The objective of playing slots is to bet coins or credit and spin the machine's "reels" so that symbols line up on the machine's "paylines", as described in the machine's "payout" schedule. Players can choose how many coins or how much credit to bet per payline and how many paylines to bet on.

The payout schedule displays the machines winning combinations and the values for each combination. These values vary according to the credit bet with each spin.

Some machines give the player the opportunity to win even more money, through a secondary betting mechanism. For example, the player may be given the opportunity to double their winnings by guessing the color of a hidden card: black or red.

There are generally two kinds of slots machines: standard and progressive. Standard machines function on their own and payout winnings according to their payout table. Progressive machines are a series of machines linked up to each other. These machines share a common jackpot or jackpot values. The shared jackpots grow over time, as more and more people play the machines without winning a jackpot. As you can imagine, these jackpots can become enormous. Linked progressive machines may reside in the same room, same building, anywhere within a city, country or even globally. This is particularly true of Internet-based slots games.

How much can a slot machine payout? Slots are generally programmed to pay a percentage of their takings. This percentage usually sits between 85% and 98%. The greater the payout percentage, the more the machine will payout.

TIPS

Play machines that advertise a higher payout percentage (between 95% & 99%). These machines may be dollar or higher denomination machines.

Try to understand the machine's payout table, particularly in relation to the amount you are betting. It would be sad to discover that your winnings would have been significantly greater had you bet a little more.

Some progressive machines will only payout their jackpot winnings if the player is betting the maximum amount possible. Again, it's worthwhile reading the payout table and asking for help if you don't fully understand it.

The amount of credit bet is not related to the likelihood of spinning a winning combination.

Generally, it seems more beneficial to bet the maximum amount of credit per payline. The problem, however, is that this has the potential to quickly exhaust your wallet. With this in mind, find a machine that best suits your budget. A quarter machine may suit your budget more so than a dollar machine, for example.

Recognize a large winning when it occurs. It might now be a good time to stop playing. If you do decide to stop playing, call the attendant or ask someone to call him/her for you. Don't leave your machine unattended.

If you play slots regularly, take a note of which machines tend to be paying out significantly. If a machine seems to be paying out significantly, and often, it may be worth while giving this machine a try sometime. You may find that casinos place their most liberal machines in places where they are likely to attract attention.

If you've played a particular machine for a while and have had little success, you might like to try another machine. You never know: your luck just might change.

Try and find out if the place where you play offers any additional playing incentives such as gameplay points, free meals or free accommodation. These incentives should not be the reason to play.

If your luck seems to be running out, it might be a good idea to stop playing. Many people win large amounts, only to lose their winnings be continuing to play.

Make sure you empty the machine of your credit prior to leaving it. Each year, people accidentally abandon machines that still have their credit inside.

Assign a budget for the day's play. If the budget is lost, you will know when to leave the casino.

Only play with an amount you can afford to lose. Make sure you enjoy the game, even if you do walk away empty handed.

GamingGuide.net Team