The 640 MEG Shareware Studio 2/The 640 Meg Shareware Studio CD-ROM Volume II (Data Express)(1993).ISO/games/gamb11.zip/C0.TUT

Text File | 1992-09-02 | 19KB | 398 lines

                    S L O T   M A C H I N E S

BASICS

Slot machines are an easy way to enjoy the excitement of casino
gambling.  They require no particular skill to play and the
bankroll required can be modest.  Additionally slot play is
comfortable and can be played without having to interact with a
dealer or have actions observed by other players.

Most casinos offer a large variety of slot machines.  They vary
in design, types, denominations and payoffs.  Designs include
all-mechanical, electro-mechanical and electronic.  Different
types are single coin, multiple coin, multiple line and
progressives.  Denominations may be nickels, dimes, quarters,
half-dollars and dollar or larger tokens.  Payoffs vary from
small amounts to large jackpots with a corresponding variation in
the frequency or odds of winning.

Slot machines are always available to play and can be found in
all areas of the casino.  Most beginning casino gamblers make
their first bet in a slot machine.

                          ___
                         |   |
           +-------------------------------+
           |                               |
           |    @@@ @@@ @@@  Pays  100     |
           |    ### ### ###  Pays  100     |
           |    *** *** ***  Pays   10     |
           |_______________________________|
           |                               |
           |  -------   -------   -------  |
           | |  @@@  | |  ***  | |  ###  | |  +++
           | +  ***  + +  ###  + +  ***  + |  | |
           | |  ###  | |  @@@  | |  @@@  | |  | |
           |  -------   ------    -------  |  | |
           |____________________________   |  | |
           |                           |___|  | |
           |         L U C K Y             |  | |
           |                               |  | |
           |        D O L L A R            |__| |
           |                               |____|
           |_______________________________|
           |                               |
           +-------------------------------+


Play begins by placing one or more coins or tokens in the machine
allowing the handle to be pulled.  Some machines also have a
"Spin" button that may be pressed instead of pulling the handle.
The payoffs for different reel symbol combinations will be
displayed usually above the reels.


The original slot machines used fruit as symbols because many
slot players then were illiterate.  Today fruit and a variety
of other symbols decorate the reels.

The reels spin and then stop at a random location.  When the
symbols stopped at correspond to a winning combination, the
payoff coins will drop to a tray at the bottom of the machine.
Some machines have a "credit" feature and winnings will be added
to it.  To play again, the player may press the play "Credit"
button or insert additional coins.  The credited coins may be
cashed out any time.

If the payoff is a large amount it may be paid in part or whole
by the "Slot attendant" or "Slot supervisor."  If the player
requires change or there is a problem or question regarding the
machine, push the "Change" button.  The slot attendant assigned
to that area will  come.  If required they will call a "Key
Person" who has a key required to open the slot machine to clear
a jam or do other maintenance.

DESIGNS

The first slot machines were all-mechanical in design.  The force
to rotate the reels generates from springs and levers initiated
by pulling the handle.  Each reel completes a timed number of
revolutions and then stops at a random location determined by
pawls dropping into ratchets.  The symbols on the reels and the
payoff display establishes the frequency of wins and the casino
percentage advantage or "PC."  In some casinos these all-
mechanical slot machines may still be available.  They usually
can be identified by the action of the reels when coming to a
stop.  Instead of coming to a smooth sure stop they will jerk to
a stop and resonate before completely coming to rest.

Most machines today are electro-mechanical designs.  Pulling the
handle or pressing "Spin" causes an electric stepper motor to
rotate the reels and stop at a random location.  Many use a
microprocessor computer chip.  Its programmed instructions or
firmware selects a random number that decides how far the stepper
motor will drive the reels and where they stop.  Gambling
authorities monitor and control this firmware.  The electro-
mechanical machines are the most popular type of slots because
they retain the outward mechanical appearance and feel of the
all-mechanical slot machines.

All-electronic slot machines are also available.  Instead of
actual reels, they have the image of reels spinning displayed on
a video screen.  The microprocessor and its firmware controls
everything.  Players do not favor these as much and therefore are
not as popular.


TYPES


Single coin machines are the simplest type of slots.  Only one
coin may be played at one time.  The payoff display will be easy
to comprehend.

Multiple coin machines allow the insertion of one or more coins
before initiating play.  Be sure to review the payoff display on
multiple coin slots.  Some machines have payoffs that will be
proportional.  When playing one coin and three reel symbols line
up, the payoff will be ten coins.  Play two coins and the payoff
will be twenty.  Three coins pay thirty.  Other multiple coin
machines have bonus payoffs when the maximum coins are played.
One coin pays ten, two coins pays twenty but three coins might
pay sixty or more coins.

Multiple line machines are multiple coin machines that pay when
the reel symbols line up on different lines.  The most popular is
three coins-three lines.  These also vary with proportional or
bonus payoffs.  The payoff display will be more difficult to
comprehend but it is important to understand it.

Progressive machines have jackpots that increase continuously
with each play.  A small part of the money put in gets added to
the progressive jackpot to be won when the appropriate reel
symbols line up.  The increasing jackpot will be displayed on the
machine or above it in an electronic display.  Some progressive
slots have limits on the maximum amount the jackpot can reach.

Progressive machines may be individual or linked to other
machines.  Individual progressive machines are free standing and
the jackpot builds as it alone is played.  No one other than the
gambler playing that individual machine can win the jackpot.

Linked progressive machines are electronically tied with other
machines forming a central jackpot.  The linked machines may be
grouped together in a carousal or may be spread out around the
casino.  As any of the linked machines are played, a small
portion of the money gets added to the central jackpot.  If
anyone lines up the appropriate symbols on any of the linked
machines they win the central jackpot.

There are also progressive machines linked to machines in other
casinos.  Some may be connected to hundreds of machines and offer
very large jackpots.  Many linked progressive machines also offer
individual progressive jackpots.

DENOMINATIONS

Slot machine denominations include nickels, dimes, quarters,
half-dollars and dollar or larger tokens.  Nickels, quarters and
dollars are the most popular.  Casinos use dollar tokens
inscribed with their name.  They may not be used in the casino's
non-gambling facilities or other casinos.

PAYOFFS


Payoff displays should be reviewed and understood before
beginning to play.  Some machines offer small jackpots with
probable corresponding frequent wins.  Others offer large
jackpots and corresponding probable infrequent wins.

The player is responsible to recognize winning combinations that
must be paid by the slot attendant.  Most machines will not allow
further play until reset by the key person but this is not
universal.  Be particularly careful with machines in which only a
portion of the jackpot is payed by the machine and the balance by
the attendant.  It is the player's responsibility to notify the
slot attendant when this payoff situation occurs.  If the player
doesn't recognize it, inserts another coin and continues to play,
the jackpot will be lost.


CASINO PERCENTAGE

Contrary to popular belief, there is no "screw" in a slot machine
that controls the frequency of wins.  Many players believe this
screw exists and can be easily tightened up or loosened at the
casino's discretion.

The casino percentage advantage or PC can be calculated on the
all-mechanical machine if the payoffs and number of reel symbols
are known.  To understand this better, consider a fictitious one
reel-twenty symbol dollar machine.  There are 20 possible
outcomes with each play.


A Cherry pays 1 coin.  There are three Cherries on the reel
therefore there is 3 chances out of 20 that a Cherry will appear.

An Orange pays 3 coins.  There are two Oranges on the reel
therefore there is 2 chances out of 20 that an Orange will
appear.

A Plum pays 10 coins.  There is one Plum on the reel therefore
there is 1 chance out of 20 that a Plum will appear.


The summary of the payoffs, frequencies and total amount paid out
is:

        Item        Payoff   Frequency    Total
        ----        ------   ---------    -----

        Cherry         1          3          3
        Orange         2          2          4
        Plum          10          1         10

            Total                           17


For every twenty dollars played in this machine, the average pay
out would be seventeen dollars.  The machine keeps three dollars
or fifteen percent for the casino PC.  This is the statistical
expectation over the very long run.  In the short run many Plums
could appear or none could appear.  The actual results are
strictly random.

The casino's PC is unfailing and can be accurately predicted and
monitored.  If any machine does not appear to be meeting its
expected return, it will be pulled from service and checked.

There is a difference in the ability to calculate the casino's PC
with electro-mechanical or electronic slots controled by
microprocessor firmware.  The stop frequency of the different
symbol combinations on these is determined by a random number
generated by the firmware.  Every fraction of a second a
different number gets generated.  What number gets selected is
determined by the exact instant of time the handle gets pulled.

This is another common misconception of slot players.  Just
because a machine was played for hours, only to have the next
player hit a jackpot, doesn't mean the first player would have
hit the jackpot.  The exact instant of time the handle was pulled
would not have been the same.

The microprocessor system has allowed the large jackpot payoffs
to be established.  The firmware on these machines only randomly
lines up the jackpot combination one time in a very large number
of spins.  These may be called virtual reel machines because the
hit frequency is not limited to the number of symbols on the
reels.

Casino percentage advantages on slot machines are not available
to the public.  In general they can be anywhere between 3 to 20%
with exceptions both ways.  Some illegal slots have been found to
have 50% PCs.  They usually vary with denomination and location
within the casino.  Low PC machines may be scattered among high
PC machines.  Where competition is keen, casino PCs are usually
less.


SMART GAMBLER STRATEGY

There is no system that can turn slot machine play into a long
term winning proposition.  Play them for fun at levels that can
afforded.  There are some things however that can be done to
minimize the entertainment cost of playing slots.


First to decide is what coin denomination level is going to be
played.  The casino must purchase the slot machine and license
it.  It occupies valuable square footage on the casino floor and
requires change, key and supervisory personnel to support.


Nickel machines require nearly the same casino overhead to
maintain as higher denomination machines and tend to be
configured to hold the largest casino percentage.  Quarter
machines tend to have a less casino PC and dollar machines tend
to have less yet.  Large "Big Bertha" type machines tend to have
large casino PCs.  While the higher denomination slot machines
are desirable for their lower PC, it is important that an
individual's bankroll can support play at those levels.  See the
$mart Gambler tutorial on Money Management for more information
and the Planning-Money Management feature.

Next decision to make is what is the goal in playing slots.  Is
the player satisfied with small wins so as to stay in action for
the longest period?  Or is the player shooting for a big jackpot?
Review the payoff displays and know that generally the frequency
of winning most likely corresponds to the payoffs.

The casino's percentage advantage is a very important factor.
Unfortunately there is no way anyone can readily find or figure
out what the casino PC is on any given machine.  Some casinos may
advertise dollar machines with "Up to 99%" pay back.  Note the
"Up to" phrase.  If only one machine in the casino is configured
to have a 1% casino PC, the advertisement is truthful although
misleading.  Machines at airports, small out of the way clubs and
other retail businesses tend to have overly large PC's and should
be avoided.

Possibly the best indication of low PCs is how busy a casino and
their slot machines are when visiting.  Slot players will not
stay long or return often to machines that don't payoff
frequently.  Watch the action, a short wait to get an open
machine may be worthwhile.  Another method is to keep records and
use the $mart Gamblers program's reporting features to identify
the best casinos and type of slots to play.  See the $mart
Gambling tutorial and Report features for more information.

Multi-coin or multi-line/multi-coin machines require an
especially close review of the payoffs before playing.  If the
machine has a bonus payoff for the maximum coins, they should be
played with the maximum coins.  These are the machines that pay
for example, $100 for $1, $200 for $2 and $500 for $3 when a
given combination of symbols lines up.  By playing less than $3,
the casino enjoys a greater PC than warranted because the
calculations include the bonus payoff.  If an individual's
bankroll doesn't justify that denomination of machine, they would
do better to find a lower denomination one in which the maximum
coins can be safely bet.

Multi-coin or multi-line/multi-coin machine with proportional
payoffs may be played with less than the maximum coins.  This
does not give the casino a greater PC.  Some players like to do
this using a progressive betting plan.  If the machine pays they
increase the amount of coins bet on the next spin.  This adds to
the excitement of playing but there is no statistical advantage.


An important item to remember when playing multi-coins is the
responsibility to ensure all coins register.  Most casinos have a
policy statement similar to the following on the machine or
posted in the casino.  "It is the Player's responsibility to be
certain that all coins inserted have registered in the machine
before the handle gets pulled."  This is regarding the situation
in that three coins were meant to be played but the third coin
didn't register.  If the handle was pulled, only two coins were
officially in play.  A large jackpot could be missed because of
the unregistered coin.


One more slot machine strategy point.  Some players believe if a
machine hasn't hit a large progressive jackpot for awhile that it
is "due."  Casinos play on this false expectation.  When a
progressive jackpot will hit is absolutely randomly determined.
It may hit now, tomorrow, next week, next month or next year.  It
may hit twice in a row or three times in a row.  It is an
unpredictable event.  The slot machine's stopping mechanisms or
microprocessor random number generator does not know or care that
it is due.


Slot machines are big profit makers for the casinos.  If played,
know that the cost for their entertainment will be relatively
high.  On a limited gambling bankroll, they may be the only
outlet someone may have to experience casino gambling.

If the gambling bankroll supports it, players may wish to
consider the difference between playing slots and table games
such as blackjack or craps.  Situation: Three day gambling trip,
15 hours of play, dollar machines, casino PC of 5%, average of
180 decisions per hour, average bet of $3.  Playing slots, the
entertainment cost will average $405 for the trip.  Sometimes the
gambler will win but over the long run they will lose an average
of $405 per trip.


Compare this to playing a correct game of six deck blackjack or
craps for the same duration.  There would be fewer decisions per
hour but the average bet would be $5.  These games will cost an
average $75 per trip based on a casino percentage of less than
1%.  Multiple this by four trips a year for ten years and the
difference is $13,200.  See the appropriate $mart Gambler
tutorials for more information.


Another alternative for slot players is video poker.  It offers
one big advantage over slots, that being the payoffs will clearly
suggest the casino's PC.  Additionally, if the player likes to
participate in the outcome of winning or losing, they will find
video poker more interesting.  See the $mart Gambler tutorial on
video poker for more information.


Slot machine players are notorious for getting ahead and then
putting it all back into the machine.  They sometimes appear to
become mesmerized by the machine.  When playing slots, buy in a
set amount of coins, keep a rough track of the status of them and
have a plan to end play.  See the $mart Gambler Money Management
tutorial and Planning-Money Management feature for more
information.  $mart Gamblers who do play slots follow these
strategies resulting in more entertainment for the money put in
the machines.

  Copyright 1992  PC Information Systems  All Rights Reserved