Ask The Slot Expert

Dear John,

On the 9 line video slot machines, Winning Bid, for instance, when they go into the 2nd screen, is it predetermined what the outcome will be, or is it really what item you pick to bid and then what person you pick to start the bidding?

This has driven me crazy with Jackpot Party. I get into the 2nd screen and only once got almost completely through the screen. Most times I have pooped out on the first 3 picks. It's the machine I say I love to hate.

Also, these machines seem to like a certain number of coins per line bet. When playing I will play between 2 and 5 (18 - 45 coins) and it seems it will pay more often on one of the 4 choices, say 27 coins regularly than 18 coins. Any theory to that? Just wondering.

Thanks,
Cyn

Dear Cyn:

The second screen outcome is not predetermined. In Jackpot Party, for example, the machine randomly assigns values to the squares and then your choices affect how much you win during the bonus round.

As for your second question, on a multiline/multicoin machine, playing more than one coin on each line has no affect on how often the machine pays.

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.

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