Being a winning slot machine player is impossible. All slot machines are designed specifically as a way to provide the house a long-term edge, so the house shall always come out ahead if you play long enough. The only real way to counteract the house edge on slot machine games is to play a game with a really big jackpot, bet the max every time you play, and hope that you hit the jackpot. Then whenever you do hit the really big jackpot, guess what you do next? Stop playing that game.
Do not get me wrong. I’m not proclaiming that you shouldn’t play slot machines. The truth is, I think slot games, especially the great ones, are a lot of fun. But you want to keep within the forefront of your head that mathematically, what you’re doing when you are playing a slot machine on a long-term basis is paying for entertainment. You can calculate how much you’re paying for that entertainment by multiplying the house edge times your average bet times your number of spins each hour.
For instance, in case you are playing a slot game with a payout of 95%, then the house edge is 5%. (The casino keeps 5% of every bet you make long-term.) And for anybody who is average bet is $3, then you’re going to pay the average of 15 cents per spin to the house. (5% times $3.) Assuming you’re making 500 spins every hour, that game costs you $75/hour to play, which may or may not be a reasonable price for you entertainment. That relies on your bankroll.
Another thing to factor into your calculation is how much the perks and bonuses you’re getting back from the casino are worth. If you are playing in a land-based casino where you are getting free drinks while you play, then you can subtract the expense of those drinks from you are hourly cost. (Or you may add the cost of those drinks to the value of the entertainment you’re receiving–it’s just a matter of perspective.) My recommendation is to drink top-shelf liquor and premium beers as a way to maximize the entertainment value you are receiving. A Heineken can cost $4 a bottle in an excellent restaurant. Drink two Heinekens per hour, and you’ve just lowered what it costs you to play each hour from $75 to $68.
Slot clubs also give back a portion of your losses each hour, so definitely be sure you join the casino’s trusted slot online club and ALWAYS use your card to track your play. There is absolutely no reason not to do this. Casinos also reward their larger slot players with comps like meals, show tickets, and free rooms, which all add up to reduce the total amount of money you’re spending each hour that you are playing on their machine.
Now how to be a winning slot machine player? I’d sum it up by saying know the amount it’s costing you to play each spin and each hour, make use of all the comps as well as the perks, and go for the big progressive jackpot.