Slot machines are the most popular forms of gaming in casinos. Some casino enthusiasts steer clear of slots though because they believe the machines offer a low hit frequency...of course others beg to differ that some life changing cash can be won playing slots. Slot machines use a "random number generator" micro-computer that constantly shoots out numbers...this is true even if the machine is sitting idle. The truth is that as you grab that lever and pull it on a slot machine...what you see on the reels is really not as important as the machine is simply generating a batch of numbers. Did you know that if you pull the handle on a slot machine a 1,000th of a second apart the wins on a slot machine would be totally different?
The “Due to Hit” Myth
Keeping this information in mind it would be fair then to say that if a player hits it big on a machine that you just walked away from...don't give it a second thought... You would not have gotten that payout if you continued to play because of the fast generation of random numbers. Another thing that you should consider is that no machine in any casino is "due to hit". A slot machine can not offer any payouts for a very long period of time and then blast out two fatty winners in the same day. Playing faster will not increase your chances of winning. The number of coins you play has nothing to do with the numbers that are generated.
Which Slot should I Play?
Slot machines are set up with different payback percentages and hit frequencies. The best machines to play are those with a high payback percentage and a lower hit frequency. So how do you locate these machines? The answer is...it's impossible to find them. The hit frequency is calculated over the long term so there is no way to know.
Loose Cannons
One thing is certain...casinos know which machines are loose so in attempt to draw in a crowd many times they will put the loose machines near the front entrance where the wins can be seen by many people. They might also be placed where patrons that are enjoying the buffet can see what is going on. Ignore signs that boast about 98% pay backs because these are over the long term predictions.
The best strategy
The best strategy to have is to set aside an amount that you are willing to lose and never exceed that number. If you try three or four different machines without much luck, move on to a different casino. The three-reel machines with only one "pay-line" offer the best overall percentages for winning. You'll probably do better playing a single coin in a dollar machine than three coins in a quarter machine. Play the number of coins you feel comfortable playing and don't listen to people who say you have to bet the max wager.
