Max Jordan's X Slots Commandments

“A slot machine is a slot machine.  If you’ve played one, you’ve played them all. It doesn’t matter how you play.”

Anyone who believes the above quote is a fool.  They are setting you up for failure.  Don’t believe it.  One thing you can believe is good old Max is here to set you on the right path.  It is a fact that the slot machines you select and the way you choose to play them can make a long term difference.  Once again, no heists or magic tricks are to be found on this page, just straight forward tips to prevent a playful romp at a casino from turning into the dreaded money black hole experience.  Some of these slot machine tips could actually help you win more money as well.

Here they are, Max Jordan’s slot tips for real world and online slots, broken down into 10 straight forward Commandments.  Read closely. 

Commandment I

Unless you plan on playing full coin, progressive slots are a waste.  The size of the jackpot, on a progressive slot machine, depends on the coins you play.  For example, you are playing at a three coin machine with one coin.  Suddenly, the symbols line up and you win.  Unfortunately, your winnings will only be a miserable fraction of the real jackpot that required the full three coins. 

Many time you will find that the hit percentage for large progressive games are much lower than standard slots.  The point of progressive slots is the huge jackpots they carry.  Don’t waste time, money, or energy playing less than the maximum coin.

It should also be stated that playing the max or min coin does not change your odds of winning.  Slot machines run on randomized software, chance is chance.  You just don’t want to be caught on your lucky day playing less than the max coin.       

Commandment II

Remember that Commandment #1 applies to true, progressive slot machines.  Don’t play full coin on straight multiplier or equal distribution machines.  If you run across a machine and the pay line reads: 100 coins for 1 coin, 200 coins for 2 coins, and 300 coins for 3 coins….Do the math.  It doesn’t make any sense to play the maximum coin.  As a matter of fact, playing maximum coin actually hurts you.  Slot machine jackpots are won by chance, therefore, the more chances you get to spin, the higher your chances are of winning.  If you had $100 to invest in slots it would stretch much further if you played the minimum coin. 

For those of you that are still slightly convinced that the number of coins you play effect the machine in anyway, let me reiterate, IT DOES NOT.  The only way the coinage effects your luck are in circumstances like this, when playing with the lowest coin gives you the same return as the highest coin yet gives you better odds because you have more chances to spin.  Slot machines are only going to pay out at the rate they are programmed to.

Commandment III

Keep your game play slow and methodic.  Take your time. There is no rush, there is no race.  Getting caught up in a frenzy of dumping money into the machine will lead to greater losses.  Play slow.

Commandment IV

Avoid $5 or higher slot machines.  Yes, the expensive machines are occasionally a little looser than the less expensive quarter machines, but if you play a $5 machine the same way you play a quarter machine, you are certain to end up with your pockets in the red.  Stick to lower machines.  Simply, they allow your money to stretch longer.  The longer your money stretches the higher your chance are of hitting a jackpot.

Commandment V

So, you’ve been playing this slot machine for over an hour.  NOTHING.  Surely the machine is going to start paying out soon.

This is possibly one of the most dangerous mindsets to have around a slot machine of any sort.  Slot machines have a piece of software called the random number generator (RNG).  The RNG keeps the games honest by keeping them random.  The keyword is RANDOM.  Random does not mean the game is keeping track of the last set of symbols it displayed, it mean any set of symbols can and will appear at anytime.  So if you are on a cold streak, yes it is very possible that the machine may come up with a paying set of symbols, HOWEVER, there is an equal chance that you could continue on that cold streak all night.  Streaks and cycles are bound to occur.  That is just a part of random generations.  Try flipping a quarter a couple hundred times.  You will come across a couple of head cycles and a couple of tail cycles.  But the next flip is not guaranteed.  RANDOM.

Slot machines are a perfect example of why rule number one on my betting tips page is to set yourself a limit.  Know how much money you plan to spend in one sitting.  This especially applies to slot machines.  Not every slots session is guaranteed to show a return.  So, if you are on a cold streak and you reach you spending limit.  STOP playing for the day.  There is no way of knowing what the machine is going to do in the next spin.  The only thing that is certain is that you will be paying the price out of your own pocket. 

Commandment VI

Outside of personal preference, there is no difference between the button or the handle.  Some players may like the traditional feel of pulling a slot machine handle.  Some may like the ease of the button.  Online players have no choice but to use the button.  But when it all boils down, it does not make a difference on how the machine operates.  Don’t believe either myth.  Neither one makes a difference.  A proper slot machine runs on random chance.  The activation device should not effect that. 

One thing that the old-school handles effect is how fast you play the game.  It takes time to load the coins and pull the handle, so that, in effect, will reduce your per hour losses.  

Commandment VII

Take the time to find out why you like playing slot machines.  Obviously every one likes to win.  But do you like winning frequently or winning huge.  Don’t say both, think specifically.  The answer could dictate the machines that are best for you.  If you like winning huge wads of money, play maximum coin at a progressive slot machine.  If you are content with winning small quantities every once in a while or you just like playing to kill time, play at a less expensive, single coin slot machine.

Each slot machine will have different themes that might entertain you.  Online slots have little animations that make it fun.  Bonus screen slot also vary.  There are thousands upon thousands of different types of slot machines.  Take the time to find out which ones are right for you.

Commandment VIII

I have already stressed in my gambling tips portion that you should always know what you are playing.  Read the instructions to every slot machine before sitting down to play.  Yes, read them, even if you think you get it.  There are many categories of slot machines: standard slots, bonus screen slots, progressive slots, and multi-line slots.  Each type has their own set of rules and each individual game within the categories will have their own rules.  Definitely read instruction on the multi-line games. 

Multi-line games are vast, layered, and often times can be extremely confusing.  Every coin played in a multi-line game makes a new line, symbol, or combination available to win different sums.  In a multi-line game, know what you want to win, read directions on what makes that possible, then play accordingly. 

Commandment IX

If you are enjoying your smaller coin slot machines, say a 25 cent machine, consider graduating to a slightly higher coin machine.  Move up to a dollar slots machine.  Higher coin machines, usually, pay much more money than the lower coin machines.   

If you do decide to move up, remember commandment #3.  Play slow.  Playing fast with more money…only makes your wallet lonely. 

Commandment X

For our real world slot machine players, consider becoming a member of the slots club for your favorite casinos.  Club members are often presented with discounts and comps on shows, rooms, and food.   There are many prizes to be won, including cash-back.  Joining is not mandatory, sometime the club perks aren’t worth it.  However, I advise you to at least look into them.  Many times the comps can at least partially make up for the losses occurred during a dry spell. 

Take these commandments to heart.  They will keep you safe if you respect them.  With a little bit of grace from fickle Lady Luck, these commandments can even put you on top.