One Armed Bandits

Slot machines, the "one-armed bandits" found in casinos all over the world, can be divided into two categories: the straight slot machines and the progressive slot machines. Straight slot machines pay out a fixed jackpot value which conforms to its payout schedule. These machines usually have a 90-98% payback percentage, meaning that a certain percentage of the money earned by that particular machine is returned to the players in the form of winnings.

The important thing to remember in playing slots is to play as much coins as your bankroll allows. If you play in a quarter slot machine and you play only one coin, you may win a jackpot of 200 coins. But if you play maximum amount of coins on the same machine, you stand to win a jackpot of 2000 coins or more. So try to find a slot machine that you're comfortable betting on at the amounts you can afford to lose. Progressive slot machines, on the other hand, are connected to other slot machines in some sort of a computer network. Every time a player plays on a progressive slot machine, a small amount of money is added to the jackpot prize. This means that the jackpot continues to grow bigger until a player is lucky enough to hit the jackpot. You can see the value of the progressive jackpot by looking at the electronic board on every progressive slot machine. The payback percentages in progressive slot machines are lower than in straight slot machines because aside from the amount taken and added to the jackpot fund, the cost to operate area-wide progressive slots is also taken into consideration. Progressive machines are very tempting to play in because of the astronomical jackpots but they offer lesser payback returns.

Thus, it is not advisable to make progressive slots the mainstay of your slot play. Play the progressive slots only in an attempt to hit the jackpot and when you have gathered a quite impressive bankroll. Another important reminder when you play slots: bet only the maximum amount of coins if you can afford to do so. Failure to make maximum bets not only means you'll possibly win smaller prizes, but will also make you ineligible to win the top jackpot. If you think progressive slots are too expensive for you, you'll be better off playing on straight slot machines. Whatever type of slot machine you decide to play in whether land based machines or online slots, it always pays to learn and understand how these machines can make you a winner. Play these machines when you already know what to expect from them. As what the legend says, knowledge of the enemy is a battle already half won.