Odds On $100 Slot Machine

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This is the first part in a new series we are running on how you can get the most from your online slots play.

Machine

Poker requires reasoning and intelligence odds of winning on 100 slot machine that has proven difficult for machines to imitate. If you like a good show, make sure to stop by and watch Mike 'The Mouth' Matusow get up to his normal buffoonery.

It is true to say that the odds are set against you when you play a slot machine, but at the same time, you can improve your chance of winning. This allows you to get more fun from your money and a bigger chance of hitting a jackpot.

When you play in a land-based casino, the big question is how to choose a machine and also, whether to max bet or not. With online slots, the bonus offers are a big factor. We discuss both of those below:

Decide Whether to Max Bet or Not

Some slot machines pay out better when you play max bet. For example, on some 3-reel games, if you hit a line of the top-paying symbols you might win (for example) 1,000 credits if you play 1 credit per line.

But, if you had been playing max credits per line (for example, 3 credits), then the top win might rise to 10,000.

In this type of example, you should play max bet, because if you hit that top winning line, you stand to win a lot more than you would otherwise

With other games, it makes no difference whether you max bet. For example, most video slots pay out the same, no matter how many credits per line you play.

One exception with video slots, is when there is a progressive jackpot. If you play a game like Wizard of Oz, which has a big progressive, you can only win if you play max bet. The max bet is usually $3 or $4 per spin, so you need quite a lot of money to play, but you get much better odds when you max bet.

If you don't have enough to max bet, then I would say it is better to choose a slot with a lower domination that does not have a progressive.

So, if you like penny slots, search for a jackpot you can win without max bet

Decide if a Bonus is Good for You (or not)

With online casinos, you will nearly always be offered the chance to take up one of their 'free cash' bonuses.

With a free cash bonus, the casino will match you initial deposit. for example, if you deposit $100, they will give you an extra $100, so you will start your play with a total of $200 (this is a 100% bonus)

Take a look at the latest list of Bonus Offers for Online Slots

Other casinos go further than that - some will offer 200%, 300% or even 400% bonuses. With a 400% bonus, if you deposit $100, you will get $400 extra, meaning that you get to play with $500 in total.

Terms and Conditions

Of course, all casino bonuses come with terms and conditions. If you take a 'free cash' bonus, the casino will expect you to actually play with the money. If they didn't enforce a minimum play rule, then people would just take the cash and run!

Slot

So, with a bonus, you must play through the bonus a certain number of times. Usually, this means you have to play 25x the total (of deposit + bonus) before they will allow you to cash out the winnings.

These bonuses are fantastic to play jackpot games, because you get so much more chance to hit the big jackpot. To win at slots with jackpots, bonuses are a perfect tool to give you the best odds.

However, bonuses might not be so good for the type of player that just wants to hit a $200 win playing slots and cash out straight away, because of the need to complete a play-through.

So, you need to decide yourself what type of player you are and then decide whether you will take your bonus offer or not. That will help give you the best chance of winning, depending on what type of win you are going for.

smoothgrh
I just noticed that a $500 or Nothing slot machine exists. In the early 2000s, I was always fascinated with the $100 or Nothing slots. (For those not familiar with them, the slot machine is single-line and has only one symbol, a 7, and offers only two outcomes: a $100 win, or nothing.)
Now that I know a bit more about slots, can someone confirm this math:
If the theoretical payback percentage of these machines are 87%, the odds of winning are 8.7 in 1,000 spins?
If the theoretical payback percentage of these machines are 98%, the odds of winning are 9.8 in 1,000 spins?
PlayYourCardsRight

Slot Machine Odds Percentage

I'm no expert, but my understanding is that it pays back $87 off of every $100 wagered. So for a $500 win, with an 87% pay back, the machine would have to take in 574.7 dollars In theory.
smoothgrh
I should have phrased that in a way that's better to understand.
In the $100 or Nothing slot, with a $1/spin wager, and a 87% theoretical payback %, your odds of winning is 8.7 wins in 1,000 spins (1000/8.7) or an average of once every 115 spins.
With an 98% theoretical payback %, your odds of winning is 9.8 wins in 1,000 spins (1000/9.8) or an average of once every 102 spins.
In the $500 or Nothing slot, with a $5/spin wager, the odds of winning/average win frequency is the same as above.
Correct?
RS
Thanks for this post from:
If payback is 90% (makes math easy), then every $90 payout = $100 CI.
Every $900 payout = $1000 CI.
So in 1,000 spins ($1/spin), you'll hit it 9 times.
Yes your math is correct.
onenickelmiracle
Simple algebra is all you need. It must be right.
bang4style
compatibility
ThatDonGuy
Thanks for this post from:

Now that I know a bit more about slots, can someone confirm this math:
If the theoretical payback percentage of these machines are 87%, the odds of winning are 8.7 in 1,000 spins?
If the theoretical payback percentage of these machines are 98%, the odds of winning are 9.8 in 1,000 spins?


Odds On $100 Slot Machine(Edited - I just realized you are talking about a 100x machine, not a 500x)
An 87% return machine will return 870 for every 1000 bet, or 8.7 wins for every 1000 spins.
Similarly, a 98% return machine will have 9.8 wins for every 1000, and a 100% return machine will have 10 wins for every 1000, which makes sense as 10 x $100 out = 1000 x $1 in. (Most casinos have machines with 100% return - they're usually called 'Bill Breaker'.)Joeman
Thanks for this post from:
If all the math is settled, perhaps I can be allowed a slight hijack. This post reminds me of my first gambling trip to Lake Tahoe in 1996. I was playing at Harvey's (or was it Harrah's?), and they had a few banks of the old cast iron mechanical slots still in service. One particular bank had 'Jackpots Only' machines.
These were similar all or nothing machines that paid $25 for your quarter if you got the symbols to line up. The symbols were actually the words 'JACK' on the first reel, 'POTS' on the second, and 'ONLY' on the third. So, if you could get it to read 'Jackpots Only' across the payline, you won the $25. Otherwise, you got nothing.
I got nothing for all my spins. I still think of these machines as 'Jack Squat Only.'
smoothgrh


These were similar all or nothing machines that paid $25 for your quarter if you got the symbols to line up. The symbols were actually the words 'JACK' on the first reel, 'POTS' on the second, and 'ONLY' on the third. So, if you could get it to read 'Jackpots Only' across the payline, you won the $25. Otherwise, you got nothing.
I got nothing for all my spins. I still think of these machines as 'Jack Squat Only.'


Thanks for the anecdote! So the concept isn't new: a $25 win for a $0.25 wager also pays 100 for 1.

Slot Machines Odds

You should have tried playing it about 115 times! ;-)