Today's' slot machines are a wonder of technology, working off custom
designed computer programs that randomly select numbers and winning
combinations. The odds and winning percentages are set by the manufacture and
are calculated simulating the millions of spins made with computer.
Slots are basically mechanical devices that use 3, 4, 5 or more circular
reels or varying sizes. The reels are marked or painted with symbols and
or numbers. The most common symbols being Cherries, Bars, the Jackpot Symbol,
and then of course there is the Number 7. Themed slot machines are increasing in
popularity, and trade off a themed game such as Tomb Raider, or the American
Flag and get painted red, white and blue.
There are a number of different kinds of slot machines that a player must be
aware of before he can implement a winning strategy.
Three Reels vs. Four Reels -
Everyone knows it is easier to get 3-of-a-kind than 4-of-a-kind, and much easier
to line up 3 matching symbols or numbers than to match up 4! Players should
therefore look for 3 reel machines when playing.
Progressive Slots - These
slots are usually 4-Reel machines, offering open-ended Jackpots that increases
in value after each pull, on every machine that is linked in a group. The Top
Jackpot is only won if the player has bet the maximum bet or played the maximum
number of coins for that pull, and all the winning symbols line up in
order on the pay-line. These slots do not pay out very often. Player
wanting to play should pick a slot whose Primary and Secondary Jackpots are at a
high level.
2-Coin vs. 3-Coin Machines - On a
2-Coin slot machine, the 2nd-coin play will pay a whole lot more than just
double the 1-coin Jackpot for the Top Jackpot (perhaps even the Top 2 or 3
Jackpots!) ie: Playing on a 2-coin machine, the Top Jackpot payoff is three 7's,
paying $1000. Playing only 1 coin, the same 3- 7's pays only $400 . The
3-Coin machine will show much higher payoffs for the top jackpots with the three
coins played. However,... 3-Coin machines might look much better in their payoff
than 2-Coin machines, but this is not the case as players also need to be more
to get this, and so also end up losing more! Warning: Players must know
the Golden Rule when playing progressive slots: whatever slot is being played -
play the maximum number of coins. If a player hits the jackpot and only bet
1 coin on a 4-coin machine... think about it....
One Payline vs. Three Paylines - The
payline is usually the marked center line in most Slots. Winning
symbols or numbers must line up on this line and this line only to make up a
winning combination. However, some slots play with 3 paylines - top,
center and bottom of the screen - and any winning combination falling on any of
the paylines will pay out. Players should therefore look for machines with
multiple paylines to increase their chances of winning - by even getting double
and triple payouts when winning combinations happen on a top and middle payline,
for instance! The payouts are not large though, and the Top Jackpot is only paid
out when a winning combination is lined up in the correct order on the
bottom, or third payline. Three-Payline machines are also usually 3-coin
machines, making play more "expensive", and then some slots have 5, 7
and even 9 paylines - basically meaning that players must play up to 9 coins a
pull to be eligible for the Top Jackpot. But...hey... it's fun. Then again,
there is another little rule : stick to playing 2-Coin, 3-Reel, 1-Payline Slots.
Double-Up Symbols - Many slots are
now also making use of fabulous Double-Up symbols on their reels! These symbols,
usually a circle or a diamond in a circle, and with the words "Double"
across them, inform the player that the payoff has now doubled and that
the symbol can be substituted for any other on the reel. Casinos obviously
do not carry many of these Machines and when they do, the Machine is usually in
the murky somewhere of the casino and surrounded by bad machines.
Related Gambling Articles:
- Online Slots Glossary
- Advantages And Disadvantages Of Video Slots
- Online Slots Myths
- Online Slot Machine Strategy - Part 2
|
Del.icio.us
Digg
Google
Spurl
Furl
Simpy
Y! MyWeb
OnlyWire
Redit
StumbleUpon
Technocrati