Every site I've ever seen about slot machines always has the same advice regarding always playing max coins on the game. I always assumed it was true, but I'm reading Michael Shackleford's book Gambling 102, and he makes an interesting point about why this isn't always as true as some of the gambling experts might have you believe.

The logic behind always playing max coins is that you can't win the top jackpots on some machines by playing less than that. So this logic probably holds true for some progressive slots games, and it's definitely true for video poker games. But here's a consideration. If you can afford a max bet on a nickel slot machine game fo 5 coins, then you can also afford to bet 25 cents on a quarter slot machine game. And since higher denominations normally have a better payback percentage than the lower denomination games, it would make sense to play the machine with the better payback percentage.

In fact, the chances of hitting a progressive jackpot is so small that the difference in expectation is so insignificant that you might be better off just playing the single coin on a higher denomination even in that case. Of course, it depends on your goals too. If you're willing to accept a lower overall payout percentage in exchange for a chance of winning a huge life-changing jackpot, then you should do it.

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Slotty McSlots

Never really looked at it that way. This Gambling 102 books sounds like a good read. Where can I get it (Amazon, my local bookstore, etc.)?

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"I am in so far in blood, that sin will pluck on sin" - Richard III

I bought it from Las Vegas Advisor.

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Slotty McSlots

i caught something about an english harbour slot that totally flew against the play max coins line of thinking. let me find the post . . . why play max coins on the island hoppers slot?

there might be another machine or two using that same engine. i wouldn't be surprised to find out that this gme was designed to take advantage of the "play max coins" mantra.

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friendly casino slots blogger and general slot machines fan

I have actually found in live play that if you play the minimum a few spins and then up the bet here and there when you start hitting you will hit more often. Play half max every so often and when you drop the bet again you'll get a few good ones. Live machines are programmed by law for a certain percentage of payout - and that is calculated by number of spins. So play mostly the minimum until it starts to run with you and then up the bet. Playing the max just means you lose more overall. Spin more - don't bet more is the key to winning.

I haven't yet figured out if that hold true for online slots - anyone see patterns?

I usually either bet minimum, or every once in a while I will put max in there. If I am on a losing streak, then I will start putting larger amounts in hoping to finally hit a winner. I like to fluctuate my input amount.

Playing the minimum and then maxing ever once in awhile is ok on some machines but listen to what happened to me. I was playing a stand alone progressive 7's dollar machine. I didnt read the top of the machine first (mistake). I played one dollar and three 7's came down. No noise, no bells, no nothing. An older couple walked by and was pointing and congratulating me when I had to confess and that I didnt have it maxed! Oh...what a sinking feeling that was.

Don't feel so bad Darrad, I did the same thing once at a dollar Blazing 7s at Showboat in AC. I was so happy until I realized 1 coin gets you nothing... now I play with at least 2 coins.

Blazing 7s .. Sizzling 7s are the type of games called Buy A Pay (BAP). As you found out, one coin doesn't win the top award. ( oooOOO have I done that before .. oh yeah). Just like Darrad mentions .. always read first before playing if you are not fimiliar with the game.

Anyone out there have an Idea of just what "Server Based Gaming" is?? On another thought---Anyone out there know just how a slot\video poker machine works?? e.g. R.N.G. Chip sequence e.t.c.??