If you want a very nice and somewhat technical analysis of slot gambling try reading this article HERE. It explains some of the more obvious and some of the less obvious basics to slot play. So, for example, if a machine only offers the big prizes if you are playing max credits, then either only play max credits or don't play that machine. Seems fairly obvious, but there are some basics I'm assuming you know, and if you don't, then read the article.
Next, we need to talk about which machines to play. Personally I'm all about excitement, and for some reason I can't understand, some machines excite me and some don't, and I'll always aim for those that do, of course. I'm sure everyone does. But there are some people that like Video Poker Machines (please read THIS little article if you do, but don't know the basics on strategy) and there are huge quantities of books and blogs dedicated to those players. Then there are those that like video Keno machines. Personally I just can't stand video poker as I come to a complete halt at almost every decision and then end up forgetting to hold all 4 aces. And although I quite like Keno, my inner brain knows I'm going to lose, so I only ever play it when I need some relaxed downtime, to sip a drink and chill out before I get all excited again on the slots I like. Doesn't actually mean I always lose playing Keno (I've had some wonderful wins), but emotionally I don't run to a free Keno machine. Well, maybe a Caveman Keno or a Cleopatra Keno. But not really run, maybe walk quickly toward it. Point is, not excited. I won't reel off all the machines I do like, or do play, as I'll talk about them individually later in the blog, but all I want us to agree on at this point is that we go to the casino to gamble for excitement, playing machines we like, in the hope we are going to win, with an almost carefree agenda about profit or loss, except for the very basic appreciation of the machine we are playing on, the stake we are playing at, and the amount of money we have in our wallet to give us an idea of how long we are likely to be playing for if we don't have a good run on the machine.
Now, I don't know your finances, but I'm going to assume you've brought about $200 with you tonight. If you have more that's fine, but I wan't you to have $200 in $20 bills (which I have mentioned previously). I want you to put the first $20 bill in the machine and then I want you to look at the time on your watch.
It is vital you know exactly how much money you have on you, and also what time you started gambling. You may have an emotional relationship to how long you play for (also previously discussed) but I have an emotional connection to an individual machine for some reason, whether it is playing well or badly, WHENEVER SOMEONE SITS NEXT TO ME. Don't know why, but I have an in-built resistance to moving off my current machine when someone else sits next to me. I feel the absolute need to out-last them, unless they win big, then I have my exit strategy. I also can't leave until I've finished my drink, or cigarette. I often go to a casino and never move from the first machine I sit down on.
Conclusions to be drawn from MY emotions:
1. Pick my first machine well.
2. Start playing at a low/medium stake.
3. (For me anyway) Try and get a machine on the end of a line, so I can only have one neighbor!
4. Check the time every so often - once I know I've been on a machine for over 30 minutes I have the beginnings of an exit-option.
5. Use the free play first - I always clear the decks of freeplay before I get going. Sometimes I never get to my money, but most freeplay vanishes if not used, so make use of it.
6. Remember to CASH out tickets for big wins (as said previously). Don't be afraid to cash out. It is truly JOYOUS. You can stick another $20 in the machine, but your emotional link to the win needs to go in your pocket.
7. Look around the room, look at other machines, look at the people, order a drink, chat with someone (NOT EASY FOR ME!) - anything that breaks the commitment to the machine you are on.
8. Start thinking of where you want to go next...
9. STOP PLAYING.
It's a gradual process, and at no point has it made any difference really if I have been winning or losing. The important aspect is reducing the emotion for THAT machine. I don't know why I have an attachment to the machine I choose to play, but I very quickly do. And it is that attachment that generally, more than anything else, causes me to keep playing until I lose. No one knows when they are at their peak on any machine, or when a machine will suck you for every penny you have, but most gamblers have an inherent inability to get up and move, and it is a skill that can and must be acquired through gradual de-emotionalizing the attachment to your current machine.
If you are playing on a slot and keep pulling out $20 dollar bills from your pocket, at what point does your brain say enough is enough? Obviously it will when there are none left, but what if you won $500 early on in the evening and later started playing that money away until it eventually all fizzled away. Trick number one, the absolute never-never-break rule is don't put the cashed out tickets in another machine. Only cash them out when you have made the mental decision you are leaving.
OK - I'll say this again. $20 bills go in - CASHOUT'S GO IN YOUR WALLET. That is 90% of my winning strategy right there. The other 10% being de-emotionalize your attachment to the machine you are playing. End of. You will leave a winner if you can do it far more often than you would think. It is amazing! But can you actually do it?
That list above 1-9 is a subtle emotional control stabilizer. I'm not trying to turn you into an accountant and I'm definitely not trying to turn you in to my Mother (who hates gambling). But I am trying to get you to adjust your peak excitement to scream CASHOUT! And then control the excitement. And then move along where the attachment is less emotional.
Technically I don't think it matters which type of gambling we are talking about here, on any type of machine, even table games. There is an excitement to winning, and an emotional attachment to the location (table, dealer and drink or dice thrower, money in tray, guy next to you, Video Poker Machine, ashtray, drinks lady) - whatever. WIN - CASHOUT - de-emotionalize - move.
Now it's down to you to try this out. The problem is you won't win every time, and sometimes the wins are scarce. I went over a year without a 4-figure win once. I had a fabulous time losing, staying at casinos, eating and drinking for free, but I couldn't get a big win all year. But I wasn't into my cashing out strategy at that time either, so whatever I went in with always got spent. That year might have been profitable even without any big wins if I had used this method then. But if perhaps not actually profitable, certainly far less of a losing year. This isn't a guarantee, its just a "best strategy" to winning. But it is a fabulous strategy to having more fun for longer for less loss if you don't have any great luck.
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