Slot Machines - The Basics

Slot machines are by far the easiest - and one of the most fun - games in the casino to play. Simply insert your coin and pull the handle. One of the oldest jokes in the world is to call slot machines "one armed bandits" because - with some of the highest odds against you in the casino, that is exactly what they were - and still are! However, it's now more appropriate to simply call them bandits, because you don't have to pull the handle anymore - just push a button. Electrical motors and computer chips do everything else.

HOW SLOT MACHINES WORK

Decades ago, when slot machines were young, they were basically mechanical devices. The force of the handle being pulled down turned the metal gears that turned the wheels on the machine.

Later on, electrical motors were added to turn the wheels and the force of the handle being pulled no longer had any bearing on the results. In fact, you no longer had to pull the handle, since the wheels were electrical. All you had to do was push the "play" button to start the wheels. The odds were controlled by how many winning symbols were on each wheel.

More recently, most casinos have are converting to computerized slot machines that no longer have wheels at all - just a computer screen that plays a video simulating spinning wheels. A computer "random number generator" determines the results. As soon as you put your coins in, the result is predetermined.

Whether you pull the handle slow or fast, whether you use the handle or the play button, whether a jackpot has recently been paid on that machine or not, none of these has any bearing on the result. It's randomly determined each time by the computer. The casino can set the payout high or low simply by changing the computer program, although they are carefully regulated by the state to ensure the numbers are truly randomly generated and that the overall payout percentage is what the casino says it is.

Since the results are completely random with each play, the fact that a machine hasn't paid a jackpot for a long time doesn't mean that it's "ready" to pay. Conversely, a machine can pay several jackpots in a row. It's simply impossible to tell if a machine is ready to pay a jackpot.

As the saying goes, "You pays your money and you takes your chances."

Good luck!

Tom is the webmaster at http://www.blackjack-for-everyone.com, which is a website dedicated to making the beginning Blackjack player a serious recreational player.

---

Google News Updated : Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:45:58 GMT Notre Dame announces Weis will return - FOXSports.com Notre Dame announces Weis will return FOXSports.com - 42 minutes ago SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - Charlie Weis will return for a fifth year as Notre Dame's football coach despite posting his second straight disappointing season. The Case For Keeping Charlie Weis Rakes of Mallow Shanoff's Wake-Up Call: ND Keeps Weis, Really? SportingNews.com Fighting Irish Insider - WRNN - CNBC - USA Today all 410 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:03:34 GMT British conjoined twin dies after surgery - The Associated Press BBC News British conjoined twin dies after surgery The Associated Press - 1 hour ago LONDON (AP) - Faith was breathing for Hope. So when the newborn conjoined Williams twins were separated, it turned out that Hope couldn't live without her sister. Conjoined twin in Britain dies after emergency separation Monsters and Critics.com Conjoined Twin Dies after Separation eFluxMedia AFP - BBC News - I Really Should Study - SmartAboutHealth all 511 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:42:45 GMT Rice urges Pakistan to ‘act quickly’ in Mumbai terror investigation - Christian Science Monitor Canoe.ca Rice urges Pakistan to ‘act quickly’ in Mumbai terror investigation Christian Science Monitor - 1 hour ago During a visit to India Wednesday, the US secretary of State said Pakistan’s cooperation could help smooth fragile India-Pakistan relations. Video: Rice: Pakistan Must Cooperate Fully AssociatedPress Rice Urges Pakistan to Act With Urgency on Terror (Update4) Bloomberg AFP - Reuters - Washington Post - Reuters India all 2,613 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:36:14 GMT Patriots bring back LB Colvin - International Herald Tribune Colorado Buffs Insider Patriots bring back LB Colvin International Herald Tribune - 30 minutes ago AP FOXBOROUGH, Mass.: The New England Patriots shored up their injury-riddled linebacker corps Wednesday by signing veteran free agent Rosevelt Colvin. Webster To I/R, Colvin Visits Patriots Insider Patriots Welcome Back Rosevelt Colvin FanHouse Boston Globe - Pro Football Weekly - WBZ - Boston Herald all 17 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:15:36 GMT Kevin Federline on Britney: I Love Her, But I'm Not In Love With Her - FOXNews Telegraph.co.uk Kevin Federline on Britney: I Love Her, But I'm Not In Love With Her FOXNews - 1 hour ago With Britney’s comeback in full effect, her ex-husband Kevin Federline is ready to set the record straight. In a new exclusive interview with People magazine, Federline has shed his party-boy, rapper, gold-digger, boy-toy names in favor of “daddy. Kevin Federline Says Britney Spears 'Blindsided' Him With Divorce MTV.com K-Fed: I'd rather see my kids than Britney's money The Associated Press Extra TV - E! Online - TV Guide - Popeater all 215 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:16:01 GMT Yahoo shares rise as takeover reports circulate - VNUNet.com New Zealand Herald Yahoo shares rise as takeover reports circulate VNUNet.com - 1 hour ago Reports are circulating of potential suitors for a takeover of Yahoo, lifting the troubled web firm's shares and heralding major implications for the market. UPDATE 3-Ex-AOL boss looking to raise cash for Yahoo bid Reuters Yahoo Shares Jump On Report Of Possible Sale InformationWeek NewsOXY - Hard OCP - The Associated Press - Register all 899 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:18:25 GMT Will Mac Become a Virus Trap? - PC World ZDNet Will Mac Become a Virus Trap? PC World - 40 minutes ago Apple has backed off its suggestion that Macs require antivirus software. Yesterday, the computer maker suffered a public relations nightmare after an article was discovered on the company's site encouraging Mac users to install antivirus software. Spin Zone? Apple Says Virus Warning Was Old CRN Apple pulls support note recommending antivirus software Apple Insider ZDNet - eWeek - Register - Boy Genius Report all 169 news articles Publ.Date : Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:05:48 GMT Clickbank RSS Feeds Make Money Online

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Learn How To Manage Your Roulette Bets For Greater Profits!

Many players seek to increase their chances of winning at... Read More

Want to Know the Roulette Bet With the Best Odds?

Play on European Tables OnlyRoulette wheels can divided into 37... Read More

Three Card Poker Basics

Three card Poker is a fast paced game which is... Read More

Gambling in Monte Carlo

Along the French Riviera, the Principality of Monaco Houses the... Read More

Why Play Texas Hold em?

Ah, yes-the Texas hold 'em explosion. Seven years ago, when... Read More

My Las Vegas Review

Recently I took ten days off and went to Las... Read More

Baseball is Back!

What are your goals for this season?In another week the... Read More

Online Poker Chips Away At Sexual Stereotypes

Women are being increasingly attracted to the excitement of online... Read More

The Rise Of Online Poker And Why This Could Spell Disaster For The Inexperienced Gambler

The growth in online poker has been phenomenal over the... Read More

Helpful Stop Gambling Links & Information For The Compulsive Gambler, Family & Friends Of A Gambler

Over the past few years stop gambling websites have helped... Read More

Online Blackjack

Blackjack is one of the most loved casino games out... Read More

The Final Table: Pokers Lure

It should come as no surprise that Texas Hold 'em... Read More

Las Vegas Whales

What Las Vegas jargon names "whales" is in fact the... Read More

Why Do People Gamble?

Gambling is the act of wagering money on the outcome... Read More

When Should You Hang Up Your Betting Boots for the Day?

Quit as soon as you are in front for the... Read More

Oh the Thrill and Despair of Gambling

I do not know of many people who LIKE to... Read More

Compulsive Gambler Continues Down Self Destructive Path With Little Hopes To Stop Gambling

Everyday I here of compulsive gamblers who are continuing to... Read More

2005 AFC North Football Preview

In the AFC North I expect to see the Pittsburgh... Read More

5s in Blackjack

Counting cards in blackjack is a way to increase your... Read More

Gambling Interesting Facts

SoccerbettingIs there such thing as "kangtao" or surewin tips?I have... Read More

Texas Hold em Poker Basics

Texas Hold em Poker (also know as Holdem Poker) is... Read More

Free Online Card Games -- Getting Ready for Las Vegas

Free online card games that can be played over the... Read More

Online Gambling Basics

Poker, black jack or any other casino game with a... Read More

Raising vs. Calling in Holdem Poker

When playing poker we are constantly required to make decisions.... Read More

Roulette System: Confession of the Roulette Dealer on Dealers Signature

Roulette System: Confession of the Roulette Dealer on Dealer's signatureThis... Read More