Stop Spin Slot Machines

15 July 2023

By Jerry Stickman

From Bill:

Dear Jerry,

I much appreciate reading and sharing your articles.

My question is:

When playing a slot that you can "stop the spin"... will that stop change the outcome or does it just speed up the predetermined outcome?

Thanks from Bill.

Hi Bill,

This is a very common question. Slot machine manufacturers (actually, casinos that the manufacturers sell to) want players to think they have some say in the results. It adds a bit of anticipation and excitement when players think have some power to determine the outcome.

The newer “skill-based” slot machines allow player-input to determine results. So do video poker machines.

But, to answer your question, the outcome of the spin is, indeed, determined at the instant you hit “Spin.” Hitting the stop spin button merely cuts short the spin time while still producing the same results.

Since slot machines almost always have a house edge, there are only a couple of situations that I would recommend hitting “Stop Spin.”

1. You are in a timed (not a fixed number of spins) tournament that uses machines having the stop feature. By utilizing the stop spin, you will be able to spin more times, increasing your chances of hitting a jackpot – and winning the tournament.

2. You are at a bank of progressive machines having the stop spin feature and the jackpot is very high. The bank is crowded with other players, each anxious to capture the jackpot. Hitting the stop spin will allow more spins. Hopefully this will allow you to be the winner.

Both of these situations are extremely rare. I have never seen “Stop spin” slot machines used for tournament play. But, should you ever be in a tournament the uses them, hit that stop spin button as soon as you can. Get all the spins possible. Of course, I suspect, every other contestant will be doing the same.

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by using the stop feature in a timed tournament.

However, progressive machine play means you will lose more by taking more spins – unless you happen to hit the jackpot. Make sure you are not overplaying your bankroll.

In all other cases, using the stop button will cause you to lose more money on average.
Do not do it!

As always, may all your wins be swift and large, and your losses be slow and small.

Jerry “Stickman”

Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack, video poker and advantage slot machine play. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines. He authored the video poker section of "Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pai Gow Poker!" You can contact Jerry “Stickman” at stickmanjerryg@gmail.com