Help make this The ULTIMATE SLOT STRATEGY Thread

[why0why]

Hi all!

I am relatively new to the online casino scene, but I have become interested in slots lately, specifically MicroGaming. I have had dialog on threads and PMs with some of the regulars. I experimented and found a strategy that seems to be working for me and I was interested in other strategies. I am a fairly low roller and I have consistently been making $200-$400 a week over the last month. To the average working stiff, thats not bad side income. I do enjoy the slots, but I am mainly playing for income. I am also getting into holdem and making money there, but that is another story

What I wanted to do is make a comprehensive strategy thread. I thought the regulars could post their winning strategies. Here are some of the things I would like to see included:

Starting Bankroll
Play with Bonuses?
Usual Bet
Favorite games
General observations on slot behavior
What percentage of sessions are a winner?
Favorite Casinos
And any other info you think is pertinent

Ill go first:

I am a bonus hunter, so my starting bankroll is anywhere from $100 to $250 usually. My bet amount is normally in the 45c to 50c range at $100. For maximum playability, about .5% of your bankroll per bet seems to be a good number to start with. So at $100, I usually start around 50c and keep it there until I go either up or down $50 then adjust accordingly. If I feel a machine is hot and paying regularly, I may adjust up.

I generally play MG bonus slots and occasionally, non bonus. I click on game type twice and sort them by lines, highest at the top. I have a few favorites, but I change slots regularly. Typically, I put them on expert and hit the 5x auto play. If I dont hit anything, I immediately leave. If I make back half of my initial spins, I usually manually spin twice and see what the slot is doing. If I make back most of my bet, or a profit, I spin 5 more. I continue that until it stops paying out, then I move on.

I am aware of statistics and the gamblers fallacy that each bet is completely independent of the previous bet. But it appears to me that slots are streaky. As an experiment, spin 5X and when you dont hit anything at all, spin 5X more and observe how often you hit anything decent. It appears to me that if I didnt hit anything after that initial 5, then I didn't hit anything for a good while. I have observed this over tens of thousands of spins in the last month.

Nostalgia and Platinum Play have been my favorite casinos so far. The only thing I don't like about Nostalgia is they have a 48 hour reverse withdrawal and they won't flush on request. But good connection, and they have lowered the coin amounts on some slots that most MG casinos keep higher.

I would say that about every other session is profitable. I do calculate money I have lost at other casinos in that profit.

I hope to hear from everyone, lets make it a comprehensive thread.

 

[bpb]

(Disclaimer ... I'm not railing on anyone for discussing gambling strategies for entertainment purposes ... but a few things that the original poster said bother me)

Each slot pull is an independent event. I don't care what trends you've "observed" over thousands of hands. Unless you can accurately characterize some bias using hard statistics ... you're just chasing smoke.

Play the slots for entertainment. But realize that you're going to lose money at a clip of around $2 for every $100 wagered.

Sorry to derail your thread. I just get nervous when I hear someone state that their primary interest in gambling is to make money ... and then start talking about trend analysis. The only way to make money is through advantage play ... and doing that with slot bonuses is doable, but a bit tricky.

 

[paul02085]

If making money is the goal, I think the Ultimate Slot Strategy is dont play.

Dont get me wrong, i love to play slots, but for fun not expecting to make money in the long run.

 

[elscrabinda]

While we're at it I've got a great strategy for roulette- Put 1 on Red and double up blah di blah etc etc

Thousands of pounds guaranteed!!!!

 

[tim5ny]

This strategy works every time on slots..... GUARANTEED! Buy your own slot machine and keep the key in your pocket. When you need money.. open the machine and take your losses back.

 

[caruso]

Slots are a great money maker - for casinos and affiliates.

Slots are the same as a change machine where you put in a dollar bill and get out 95 cents. All the rest is variance.

Don't be a sucker, ignore all those Microgaming slot threads that have bizarrely appeared out of nowhere at Casinomeister over the last couple of weeks, and do something smarter with your money.

 

[jamiester]

the best way to profit at slots

is NOT to play them. The only way you can have a positive expectation is thru bonuses with relatively low playthrough or with progressives where the jackpot gets very high. You can entertain yourself with betting strategies and changing machines but the simple fact remains that the less spins you make, the better off you will be.
All discussion of strategy I have seen has been fantasy or imagination. I have seen nobody back any winning strategy up with statistical proof. It bears repeating over and over again so that newbies don't get sucked into thinking that they can make money at slots.
But for "strategy", here goes:

-Play progressives when they are very high or if you can figure out when overall payout is over 100% (keeping in mind you will rarely ever hit, but when you do it could make up for a lifetime of losses).

-Play minimum playthrough with high bonuses (of course then you might not get paid).

Oh yeah, and when you get "diamonds" on the first and fourth reel three times in a row, that means the "big one" is going to come in 23 spins!

 

[tim5ny]

I think any strategy for beating the slots is about as useful as pissing into the wind. The topic that does merit some discussion would rather be the subject of money management. Most slots players are looking for that big hit.. and all too often we take a decent profit and throw it all away because we're not satisfied with making 30, 40, or 50% profit on our deposit. We want to see 500% profit.. or even more. ( Nobody's more guilty of this than I am) . I think KK might have some good input on this subject.

 

[funeralparty]

Well no surprise here. What might have turned into a fun and informative thread is shoved in the face of the poster with smart ass remarks from the "gambling community". Im seeing this more and more in the forums as of late.

Im getting a little bored with the usual: this RTG didn't pay me this week, that customer service rep was stupid, hey! look at this pretty screenshot, my kmart bonus terms got changed, my account was locked at blah blah blah blah.........

While I am in agreement that you will eventually lose 2%,3%,5% whatever in the long run on slots, it would have been interesting to see what everyone's usual bets on certain games were, what % sessions were winners, etc, etc.

But hey! Lets make a newbie feel stupid instead.

shame on you

 

[bpb]

But hey! Lets make a newbie feel stupid instead.

shame on you

My response was not intended to make anyone feel stupid. Rereading my response, I don't see what in it can be taken that way. So evidently I am a tactless slug. Please point out what I said that was intended to make someone feel stupid, so that I can improve my demeanor.

Thank you

 

[funeralparty]

my post wasn't necessarily directed at you...

 

[KasinoKing]

I can't believe all the negative post above!

Are you people really gamblers, or what?

Of course the house has the edge on slots - in case you hadn't noticed, the house has the edge on ALL casino games - but that does not mean you can't win!
I have just made July my 40th profitable month from the last 43 - and the last 10 months have included a lot of slots play!
I am an advantage player, and I don't have any 'magic formula', but there are guidelines I believe people can use to maximise their return (minimise their loss!).

I will contribute more to this thread later, if people are interested (don't have time right now), but can I just remind you of the stats I complied in June (below) covering all my MG slot play up to that time. (Ignoring the Spring Break Jackpot).
This was part of my learning process, and it's easy to see which slots I maybe should have avoided. Overall my total loss was not that great, and when you remember that all the play was in meeting WR's for bonuses, my overall outcome was profit!
.

 

[The Dude]

Starting Bankroll
$200

Play with Bonuses?
No

Usual Bet
I'll play VP multihand poker - normally 4 hand at MG and 3 hand at Crypto. I usually get $10 to $20 a shot working my way up to a $300 balance.
Fav games: D wild or Joker Poker

Once I reach $300 or more - I switch to slots and play $22.50 a pull for 4 - 5 pulls. Once I'm down to $180 I switch back over to VP and baby my balance back up to $300 - repeat.

Favorite games
Ladies Nite, Spring Break, Thunderstruck, and the occassional Tally Ho. For crypto, their new slots with a bonus round. I play mostly for the bonus round hoping to hit this with a large $ play.

General observations on slot behavior
When the games dry up - they dry up. But when I speak to my screen, they hear me sometimes and let me win

What percentage of sessions are a winner?
Never keep track since I know it's all magic fairy dust in there.

Favorite Casinos
32red, Maple, King Neptunes, Intercasino

And any other info you think is pertinent
You have to realize and accept the fact that this is pure entertainment. You have to care not whether you win or lose - it's goofing with the game hoping to get a good screen shot

Don't be a sucker, ignore all those Microgaming slot threads that have bizarrely appeared out of nowhere at Casinomeister over the last couple of weeks, and do something smarter with your money.

Geeze Caruso, you sound like you're eighty years old. Lighten up! People post screen shots because it's fun. MG has been churning a number of new interesting ones lately, so it's not so bizarre that people like to share their joy.

 

[The Dude]

Damn, KasinoKing! You actually keep track of this stuff. Kudos for you! And I thought it was all magic fairy dust

I can't believe all the negative post above!

Black Jack players

 

[Simmo!]

My strategy is too complicated to post but i think you have the basics via PM anyway WhyOWhy.

However, i would add that my strategy is to "minimise losses" and have some fun. Just so happens that the Gooe has totally changed the way i play with a very positive effect i might add!

 

[davescamp]

Excluding GoldenGoose, what are your strategies of increasing-decreasing bets in the other MG bonus slots?
Once decided which is the best slot at that particular moment, i usually start playing at that one for a while (i'm a low roller so my balance usually lasts for many spins), and increase-decrease the bet considering the distance from the previous bonus round. But this doesn't seem a profitable strategy, i've collected many losses recently.
I always finish in a row with no bonus for hundreds of spins, and lose all the money. How long should be a row with no bonus before deciding to leave that slot?

 

[jamiester]

theres no contradiction...

I can't believe all the negative post above!


Of course the house has the edge on slots - in case you hadn't noticed, the house has the edge on ALL casino games - but that does not mean you can't win!
I have just made July my 40th profitable month from the last 43 - and the last 10 months have included a lot of slots play!
I am an advantage player, and I don't have any 'magic formula', but there are guidelines I believe people can use to maximise their return (minimise their loss!).

Overall my total loss was not that great, and when you remember that all the play was in meeting WR's for bonuses, my overall outcome was profit!
.

Nobody said you couldn't win, only that "strategy" has nothing to do with it! One of the only ways you can come out ahead is by utilizing bonuses, which is what we have said and what your own stats prove!! Yes, you can win, if you are lucky, but nothing you do, besides being lucky and limiting your play, will make you more successful than the next guy.
You guys may take it as negative, but we are simply trying to make sure people are educated as to the realities of gambling.

 

[raol]

And any other info you think is pertinent
You have to realize and accept the fact that this is pure entertainment. You have to care not whether you win or lose - it's goofing with the game hoping to get a good screen shot


Geeze Caruso, you sound like you're eighty years old. Lighten up! People post screen shots because it's fun. MG has been churning a number of new interesting ones lately, so it's not so bizarre that people like to share their joy.

I know you advocate playing for fun and not for moneymaking purposes, but the the purpose of this thread was to discuss how to make money playing slots. The OP wrote: "I do enjoy the slots, but I am mainly playing for income."

For that purpose, it's no doubt that the strategy should be aiming at putting as little money as possible into the slot machines. So if you're playing a slots bonus, you want to play aggressively so that you either bust out early or make a big win. My strategy is to play thunderstruck and to gamble every win until i reach some set target.

 

[GrandMaster]

Black Jack players

I am one of those blackjack players. I just never had enough luck with slots to keep me interested, whereas I hit a royal flush on about my 500th hand of video poker. The last time I played slots was on a slots only no deposit bonus, and I managed to survive the WR, but the casino folded before it would pay me. My massive $50 win must have bankrupted it.

 

[caruso]

Black Jack players

The best responses will clearly come from the people who play the best games, as by and large they have the most knowledge. So yes, BJ and VP players. But these are the people the poster needs responses from - he DIRECTLY requested how to make money from slots. He did NOT post another "winner screenshots" thread (maybe there are enough??), he requested feedback on how to WIN WITH SLOTS.

There are no strategies to win with slots. If anyone tells you otherwise, they are foolish or malicious. There are no "trends" to take advantage of, there are no "money management" schemes that will turn a loser into a winner and the only difference your starting bankroll makes is your longevity at the machine.

When you put a dollar bill into a slot machine, you get back 95 cents. Whether you double it or lose it all is nothing to do with anything - that's called variance.

The message to this poster is: don't play slots in order to achieve your stated aim. Learn to play blackjack or VP - far from being worthy of derision, those games are the most fascinating out there, and you'll lose your money fully ten, twenty, thirty, even forty and fifty times more slowly.

Be smart.

 

[KasinoKing]

Nobody said you couldn't win, only that "strategy" has nothing to do with it! One of the only ways you can come out ahead is by utilizing bonuses, which is what we have said and what your own stats prove!! Yes, you can win, if you are lucky, but nothing you do, besides being lucky and limiting your play, will make you more successful than the next guy.
You guys may take it as negative, but we are simply trying to make sure people are educated as to the realities of gambling.

Hi Jamie!
You make some valid points, however I believe strategy can have a slight influence in playing slots, just as it can in any other form of gambling. (Try asking some Blackjack players about 'perfect strategy'!).
Or how about the most popular game on the net - poker. In my opinion success at poker is about 80% luck of the cards and 20% skill (or strategy). But that 20% can have a huge influence over the final profit/loss of the player!
As to your last sentence, although valid, I must admit I was assuming that everyone reading this thread already knows the dangers & risks of gambling...
Be careful out there kids!
(Please excuse the sarcasm! )

 

[eek]

For a slots strategy thread this sure got trashed quick.

Mugged by a bunch of BJ and VP hoodies before the first corner...

If you're going to do slots seriously then you can greatly reduce the variance by just playing a single line.
I tend to break my bankroll into 500 to 1000 units when I play.

3 reels have a lot less variance than 5 reels.

Some places advertise the percentage return on the machine like Lasseters.
They also tell you the average payout period like 1 in 10 spins or 1 in 6 spins which can help you choose the machines you prefer and make other estimates.

Slots are great for bonus hunting.

As far as jackpots are concerned if you want to sit there with you're eyes screwed up concentrating on 40 to 60 thousand hands of VP and all to get a few thousand buxx on a Royal then it's your life but obviously it's not worth much to you...One guy at WOL had 600,000 hands of VP without a royal
VP return is....99.5%
VP return without the Royal (and 40,000 mind numbing hands) is 97 to 98% which is no better than slot machines.

So let them slag away. It's all relative

 

[raol]

There are no strategies to win with slots.

If you play with a bonus there is, and in this case playing proper strategy is the difference between being a winning and a losing player.

 

[why0why]

Well, the thread sure got plenty of play in 12 hours. It also turned into exactly what I didn't want it to. I stated clearly what I was looking for. I know it is gambling. I didn't come in here and say "dudez, give me da phat strat to make some lewt." My post was concise and I am surprised at all of the negativity. All of my correspondence with Simmo, KK and Spear has been nice and professional. Just because some of you have never won at slots doesn't mean it can't be done. Why don't you all ask Simmo if he has cashed out anything in the last month.

Playing with bonuses I have consistently made money over a fair number of spins. I didn't just play one weekend and say, I have the ultimate strategy. I had read KK say that he consistently came out ahead playing slots, so I wanted to see if there were others.

I know the slots are a normally a sucker's bet, that's why I am Learning Hold'em. There is more strategy involded than normal poker and you will almost always come out ahead if you play correctly. There is always that bad beat that can happen, but you can definitely win a lot more than you lose. That's why you consistently see the same players at the final table.

Here is what I know: In June a opened a Neteller account with $0. I turned a $15 no deposit bonus into $170 (and I actually got paid I used that money to fund 2 accounts with bonuses. One went bust, the other paid. That has been my experience since then. Every other one normally loses, but the other pays and then some. This past wekend, between slots and poker, I cashed out almost $600 profit. I plan on playing the slots for fun and hopefully money and shifting most of my play to Hold'em where I have more control over the outcome.

I am a professional businessman and make good money at my job, so this has all been entertainment for me. But I certainly have enjoyed the extra money too!

Why0Why

 

[KasinoKing]

I had read KK say that he consistently came out ahead playing slots, so I wanted to see if there were others.

Just to clarify: I win consistently and I play slots. I never said that I win consistently playing slots!

As to poker -
I am very consistent there - I always lose! A friend introduced me to the game about 4 years ago - and I have never forgiven him!
I have wasted several $1,000's of my casino profits on the stupid game - and although I have cut back enormously, I can't seem to give it up completely. I bet online poker ruins many more lives than casino gambling does.
Good luck to you - I'm sticking to the $5 knock-outs!