What's the first game that comes to mind when thinking of casino gambling? Blackjack? Roulette? Craps? There are so many games at the casino that any answer would suffice, but the most popular casino gambling game of all time, the staple of every casino, is universally slots.
Slots feature something that every other game doesn't: very, VERY high payout ratios. Slots is the only game where you can win thousands of times what you wagered. It's also extremely easy and intuitive to sit at a slot machine and begin playing. The allure of high payouts and the ease of playing have made slots the most popular casino gambling game around!
Not everyone is after the big jackpots, however. Some people just enjoy a game where they can sit down and spend some quality time entertaining themselves with a casual gamble. With that in mind, slots is still the perfect casino gambling game because the player doesn't have to worry about strategizing, making the wrong decision, or any such elements of the earlier games mentioned. Simply by dropping a coin and pulling a lever, the player gets all the thrill and entertainment of gambling without the daunting mental strain of many other casino gambling games.
Slot machines, as all casino gambling games, are designed to be in the house's favor, but a few simple tips can help any player better their chances and get more bang for their buck (and their time.) Knowing that the slots are in the house's favor, it's important to pick a slots machine that gives you the best odds available. Some slots offer as low as 70% payout rate, and some as high as 97% (what this means is that, over time, $97 will be paid out for every $100 spent.)
These are both pretty high numbers, at first glance, but consider that playing on a machine with 97% payout right means you lose $3 of every $100 spent. Playing at 70% means you lose $30 for every $100 spent.
That means playing on a machine at 97% payout allows you to play 10 times as long, which does two things:
- Increases your number of tries, and thus your chance at hitting a big jackpot
- Lets you play longer, which means more entertainment for your dollar!
With that in mind, the question remains: Where do I find those looser slots? Casinos put machines with the tightest slots nearer to the door, knowing that people will go to the first machine they see. That means that the looser slots are nearer to the middle/back of the casino. Different casinos also have different payout rates, so you can check their website to find the casino near you that has the loosest slots, and then play there and use the above tactic to play the loosest of the loosest slots!
It's also important to utilize any player rewards offers the casino has available. Online casinos and land-based casinos both offer this, and they like to reward players for spending time at their casino. (Why? Because they know if they reward you, you'll come back!)
Lastly and most importantly, the biggest rule of slots (and any casino gambling game): quit when you're ahead! If your balance is higher than it started at, you've gotten lucky! However, if you keep playing, the house will come ahead in the end, so unless you came to the slots intended to lose that money (in exchange for entertainment value), then hit that cash-out button and walk away happy!