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Ask The Slot Expert

1 March 2001

Dear John,

I haven't written to you in quite some time although I continue to read your articles. We don't get to play as often as we like since the summers are real busy for us but, on our last trip to Mohegan Sun, Linda hit a quarter machine for the top jackpot of 10,000 coins on her first 3 quarters on that machine and then parlayed her hit on a $5 machine for $550 more. She walked out with all of the $3,000. Her previous trip netted her $800!

I'm writing to add a question to your answer about being next to players that keep hitting. In one of the books I read, it could have been Frank's, it stated that the casino will place a few machines with a higher hit ratio around the casino. I think they said that they would space them no closer than four apart. Now I know that the lady hitting beside you might have been playing a machine with a low payout that was just hot at that time, but I'm still tempted to walk away from a machine if I see a jackpot next to me. Of course, I always congratulate the winner. I love to see anyone take money away from the casino. It's more fun when everyone is winning. I just think I'm a little better off if I find another area to play.

Keep up the good work,
Bill

Dear Bill:

It sounds like Linda is on a hot streak. I hope it continues!

Consider this: Even the tightest machine in the world will pay its jackpot once in a while. The person you see with the jackpot may actually be playing one of the tighter machines in the casino and the one next to it might be one of the looser ones.

There's no way to know for sure, so we can disregard the math and logic and go by our emotions. If you prefer to find another area, go for it. If nothing else, you won't have to listen to the music or bells while the player waits for the handpay!

I was in Atlantic City today and a guy sits down and plays a Joker Wild machine three down from the 9/6 Jacks machine I'm playing. On his second or third hand, he hits a straight flush for a $500 handpay. Of course, even though I'm playing a machine that is a full two percentage points better in long-term payback, I'm lucky to hit one full house.

Best of luck in and out of the casinos!
John


Send your slot and video poker questions to John Robison, Slot Expert, at slotexpert@home.com.


For more information about slots and video poker, we recommend:

The Slot Expert's Guide to Playing Slots by John Robison
Break the One-Armed Bandits! by Frank Scoblete
Victory at Video Poker and Video Craps, Keno and Blackjack! by Frank Scoblete
Slot Conquest Audio Cassette Tape (60 minutes) with Frank Scoblete
Winning Strategies at Slots & Video Poker! Video tape hosted by Academy Award Winner James Coburn, Written by Frank Scoblete
The Slot Machine Answer Book by John Grochowski
John Robison

John Robison is an expert on slot machines and how to play them. John is a slot and video poker columnist and has written for many of gaming’s leading publications. He holds a master's degree in computer science from the prestigious Stevens Institute of Technology.

You may hear John give his slot and video poker tips live on The Good Times Show, hosted by Rudi Schiffer and Mike Schiffer, which is broadcast from Memphis on KXIQ 1180AM Friday afternoon from from 2PM to 5PM Central Time. John is on the show from 4:30 to 5. You can listen to archives of the show on the web anytime.

Books by John Robison:

The Slot Expert's Guide to Playing Slots
John Robison
John Robison is an expert on slot machines and how to play them. John is a slot and video poker columnist and has written for many of gaming’s leading publications. He holds a master's degree in computer science from the prestigious Stevens Institute of Technology.

You may hear John give his slot and video poker tips live on The Good Times Show, hosted by Rudi Schiffer and Mike Schiffer, which is broadcast from Memphis on KXIQ 1180AM Friday afternoon from from 2PM to 5PM Central Time. John is on the show from 4:30 to 5. You can listen to archives of the show on the web anytime.

Books by John Robison:

The Slot Expert's Guide to Playing Slots