Do Slot Odds Change Depending on the Number of Coins You Play?

The following e-mail I received from Daniel raises a question about slot machine play that has been asked ever since manufacturers introduced "buy-a-pay" technology that allows players to win more depending on how many coins they play:

"I've traveled to Las Vegas once or twice a year for many years and have asked this question of many people but no one seems to know the answer or won't say: 'Do the odds of a slot machine change with the number of coins played?' It seems that if you play one or two coins it pays more often, but when you play max coins it pays more but less often."

Answer: Thanks for your question Daniel. The observations that you have made are purely coincidental, but you are by no means alone. Many times I have observed the same phenomenon, not only with my own play but while watching others during my casino visits.

The odds against winning on any particular spin DO NOT change depending on the number of coins played. This applies to all machines with one-coin, two-coin, three-coin and even higher options. It also applies to every denomination, nickels, quarters, fifty-cent, dollar and up.

The combinations of symbols that result from any play are pre-determined by the machine's internal computer program. The reels do not spin independently of one another. Once you make a play, a combination of left to right symbols is locked in and that's what'll appear before your eyes on the pay line.

The combination you are destined to receive is locked in the instant you intitiate a play, be that by hitting the play button, hitting the "play one coin" button, or dropping a coin in the slot (an option that is becoming very rare these days with coinless "ticket-in/ticket-out" technology). The slot doesn't know (and doesn't care) if you play a second coin, third coin or more.

CASINO NEWS: Move over Carrie Underwood! The Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel in Bettendorf is launching a talent search that could very well make music fans forget about the newly crowned American Idol.

It's all part of the Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.'s "Isle Make You a Star" national musical talent search. The Bettendorf Isle property will be the scene of the coronation of the Midwest representative who'll receive a share of $10,000 in prize money and the opportunity to compete in the finals in Bossier City, Louisiana for a share of $50,000, their own recording session and more.

The Midwest regional competition will be conducted at the Isle on July 23 & 24, 2005. Musical stars eager to be discovered must submit a videotape of their performance along with a one-page biography and an 8 X 10 photograph by June 15, 2005 to: Isle of Capri Casino, Attn: Kellie Hillis, 1777 Isle Parkway, Bettendorf, IA 52722. You must be 21 years of age or older.

All of the entries will be given thorough and thoughtful consideration. The top performers will be invited to participate in the preliminary rounds of the Isle Make You a Star talent search.

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The Rhythm City Casino in Davenport has made some big promotional plans for the month of June. The property's $16,000 "Summer Paycation" cash giveaway will be held every Thursday starting on June 9. Five names will be selected in a random drawing at 7 pm and again and 8 pm on the contest days. Each winner will receive $100 cash, plus all of the entries will go back into the drum for the weekly grand prize drawing for $3,000 cash. Winners must be present.