Have Fun with Slots

3 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.

• CONSERVE BANKROLL TO STAY IN ACTION

How much money are you willing to put at risk?

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."

• CHOOSE GAMES THAT FIT YOUR BANKROLL

If you have $100, you can't afford three-reel, $1 slots at $3 a spin or maximum bets that can run $3, $4, $5 or more on some penny slots. You could be out of cash in 10 minutes flat. With that budget, you need to be playing penny slots at 1 cent per line.

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.

• CHOOSE GAMES THAT FIT YOUR WANTS AND NEEDS

You need to understand your own goals in playing.

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.

• ABOVE ALL, HAVE FUN

Slot machines are not profit centers for players. You have to weather the losses to have a shot at the wins.

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.