Decreasing the house-edge on slots - mathematicians?

[Simmo!]

Hi guys

Here's a poser for you that i'm too dumb to fully work out. Take a 9, or better still a 15, line slot like Tomb Raider.

If you play 15 lines at 25c per spin - thats $3.75. But only one of those lines can achieve the maximum payout (or probably even a major payout) due to the organisation of the symbols. So 14 of the lines are effectively wasted (aside from minor wins)

So if you play just 1 line at 25c, surely that means that every spin you have the chance to win a major or max payout.

Now take the "House-edge" for these slots - is it probably set up against playing all 15 lines? If "yes", does this mean that, more boring 'tho it may be to play, you'd do better playing just 1 line all the time? I'd assume this would increase the variance but potentially much more lucrative?? If "no" then surely the house edge is in reality much lower than advertised?

Just a thought.

Simmo!

[eek]

If you use only one line then you lower your bankroll variance(fluctuations).
It also lowers any excitement

[Simmo!]

Originally Posted by eek

If you use only one line then you lower your bankroll variance(fluctuations).
It also lowers any excitement

This is true Eeek. But from a profitibility angle, is it any better?

Cheers

Simmo!

[tunisianswife]

good question, simmo. As a slot lover, I will be watching all replies to this question.

I know for myself, numerous times that 'big win' occurs on line # 1. Anyone else had similar experiences?

[Vesuvio]

If you only play one line doesn't that mean your chances of getting the free spins are reduced to just about zero? (unless getting 3 rams anywhere triggers the bonus feature no matter how many lines you're playing? but even then you'd only have the one line during the free spins) The general payout for Thunderstruck must be reduced to take into account the free spins, so I'd have thought you really should stick to playing all 15 lines.

[GrandMaster]

It makes no difference to the house edge how many lines you bet on, except, maybe, at Slotland.

Here is an example which is easier to calculate. If you bet on a single number in European roulette, the house edge is 1/37=2.7%. If you bet on 2 numbers, the house edge is still 1/37=2.7%. If you bet on 3 numbers, the house edge is still 1/37=2.7%, etc.

[Simmo!]

Originally Posted by Vesuvio

If you only play one line doesn't that mean your chances of getting the free spins are reduced to just about zero? (unless getting 3 rams anywhere triggers the bonus feature no matter how many lines you're playing? but even then you'd only have the one line during the free spins)

The Rams still count when you play 1 line - even if they appear anywhere in view but yes you'd only triple on 1 line.

.

Originally Posted by Grandmaster

It makes no difference to the house edge how many lines you bet on, except, maybe, at Slotland.

Why is Slotland any different GM?

.

Originally Posted by Grandmaster

Here is an example which is easier to calculate. If you bet on a single number in European roulette, the house edge is 1/37=2.7%. If you bet on 2 numbers, the house edge is still 1/37=2.7%. If you bet on 3 numbers, the house edge is still 1/37=2.7%, etc.

This seems a very logical argument. Need to think about that one

[KasinoKing]

Simmo,

An interesting thought, and one I have had myself.
I think overall the house edge isn't effected much, if at all, by the number of lines you play. (But I sure ain't gonna sit down & try to work it out! ).
If you play 15 lines of TR, you have potentially got the chance of 15 wins per spin. I guess the layout of the symbols makes 15 wins impossible, but you often get 3,4, or 5. My theory is that overall you would get the same number of wins per line per spin no matter how many lines you play at a time.
But as Vesuvio says - would you really want 15-20 free spins with only ONE active payline???

As you know, I'm very much a 'low roller' and so don't always play max lines. But I still do OK.

One thing I've been trying recently is do 100 spins with very low bets (eg. just 3 lines @ 1c each) to 'use up' spins without a feature, then up the ante considerably to try to catch it at the right time! (Only 50 spins on TR) This has been reasonably successful. Mind you, it's infuriating when the damn feature hits between spin 90 - 100!

I was doing this the other day - went on Tally Ho with 5x1c and got the feature on spin THREE. So I switched to Ho Ho Ho, and got it on spin TWO!! Aaaarrggg!
Still - I did make nearly 2 bucks out of them!

BTW, had another nice hit at my favorite TR yesterday - got 3 Lauras for 10 spins with 15x5c bet, and on spin 5 in dropped FOUR Lauras!
Oh, and on Saturday I got 3 Castles + 2 Thors on Thunderstuck during the free spins. 400 x 2 x 3 = 2400/1!
Sadly I was too shocked and too slow to get a screenshot!

Happy spinning!
KK

[Simmo!]

Originally Posted by KasinoKing

Still - I did make nearly 2 bucks out of them!

Well at least thats a game of Crazy Golf down on the seafront KK

Yes i've tried the low stakes features to use up spins after a good run but lets face it, its all random. Best time to do it i reckon (on Tstruck) is after two very good bonus rounds in succession - on the basis that even if you do get a feature in the cheap spins, it'll be crap

[Clayman]

Originally Posted by Simmo!

If "no" then surely the house edge is in reality much lower than advertised?

Do they tell you what the HA is on these games? If not, what do people think it is? You think it's as high as 95%? Just curious.