Slot machine players are captivated by the joys and energy of playing! They love their machines and their favorite casino! And one thing is for sure. They are a superstitious lot!
It seems every longtime slot player has pet patterns and convincing ways to win.
Let’s look at the Top 5 on most players’ lists.
There Are Hot Machines and Cold Machines
This is probably the most prevalent superstition held by many slot players. They know and are consumed by the belief that certain slot machines are “hotter,” and others are “colder.” Every veteran player knows some machines are set to be “looser” and pay out more often, while others are “tighter” and seemingly never hit. Their quest is like searching for the “Holy Grail” of slots – that loosest machine on the floor. While it is quite possible, the locations of these machines are never 100% predictable. There is a persistent rumor, for example, that loose slots are located near entry doors, waiting areas, and on the ends of aisles where passersby would pay more attention when the machines pay out. It might be true. But, if that were the case, when you and I walk into casinos we would see players roosted at these locations like pigeons on telephone wires! And, believe me, it would take no time at all before casino executives quickly became aware of the pattern and cut their losses by dialing down payouts on those machines and dialing up payouts somewhere else on the casino floor. But, yet, these are always hot zones for serious players.
Now, slot coaches and self-help books continue to correctly profess that slot payouts are designed and set to occur at a certain percentage over time and as an aggregate of the total slot play across the entire casino floor. That this percentage is determined by the casino and that it is not affected by how recently a machine has paid out and where it sits. Many slot players disagree.
Timing Your Spin Has an Affect
Another popular superstition is that timing spins influences outcomes. Some players believe that pressing the spin button at regular and specific intervals of the same length positively impacts their chances of winning. Others believe it is better to confuse the machine by pressing buttons at random and irregular intervals. However, casino execs know the truth is that slot machines operate with a random number generator (RNG). The RNG is totally independent of human interaction, and it alone determines the
outcome of each spin. Timing your spins feels good, but does it affect the cosmos and your chance of winning?
Luck Is Created
Lots of players believe that luck can be improved by wearing certain hats, socks, or other clothing. (And they have some they will never wear again!) They carry lucky charms and have favorite card lanyards. Then there are those with rituals like where to park, which door to enter through, and what drinks to order. Some people sit in special positions, put their purse on certain sides of their laps, and only play at certain lucky times of the day, days of the week, or on paydays during the month. Players link their habits, what they might actually speak out loud, and even internal thoughts to what affects the luck of their machines.
Jackpot Size Impacts Winning
It seems like everybody believes that the size of a progressive jackpot influences when it will pay out. They believe the bigger the pot gets, the sooner it will hit. So called casino experts assert that pay outs are pre-set and random and that the size of the jackpot never affects when it will hit. Regardless of what they say about each spin of the reels being independent, there is no denying the fact that players play more as the pots get higher. Some have a corollary belief that goes along with this: big jackpots hit on 3-day weekends and long holidays. Whatever. It is always super exciting to be playing on a machine as it inches to record highs.
The Power of the “Max Bet”
Bet the machine maximum every time. Doing this increases the chances of winning a jackpot. While it’s true that the maximum bet is required to win the top prize on progressive slot machines, DYI books on gambling say it doesn’t improve or effect your odds of winning on other games. Having said this, one thing is for sure, you do not want to be the one under betting on a progressive machine when it does hit the progressive!
No Matter the Reality of Randomness Your Fun Reigns Supreme!
Okay, we get it. Experts want to rain on our parade and tell us all about “the science” behind slot machines. They want to be sure we know that slot machines are inanimate objects, incapable of feelings and influence, and that they are operated on a purely random basis. I know. I know. But we still seek the thrill and the rush of emotion when we win!
Remember, the best strategy for playing slot machines is to set a budget for play, enjoy playing, and have fun. And be sure to maximize your benefits and perks by belonging to
the casino’s slot club. The thrill of the game is often as rewarding as the potential for a big win.