Slot Machine Math: A Myth?

How can I download a specific slot machine from an online casino so that I can play it whenever I want?

Your input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Pamela

Dear Pamela,

I admit that I have almost no experience with online casinos, but the ones that I have visited are not in the business of providing slot games that you can play without being connected to their sites. They're in the business of providing online casino games. They may let you play for free, but that's just to let you try out the site and entice you to bet some real money.

Technically speaking, I'm sure that the only thing downloaded to your PC from the site is the user interface part of the game. The code that determines the results is on their server. When you click on the Spin button, you send a request to their server to send back the results of this spin and the program downloaded to your PC just displays the results.

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

I see all kinds of slot machine "emptiers" advertised for the UK Fruit-Machines for sale on the internet. Supposedly the EPROM programmers at the manufacturers program these "easter eggs" or bugs or "features" into the EPROM chip so that by pressing a certain sequence of buttons [that no one would guess] on a particular machine, the contents will empty.

It is supposed to be a way for owners to empty the money in the machine without having to open it up.

Is this sort of thing also commonplace for USA slot machines? I read a story once where this lady from Indiana put her kids through college by doing this sort of thing. Just by knowing which buttons to press. I sure would like to get my money back from those machines in the casino (smile). If you know where I could find [on the internet] or who to call to get a code or two, that would be very useful and quite interesting if you divulged that information to me.

Ariel

Dear Ariel,

Being able to automatically empty a machine's hopper sounds like something that would be useful for when a casino is going to get rid of a slot machine. I don't know for sure, but I'd bet that the ability to empty a machine's hopper is present in every slot machine. But to empty the hopper, you not only need to know a special code, you also need to take the machine out of "game" mode and put it into "test" or "maintenance" mode -- and to do that you need a special key.

The only way to legally get money out of a machine is to hit a winning combination.

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

Hi, Sir,

I would like to know about the Zig Zag Method of playing slot machines in casinos.

As I am a regular loser nowadays, I would like to try this method. It will be very helpful for me if you can guide.

Regards,
Arun

Dear Arun,

I wrote a review of the Zig Zag Method in my March 14, 2004 column on this site. You can read my complete review in that column, but I'll summarize it by saying that I really couldn't figure out what the Zig Zag Method was. As near as I can figure out, you're supposed to Zig away from cold machines and Zag to hot ones.

I think you should Zig away from the Zig Zag Method and Zag to some good books on slots (anything by Frank Scoblete and John Grochowski and my own The Slot Expert's Guide to Playing Slots.)

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

Dear John,

I receive your column every week by e-mail and read a letter from someone who purchased the Insider Slot Secrets system and seemed to like it, so I bought it too.

Let me tell you it's a bunch of nothing. I have recently asked for my money back and hope I get it. I am writing to tell you and if you want to pass it on to your readers that is your decision.

Keep up the good work and I'll let you know if I have trouble getting my refund and you may want to pass on that information to your readers.

Eleanor

Dear Eleanor,

Just about every slot system I've seen is overpriced, heavy on hype, and light on facts. I think you're much better off taking the money you would have spent buying one of these systems and using it to buy every slot book you can find at your local bookstore.

I have faith that you will get your refund. Whether the product contains valuable information or just hyped-up tripe is a matter of opinion, so complaints about the product may not carry much weight with consumer protection agencies. But not honoring a stated guarantee policy is against the law.

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

John,

There was a question presented to you on "mathematics in the slot machines".

Forget it, the slot machines are run by computers and can be tightened or loosened at the casino's whim.

Best regards,
Larry and Alice

Dear Larry and Alice,

And Earth is flat and the center of the universe.

Best of luck in and out of the casinos,
John

Send your slot and video poker questions to John Robison, Slot Expert, at slotexpert@comcast.net. Because of the volume of mail I receive, I regret that I can't send a reply to every question. Also be advised that it may take several months for your question to appear in my column.