins are independent events; the probability of hitting the bonus is the same whether the letters are empty or almost full. no

The "bonus" letters are "for "entertainment purposes", ie, to trick you. It probably says something like that in the rules. Unfortunately gaming has become ok with deceiving players. Obviously a reasonable person would (or at least could) interpret it as showing how "close" the bonus is (after all, you interpreted it that way). I'm not sure if there's a specific rule against "unfair and deceptive practices", as many agencies which regulate industries and how they deal with customers have.

It should say in the rules (fine print on the last page) that the probability of winning the bonus is proportional to the amount wagered. It may also say the screen animation is for entertainment purposes only.

Quote: 100xOdds

Arrggg
My weakness is multiplers.
New buffalo game where you there's 3 coin buckets:
Increase cash, buffalo gold, 4x/5x multiplers

Wasted $500 trying to get the multiplers option because bored and failed.

My hotel is the casino. There's nothing to do around the casino.
Suggestions to not too blow $500?
link to original post

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

To the OP, in Nevada they have pamphlets titled, “When the Fun Stops.” Wherever you are, you might look for something similar…

Quote: darkoz

Quote: MDawg

Right, so the free play is FIFO and as long as I keep track I don't have to cash out at each spin. Thanks!

Quote: darkoz

As for the Buffalo game that's a false bonus meter (there are some games that aren't). As you noted the bonus hit before you even filled up the Bonus word. It can actually hit anytime and any spin is equally possible. I have seen it hit two spins after the last bonus and seen 500 spins WITH the bonus word filled up to the next to last notch and not bust.
link to original post

The first "B-o-n-u-s" that achieved the W-2G filled gradually. It was half filled up to about the -n- by the time the $500. was gone, which is why I figured loading the balance of the free play $1500. would achieve the Bonus, which it did.

But yes, on the very last spin, with $20. left and the Bonus having only half of the first letter B filled, I hit something that filled the entire Bonus at once, and won another six hunny or so.

So in essence you are saying that it is not different from where 2/3 reels on an electronic slot machine hit the ultra jackpot image, and then the machine slows down to make it seem like you're almost there, and then the 3rd image doesn't hit anyway. I am aware of that the electronic machines have already decided at the moment the button is pressed as to what will (or will not) hit, and that pause is just for dramatic effect. I have seen this sort of thing many times when my friend plays with my free play.

But are you also saying that with one letter or a portion of a letter remaining in "B-o-n-u-s" the odds of filling it are the same as if only half of the first letter is filled? I assumed that the reason the Bonus filled on that last spin with only a half a letter filled, was that it hit some higher payoff lower probability to hit combination that filled the Bonus instantly, versus a higher probability combination that would garner only a letter or part of a letter.

And BTW the W-2G threshold for slots is obviously still just $1200.
link to original post

That's correct the letters filling up are just for show or more insidiously to make casual gamblers believe they are near a bonus and they will keep playing rather than abandon that bonus they are so close too

In reality they are no nearer the bonus than any other spin

One way to assess if the machine is actually getting closer to a bonus (although not 100% guaranteed these days) is to see if the bonus meter or bonus letters filling up continues to climb regardless of wager or denomination. If the meter rises the same as at $1 a wager as at $20 a wager then the meter is just a fancy animation.

For obvious reasons it would be a huge advantage if you could move the meter to almost full for $1 a spin and then switch to $20 a spin when the meter is near full. But they aren't that stupid. Not on that Buffalo game at least
link to original post

Quote: AxelWolf

There are a lot of fake persistent State machines out there; however, I wouldn't be so rigid as to believe that there isn't possibly any value in the building up on certain machines that get fat/big/progress. Sure, the symbols/coins/Jewels or whatever the hell might not indicate when they are going to hit, but that doesn't mean there isn't built up equity as the animation would indicate when you do hit.
link to original post

Quote: MDawg

Quote: darkoz

Quote: MDawg

Right, so the free play is FIFO and as long as I keep track I don't have to cash out at each spin. Thanks!

Quote: darkoz

As for the Buffalo game that's a false bonus meter (there are some games that aren't). As you noted the bonus hit before you even filled up the Bonus word. It can actually hit anytime and any spin is equally possible. I have seen it hit two spins after the last bonus and seen 500 spins WITH the bonus word filled up to the next to last notch and not bust.
link to original post

The first "B-o-n-u-s" that achieved the W-2G filled gradually. It was half filled up to about the -n- by the time the $500. was gone, which is why I figured loading the balance of the free play $1500. would achieve the Bonus, which it did.

But yes, on the very last spin, with $20. left and the Bonus having only half of the first letter B filled, I hit something that filled the entire Bonus at once, and won another six hunny or so.

So in essence you are saying that it is not different from where 2/3 reels on an electronic slot machine hit the ultra jackpot image, and then the machine slows down to make it seem like you're almost there, and then the 3rd image doesn't hit anyway. I am aware of that the electronic machines have already decided at the moment the button is pressed as to what will (or will not) hit, and that pause is just for dramatic effect. I have seen this sort of thing many times when my friend plays with my free play.

But are you also saying that with one letter or a portion of a letter remaining in "B-o-n-u-s" the odds of filling it are the same as if only half of the first letter is filled? I assumed that the reason the Bonus filled on that last spin with only a half a letter filled, was that it hit some higher payoff lower probability to hit combination that filled the Bonus instantly, versus a higher probability combination that would garner only a letter or part of a letter.

And BTW the W-2G threshold for slots is obviously still just $1200.
link to original post

That's correct the letters filling up are just for show or more insidiously to make casual gamblers believe they are near a bonus and they will keep playing rather than abandon that bonus they are so close too

In reality they are no nearer the bonus than any other spin

One way to assess if the machine is actually getting closer to a bonus (although not 100% guaranteed these days) is to see if the bonus meter or bonus letters filling up continues to climb regardless of wager or denomination. If the meter rises the same as at $1 a wager as at $20 a wager then the meter is just a fancy animation.

For obvious reasons it would be a huge advantage if you could move the meter to almost full for $1 a spin and then switch to $20 a spin when the meter is near full. But they aren't that stupid. Not on that Buffalo game at least
link to original post

Quote: AxelWolf

There are a lot of fake persistent State machines out there; however, I wouldn't be so rigid as to believe that there isn't possibly any value in the building up on certain machines that get fat/big/progress. Sure, the symbols/coins/Jewels or whatever the hell might not indicate when they are going to hit, but that doesn't mean there isn't built up equity as the animation would indicate when you do hit.
link to original post

link to original post

I don't see Axelwolf's comment in this thread

There are games where the buildup of the symbols on screen is a valid indicator of getting closer to a bonus. There are a lot more that are just fake indicators to fool people into throwing in more cash.

The Buffalo games you played fall into the latter category.

You got lucky. Go right ahead and continue to play on those Buffalo games based on their Bonus Meter buildup and you will learn the hard way they are meaningless.

If you want a game where the acquisition of symbols means something try Regal Riches.