slots strategy

In the modern day, reel tilt refers to a discrepancy between digital reel displays and the outcome of the Random Number Generator. The term “reel tilt” stems from when slots were primarily played with mechanical machines and physical reels. It’s a term meant to describe the difference between what the player sees and the outcome.  While it’s not nearly as common today as it used to be when physical machines could wear down, it’s something that still happens today and something you need to be aware of.  Causes and Technical Explanation With old mechanical machines, reel tilt resulted from worn-out gears, dirty pieces within the machine, and damage done to the machine. There would be instances of reels landing in the incorrect spot. There could be instances where a jackpot might appear, but the internal machine was a simple payline payout. This leads to customer confusion and anger in the case of “losing” a jackpot.  It’s a bit more complex with digital machines, but it’s mostly due to software glitches or synching errors between what’s seen on the screen and what RNG. These can be even more problematic because there’s nothing to point to other than a software glitch. A player could visually see a broken component in a mechanical machine. That’s not the case with digital machines. RNGs are an algorithm that’s programmed to randomly produce a series of numbers, and when a player spins, it stops. This can be a problem because synchronization is dealing with latency issues between the gaming device and the RNG server.  Impact of Reel Tilt on Gameplay When reel tilt occurs, this can derail the playing experience. Spins could stop, there could be lights flashing out of sorts, error messages mid-spin, and more. As mentioned, you can see that you won a jackpot but receive a small payout from a regular payline win. Conversely, if you receive a jackpot payout that doesn’t appear on screen, the casino could nullify this. When this happens, the casino may need to shut down the machine, ending all play on it until a technician comes and repairs it.  There’s nothing worse than people thinking they won massive amounts of money only to find out it was a reel tilt. Not only does this cause frustration, but it’s also led to some legitimate lawsuits from players against casinos.  Notable Cases and Legal Disputes A famous case involved a Waterloo, Iowa, casino in 2015. It was ruled that they wouldn’t need to pay a $41 million jackpot. An 87-year-old woman bet a simple quarter on the machine, and the machine popped up with a message that read: The reels have rolled your way! Bonus Award—$41797550.16. After she and her daughter brought employees over, they ruled it was an error, and they wouldn’t have to pay. Instead, she won $1.85.  Another case earlier this year involved a woman named Roney Beal. She thought she won $2.5 million after hitting the $1.2 million jackpot, but also had a multiplier. This occurred at Bally’s Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  “That’s when the sentences came up ‘tilted,’” she said. “When the man came over to talk to me, he said, ‘Lady, get it in your head, you won nothing.’” The employee then asked her to roll it off and she refused. Her lawyer argued that the casino employee touching the machine after the reel tilt was tampering with evidence.  The casino offered her $350 in exchange and refused to pay the jackpot.  This is common, and yes, casinos have policies against reel tilt. This could read, for example, “malfunction voids all pays and plays.” In some lawsuits, the players and casinos have reached settlements, but it’s incredibly rare for courts to rule against the casino regarding the full payment.  In 2000, there was one incident in which a player did get their money. Jacques Bezou took Harrah Casino in New Orleans, Louisiana, and IGT, the game developer, to court. The jury and an appellate judge sided with Bezou, and IGT was responsible for the $1.3 million jackpot.  Another case came in 2006 where Garrett Griggs brought Harrah Casino and IG to court and a ruling was provided on March 22, 2006. In this case, a slot engineer, James Edward Oatman testified.  Here’s what he said, according to court documents:  Mr. Oatman said that when the reels were spinning before the generation of the random numbers for the game being played, a problem with the third reel was discovered by the machine. The machine was programmed not to select random numbers until the tilt was cleared. Thus, Mr. Oatman concluded that there had been no random number generation, and no jackpot could have been won. Preventing and Resolving Reel Tilt Casinos can prevent reel tilt by regularly maintaining the machine and the technology. Most casinos do that, but sometimes it slips through the cracks. They can also regularly upgrade their RNG software to ensure a better synch between the machine and the software.  When reel tilt occurs, here’s what the casinos do:  Shutdown: The casino immediately shuts it down to prevent anyone else from playing.  Inspect: The casino has an in-house technician check out the machine to determine the cause of the reel tilt.  Repair: After pinpointing the issue, the technician fixes it and recalibrates the machine, and the casino puts the game back online for people to play.  It may be tough to reconcile with as a player, but this is real, and it does happen. I’ve personally never had this happen to me, but I can understand the emotional whiplash of feeling like you won only to find out you didn’t. Try to work something out with the casino if the situation is a true reel tilt.  Take your pick and enjoy our incredible slots below or click here to dive into our wide array of free slots. Industry Innovations and Future Trends As technology advances, so too does the chance of software glitches. RNG technology that can integrate with the visual displays will help, but technology that can track and fix errors would assist with less downtime. If technology could recalibrate and re-synchronize machines overnight when a casino is closed, that would also be massively helpful. Regulators in states with casinos play a massive role. Having laws in place for reel tilt protects the player and the casino. Some laws can also mandate that machines need to meet a specific technical standard that would also help reduce the risk of reel tilt.  Here are some other types of software that I could foresee leading the charge against reel tilt:  Blockchain: This technology will ensure transparent data records and make it easier to verify what happened.  5G: As this improves, so too does the risk of latency issues.  Quantum RNGs: These RNGs generate truly random numbers, which will reduce potential errors.  AI: This technology can detect errors and provide instant feedback.  Conclusion Reel tilt is never a fun thing to deal with, but it’s a real issue that doesn’t happen in casinos. Being aware that this issue exists can set you up for a much more pleasant gaming experience and help you not feel like you won $40 million only to find out it was $1.85.  This is something that’s becoming less common over time and my hope is we eventually reach a place technologically where it no longer occurs so we can enjoy slots without interruptions or issues. 

Some players hop around the casino to different slot machines like they are playing musical chairs. Others are slow and steady and move to other games much less often, favoring to stay focused on one slot or at least just a few. But how does this affect the potential to win?  Is it better to play one slot machine or move around? The quick answer is that it doesn’t matter. Some high-tech inner workings have more to do with the result of a slot spin than what a player does. While some players believe it’s best to hop around and others believe it’s important to stay put and wait for a big payout, the fact is the outcome of playing slots doesn’t change by switching machines or staying in one place – it’s all luck and randomness. Keep reading to learn more about these two strategies and some of the fallacies involved in these lines of thinking. Understanding Slot Machines and the RNG While some players believe their actions and approaches to a game can affect the result of a slot spin, the real truth is that this isn’t true – it all comes down to chance or luck. Modern games make use of complex software that includes a random number generator (RNG) that constantly runs billions of possible outcomes. When a player hits the spin button, the RNG determines the result of a spin based on the slot computer’s inner workings. This ensures a random outcome. Therefore, no matter a person’s strategy, either moving around from machine to machine or focusing on a single game, the RNG still determines a random win. The result of each spin has no bearing on the following spin, thanks to the random number generator (RNG). So whether a player stays on a machine or moves on to another is based more on personal preference than potential winnings. The simple fact is that slot machine odds aren’t good and casinos have as much as a 15% house edge. The odds of winning can range from 1 in 5,000 to more than one in  35 million. Winning those top prizes comes with some extremely long odds, so players should always see slot play as entertainment and not be solely focused on winning a major payout. The Strategy of Sticking to One Slot Machine Looking at these two approaches may offer some insight into differing types of players. Those who like to focus more on one game or who may get overwhelmed by too much change may prefer the “single machine” approach to slot gaming. The players may feel more relaxed with the familiarity and comfort that comes with playing a particular machine. They may also prefer a more laid-back slot-playing experience in general as well. Here’s a look at a few of the advantages and disadvantages of this style of play PROS CONS Comfort and relaxed feeling Lack of variety Fewer changes Players may play too quickly, sapping their bankroll Familiarity with a certain game For example, a player in Las Vegas named “Tim” prefers parking himself at one of his favorite machines. This game offers some gameplay and bonus games that he enjoys and can also produce some bigger payouts as well if he can find some winning combinations. Tim finds that playing too many games can become distracting and prefers simply to play his game for a while and take a break now and then for a drink or a meal. Players certainly have different preferences on the number of games they play and Tim’s approach is just as good as anyone else’s. It’s just important that all players are at the mercy of the RNG. The Strategy of Moving Around Slot Machines For some slot players, staying one place too long just won’t work. They prefer more movement and more action. For example, a player named “Sharon” is a regular player at live casinos in the southern U.S. and said that she enjoys switching machines frequently. She gets bored if a winning spin doesn’t come quickly and prefers to move on to something different. These types of players enjoy a little more spice by trying different machines to enhance the gaming experience. If some winnings don’t come their way, they might jump ship. Some of these players may also decide it’s time to exit after finding some winning spins. Here’s a look at some of this style’s advantages and disadvantages: PROS CONS Getting to see a variety of games More difficult to focus on the game's various nuances May play slower, making bankroll last longer More frequent changes may become overwhelming Players may be less likely to get bored While players may have certain beliefs and strategies about how long to play at a slot, these are irrelevant. As noted, all payouts are based on the RNG. A player staying at one machine may not win for a spin after a spin or may also win big several times. A player hopping around may strike out or may also find a few nice payouts here and there – it’s all random because of the RNG.  Discover the excitement of Jackpot Party's free slots—no download required! Additional Considerations in Slot Machine Gaming Beyond simply the amount a player changes machines, there are numerous other considerations players take into effect when playing. Most of these also do not affect how a slot machine pays out. All of these concepts can also apply to playing slots online as well. Stopping a Slot Machine vs. Letting It Spin Many players have differing views on this topic. Some prefer to let the reels finish out while others prefer to stop the reels before the spin is complete. It makes no difference and either method will yield the same result that’s already determined by the RNG. However, stopping them over a long time may speed up the action more and make that bankroll drain sooner if you don’t find some nice wins. Does that work for you? Optimal Duration on a Slot Machine The exact time to spend at a slot machine before moving on is arbitrary and up to a player’s tastes. Some may prefer to stay a certain amount of time or a certain number of spins. Other slot fans may just play by feel and hope to at least see some winnings after at least a few spins.  The 5 Spin Slot Machine Strategy This is a popular slot machine strategy with many players who aren’t afraid to move from machine to machine quickly. This is kind of a “hit and run” approach to playing slots that was introduced by a YouTube slot player named “Professor Slots.” This concept calls for players to spin five times at a machine or when playing online.  If a player wins in those five spins or doesn’t win, then it’s time to move on to another machine. These five spins are arbitrary and irrelevant, however. The RNG is the sole decider of a winning spin. As AskGamblers.com notes: As the theory relies on the ‘cold’ versus ‘hot’ slots (slots that are not paying out versus the slots that are about to pay out), a theory that has long since been disputed, you can see why no one can guarantee the success of the five spin method, either. Budget Management No matter a player’s strategy, a solid approach to the payer budget and bankroll can make the experience more enjoyable. Set a budget and stick to it. Those who hit the ATM often are in danger of using other funds that may be needed for critical household expenditure. Those who play smart and make their bankroll last longer have a better chance at winning. Playing at a level of stakes you can also afford is also critical. Players may even want to set a budget per day to ensure they stay within certain limits. Setting aside some winnings as you play may also be a good idea. Responsible Gaming Staying safe and playing slots should go hand in hand. Stay within a budget and don’t “chase losses.” Some signs of problem gambling include: Hiding gambling behavior Financial hardships caused by gambling Borrowing or stealing money Gambling despite negative consequences Family troubles and conflicts Using alcohol or drugs more often Players who believe they have some gambling issues should avoid playing slots and seek out help. The National Council on Problem Gambling can help.  Conclusion While the two strategies in this article, staying at one slot versus moving among many games, may not affect the results of a slot, they may be more of a personal preference. A player simply may feel more comfortable using their style of gaming. Having fun in a casino is what it’s all about and players should do what makes them feel good. Whether either style of play is more beneficial is up to individual tastes. Are you one who tends to play just a single game or two? Maybe it’s time to get out of your comfort zone and add some game variety. Are you mixing it up a lot? Maybe try to focus on just a few games and see how it feels. No matter what way you go, it’s important to remember that the RNG ultimately decides wins and losses.

Many gamblers may be familiar with the classic game of keno. This is a lottery-style game in which players select a few numbers and then see several numbers drawn. Keno players are hoping that their numbers hit – rewarding them with a nice payout in the process. Slot machines also feature random results and keno slot machines combine these traditional games – greatly speeding up the keno action in the process. These games can be found in many casinos around the world and offer an alternative to traditional slot play. Keep reading to learn more about keno slot machines as well as the history and mechanics behind classic keno. 1 – How to Play Keno Slot Machines Most casinos offer players the relaxed gaming environment of playing keno. In a typical game, players select up to 15 numbers on a keno card among a total of 80 available numbers. Players usually use a dabber or crayon to make their selections. Here are two key terms players will find when playing some keno. Spot These are the numbers a player select on their keno cards. The classic version of the game is also called “spot keno” at some casinos. Catch This is the term used to describe spots that match numbers that are drawn. The goal is to “catch” as many numbers as possible to maximize winnings. Once the selection time has passed, random numbers are then produced from a keno hopper. Players then watch a screen showing all the numbers and highlighting the winning picks. Payouts are based on the number of selections made, the amount bet, and the total spots that hit when numbers are drawn. The game’s pay table shows how much is paid out for catching numbers and these vary by casino. There aren’t a ton of bells and whistles to the classic game of keno, although some alternative versions found on keno slots feature additional balls, multipliers, combinations, and more. Some also allow players to even win free games, similar to winning “free spins” on a traditional video slot. Here’s a quick review of how to play a keno slot: Select the keno slot you want to play (some platforms offer several options) Make your spot selections on various numbers. Some platforms also offer a “quick pick” feature that picks random numbers for you. Hit the “play” button to activate the on-screen hopper and watch the ping-pong balls fall into place to reveal the numbers. Your winnings will be added to your bank based on the number of spots that are connected with the numbers produced by the hopper. Press the “play” button to play again. You can use the same spots again or select new numbers. 2 – Odds and Payouts in Keno Slots When it comes to playing keno, whether the classic live version or on a keno slot game, a player’s winnings are based on the pay table, which includes the number of sports selected and the number of those spots that match the numbers that are drawn from the hopper. The casino generally has a high house edge – usually around 25-40%. Those are some long odds to overcome, but people enjoy the slow pace of the game and fairly modest wagering limits to keep playing. Here’s a look at some typical payouts below for someone who makes fewer picks and catches them all. Please note that some keno slot games pay out set amounts while others pay out varying odds depending on the number of catches. The more catches a player connects, the more a player can win. SPOTS CATCHES PAYOUTS 2 2 15 to 1 3 3 45 to 1 4 4 100 to 1 Here’s another example of spots selected but with fewer catches. Notice the reduced payouts because of a larger number of picks and fewer catches. SPOTS CATCHES PAYOUT 3 2 2 to 1 4 2 2 to 1 5 2 2 to 1 6 2 1 to 1 7 4 3 to 1 So is there a strategy for keno slots and keno in general? Not really as keno is completely a game of chance. Patience is mostly what helps players as they wait and see if their selections appear. Players can’t overcome the house edge in the long run, but keno is usually a fairly easy and inexpensive game to play when betting just a few numbers. “Most players believe that choosing four to eight numbers is the best keno strategy,” Casino.org notes. “This range can give attractive payout odds and feels less risky than selecting one number alone. The more numbers you pick, the higher your chance of matching a winner is. But just remember, the payout multiplier will decrease as your amount of numbers increases.” 3 – Keno Slot Machine Variants Some keno slots and online keno games ramp up the traditional game to make them a bit more like video slots. Some games feature particular themes, such as Buffalo Keno, with gameplay tailored toward that theme. Pizza Keno sees a couple of pies readied for the over as players connect winning spots. Other similar games enhance keno and look more like traditional slots. Other games feature differing elements to enhance the game beyond what one might find on the casino floor. Here are just a few of those added elements: Bonus balls – These can pay out more if you catch these numbers. Multipliers – Land these balls to see your winnings multiplied. Free games – These can be awarded based on winnings or even at random on some keno slot games. Bonus wheels – This is a popular feature on slots and some keno games even offer the chance to spin a bonus wheel. Autoplay – The game continues to play for several games without having to select more numbers or hit the “play” button. Winnings are sent to the player bank after each game. Hot & cold numbers – Many online keno slots keep track of numbers that have hit frequently and those that haven’t hit. With fun graphics, sound effects, themes, and gameplay, keno slot developers have used some creativity to enhance what is a pretty basic game. Pick a few spots and give the game a shot! Take your pick and enjoy our incredible slots below: Click here to dive into our wide array of free slots. 4 – The History of Keno Keno is a lottery game with limited numbers to choose from, up to 80 in most cases. This classic may be one of the casino’s oldest games historically. “Keno is of Chinese origin and of great antiquity, dating back at least 2,000 years,” the Encyclopedia Britannica notes. “The original Chinese name for the game is baige piao or pai-ko p’iao, meaning ‘white pigeon ticket,’ a reference to the tickets used in a betting game involving homing pigeons.” The game could be found in gambling houses in much of China and some of that original version’s details still remain. The original baige piao “featured the first 80 characters in Qianziwen (“Book of a Thousand Characters”) instead of numbers.” The game is also the inspiration for other similar games like bingo and lotteries. Chinese immigrants brought the games to the U.S. in the 1840s and by the early 20th Century, the game had gained popularity. Casinos and gambling houses originally used the term “Chinese lottery,” converting the symbols to numbers. The game had spread to both Reno and Las Vegas by the 1930s through the 1950s. As slots, video, and computer technology became more prevalent in casinos, seeing more standalone slot-like versions of the game was only natural. As slots became more advanced, translating traditional keno to a slot machine form became fairly common. Players can now find these machines in many casinos and also at online casino platforms, to play for free or real money. The game plays out much like the classic game, but these options also allow for more additional features as well. While keno and keno slot machines can be found pretty easily in most casinos, they are not as popular as other slots and table games. The games can offer some low-cost betting with some fun anticipation mixed in and hopefully a few winning numbers along the way. 5 – Online Keno Slot Machines Finding keno slots online is pretty easy. There are numerous apps available that allow players to check out how the game works and to play for free. Gameplay is very similar to what one might find in a real casino, although there are usually more features and options when playing online. Players looking to wager some real money may also be able to play for even lower limits via an online platform. Playing for virtual coins on a social gaming platform can also be a lot of fun when learning how to play. Seeing some of your “spots” hit the board can still be quite a thrill. Take a quick trip to the App Store or Google Play store and you’ll find popular options like Vegas Keno: Lottery Draw, Cleopatra Keno, Keno Bonus Play, and numerous others. Here’s a look at some of the differences between live and online keno. Live Keno Online Keno Stakes May be small. May be even smaller than found in casinos. Free-to-play options are also available. Speed Can be fairly slow. May move at a quicker pace than the live version of the original game. Gaming options May be more limited. Some platforms offer several options and features. Locations Usually in a traditional casino. Can be found online, via mobile apps, in real-money gaming platforms, and in social gaming environments. 6 – Responsible Gaming When Playing Keno Slots As with any form of gambling, playing responsibly is of utmost importance. Play within your means and only gamble money that you can afford to do without. Any funds for keno slot play should be considered for entertainment only. Don’t tap into money that you would need for day-to-day living expenses. Keno may be a slower game, but wagering large amounts can still really sap your funds. Here are a few tips to remember: Set limits for yourself and stick to them. Take some breaks, especially during losing streaks. Go slowly to make your bankroll last longer. Don’t pick too many numbers. Picking a more moderate collection of spots gives you a chance to win more if your numbers do hit. Play online keno slots for free. This can be a fun way to kill some time and still get some enjoyment out of the game. For more information on safe gambling or if you feel you might have issues with gaming, visit the National Council on Problem Gambling or the Substance Abuse and Health Services Administration, which also offers problem gambling services. 7 – Conclusion Keno is one of the oldest forms of gambling and the slot machine and online versions have really enhanced gameplay and added more extras. Many games feature fun themes and slot players looking for something different may want to give these games a shot. Playing keno slots via an app or online for free is a great way to learn the game and have some fun. Pick those lucky numbers and see how things turn out. Some winnings might just be heading your way.