Ask The Slot Expert

Obviously, I am not a gambler. I would like to know what you mean by playing full coin on progressive slot machines.

Thank you,
Carmen

Dear Carmen,

A progressive slot machine is a machine on which the top jackpot (and sometimes some of the jackpots too) increases with each coin played. Players usually aren't eligible for the progressive jackpot unless they play the maximum number of coins the machine accepts, also known as "full coin." If you play fewer coins than the maximum (short coin), you're just feeding the progressive meter with no chance of hitting that juicy jackpot yourself.

The only reason to play a progressive is to take a chance at the top jackpot. So, if you're not going to play full coin, play a machine that gives you better odds.

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

How do you play the Keno Slot games and how much money should you bet? The numbers seem to run all over the screen. Is there any method to this game?

C.C.

Dear C.C.:

Different keno games have different twists, but they're all basically the same. You pick from 1 to 10 numbers from the numbers 1 to 80. The computer then draws 20 numbers at random. You get a payoff based on how many numbers you matched and how much you bet. I can't give you any advice about how much to bet without knowing the paytable for the machine you want to play.

I can, however, answer your next question. There is no method. The number are chosen are random, so there's no way to predict which numbers will be drawn. The probability of drawing a number is the same on every drawing, and the fact that a number has or hasn't been drawn in the last few drawings means nothing.

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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