 Newsletter Signup
Stay informed with the
NEW Casino City Times newsletter! John Grochowski Archives
More Strategy Experts
|
John Grochowski Gaming Guru  Have Fun with Slots3 July 2022
By John Grochowski With rare exceptions such as skill-based games, slot machines are not games of strategy. Winning on the slots is a matter of chance -- being in the right place at the right time. That doesn't mean you shouldn't have a plan of attack. Think about these points when you prepare for a slot outing.
Consider your playing money as funds from an entertainment budget. Instead of going to dinner and a show, you're spending on slots and a buffet. A shot to win is part of the deal, and that's what makes it exciting. But on some days, the wins never come and you have to cut your losses. Set a bankroll for the day. If you decide your playing budget will be $100, stick to it. Don't go over that $100, no matter what. The same applies if you're a bigger player with more discretionary funds. If you set $1,000 as your budget for the day, don't go beyond it. If bad luck pushes your limits faster than you'd hoped or expected, cut your session short. Remember, early losses don't mean the machines are due to pay off. Payoffs are never "due."
Even with a $1,000 budget, be careful. If you start out with big bets of $3 on a reel-spinner or about that much on a multi-line video slot, be prepared to trim your wagers if the losses start to mount. If that $1,000 shrinks to $500, think about playing a less costly game. There's no guarantee a big win will come your way no matter how long your day, but you can guarantee the big hits won't come at all if you run out of funds and have to leave. Bet sensibly, avoid big losses and extend your play while staying within limits.
Are you single-minded in pursuit of jackpots? Would you rather have more of your overall return come n smaller, more frequent wins that keep you in the game longer? Is watching the reels spin for wins and losses enough for you, or do you value the entertainment that comes with the animation, video clips, music and sound effects of bonus events? Do you like pick-a-prize bonuses? Do you prefer free spins? How important are progressive jackpots to you? If you pick progressives, will you get a kick out of mini pots that are just enough to keep you in the game, or would you rather be at a game when any progressive hit will make your day a winner? You have choices to make. Losses are more frequent than wins on all slots, but if you pay attention and choose games with features that appeal to you, at least you can have some fun while waiting for a big win.
So the keys for a day at the slots are to play with comfortable bankroll limits, choose games you like to play and enjoy the ride, come what may. This article is provided by the Frank Scoblete Network. Melissa A. Kaplan is the network's managing editor. If you would like to use this article on your website, please contact Casino City Press, the exclusive web syndication outlet for the Frank Scoblete Network. To contact Frank, please e-mail him at fscobe@optonline.net. Odds on Reversible Royals26 June 2022
QUESTION: I have a question about the progressive Reversible Royals video poker machines. I just returned from Vegas and I noticed quite a few of these games in mostly quarter denominations with monster payoffs for the reversible royal. I'm talking about $50,000-$60,000. Are the odds of drawing a ... (read more)
Some Great New Slots19 June 2022
New slot games debut all the time, with hundreds getting trials every year. Let's take a look at a few recent additions to casino floors. Rather than the very newest, they're games that have had a chance to reach multiple outlets and jurisdictions. There's never a guarantee that players will add a game to their favorites, but these have features worth a look. ... (read more)
Owning a Slot Machine12 June 2022
QUESTION: Is it legal for me to own a slot machine? I've turned my basement into a game room with a couple of arcade games, two pinball machines, a billiards table, a big TV and a wet bar. I thought a slot machine would round it out nicely, but I don't want to get raided. ANSWER: That depends on where you live. ... (read more)
Craps SystemsCraps players love systems, trying to mix and match bets in hopes of finding the magical formula that will beat the casino. Just about any system will work sometimes, and when a player wins with a system, it encourages another try, and another, and another. In the long run, of course, the casino comes out on top. ... (read more)Multi Strike PokerIt was a Friday morning in Joliet, and I'd been playing a little video poker aboard Empress II, waiting for the 11 a.m. opening of Empress I and its video poker room. Soon, if it hasn't already happened by the time you read this, Empress' new barge will open, ending such little scheduling inconveniences, but on this day, I found myself passing time with a little quarter Triple Play Poker. ... (read more)Comps - The BasicsA colleague of mine likes to refer to casino comps as "free stuff." And for those who know their basic strategy in blackjack, optimal strategies for certain video poker games and who know how comping systems work, the "stuff" really is free--the value ... (read more)Basic Strategy for Spanish 21In the last couple of weeks, we've looked at basic strategy in blackjack. Sit down at most blackjack tables in any jurisdiction, play basic strategy and you'll narrow the house edge to a half-percent or so, perhaps a little more or a little less depending on house rules. ... (read more)Single-Deck Basic StrategyThose whose casino memories stretch back far enough may recall a time when the standard "Las Vegas Strip" blackjack game was dealt from a single deck of cards, with the dealer standing on all 17s. That started to change in the 1960s as operators grew ... (read more)John Grochowski |
John Grochowski |
