Hi Folks:

One things which people do not seem to understand is the "payback percentage". This is the percentage of money, on average, that a machine is programmed to pay back over the long term. In general, the jurisdiction you play slots in has a minimum, by law, that the machine must pay back over the long term. In Ontario, Canada, the OLGC has made it mandatory that no slot machine can pay back less than 85% of the money that comes in.

Since casinos have to be competitive, they do not set all of their games at 85%, otherwise they would lose business to the US, or a destination like Las Vegas.

How does a casino decide on the "payback percentage"? One important way is by the "denomination" being played. If you like "penny slots", the the payback percentage will most likely be the worst (because this is the lowest denomination). If you play one cent and two cent machines long enough, you will notice that you do not win (also called, "hit") as often -- and the large wins are harder to get.

While pennies might pay back 85%, a nickel machine is often set to pay back around 90%.

Many of the multi-line penny machines offer 100 lines ... or a $1 a spin. I see people play 5 pennies on each line, or a $5 total bet per spin. All of this is with the worst possible payback. If you are going to play $5, you are better to play 100 lines with a nickel on each line --- you will have a much better payback percentage, and therefore, over the long term, not deplete your bankroll as quickly.

/\/\/\/\ the Shamus /\/\/\/\