by: Ryan D
The first thing you need to do is to learn how to "Read" a machine by reading the pay out table before playing. We will now examine the information provided in the payout table.
Firstly it will tell you the denomination of the coin needed to play that machine. For instance, I'm sure you have seen people drop a dollar into a machine that only accepts quarters, and than have the dollar rejected.
Lets now look at the different types of machines on offer:
Multiplier: This is a good machine if you want to play one coin at a time as it does not penalize you for if you do not play the maximum bet. This machine has a predetermined pay out for a certain symbol, and the number of coins you play multiplies it. So, if the machine pays 5 coins for three cherries when you play one coin, it would pay 10 for two coins and 15 for three coins played.
Bonus Multiplier: This machine rewards you for playing maximum coins, but you need to decide if the bonus on offer is worth playing the extra coins. It operates the same as the multiplier, however it offers a bonus when you play maximum coins and hit the jackpot. Three Jackpots symbols may pay 1,000 for one coin, 2,000 for two coins and 10,000 for maximum coins.
Multiple Payline: These machines have more than one line of play and each coin played activates a particular line. You will not receive anything if you hit a winner on a line that is not activated. The older machines used to have three lines but the newer video slots can have up to nine lines.
Buy-a-Pay: You only play this machine if you are playing the maximum coins - as you will win nothing if you hit the jackpot with one coin! The maximum coins played activate the largest jackpot, as each coin activates a different pay out. One example is the "Sizzlin 7's" machines. The machine will pay on cherries, bars and sevens. The sevens pay 1,000 coins. If you play one coin you can collect only on the cherries. If you play two coins you can collect on cherries and bars. You need three coins in to collect on the Sizzlin 7's.
Progressive Slots: Always play the progressive slots with maximum coins. With these slots a certain percentage of the money played are added to a pool to pay top jackpot. "Megabucks" or "Quarter Mania" are examples of machines from several casinos linked together to offer a life changing jackpot. Some casinos have machines linked together within their own casino to offer mini-progressive jackpots. However, remember that the percentage of the payout on the lesser wins is reduced to provide for the big prize.
We hope that this information will make you more effective slots players. And remember to read the pay out schedule before playing.