Slot Machine Strategy
Slot machine strategy has existed in one form or another for as long as the game itself. Even in the early days when primitive slots were played in barber shops and cigar stores instead of casinos, patrons would do their best to figure out an advantage over the house.
While the slots industry has experienced massive change over the decades, they’ve managed to stay one step ahead of players looking for an edge. Slot machines remain the biggest revenue producer for online and land-based casinos, so even the most advanced slot systems have failed to make a difference.
What Is the Best Strategy?
A strategy is any approach aimed at reducing or eliminating the house edge in favor of the player. This might involve observation techniques, complex mathematical calculations, or computer simulations of countless spins. In the past, strategies could be as simple as tying a string to a quarter to play unguarded slots with unlimited credits. The variety of methods demonstrates just how far some gamblers will go to gain an advantage.
Slot Machine Systems
The most popular strategy involves the use of various systems. While each system differs in execution, all have the same goal: allowing the player to take more money from the slot than they put in.
The simplest system is known as the “zig zag,” and it doesn’t require the player to be a math whiz or make any kind of calculations. Instead, the player walks the floor of the casino looking for slots with non-winning matching symbols that form various patterns. The idea is to find a slot that’s about to get “hot,” and this is achieved by finding reels that are slowly becoming aligned in a winning pattern.
The Martingale, another popular gambling system, requires the player to double their bet following each loss. The idea is that the player will eventually win, and the payout from the increasingly larger wagers will make up for all the credits that have been previously lost.
Other systems also exist, but all of these methods are ultimately flawed. While they do succeed in providing hope to unlucky gamblers, they are ultimately undone by a tiny miracle of modern technology. Which leads us to…
Can they Be Beat?
The simplest answer to this question is “No, they can’t be beat.” Despite the superstitions held my multitudes of players around the globe, modern machines cannot be beat by gimmicky systems and strategies.
Slots can’t be outwitted for one key reason: the “random number generator” (RNG). Installed in all modern machines, this algorithm generates hundreds to thousands of numbers per second, ensuring that each spin is entirely independent of the previous ones. The complexity and speed of the RNG make it impossible for even the most advanced human mind to predict the outcome.
If you don’t believe the previous statement, I submit the profit margin of casinos as additional evidence. Slot machines make up the bulk of any casino’s profits, and the reason is that the house always wins in the end. Sure, they give up huge paydays on occasion, but the amount of money put into the slots always outweighs the payouts. If a strategy could erase this advantage, casinos all across the country would be forced to close their doors because of players on a continual hot streak.
Our Advice
It is not my intention to discourage anyone from playing slots. In fact, I visit my local casino at least once a month, and I always have a great time. No, my goal is to make players realize that playing slots is an exercise in probability, and there’s nothing a human being can do to overcome the random number generator. Therefore, the best strategy to employ involves chilling out and having fun.
If you’re looking for more substantial slots advice, I also recommend paying close attention to your bankroll. This is a key strategy for any casino patron, as it will allow you to play longer and avoid the undue stress of losing more money than you can handle. Just calculate how much you can afford to lose, and then make sure to keep your total wagers under this limit. Also, never carry an ATM card with you into a casino, as the temptation to go over budget is often too much for some players.
from the Experts
I’m appalled by the large number of individuals who offer “winning machine advice” for a fee. These folks have no problem lying and cheating to line their pockets with money, and they often prey on the desperate and the gullible. While they promise to teach you all kinds of insider strategy, in reality they have nothing to offer that can’t be found for free on the Internet. And once you factor in the randomness of slots, their claims sound especially ludicrous.
Now that you have a basic idea of how slot machine strategy works, you can make an informed decision as to whether or not it’s worth your time. Video slots can provide hours of entertainment, and they’ve become especially adept at mesmerizing patrons with advanced gameplay and authentic clips from movies and classic television shows.
For some players, however, being entertained isn’t enough. If you fall into this category, you may want to try out some of the systems to see if they increase your winnings. Just remember: the house always has the edge.