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Game-within-game and progressive slot machines

15 October 2019

Slot achines with games within games, usually called “bonus rounds,” are not paying back any more money than machines that are straight paying ones. Machines that give you bonus rounds when you hit certain symbols will have a slightly lower hit frequency during the regular rounds of play but that hit frequency zooms up during the bonus rounds, which makes these machines pay back somewhere within the normal averages for those denominations.

As an example, take the Wheel of Fortune, an in-casino-progressive machine. When you hear the Wheel of Fortune song you know someone is about to watch the wheel spin and spin. To your eyes, it looks as if every possible bonus segment on the wheel has an equal chance of showing but that has nothing to do with the truth of the matter. The big hits are programmed to hit rarely, while the little wins will occur time after time.

In almost all types of Wheel of Fortune slot machines you must bet full coin in order to be eligible for the bonus rounds. Such machines tend to have strong house edges – around 12%. I am going to be redundant – again! – and say these machines are just not worth playing. Looking to win the big one is almost always associated with substantial losses over time.

“Zillion” line machines
Some people find these machines hard to fathom. The more coins you dump in them, the more potential winning lines you have. The confused players can’t follow which lines are paying what and when. The players just play the maximum credits allowed and pray for the best.

Of course, there is steep price for playing these multi-multi-line-machines. Penny machines can grab 25 to 50 cents per round. Nickel players can actually bet as much as five dollars per round. But the killer is this: The monster multi-line-machines only return the same percentage of what normal penny and nickel machines return; thus they keep much, much more of the players’ money than the normal quarter and dollar machines. You are probably looking at house edges hovering around the 15% mark. Said another way, these horrors are probably returning 85% – just not worth it.

One caveat here: If you are only going to play a couple of pennies or nickels, then we aren’t talking about much of a long-term hit on your bankroll. But it will take tremendous discipline in the face of all those other lines showing winners, for you to just ignore them. I have seen players start off conservatively on these machines and in a short while play like deranged dervishes. These multi-multi-line machines are the Sirens of the Slot Aisles and are soaking players who believe they are getting a good game.

Progressive machines
There are three types of progressive machines in the casinos:

• Inter-casino-linked progressives such as Megabucks where the jackpot can be hit at any casino using these machines. These machines will offer huge winning potential and they are the machines of which dreams are made.

• In-house progressives such as Wheel of Fortune where the jackpot is strictly on the money played in the machine by players at that casino. The possible wins are nowhere near what the inter-casino-linked machines pay out but they are still life-changing amounts.

• Single machines with progressive jackpots. These machines are within the realm of understanding as the jackpots are more pedestrian.

Playing the inter-casino-linked progressives is a total waste of money as they can have edges approaching 17% (83% payback). Check out the example of the inter-casino-linked one-dollar slot machine such as Megabucks. The player must bet full coins or credits ($3) to be eligible to win the jackpot. Each session is one hour long.

All the best in and out of the casinos!

Visit Frank's website at www.frankscoblete.com.
Frank Scoblete

Frank Scoblete is the #1 best selling gaming author in America. His newest books are Slots Conquest: How to Beat the Slot Machines; Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo and Pai Gow Poker!; Beat Blackjack Now: The Easiest Way to Get the Edge; Casino Craps: Shoot to Win!; Cutting Edge Craps: Advanced Strategies for Serious Players; Casino Conquest: Beat the Casinos at Their Own Games! and The Virgin Kiss.

Frank and Casino City Times columnist Jerry "Stickman" teach private lessons in dice control. Frank's books are available at Amazon.com, in bookstores or by mail order. Call 1-800-944-0406 or write to Frank Scoblete Enterprises, PO Box 446, Malverne, NY 11565. Frank can also be reached by email at fscobe@optonline.net.

Frank Scoblete Websites:

www.goldentouchcraps.com
www.goldentouchblackjack.com

Books by Frank Scoblete:

> More Books By Frank Scoblete

Frank Scoblete
Frank Scoblete is the #1 best selling gaming author in America. His newest books are Slots Conquest: How to Beat the Slot Machines; Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo and Pai Gow Poker!; Beat Blackjack Now: The Easiest Way to Get the Edge; Casino Craps: Shoot to Win!; Cutting Edge Craps: Advanced Strategies for Serious Players; Casino Conquest: Beat the Casinos at Their Own Games! and The Virgin Kiss.

Frank and Casino City Times columnist Jerry "Stickman" teach private lessons in dice control. Frank's books are available at Amazon.com, in bookstores or by mail order. Call 1-800-944-0406 or write to Frank Scoblete Enterprises, PO Box 446, Malverne, NY 11565. Frank can also be reached by email at fscobe@optonline.net.

Frank Scoblete Websites:

www.goldentouchcraps.com
www.goldentouchblackjack.com

Books by Frank Scoblete:

> More Books By Frank Scoblete