Slot Machine Strategy 2017

Use Winning Strategy #1 in a High Limit Slots Area. One interesting pattern I’d noticed at a relatively. The winning slots strategy of Win, Walk Away, Return Later has been my mainstay. I’ve depended on it when earning the most taxable jackpots. As with other winning strategies, it isn’t about how lucky you are. Instead, why it works is based on how a specific casino has set up their operating system to run their slot machines.

However, I’m going to disappoint many of you. It is not easy to win at slots. Slots are based on randomness, and winning big money is not a common thing while knowing the secret of how to beat the slot machine is the dream of every player. Since everything in gambling depends on fortune, there is no guarantee of success when visiting a casino.

Tips and Tricks to Beat Slot Machines

There are a few tips for increasing your chances of beating a slot machine. The number 1 principle is always to remember that each slot machine has its own payroll structure and rules.

There are still many different enthusiasts who are searching for patterns in slots’ outcomes. And most of the 100 % bulletproof systems of how to beat slots originate from these enthusiasts.

The fact is, however, that slots have no memory and every game is based purely on luck, or the lack of it. The only correct strategy is to play and stick to a few rules in order to help you to play better. However, these tips are not based on any systems or statistics of slot machines.

1. Find the Slot with the Highest Return to Player

The well-known craps player, Frank Scoblete, in one of his books describes the encounter with his guru, a legend known as The Captain. At one of their first meetings, he gave Frank this good advice:

Do not play games with high casino advantage. It’s offering higher payouts, but you will definitely lose more money in the long run.

This same advice applies to slot machines. Each online slot machine offers a different return, or RTP (return to player). The higher the RTP number, the less you lose. Especially if you play often. RTP can be found in the information of all games. Most online slots have a return to player of around 96 %. If it offers a lesser number, you should not play it. Some slots have a superb RTP of around 98 %, for example, Blood Suckers by NetEnt.

Before you start playing for real money, just try the slot for free. Every online casino offers that. Launch the game and try to find Return to player figure. If it is very low, do not play this game no matter how good looking it is. Never play games of place bets with bad RTP.

2. Watch Your Bankroll

You cannot win every time, so always know just how much you can afford to spend. Determining the amount of money that you can use for the game is one of the basics of proper money management.

This is very important for all players. It does not matter how you play, what you play or how much you play.

You should always bet to achieve the longest gaming sessions as possible. It is also necessary to keep your bankroll so that you can experience a winning series that pumps your bankroll through the roof. If you lose your bankroll too soon, you will have absolutely no chance of getting a positive series during the game. In the online casino, always think of this golden rule of online gambling.

Smart players always know when to leave the table. And it doesn’t matter whether they are winning or losing. This is the best way to protect your money. Always set limits on winning and losing. It depends only on you. Be careful, this is very important.

3. Watch the Time

Always keep in mind how much time you spend at the slot machines. The best way of doing this is to combine it with the previous point. Just watch it by setting a financial limit. For example, you end up winning the chosen amount and stop playing until another day.

Slot.machine strategy

4. Lady Fortune is Standing at Your Side

Have a lucky streak? In that case, keep playing. But keep yourself in line and do not bet more than you can afford. Because it might also happen that you will eventually leave with empty pockets. And of course, no player likes that.

5. The Direct Proportionality Doesn’t Apply to Slots

We mentioned earlier that you should play in a way which helps you to play longer. But it is important to realize that a longer session doesn’t always mean bigger winnings. If you meet your limit, you should end. We mention betting strategies a little further on.

6. Play at the Maximum Bet (when it is convenient)

But only if you are worth it! The amount of your bet should always be based primarily on your total bankroll. When playing slot machines, you can change the bet at any time, so there is no problem here.

Because of the negative expectation, betting with the max denomination will only deplete your bankroll faster. On the other hand, in some situations, it may be beneficial to play for more money. This is particularly the case when higher bets will unlock additional game features and increase the return to player figure or allows one to win a progressive jackpot.

For most of the progressive slots, jackpots are only available to players who bet at the maximum level. In such a case, it is always better to bet for a max. Otherwise, you only raise the jackpot for the player who comes after you. If your bankroll does not allow you to bet on max with jackpot machines, it’s better not to play at all.

7. Take Advantage of Casino Loyalty Points

Not many people know that using a loyalty point which online casinos offer could lower the house edge.

Let’s say, for example, that you get 1 point for every €5 bet on the slot machine. You can exchange 100 points for €1. Therefore, for every €500, you can get €1 in cash.

With the little help of Mathematics, we will find that for each €1 you will get back €0.002. In conclusion, the RTP of the machines will increase by 0.2 %. It’s not too much, but in gambling, even tenths of percents count.

8. Slot Winning Frequencies

One of the things that most novices are not familiar with is the winning frequency. This indicator shows how often you can expect a win, on average. Slot machines have an average winning frequency of 10 to 20 %. That means that (again on average) every 10th to 20th spin wins.

If a slot machine pays out more often, it usually means that individual winnings are lower, but you can play this online slot longer and wait for a bonus feature. If a slot pays out less often, it probably doesn’t have any bonus round or features, but the payouts for individual winning lines are higher.


With this knowledge, you could adjust your play to your bankroll and style.

Strategies and Betting Systems Which Help You Win at Slots

If you’ve already read something about betting systems and strategies, you might notice that they can be divided into two categories:

  1. Change the betting pattern when winning or losing
  2. Change the betting pattern when changing the player/casino advantage

Betting systems, when the bet amount depends on the outcome of the previous round, have been well known for centuries. For example, Martingale, when a player doubles a bet after a loss and returns to the basic level when winning, was the first betting system ever. A similar system is also known as Fibonacci, which uses the famous mathematical sequence.

What is interesting about these two systems is that, without bet limit or bankroll size, they show a long-term increasing tendency, but with deep falls. However, after adding adjustments such as table limits, these systems are also hopelessly unusable.

Systems from the second group are more far more exciting. The player changes the bet amount when the expected value (or house edge) changes. These systems are mostly used by card counters at blackjack, where the house edge varies according to the number of remaining high cards in the decks.

There are several betting strategies for slot machines that fall into both categories. So let’s take a look at some of them.

1. Betting Strategy for ELK Slot Machines

Some elementary systems have already been developed by people from the ELK company, who make online slots. They have made up 3 betting strategies:

Leveller

The bet will increase by 2 levels after every 5 consecutive losses. When the player wins, the bet returns to the original level.

Booster

The bet will increase by 1 level after each loss until it rises by 4 levels. When the player wins, the bet returns to the original level.

Jumper

The Jumper system is the opposite of the Booster. In this case, the bet increases by 1 level after a win until it rises by 4 levels. Each loss returns the bet to the original amount.

You can try these systems free of charge at the Taco Brothers slot machine. Any of these 3 strategies can be selected directly from the game menu, so players don’t have to adjust the bet amount after each turn.

Just remember! These are not proven systems, and the game developers themselves claim that playing according to these strategies don’t change the return to player of the slot machine.

2. Strategy for Slot Machines 20 + 20

We like to try out new things. And this betting strategy is quite new. But be careful, it is so drastic that we must warn you in advance:

With this strategy, your bankroll will not win in the long run. It is based only on luck. For this strategy, you need exactly €135. If you have less, it makes no sense to bet on this system.

Betting Principle

You start by playing a 25-cent slot and you play 20 games with one unit. It will cost you €5. If you are in profit after these 20 spins, start the next 20-spin series. But if you finished this 20-spin series at a loss, move to the next level.

The basic principle is very simple: You always play 20 spins. If you win, you remain on existing bets. Once you are below the initial bankroll level, you move to the next step.

So if you lose 20 games with a 50-cent bet, you go for the dollar bet for a €1 spin and after that the final for €5. Twenty dollars cost you €20 and €5 costs €100.

The worst thing that can happen and often happens is when you lose all 80 games in a row and you lose all €135. But during the 20-game sequence, you usually hit some small winnings.

Which Slots Are the Best for 20+20 System?

A very important thing is to choose the best possible slot machine for this strategy.

Play only on slot machines that pay out winnings at the same rate. For example, one credit jackpot is paid €400, two credits are paid €800 and three credits payout €1 200.

Once you’ve crossed all levels, from 25 cents to €5 check your bankroll status. If you’re in extra, go to €5 slots, if you’re at a loss, go to 25-cent slots and play again.

You must have at least €135 for each 20 + 20 series. Whatever amount you have won or lost in the previous game, always put it away and do not play any further with it.

You do not have to play the whole game on one slot machine. If you do not like the 25-cents play, you can go right away to the next level. Follow your guts, it’s a lucky system. Choose your favourite slots and enjoy the game.

Hot to Manage Finances

The disadvantage for the 20 + 20 system is that you lose far more money on €5 slots than on slots with a different denomination. It is true. But on the other hand, these slots usually pay out quite a lot. And if you’re lucky, just two winning spins will cover your entire bankroll for the game.

For this 20 + 20 strategy, your bankroll management is also important. If you have €600, you can play the entire sequence four times. Always follow all 20 + 20 principles and you will see that the game is even more fun. Do not lose control of the game and do not slip away, if you have a losing series. Otherwise, you could lose far more money.

3. Standard Deviation Slot Strategy

Using standard deviation to predict the outcome of a slot machine is a strategy that can be found on some sites. And we decided to debunk it. First of all, let us clarify what the standard deviation is and why we should be interested in the machines at all.

Standard Deviations

The standard deviation is a relatively often used quantity in the statistics, which tells us how much the values are deviated or scattered from the arithmetic mean. In our case, it would be the payout of the slot machine.

Thanks to the random number generator, slot machines’ payouts can be over 100 % in a short period of time, so players can actually get some winnings.

This standard deviation is then referred to as the volatility and it shows us the risk of individual machines. Knowing slots’ volatility can be helpful in creating budget and betting strategies. It is true that slots with high volatility pay less often, but higher figures and vice versa.

Well, this can be shown by a very simplified example, when we wager four bets each of 100 coins on two slot machines. In both cases, we will withdraw €200.

Slot Machine ASlot Machine B
BetWinWin
100040
100070
100050
10020040
Sum200200
Arithmetic Mean5050
Standard Deviation10014,1421

As you can see, in both cases, the result is the same. The player withdraws €200 and a total loss is of €200.

On the Table, you can see that, even though the average is the same for both games, the standard deviation is different. Good news, everyone! You do not have to count the volatility of the slots as we do. Just take a look at the payroll for the individual symbols.

If the top symbol pays out 200 coins, it could be a low volatility slot. If the slot offers 5 000 coins for the highest symbol, it will be a slot with high volatility.

How to Use Standard Deviation Strategy

On the Internet, you can find a strategy that claims that slot players are able to use this statistical calculation. According to this strategy, you need to find the slots which meet these 3 steps:

  1. You need to find a slot machine with an even payout ratio between bets. This means that if a slot pays out for a 1-unit bet 5 units’ winnings, it must pay out for a 2-unit bet 10 units’ winnings.
  2. Determine the usual number of spins between winnings. To define this number, you should play as many spins as possible. But at least 10 winnings should be enough.
  3. From these spins between winnings, then calculate common arithmetic mean. If the numbers of spins between winnings are 12, 9, 24, 4, 6, the AM will be 11. ((12 + 9 + 24 + 4 + 6) / 5 = 11)

Once you have calculated the AM, play the game for the minimum bet and change it to max every 11th every spin. In some cases, it is also recommended to play for a maximum of 9, 10, 12 and 13 spins to increase the chances of winning. Very simple.

Why Strategy Based on Standard Deviation is Not a Good Slots Strategy

Although at first sight, it may seem that calculating the average number of spins between winnings may be the correct logical step, it is not really the case.

If we ignore the fact that you actually don’t calculate standard deviation at all, this strategy has a major fault.

Because of the random number generator, betting according to the calculated average does not increase the probability of winning.

It is the same example as with a coin flip where, according to the average, every second flip is the winning one. But if you grab a coin and flip it, the short-term results will be different. The same principle is applicable to slot machines.

Sure, once in a while you will surely hit the winning line with the max bet, but the problems are those spins that you will lose.

For this strategy to be effective, it must be ensured that:
Winnings from the maximum bets > Number of maximum bets * (maximum bet amount – minimum bet amount)
A simple example:

We tested this strategy on the Supreme Hot online slot, where we played 246 spins and recorded a total of 20 wins.

Gaps between winnings were 18, 25, 11, 3, 18, 1, 14, 7, 24, 32, 3, 4, 1, 6, 1, 3, 13, 26, 32 and 4 spins. The arithmetic mean was calculated as 12, 3 spins. After rounding, we assume that every 12th turn was a winning one.

We analyzed the game and found that out of the total of 20 max bets, only 1 bet was a winning one. The win was 1 600 coins, but this did not cover the total loss.

Total loss was 1 900 coins (20 bets * (100 max-5 min)). If therefore, under the same conditions, the 246 spins were played with a minimum bet, our bankroll would have been 300 coins larger.

Individual games may differ, but in the long run, it will generally apply that you will lose money with this strategy.

4. Three Rule Strategy on how to Win at slots

Introducing Rule Three. It’s actually a strategy game and sticking to it will maximize your chances of winning.

Rule Three allows you to enjoy longer game sessions, and you’ll come home with some winnings in your pocket. And that’s a great success when it comes to slot machines.

So how does Rule Three work? Take, for example, €600 that you have reserved for today’s slot machine session. The first rule is to find the slot with the right denomination. With €600 you do not have a strong enough bankroll for playing full-stakes dollar machines.

If you want to play a real dollar slot, you have to do it with only minimal bets. And as always, try to find slots with the highest RTP possible.

Now you can even divide your €600 into three groups of €200. Take the first €200 and put it into your favourite slot machine. No matter what that is.

At dollar machines, you only bet $1, at 25-cent slots, you play with the max bet. As soon as you bet €70, stop the game and see if you’re in or out.

If you have won something, have your winnings paid out, whatever they are. From the remaining amount, separate $70 and do not play with it anymore.

How to Play?

Now you have your win and you can play on the same slot machine as follows:

Suppose we ended up with €30 after a €70 session. We’ll put that $30 into the slot machine and we’ll want to double it or lose it, except for €10 (a third of the winnings). Take this €10 and add it to the already deferred €70. Now you will go home with $80.

And what if we initially win €60 extra? We’ll postpone $20. So we always postpone one-third of the winnings. That’s precisely how Rule Three works. Once you’ve built up any winnings, put it all aside and do not play with it.

Now, take another $70 of the $200 stack, roll it into the same slot and play the same formula as you did before. And why on the same machine? Why not? You won, did you not?

Once you roll $70 and you’re not up, pick up what you have left and move to another slot machine.

The First Round Is Behind Us

When you’ve played through the first €200 (€70, €70 and €60), take a short break from the game.

After you’ve had a rest, go through the data of the game and the results. If you’ve lost something, or if you have only a little money left, make it easy for yourself to take a small amount of money home. But do not forget that you still have €400, and you have not lost everything.

After a break, return to play and play the same way you played with the first $200.

Final Phase

Now go to the final stage. If you have won good money, and you are sure that you will go home somewhat richer, play as you please. Take $100 from the last part and try to win as much as possible. You have the money in your pocket, and the longer you play, the higher your chances of winning.

And what if all three mini-sessions are lost? Go home and be glad that you took home something and didn’t go home empty-handed. That’s because you played smart.

Use Rule Three on the machines and you can be sure to be able to play the next day.

Slots Are the Game of Chance

Yes, slot machines could be made according to some pattern, but no casino in the world uses such a machine. Playing the machines is like repeatedly pulling the coloured marbles from the bag, with the ball returning after each round. The fewer the balls of a given colour are in the bag, the higher the payoff value for that colour.

Let’s give an example. In the bag, there are 1 000 coloured marbles. One of them is gold and has a payout ratio of 500 to 1. One hundred marbles are silver and their payout ratio is 5 to 1. The remaining 899 are red and nothing is paid out for them.
On average, the golden ball is pulled out once in 1 000 games and the silver 1 in 10 games. But we cannot determine at what point we’ll get the gold. Each attempt has the same probability as the previous one. Every game is just the same. And the same applies to slots and table casino games.

How to Win at Slots FAQ

How do you pick a winning slot machine?

Since slots are strictly game of chance, there is no way how you can tell which slot is going to be the winning one. But, you should always pick the slot with the highest Return to Player ratio. Do not forget to check other things like winning frequency, payout or bonus features.

Do you not know how to figure out all these things? Try online slots for free. You can play for free without risk, and you will see how the works.

Which slot machines have the best odds?

Generally speaking, online slots have the slightly better return to player than the slots in land-based casinos. Here we were pick up five slots with RTP higher than 98 %, which is quite high.

  • Ugga Bugga (Playtech) – 99.07 %
  • Blood Suckers (NetEnt) – 98 %
  • Rock On (Rival) – 98 %
  • Cosmic Quest (Rival) – 98 %
  • Break Da Bank (Microgaming) – 98 %

Remember. Even with extremely high RTP, there is no guarantee that you will win. You will just lose less in the long run.

How do you beat the slot machines?

We are sorry, but there is no sure way how to beat slots. There are some tips like finding the slot with the best odds or always keep your money management. The good way to get more from slots is using the VIP or loyalty program. With these programs, you will get some reward for every bet you make. Almost every online casino offers some kind of loyalty promo, and most of them are redeemable with slots. Just check some online casinos and compare the programs.

Can you tell when a slot machine will hit?

You cannot tell when the slot will hit just watching it. You would have cracked the random number generator and do the math.

Does it matter how much you bet on a slot machine?

Yes, it does. You should always choose the bet amount accordingly to your bankroll. With a higher bet, you can lose all your money faster. On the other hand, if you are lucky, you can win much more. And always remember, it is a good practice to stop playing after the big hit.

Should I play Max bet on slot machines?

It depends on the features of the slot. If the slot offers you, something extra for playing the Max bet, then yes, you should play with the maximum allowed bet. The features may include a chance to win a progressive jackpot, extra bonus rounds, extra free spins, progressively higher payout or wins multiplier. All these features can, and will, increase the return to player ratio.

Are slot machines rigged?

All casino games are rigged in the way that they statistically favour the casino. But, the slots are not rigged as many players thing. The slot doesn’t analyze your game and lets you lose intentionally. If you play in the licenced casino, all games are tested by independent auditors.

Are there hot and cold slots?

There are several types of slot machines, which we can divide according to the number of reels, denomination, or the type of the game. Some players even categorized slots into cold and hot ones.

According to some players, when a machine is cold, it means that the slot hasn’t paid out for a long time. And because of this, it is due to do so in the near future. On the other hand, when the slot machine is hot, that means the slot is in the “zone” and will pay out more often.

Do you wonder which of these theories is right? Well, of course, neither. But you can still meet people who see trends in any slot machine. It is based on a phenomenon called the clustering illusion. It states that the human brain tends to see streaks or patterns in random events.

When you analyze historical data of slots you may find these lucky streaks, but it doesn’t mean that you should or could predict future outcomes.

The Final Word

You can condemn, hate or crush slot machines. But let’s admit it, they already have deep roots in our history and they will be with us for a long time. They belong to gambling, where the most important thing is entertainment.

Do you have any of your own guaranteed strategies for slot machines? Share your experiences with us below in the discussion.

Introduction to High Roller Slots Tricks

This blog continues our journey of winning strategies for slot machine casino gambling. Here, I’ll be explaining to you three easy high roller slots tricks. Now, please understand I’m not trying to turn you into a full-time high-limit slot machine gambler! Not at all!

As I’ll explain, there are some very inexpensive slots winning strategies which can be applied to more than just low limit slots. They can also be rather cheaply used, with only a few bets, on a $1 to $5 denomination high limit slot machine.

The three tricks you should know about involve applying a few of the winning strategies I’ve already discussed, as well as a new slots strategy, winning strategy #6, I’ll be explaining in full momentarily. Here goes!

This article has the following sections:

  • Introduction
  • 1st Trick: Use Winning Strategy 1 in a High Limit Slots Area
  • 2nd Trick: Combining Winning Strategies #1 and #7
  • 3rd Trick: If a Slot Machine Shows a Win, BET ONCE
  • How Long Does a Slot Machine Need to be Idle?
  • Play High Limit Slot Machines When Appropriate – Carefully!
  • Summary

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1st Trick: Use Winning Strategy #1 in a High Limit Slots Area

One interesting pattern I’d noticed at a relatively medium-sized casino had to do with a simple observation. At this local casino, I saw that I would win once when I first sit down, but not win again for some time.

This pattern recognition is a slots strategy I’ve mentioned before, explicitly Winning Strategy 1: Only Win Immediately and my Professor Slots podcast episode #23.

By using this approach, we can take advantage of a common practice found at many casinos, where they provide an initial winning taste.

The first dozen times I visited the high limit slots area at this small, local casino, I found it odd that I would win a jackpot during the first few pushes of the button. But, then, I would spend thousands of dollars without so much as another hit.

I don’t mean I wouldn’t have another taxable jackpot, but that I wouldn’t win anything whatsoever. It just seemed odd. Or, put another way, it was statistically unlikely to be randomly happening so consistently and often, visit after visit after visit.

As an aside, don’t worry too much about all the money I was spending. Unbeknownst to me at the time, each $100 spent these three months earned one more entry for the drawing of a car – which I would end up winning. I tell that story in:

As a second aside, the money I was spending was significant slots winnings from another local casino where I was consistently making quite a profit using Winning Strategy 7, the topic of my next blog article.

2nd Trick: Combining Winning Strategies #1 and #7

Let’s back to the story of what I learned and how I learned it. At the time, I even struck up a conversation with one of the slot operators. In that helpful interview, I asked them when were people winning jackpots and on which machines were they doing it?

This slot attendant helpfully told me about a slots player who had recently gone from one machine to another winning about eight total jackpots in a row in the high limit slots area.

I found this other slots player’s approach very intriguing, to say the least, and have since tried to employ my Winning Strategy 7 alongside playing each machine up to 5 times. By doing so, I’ve found that my annual return for this strategy alone resulted in a 150% profit over my original bankroll.

However, I’d only been using this strategy for four months since this casino opened, and felt I’d need to continue doing it for about a year to be convinced that it wasn’t either temporary or due to having limited data.

Today, I see this as an error on my part, and probably a severe loss of winnings. Winning slots strategies exist, and you can find them yourself – if you can believe your own eyes.

The area most people get stuck on is this: They don’t believe these strategies are possible, and it’s hard to try it yourself they do when you’ve already convinced yourself it’s impossible.

It doesn’t help that most winning strategies are relatively new, and based on the latest casino technologies that started being installed in new casinos since 2012.

Getting down off my usual soapbox, and back on topic, I have found this combination of winning strategies to be the cheapest approach yet to slot machine gambling, while resulting in the highest profit margin.

Using it at my local casino required only $500 per visit and $250 in return on most visits without a taxable jackpot. But then there are the taxable jackpots won, which are more than a few of the typical jackpot winnings on high limit slot machines.

As I’m sure you understand, a single $4,000 taxable jackpot pays for many subsequent visits.

Again, so far, this is all further storytelling about the experiences which resulted in my discovery of Winning Strategy 1 and how to best use it in conjunction with another winning strategy I knew. But, next, I learned a strategy I didn’t already know.

3rd Trick: If a Slot Machine Shows a Win, BET ONCE

By using these known strategies, yet another approach grew out of them. It’s easy, simple, and quite inexpensive. And, it’s completely counter-intuitive to what most slots players will tell you to do. But, because they feel this way is the reason why it works.

Slots players will tell you it is essential to check the machine’s last play. If it shows a winner then, in general, skip that machine. Don’t play it, is the general advice. I say phooey, but with a small caveat I’ll pull from Winning Strategy 1.

My third trick is this: If a slot machine is showing a win, BET ONCE. However, avoid that machine if it’s been played recently.

For this to work, if it is going to work, a slot machine showing a win needs to be idle for a while, and probably hasn’t been idle if its chair is still pulled out. That the chair is even pulled out is a beautiful clue it was used relatively recently.

Why does this work? At some casinos that set up their slot machines to offer an initial taste, the first push of the button of a high limit slot machine will win either a “small” nontaxable jackpot worth several hundred dollars or a more massive taxable jackpot over $1,200.

For example, I happened to be in the casino one Saturday evening, to take care of some tax paperwork having to do with winning a car the night before, and noticed that one of the $100 high limit slot machines was showing a $1,000 win. I didn’t think much of such a small jackpot, as it was not even taxable, but it was something I noticed.

When I went back to the casino the next morning, I noticed that that same machine had the identical winning reel combination showing on it. To me, this indicated that no one had played that machine for just over one day.

At first, I didn’t think much of it. But then, standing there looking at it, I got to thinking about my strategies. And, standing there thinking it through, I learned something.

Previously, my strategy was not to play any slot machine if it showed a win. But, I started to think, what if I was winning at one push of a button on machines that hadn’t been played for some time? Was this perhaps a refinement of a known strategy?

As usual, theory metaphorically in hand, I decided to test it. I walked over to the $100 machine showing the $1,000 win, placed my player’s card along with $100 in the machine, pressed the bet button, and immediately won a $5,000 taxable jackpot.

To date, this is the only time when I’ve won any taxable jackpot on a $100-denomination slot machine. Although, using this strategy at the same casino, shortly later I did win $500 with a single 1-credit bet on another $100 slot machine.

How Long Does a Slot Machine Need to be Idle?

One loose end with using this strategy is the question of how long does a slot machine need to be idle for it to turn into a winning slot machine via this strategy? The honest and straightforward answer is: I don’t know. But, consider my observations.

I’ve found more slot machines are winners with this strategy if I attend the casino on a Saturday morning (especially after a busy Friday night) or mid-afternoon on Sundays.

That’s because these are typically the most extended times when slot machines aren’t played, and being idle for some time matters. But, how long does it need to be inactive, you ask? I’m still piecing together clues about this.

Another clue comes from Eric Rosenthal, from whom I have second-hand information. He knows someone he trusts from within a slots manufacturer who told him that slot machines reset whenever a voucher is printed.

That’s interesting. If true, it means idle means no time at all. So, that information alone may be enough to tell you how long idle is – but I don’t think so.

Why? Because I’ve seen 30 minutes work when an immediate next player did not. Other times, I’ve seen it work after it’s been idle for hours only. Another area of uncertainty is maybe, more like probably, different casinos are set up differently.

But, I have put some effort into trying to figure this out. After some thought, one week later I went back to the casino and took handwritten notes of all the current spin reels showing on all the high limit slot machines at that casino.

Slightly over a day later, I went back to that casino with the intent of executing the usual strategy but brought extra cash with which to push the button once on any high limit slot machine still showing the same reel spin from the previous day.

Unfortunately, that day was a beautiful day in January with moderately high temperatures not seen in months. Somehow, for this reason, the casino and high limit slot machine room were incredibly busy.

I mention this because, when checking the reel spins on each slot machine, I found that ALL slot machines had been played. I then went ahead playing my usual strategy and, to my slight dismay, I didn’t win a single time despite four immediately prior visits where I made 50-60% over the bankroll I’d brought.

What I learned from this confirmation, such as it was, was that it was the wins I had seen when using my unrefined strategy of 5 pulls then stop was occurring on slot machines which had not been played for a while. That is to say, I had been winning on idle slot machines.

So, during busy periods in the high limit slot room which, by the way, isn’t necessarily the same times when the overall casino itself is active, I learned that I shouldn’t use this strategy. Not then, anyway.

All I can say is, where casinos have set up this winning strategy, winning slot machines need to be idle for a while. This bit of information may not seem like much – but it’s something once considered impossible which evidence now suggests isn’t any longer.

And, being the savvy slots enthusiast I know you are, I expect you’ll make the most out of it.

Play High Limit Slot Machines When Appropriate – Carefully!

So, let’s continue to talk about getting the most out of my winning strategies. The whole point of these specific strategies is that they don’t require much money to try out. Not to be too blunt about it, why wouldn’t you try out inexpensive strategies in the high limit slots area?

I suppose I first noticed this myself at Seminole Brighton Casino in Florida in October 2019 and earlier at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut in April 2018.

Only afterward did I think, while I’m here why don’t I try out the winning strategies I’ve just figured out in the high limit slots area?

Unfortunately, this idea came to me only after I left both places. But, here it is for you. If you have figured out a winning slots strategy that appears to work at a casino, consider trying it in the high limit slots area.

This suggestion is especially valid if the specific slots strategy you’ve found to work outside of the high limit area doesn’t require much bankroll to win. If only a small bankroll is needed, or if you’re willing to risk a larger bankroll if it doesn’t, consider one way to optimize your strategy – by bringing it into the high limit slots area. Carefully, of course.

For those who have read my blog article Seminole Brighton Casino Florida Trip Report, these follow up thoughts for using a working strategy on high limit slots should work quite well there.

However, for those who have read my blog article Easily Win a Little at Slots at Foxwoods Casino Connecticut, I’d caution against this approach there.

As Dr. Mike from the You Can Bet on That podcast very well knows (I was sitting near him at the time), you can win a couple of hundred dollars on a high limit slot machine there within the first few bets.

But, the problem is, you can do the same thing on a low limit slot machines. So, use the winning strategy I described outside of the high limit area to bet less for corresponding winnings. Your profit will be more substantial.

Summary of High Roller Slots Tricks

In review, I’ve pointed out the easy application of two past winning slots strategies, along with a new winning strategy, which would require only a few bets on a high limit slot machine.

From a high level, the three easy high roller slots tricks I’ve outlined are merely pointing out that the winning strategies you worked hard to uncover at the casino you frequent can be leveraged, perhaps even optimized, in the high limit slots area with relatively little risk.

Because, finding that a winning strategy which works is a huge accomplishment, for which you should be proud to have uncovered. But, don’t stop with finding it, even if it was with my help. Your next step is, as always, to work closer to accomplishing your gambling goals.

If your gambling goal is entertainment, as with more slots enthusiasts, then getting a W-2G for having won a taxable jackpot would be exciting. I know my first W-2G was very exciting and, quite honestly, you never really get tired of winning them.

If your gambling goal is earning comps, then you’ll undoubtedly earn players clubs point by making bets on high limit slot machines. But, more importantly, some or all of winnings received in the high limit slots area can be spent on low limit slots.

Finally, is winning take-home money your gambling goal? Well, you’ll earn that money with little cash spent. If, as always, the casino you’re at has been set up by their operator such that one or more of these approaches will work.

Slot Machine Strategy Tips

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By Jon H. Friedl, Jr. Ph.D., President
Jon Friedl, LLC