Switching Machines

18 November 2023

By Jerry Stickman

From Bonnie:

Hello!  I have enjoyed your articles for a long time and really enjoy your insight!

This is my first time reaching out and would appreciate some direction.  While playing video poker, sometimes I win a lot, sometimes I win some and sometimes I win a little.

I was getting frustrated and the bartender suggested I switch games.  I didn’t like that advice and thought about switching machines, that that may give me a better chance.  Is that something you would do or do you have any other thoughts for me?  Looking forward to your answer!

Hi Bonnie,

I am glad you have enjoyed my articles.

Gambling is a series of streaks; some winning, some losing, and some staying even. Naturally, winning streaks are fun. Staying even is also just fine. Many times I have played several hours on just one bill fed into the machine.

Those nasty losing streaks, however, can really get to a player.

I have been given the exact same advice by bartenders – “switch to a different game on the machine,” he said. “It jolts the machine and you will start winning.”

I cannot say I ever took his advice, so I cannot say for sure whether it “jolted” the machine or not.

Logically, however, that does not make sense. All video poker games are driven by a Random Number Generator, or RNG, it keeps running regardless of which game is being played. If your luck does change after switching games, it has nothing to do with jolting the machine. You just hit it lucky.

So, what should you do if you find yourself getting frustrated over losing hand after hand? You have a few choices that I recommend.

• Continue playing the same game and same machine with the anticipation that eventually things will turn around. They always do – sooner or later.


• Take a break from play. Leave the gaming area and clear your head. When you are once again relaxed and ready to play, then return to the casino.


• Move to another machine and play the same game as before. This may not change a thing, but you are playing the game that you know so there are no strategy changes – just a different machine.

Just remember, it is your money at risk. You can do whatever you choose to do with it.

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



Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack and 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