Why do you play slots?

[BabylonBear]

I always had the impression that casinos were something some people do every once in a while for entertainment; i.e. go somewhere, get some drinks, and get an adrenaline rush from gambling slightly more than you are comfortable with losing. (Otherwise if you genuinely don't care about winning or losing it's not fun.)

But I don't understand the draw of slots.

If you want the thrill of gambling, you can achieve pretty much any payout structure you desire from roulette. (e.g. if you want a rare 1000x win you can bet on 0 and rebet your winnings on 0 again, 95% RTP with 1296x payout.)

But this is obviously boring. However, if you want to play a computer game, there are much better options with better graphics and immersive gameplay, that are free or cost $40 or so.

I come here and see intelligent people talk about spending thousands on a game where you just hit spin over and over. And then coming back for more. Why?

I hope this doesn't come across as rude; I am just baffled as to why people dump their hard earned cash into a losing machine.

 

[Scott1baird]

I see your question, okay for me I love playing slots for fun I never expect a huge win its the thrill of the hunt, getting a nice screen shot, sharing with the community, I don't drink nor take drug I do smoke roll ups, for most like me its a hobby something to do. I could possibly get lucky and make a good return on my money, I dont think the same could be said of alcohol or taking illicit drugs. Slots are designed to make to casinos money 100% we all know and accept that but nothing better than getting that 1000x win. And even after that huntinging for a 1100x next is better. I would rather put £25 a month into slots than put £25 into a bottle of vodka any day.

 

[Scott1baird]

You will probably also find that a lot of the people are into other sports or hobbies more than slots look through the forum there are thousands of post of different hobbies, politics, the lot, its a social platform based on slots with lots of branches leading to other hobbies, and its only when I am on my monthly I go skydiving or mountain climbing or DJ,ing in arenas, look at the adverts on TV if you don't get my joke there.

 

[Aryol]

I play slots because it is more fun than roulette (for me). Sometimes I do play roulette but it is not very often.

The graphics, the features, ... just the way your win is build up is more exciting. Some people chasing something in a game (wild line, full screen of x symbol, ...). Some slot providers included a few interactions in their games to make it more exciting (mostly pick features).

Also some slots have super high potentials like 10.000x or more. It is rare but can happen. And one more reason for some people is that most bonuses in casinos can barely/not wagered with roulette.

 

[snorky510238]

I have always liked gambling but slots only makes up a part of it. I play poker and roulette at the casino. I bet on football and in the past used to bet on the horses and most other sport. I do it because I enjoy it and there is a chance to win. Your question comes across as a non gambler looking in. As this is a gambling based forum I assume that’s not the case so why do you gamble?

 

[nikantw]

For 1000 reasons. Basically, compared to slots roulette is "boring".
Slots are easy, interesting, fast, fun, exciting and thousands to choose from.
Can also be a smarter choice than roulette, if that is what you are looking for.

 

[BabylonBear]

I have always liked gambling but slots only makes up a part of it. I play poker and roulette at the casino. I bet on football and in the past used to bet on the horses and most other sport. I do it because I enjoy it and there is a chance to win. Your question comes across as a non gambler looking in. As this is a gambling based forum I assume that’s not the case so why do you gamble?

Fair observation. I am not a gambler. I have only played slots if I have a mathematical edge due to a bonus, or free spins from some sort of offer. I admit it's fun to play in that case. But that's sort of like playing with someone else's money. (Sort of the way free food tastes better.) Not interested at all in losing my own money.

I've also worked as a game developer, and have been offered jobs at gaming companies, so I also have an interest from the development side.

 

[BrianGhattas]

I guess the lure of big wins, hoping I can be the lucky bloke of the day again like I was in my avatar. It’s been a terrible year but most of the time, the money has lasted before busting.

It does work as some sort of a pacifier for me. I know I wanted to gamble last night but I held off. It’s part of my lifestyle.

 

[Jasminebed]

If you are not interested at all in losing your own money, then don't gamble. It's why drug peddlars give out freebies.

If you think a video game is more fun, go do that. I've spent a lot of time doing that, and still do.

There are many excellent books on the psychology of gambling. There is a section of the forum called Quit Gambling. Go read it. Just read.

You will see there are many different kinds of gamblers, and many reasons not to. Please don't ask any questions there, I really feel it is inappropriate.

There are tons of posts from many of us here, you are more than welcome to read any and all of mine.

My reasons for gambling are not even the same day to day, or slot to slot.

They certainly are not the same for everyone.

Go have a look at the slots nominated for best new slot of 2018. And the screenshots threads.

Go have a look at Trancemonkey's Ask Me Anything.

Stick around and read, participate, and you will learn a lot.

Play slots in fun mode (sometimes called demo mode or practice mode).

Welcome to the forum.

 

[dionysus]

I have a ps3 and a box of video games, 90% of which are still in the wrapper - ive tried on numerous times to pull it out and play. I bought them for something to do.
But I just can't sit there and play them - I find it boring. But I can play slots at a 14 hr go and enjoy myself.
Why? Dunno - I guess because it isn't brain surgery, I don't get frustrated and I may end up with $ in my pocket end of session.
It's like cards I guess. If someone asked me to play poker 'fur fun' I'd pass. Put a twenty in the pot, I could play with friends the night.

I guss I want something with a possible tangible 'win' at the end for my efforts

 

[bebo67]

The same reason why I watch Netflix, listen to msic. (Gahhh. I need to fix my keyboard). It's my down time. I can zone ot for 60 mintes.

 

[Jono777]

I don't know, never have done but being doing it online since 2003, guess that makes me a bit

 

[Jasminebed]

More than a few people would not spend the amount of time I do making food, especially just for one person. Since I don't have quite the stamina I used to, some things that used to take from morning to dinnertime need to be done in steps over two or three days. I spend a lot of time watching cooking videos and reading blogs.
Left overs tonight. Roasted peppers and onions, from scratch black beans from the freezer, leftover jerk pork cubes, topped with Donair Sauce. It's authentic Canadian fusion at it's best.

At least one of the reasons I play slots is to not eat all the time. I gave that up a couple of years ago, think it was a new year's resolution to not eat in front of the computer.

 

[BillyGoldblum]

I have a ps3 and a box of video games, 90% of which are still in the wrapper - ive tried on numerous times to pull it out and play. I bought them for something to do.
But I just can't sit there and play them - I find it boring. But I can play slots at a 14 hr go and enjoy myself.
Why? Dunno - I guess because it isn't brain surgery, I don't get frustrated and I may end up with $ in my pocket end of session.
It's like cards I guess. If someone asked me to play poker 'fur fun' I'd pass. Put a twenty in the pot, I could play with friends the night.

I guss I want something with a possible tangible 'win' at the end for my efforts

Damn man same thing happens to me. I used to love ps and nintendo but ever since I got into slots it just isnt the same. I have tonnes of games and new ones but I cant just get into it cause now I know there is a chance to win a lot of money

But it does get expensive sometimes so sometimes breaks are forced upon us which is probably healthy for all of us.

But I will try and get into zelda from the old nintendo. Impossible not to love that game every once and awhile.

 

[dionysus]

Damn man same thing happens to me. I used to love ps and nintendo but ever since I got into slots it just isnt the same. I have tonnes of games and new ones but I cant just get into it cause now I know there is a chance to win a lot of money

But it does get expensive sometimes so sometimes breaks are forced upon us which is probably healthy for all of us.

But I will try and get into zelda from the old nintendo. Impossible not to love that game every once and awhile.

it's easy for me - I'm poor so my play is based on my very small entertaiment budget

LOVE Zelda

 

[ternur]

For me it's mostly a distraction. When the work is pedantic in nature, you sometimes need to feed your brain with something that isn't.

Slots are a quick and easy fix when you work a lot in front of the computer anyway. When Mallory was asked why did he want to climb Mount Everest, he answered "Because it's there". People enjoy different things.

 

[dionysus]

Slots are a quick and easy fix when you work a lot in front of the computer anyway.

Ya, it's just one more tab of 20 open

 

[TheAddict]

there's also a ceartin element of the uknown in slots regarding what you might win. i dont play scratch cards, but a bit like that in a way, you can get big hits for small bets that say, on roulette the big returns requires you to risk more to acheive it in the one hit. so some feel they get more entertainment/play time for their buck on slots, and like the suspense/build up and the 'its so close, it going to do it???' that comes with it, and some stay clear of roulette in fear of chasing the buzz of a win and quickly losing loads when that goes wrong since roulette is generally a game where if you dont have some luck fairly quickly, and want to see big hits, it can get very expensive to get a lengthy session out of it and come away feeling it was fun.

I have a ps3 and a box of video games, 90% of which are still in the wrapper - ive tried on numerous times to pull it out and play. I bough them for something to do[/QUOTE]

was trying not to make a stupid comment on that, but it's so damn hard, my head is beginning to throb.

 

[dionysus]

 

[goatwack]

Of all the filthy vices out there, slotting keeps that 'hook' going pretty much for as long as one presses Spin. That''s why I could go for 18 hours like a gibbering gibbon through the tedium, because all it takes is that one good spin!

Videogames are awesome of course, though one would need 10 lifetimes just to sample every game plus with the scope and sheer quantity of titles released now it's reached over-saturation levels. So I tend to stick to quick bouts of multiplayer games, as every game these days is either 'open world' or takes 60 hours just to complete

Other dopamine- stimulants like alcohol are short-lived, sex lasts about 3 minutes give or take, with cocaine marginally better at 11 minutes

But in terms of choosing slotting over other forms of gambling, having tried card & table games, I'd say slotting trumps those for sheer thrills & spills

Except Bonanza of course, which is a c

 

[SlotGrinder]

Fair observation. I am not a gambler. I have only played slots if I have a mathematical edge due to a bonus, or free spins from some sort of offer. I admit it's fun to play in that case. But that's sort of like playing with someone else's money. (Sort of the way free food tastes better.) Not interested at all in losing my own money.

I've also worked as a game developer, and have been offered jobs at gaming companies, so I also have an interest from the development side.

That's why you don't understand haha
You can win a lot of money on a very small outlay - that's most of the appeal of slots . Also it's not just about the money but about the gameplay , the anticipation , the near misses etc . Sure everyone knows longterm they will most likely lose but today is today and you might win big ! The gambler doesn't really care about longterm too much
Roulette you can only win 35x your bet . Sure you could then do it again but most wouldn't do that
The other day I spun for £1 on Jamming Jars and hit a bonus which paid £1500 - completely unexpected and sure Ive prob made 2000 similar spins which paid nothing but who cares lol . Gambling is about getting that big win and spending the money on stuff you wouldn't normally buy because hey its money you won off a slot machine ! it's free money !
That's why it's super important to gamble/play slots with money that you consider disposable
I play poker for a living and although some would class that as gambling it's a completely different mindset for me because you have to think , you have to play well and if you gamble it's at the right times in order to give yourself a shot at the big prizes (if you play tournaments)
Slots is mindless fun for me so I don't usually worry about my lack of edge , as long as the rtp is not too low (<95.5%) then Im fine with playing and usually losing

 

[dionysus]

right on the nose there
a night out at the pub for 100, all i get out of it besides the entertainment, is a beer gut and hangover

a night in with 100, i can still pick up beer but might be able to buy a new furniture set at the end of the night and still be entertained

 

[BillyGoldblum]

Of all the filthy vices out there, slotting keeps that 'hook' going pretty much for as long as one presses Spin. That''s why I could go for 18 hours like a gibbering gibbon through the tedium, because all it takes is that one good spin!

Videogames are awesome of course, though one would need 10 lifetimes just to sample every game plus with the scope and sheer quantity of titles released now it's reached over-saturation levels. So I tend to stick to quick bouts of multiplayer games, as every game these days is either 'open world' or takes 60 hours just to complete

Other dopamine- stimulants like alcohol are short-lived, sex lasts about 3 minutes give or take, with cocaine marginally better at 11 minutes

But in terms of choosing slotting over other forms of gambling, having tried card & table games, I'd say slotting trumps those for sheer thrills & spills

Except Bonanza of course, which is a c

Man they have over done it with games. There are so many out I get confused on which one I should try. You have to be a millionaire to even afford 10% of the entire game library they have out.

I will play red dead 2 once the price drop though!!

 

[goatwack]

Man they have over done it with games. There are so many out I get confused on which one I should try. You have to be a millionaire to even afford 10% of the entire game library they have out.

I will play red dead 2 once the price drop though!!

Funnily enough that's the one I'm waiting to drop in price too!

It's heading towards the £25 or less territory, but still. Then it becomes work actually having to play it and taking away time from other games

I remember waiting for Monster Hunter to drop. It just wouldn't budge for a whole bloody year!

(I played about 10 minutes of it in 3 months)

 

[snorky510238]

Of all the filthy vices out there, slotting keeps that 'hook' going pretty much for as long as one presses Spin. That''s why I could go for 18 hours like a gibbering gibbon through the tedium, because all it takes is that one good spin!

Videogames are awesome of course, though one would need 10 lifetimes just to sample every game plus with the scope and sheer quantity of titles released now it's reached over-saturation levels. So I tend to stick to quick bouts of multiplayer games, as every game these days is either 'open world' or takes 60 hours just to complete

Other dopamine- stimulants like alcohol are short-lived, sex lasts about 3 minutes give or take, with cocaine marginally better at 11 minutes

But in terms of choosing slotting over other forms of gambling, having tried card & table games, I'd say slotting trumps those for sheer thrills & spills

Except Bonanza of course, which is a c

How do you manage to last that long? You stud you.

 

[zreb]

Slots can manage to be mentally engaging without being mentally demanding - probably the same principle behind why we might enjoy having music in the background. Sure, there's nothing truly and particularly interesting about a line of 5 of the same thing in a row, but when you put it in the concept of a game, the potential actual money won, the difficulty of actually pulling off that amazing win, with the sights, sounds, and themes that provide the context for the gameplay - seeing if that last symbol manages to hit sure feels interesting.

For many, roulette doesn't feel quite the same, it lacks the context that a slot provides to the experience and feels a bit slow and dry. You can still get a rush from roulette if you put down a lot of money, but many people get more enjoyment out of slots.

I understand where a few of your thoughts in your OP are coming from, but I think targeting your questions as slots in particular is a bit misguided though - you could ask similar questions about most kinds of gambling. If people want to double their money, why don't they put everything on a single hand of baccarat and then go home? Because that isn't as much fun for most people. They would rather split their bet up into a lot of smaller gambles, look for patterns, test their luck, and so on.

Is there a bit of irrationality mixed in there? Often, yes. But as long as people understand that and keep their spending levels in control, that's okay. There are some people that genuinely believe their betting systems can win, or that they can feel their luck or tell when a win is coming or when a machine is hot or cold, or various other gambling fallacies people make. Admittedly, those can be dangerous for people who don't keep themselves in control, but there are also many people who gamble who know perfectly well that the casino is going to come out ahead in the long term, and who are happy to pay a bit for the experience and for the wins here and there.

If you know deep down that it doesn't really make a difference whether you bet red or black, that your lucky paperweight is just a placebo, that summoning your focus to press that spin button at the exact right time doesn't make a 1000x hit any more or any less likely to occur, and that the power of positivity isn't going to grant you a winning keno ticket, it's okay to engage in those things for the fun of it.

You said that you sometimes had some fun with free spins and bonuses on slots where you didn't feel you were risking your own money. Are you sure that the fact that you were winning a bit of money was the only reason you had fun? Were you even making any more money than if you worked the same amount of time? I suspect that there was something else that you also found engaging in the experience and caused you to enjoy it. I'm not saying you should take up slots or gambling if you don't want to, but you may understand others a bit better if you can also understand your own experiences.

 

[bebo67]

Damn man same thing happens to me. I used to love ps and nintendo but ever since I got into slots it just isnt the same. I have tonnes of games and new ones but I cant just get into it cause now I know there is a chance to win a lot of money

But it does get expensive sometimes so sometimes breaks are forced upon us which is probably healthy for all of us.

But I will try and get into zelda from the old nintendo. Impossible not to love that game every once and awhile.

Omg. I was so addicted to Zelda and Mario. I would stay up all night playing it and then go to work on 2-3 hours sleep.

 

[dionysus]

Omg. I was so addicted to Zelda and Mario. I would stay up all night playing it and then go to work on 2-3 hours sleep.

pretty much only 2 i got into as wel

 

[Jasminebed]

I bought new platforms to play Zelda games. Oh, and the N64 was purchased with a (land based) casino win for Christmas one year, in a bundle with Ocarino of Time.

Kids got a Switch for the family for Xmas, might have to give my Son-in-law that Zelda game and offer to babysit for the next month or so, lol.

They have my Nintendo and N64 and those games for the grandkids. The titles for the Game Cube are the only ones I have not played.

 

[BabylonBear]

So I tend to stick to quick bouts of multiplayer games, as every game these days is either 'open world' or takes 60 hours just to complete

That's good value though, $50 for a 60 hour game, that's less than $1 an hour.

Other dopamine- stimulants like alcohol are short-lived, sex lasts about 3 minutes give or take, with cocaine marginally better at 11 minutes

But in terms of choosing slotting over other forms of gambling, having tried card & table games, I'd say slotting trumps those for sheer thrills & spills

Except Bonanza of course, which is a c

I'm with you that slots are better value for money than hookers and coke.

Half-decent escort at $200/hour (or if you're really just doing 3 minutes, let's say $100 for a quickie, amounting to $2000/hour)
Decent cocaine at $100/gram, will last you for an evening unless you're a heavy user.
Slots at $1/spin, 4 second spin means $900/hour, at 96% RTP that's $36/hour

Not as cheap as video games though, at $1/hour. Although you can't really share the escort/hookers with your friends/family, so there is also that.

 

[goatwack]

That's good value though, $50 for a 60 hour game, that's less than $1 an hour.


I'm with you that slots are better value for money than hookers and coke.

Half-decent escort at $200/hour (or if you're really just doing 3 minutes, let's say $100 for a quickie, amounting to $2000/hour)
Decent cocaine at $100/gram, will last you for an evening unless you're a heavy user.
Slots at $1/spin, 4 second spin means $900/hour, at 96% RTP that's $36/hour

Not as cheap as video games though, at $1/hour. Although you can't really share the escort/hookers with your friends/family, so there is also that.

Thankyou, I'd lost track of current prices

 

[BabylonBear]

You said that you sometimes had some fun with free spins and bonuses on slots where you didn't feel you were risking your own money. Are you sure that the fact that you were winning a bit of money was the only reason you had fun? Were you even making any more money than if you worked the same amount of time? I suspect that there was something else that you also found engaging in the experience and caused you to enjoy it. I'm not saying you should take up slots or gambling if you don't want to, but you may understand others a bit better if you can also understand your own experiences.

I am with you on this. The appeal of a big win is undeniable. I've had offers where they give me 10 free spins of 0.25, and normally I would bother logging in somewhere for 2.50 worth of spins, but part of me says well, I might win 100 from that, so I'll give it a go.

 

[BabylonBear]

Thankyou, I'd lost track of current prices

Yeah, Eastern Europeans have significantly brought down the prices for escorts. You can pop into an eastern European brothel, be in and out in 30 minutes for 50-100 euro/pound. Girl gets half, the house gets the rest. Receptionist gets paid twice minimum wage to take calls and make appointments. The girls do a tour for a few months, then go back home and have a nice chunk of money for college or whatever they want to do. I'm good friends with a few, one of them is doing a business degree now.

But the efficiency of brothels, cheap Eastern European labor, alongside amateur channels like instagram and "sugar daddy" websites which facilitate young girls to "give it a try" discreetly, have shifted supply/demand of sex workers in Europe, lowering prices...

They are still overpriced in the US, largely due to puritanical values and legal issues leading to lower supply..

 

[Siohmy]

Used to play them as they were entertaining and the features made up for the often paint drying elements of the spins. Unfortunately the industry in its wisdom thought those paint drying sections should be of house decorating duration so I’m pretty much on the verge of giving it up. Suspect I may not be alone. Have been going back to playing more on my PS4. Realise how much I’ve missed playing games and not losing money every time.

 

[Mr Wild]

I love to drink beer and play slots with friends. The more I drink the more I seem to win, some how I always wake up with an empty wallet!
But for me its all about entertainment, I will never be the one hitting the big win! (But who knows Someone inside me still believes!)

 

[BillyGoldblum]

Funnily enough that's the one I'm waiting to drop in price too!

It's heading towards the £25 or less territory, but still. Then it becomes work actually having to play it and taking away time from other games

I remember waiting for Monster Hunter to drop. It just wouldn't budge for a whole bloody year!

(I played about 10 minutes of it in 3 months)

Once I realized how expensive games were I decided to stop playing new games for 2 years and play old ones like resident evil 4 and zelda and whatever else. Then by that time the games I want to play are a year or two old and like $9-$29 instead of $80. The problem with that idea is I am so far behind games now I will never catch up unless I really got back into games. I stand at the game store and look at the hundreds of games and Im pretty overwhelmed I just end up leaving and going home and watching trailers to see what games are good. Then I forget the names of the games and say forget it and go play slots LoL ;p

red dead 2 will for sure get played by me..dont know about any others but the first one i absolutely loved especially the zombie mode too. So yep big fan of the series!

 

[BillyGoldblum]

Omg. I was so addicted to Zelda and Mario. I would stay up all night playing it and then go to work on 2-3 hours sleep.

lol you sound like my mother.

She used to wake me up at 2am because she couldnt beat a level and would get me to do it