Slot machines are a mainstay of casino gambling. They seem to
have been around for as long as the technology that has existed
to make them and that technology has been improving all the time.
The original slot machines consisted of a box containing three
reels which were set into motion by pulling a handle once money
has been deposited. If the reels landed on three matching symbols,
you won. Simple as that.
Current slot machines are entirely computerized. The symbols
come up on a video screen and the “reels” are set
in motion by pushing a button, although some still have a handle
that you can pull for that old time slot machine effect. Of course,
on the Internet, all you have to do is point and click your mouse
to set the reels in motion.
The basics of a slot machine are simple. You put one or more
coins in the slot, push the button and hope three matching symbols
come up. You can sometimes win if a particular symbol, like a
cherry for example, comes up even once and some symbols may double
or triple your payout if the other two symbols match. Whatever
machine you use will have a chart with the payoffs clearly outlined.
In online play, there will be a menu through which you can find
out the payoffs.
There are a number of advantages to online slot play. For one,
you don’t have to worry about carrying your bulky bucket
of coin winnings to a change window; you can just transfer them
directly to your casino account. For another, there should be
posted on the somewhere on the site information about payback.
Payback is the amount each slot machine pays out for every dollar
it takes in. A slot machine should payback at least 90 percent
of every dollar and in some cases more. On the other hand, many
people like the flashing lights and live clinking sounds of coins
dropping into their tray and generally enjoy the full casino
experience of live play. (Live casino tip: the machines with
the most payback sit near the entrances to the casino, so potential
players walking by can see slot players winning.)
You will often have the option of putting more than one coin
into a slot machine at a time. Multiple coins will either multiply
your payout when you win, or give you more ways to win (for example,
you may see three symbols on each reel and if you match three
across, horizontally, or diagonally you win).
When you play slots, be sure you know exactly how your machine
is played, what multiple coins will get you and what symbols
you need to get paid. If you don’t like the payoffs, or
the appearance of the machine, move to another one; there is
no shortage of different machines out there to play. If you can
find out what your machine pays back, do so and always look for
paybacks over 90 percent. Good luck!
Tom Shannahan has been playing poker since he was 16. He grew
up watching his father play with friends once a week. He currently
writes part time for Pokerlistings.com where you can find more
great information about how to Play Poker and various Poker Games.
