How To Hit A Jackpot On Slot Machines

Slots are the easiest games in the casino to play -- spin the reels and take your chances. Players have no control over what combinations will show up or when a jackpot will hit. There is no way to tell when a machine will be hot or cold. Still, there are some pitfalls. It's important to read the glass and learn what type of machine it is. The three major types of reel-spinning slots are the multiplier, the buy-a-pay, and the progressive.

The symbols revolve on the screen like slot machines. Every now and then when the symbols line up right, a player can hit for a jackpot of $2,000. The store has an arrangement that allows players to get their winnings almost immediately from a clerk. “It’s fun and I win occasionally.

The multiplier. On a multiplier, payoffs are proportionate for each coin played--except, usually, for the top jackpot. If the machine accepts up to three coins at a time, and if you play one coin, three bars pay back ten. Three bars will pay back 20 for two coins and 30 for three coins. However, three sevens might pay 500 for one coin and 1,000 for two, but jump to 10,000 when all three coins are played. Read the glass to find out if that's the case before playing less than the maximum coins on this type of machine.

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The buy-a-pay. Never play less than the maximum on a buy-a-pay, on which each coin 'buys' a set of symbols or a payout line. The first coin in might allow the player to win only on cherry combination, while the second coin activates the bar payouts, and the third coin activates the sevens. Woe is the player who hits three jackpot symbols on a buy-a-pay with only one coin played--the player gets nothing back. A variation is the machine with multiple payout lines, each activated by a separate coin. All symbols are active with each coin, but if a winning combination lines up on the third-coin payout line with only one or two coins played, the payoff is zero.

The progressive. You also have no reason to play less than maximum coins on a progressive machine. A player who eventually lines up the jackpot symbols gets a percentage of each coin played. The first progressive machines were self-contained--the jackpot was determined by how much that particular machine had been played since the last big hit. Today most progressives are linked electronically to other machines, with all coins played in the linked machines adding to a common jackpot.

These jackpots can be enormous -- the record is $39,710,826.26, a $1 progressive at a Las Vegas casino. The tradeoff is that frequency and size of other payouts are usually smaller. And you can't win the big jackpot without playing maximum coins.

If you must play fewer than maximum coins, look for a multiplier in which the final-coin jump in the top jackpot is fairly small. Better yet, choose a machine that allows you to stay within your budget while playing maximum coins. If your budget won't allow you to play maximum coins on a $1 machine, move to a quarter machine. If you're not comfortable playing three quarters at a time, move to a two-quarter machine. If you can't play two quarters at a time, play a nickel machine.

With so many paylines and the possibility of betting multiple coins per line, video slots are different. Some penny slots with 20 paylines take up to 25 coins per line. That's a $5 maximum bet -- a pretty penny indeed! Most players bet less than the max on video slots but are sure to cover all the paylines, even if betting only one coin per line. You want to be sure to be eligible for the bonus rounds that give video slots most of their fun. Some progressive jackpots require max coins bets, and some don't. If a max-coins bet is required to be eligible for the jackpot and you're not prepared to roll that high, find a different machine.

Money Management

Managing your money wisely is the most important part of playing any casino game, and also the most difficult part of playing the slots. Even on quarter machines, the amount of money involved runs up quickly. A dedicated slot player on a machine that plays off credits can easily get in 600 pulls an hour. At two quarters at a time, that means wagering $300 per hour -- the same amount a $5 blackjack player risks at an average table speed of 60 hands per hour.

Most of that money is recycled from smaller payouts--at a casino returning 93 percent on quarter slots, the expected average loss for $300 in play is $21. Still, you will come out ahead more often if you pocket some of those smaller payouts and don't continually put everything you get back into the machine.

One method for managing money is to divide your slot bankroll for the day into smaller-session bankrolls. If, for example, you've taken $100 on a two-and-a-half-hour riverboat cruise, allot $20 for each half-hour. Select a quarter machine -- dollar machines could devastate a $100 bankroll in minutes -- and play the $20 through once. If you've received more than $20 in payouts, pocket the excess and play with the original $20. At the end of one half-hour, pocket whatever is left and start a new session with the next $20.

If at any point the original $20 for that session is depleted, that session is over. Finish that half-hour with a walk, or a snack, or a drink until it is time for a new session. Do not dip back into money you've already pocketed.

That may seem rigid, but players who do not use a money management technique all too frequently keep pumping money into the machine until they've lost their entire bankroll. The percentages guarantee that the casino will be the winner in the long run, but lock up a portion of the money as you go along, and you'll walk out of the casino with cash on hand more frequently.

That is changing in new server-based slots that have started to appear in casinos. Operators will be able to change payback percentages at the click of a mouse, but they still must have regulatory approval to do so.

There is a lot more to slot machines than meets the eye. But if you learn the ins and outs of playing them, you can use some strategies that just might help you hit the jackpot.

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In this article, I am going to explain how to beat video Poker machines by:

  • Playing smarter
  • Playing slower
  • Picking the best games
  • Reducing the house edge
  • Avoiding the stupidest mistakes

In case you already know all of this and can’t wait to play some of the best video Poker games - this is the site you should visit.

However, if you’d like to know how to play better with a helpful video Poker strategy - continue reading.

What Makes Video Poker Special?

Since it made its entry into the Casino scene back in the 1970s, video Poker has gone from strength to strength to become one of the most popular gambling games.

Do you know why?

Video Poker is one of the few Casino games that not only offer some of the highest odds in Casino gambling but it gives you also the chance to influence the game’s outcome.

Yes, your skills can make a difference.

As if that’s not enough, video Poker is popular also because it brings into the mix a low house edge (profit to the Casinos) while still giving you, the player, a chance to win big (in Jackpot proportions).

Better still;

Video Poker gives you that much-craved anonymity in the sense that you can play alone and without the psychological pressure of a live Poker game.

In other words, you don’t have to deal with pit bosses, dealers, or fellow players who dissect and even irritatingly comment on your play.

While these are just some of the few godsend advantages that video Poker brings into your playbook, the biggest question remains: how can you beat video Poker machines?

You may have probably come across an adage in the betting circles that states:

'The house always has an advantage.'

It may be hard to refute this, but video Poker is almost an exception to this rule.

It doesn’t matter whether you play Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, or any other video Poker variation.

With the right skills, strategy, knowledge and an element of luck, you can beat video Poker machines hands down.

The fact that you are playing against a machine and not against other players is an advantage that makes video Poker machines very beatable.

Add this to the fact that you’re almost five times more likely to hit a big Jackpot (aka. the Royal Flush) when playing video Poker makes it one of the best games out there.

In fact, you should seriously consider moving from traditional Slot machines to video Poker machines.

But before you blindly jump ships, here’s the strategy you should follow to beat video Poker machines.

Learn the Rules of Video Poker

Playing video Poker is simple.

While there are various variants of video Poker, they have one thing in common: they’re all based on simple mechanics of five-card draw Poker.

Video Poker uses a standard 52-card deck.

After you make your wager and press the 'Deal' button, the machine randomly gives you five cards.

At this point, you need to choose which cards to keep and which cards to throw away or discard.

To keep them, tap on the pictures of your chosen cards on the screen.

Once you have made your pick, press the 'Draw' button for the machine to randomly replace the discarded cards.

In this exciting game, your winning is based on ending up with a Poker hand such as flush, straight, two pairs, or even a royal flush.

Always keep in mind that the amount that you win per hand depends on the Poker value of your hand and the posted pay table of the machine you’re playing.

One of the most important things to know on how to beat video Poker is that you have to make a wise decision on which of your dealt five cards to keep and which ones to discard.

Remember, making the right decision from the word go will give you the best chances of winning even a Jackpot.

Video Poker Basic Strategy

The gravest mistake that you can do in your quest to beat a video Poker machine is to attempt playing by just…guessing.

You will lose a lot of money on a simple game that gives you a real shot at winning.

Remember, having the right skills and using an optimum video Poker strategy will not only give you a higher chance of winning millions, but you will also enjoy the benefits that come with winning, such as comps that are set aside for Casino’s best players.

Keep in mind that you should also thoroughly practice on your computer before risking real money on a real video Poker machine.

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Choose the Right Pay Table

One of the best things about playing video Poker is that the machine allows you to know the expected return before you even start to play.

Video Poker is incomparable to any other game because unlike quite a few new slots, it is the only game that shows you the expected return on your money on the pay table.

It is therefore crucial that you do your research to identify the best video Poker machines that offer good paytables.

To find the most generous machine, you should understand that the return on a particular video Poker machine is based on the machine’s pay table.

For instance, Casinos average a profit of about 3 percent on each play on a video Poker game.

This profit is known as the house edge.

Now if the Casinos get 3%, you as the player should get a return of 97 percent, which can vary depending on the machine’s pay table.

That’s why you need to check out various machines and their pay tables before you play at the video Poker with the highest returns.

For example, you increase your chances of beating a video Poker machine if you choose a game with a paytable that offers 99.54 percent return than if you pick a video Poker with a paytable that provides a 97.29 percent return.

In other words, the 99.54 percent machine only keeps 0.47 percent house edge while the 97.29 percent machine keeps 2.71 percent.

In this case, choosing the 99.54 percent is the better option as it offers you close to full pay.

On the contrary, you will lose your money almost six times faster if you play on the 97.29 percent machine.

There is, consequently, no doubt that searching for a good machine will pay.

You should not fall prey to using machines that are lousy or machines that offer terrible paytables.

How to Beat the Jacks or Better Video Poker

Each video Poker game has its own strategies.

For instance, the strategy that will help you win on Jacks or Better is different from that which will help you succeed on Deuces Wild.

And because learning all the strategies on the book might be tiresome if not impossible, let’s look at how to beat video Poker Jacks or Better.

Even though Jacks or Better offers one of the lowest returns, especially when compared to games such as Deuces Wild, Double Bonus Poker, and other variations, it remains one of the most enthralling and rewarding video Pokers games, at least according to the majority of video Poker players.

Therefore, here are some crucial tips that will possibly help you win big and beat the video Poker machine while playing Jacks or Better.

Always Play the Max

It is always imperative to play maximum coins.

This is because Jacks or Better video Poker machines offer top payout for a royal flush (the Jackpot).

Playing maximum coins gives you the chance to get a bonus win when you hit a royal flush.

Even though you can bet between one to five coins per hand, you only stand a chance to get the bonus on a royal flush when you bet five coins per hand.

On the contrary, you can consider dropping down to a lower coinage if you aren’t comfortable with the five-coin bet.

The only difference is: you will not play for the Jackpot.

Find the Best Pay Table

As noted above, finding the best pay table is crucial if you are serious about beating a video Poker machine.

With regards to Jacks or Better, there is a myriad of pay charts available.

Although each pay chart offers a different house edge, you should always consider going for a 9/6 (or more) pay chart when playing Jacks or Better video Poker.

This is because a 9/6 is a fair return that offers full house pay on nine coins and flush pay on six coins.

Playing on a pay chart that offers less the 9/6 pay chart is a risky move and clear indication that you are playing with a bigger house edge.

In this case, you are giving the Casino more profit (money) per hand, thereby losing your money faster than you realize.

Slow Down

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Like almost all Casino games, you should always remember that video Poker machines are designed for one main purpose: make a profit (house edge) for the Casino.

Either way, the more you play, the more you lose.

It is, therefore, advisable to apply what I call 'a slow-down strategy' when playing Jacks or Better.

No one will chase you and no one will call the clock if you take some time to decide what cards to keep.

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Even better:

You can play and go on a break anytime you want.

The key is not to rush and not to play for volume. Video Poker, unlike online Poker, is a gambling game where the greater the number of your hands is, the higher are the chances that you will lose your money.

If you play Poker, you know that the key to being a winning player is 'to play fewer hands.'

Video Poker is different.

In video Poker, you don’t need to play fewer hands - you need to play slower hands.

This will help you in lessening your hourly losses, hence giving you the opportunity to play for longer and increase your chances to hit a royal flush or to put together a sizeable win.

Even though this is nothing but common sense, many players often ignore this basic gambling principle and therefore lose a lot of money within a very short period.

You need to take complete control of your hand-per-hour to get the chance to extend your playing time and minimise your losses at the same time.

Join a Player’s Club

How Do Slot Machines Hit

More often than not, the player’s clubs are created and designed to get you and other players to play more and longer to get comps.

While this may seem like a negative, it shouldn’t be your ground of not joining them.

The Player’s clubs are your best chance to earn special bonuses that Casinos give only to their most valuable players.

This works to your advantage in the sense that it helps you reduce the house edge in the long run.

I strongly recommend you to browse through the best Casinos online and choose the one that has the best advantages when it comes to long-term video Poker playing.

Play the Progressive Jackpot Video Poker Machines

One of the main reasons why almost all Casinos offer progressive Jackpots is to give players an added chance of reaping big on a relatively small bet.

Jacks or Better video Poker games are known to offer some of the best progressive Jackpots out there, but you only stand a chance of winning if you use the best strategy.

The problem is, many progressive Jacks or Better video Poker machines use terrible pay tables.

You should be vigilant to ensure that you only play progressive Jackpot on machines that offer a comparatively good pay table.

Remember, progressive Jackpots offer players the chance of winning phenomenally big. It could be you.

But if you pick a video Poker game that gives you no chance of winning, then you won’t get a single chance to beat the game.

Keep an Eye on the Bonuses

There are always a lot of promotions and offers not just on the Jacks or Better video Poker, but on other games too.

By targeting the right promotions, you stand a bigger chance to beat video Poker machines since you get free money to play more games.

Don’t ignore the bonuses to play video Poker and don’t be afraid to use a Casino’s live chat feature to ask if there’s something for you.

Only last month, I received four bonuses only because…I asked for them.

Sometimes, online Casino websites are so bad that it’s nearly impossible for an average user to find all the promotions or all the latest Casino bonuses that are running at any given time.

If you want a bonus, ask for it. Remember: fortune favours the bold.

Be bolder.

Things to Avoid

And now, a few practical and simple tips to win at video Poker online.

The Kicker. When you play Jacks or Better video Poker, you should always avoid the widespread blunder of retaining a kicker.

Many players mistakenly think that keeping a kicker gives them a higher chance to win with a higher payout.

The Straight / Flush. You should also never attempt to keep three cards in your quest of chasing a straight or a flush.

Keeping three cards with the hope to grab a straight or a flush only leaves you in a losing position.

The only time that you can keep all the three cards is when you can pull off the highly valuable straight flush in your attempt at going after a big payout.

Keep in mind this basic strategy on how to beat video Poker machines: never give up a winning hand in an attempt at getting an even bigger hand.

Conclusion

Playing video Poker games, particularly Jacks or Better video Poker, is one the best choices you can make when you log in to your favourite online Casino.

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Video Poker games come with a lot of options and features that not only make them a proper alternative to traditional Slot machines but also give players a real shot at winning big.

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