The objective of playing slots is to bet coins or credit and spin the machine's "reels" so that symbols line up on the machine's "paylines", as described in the machine's "payout" schedule. Players can choose how many coins or how much credit to bet per payline and how many paylines to bet on.

The payout schedule displays the machines winning combinations and the values for each combination. These values vary according to the credit bet with each spin.

Some machines give players the opportunity to win even more credit, by allowing them to bet their winnings and original bet using a secondary betting system.

There are two types of slot machines: "straight" and "progressive". Both types seem generally the same. One major difference is that straight slots pay a predetermined value, as described in their payout schedule. Progressive slots are usually linked to other slot machines. The other slots may reside in the same building, state, or even globally, as seems to be the case with some Internet based slots. These "progressive" machines share a "jackpot" that increases each time a player deposits bets at one of the linked machines. As a result, the jackpot can grow to astronomical proportions.

HOW MUCH DO SLOT MACHINES PAY?
Slot machines are generally programmed to pay a percentage of their winnings. This percentage tends to be between 85% and 98%, depending on the machine, it's location and usage. The higher the percentage, the more the machine tends to payout.

TIPS

Play machines that advertise a higher payout percentage (between 95% & 99%). These machines may be dollar or higher denomination machines.

Ensure you understand the payout schedule prior to deciding how much to bet per payline and how many paylines to bet on. It would be unfortunate to produce a winning then realize it could have been significantly higher had the bet been slightly higher.

Some progressive slots will only award a jackpot win to a player betting the maximum amount. Not betting the maximum amount means you could produce the required combination for a jackpot win but miss out because you did not bet the required amount. Make sure you understand the payout schedule and if necessary, ask a machine attendant to clarify it for you.

The amount of credit bet is not related to the likelihood of spinning a winning combination.

Generally, it seems more beneficial to bet the maximum amount of credit per payline. The problem, however, is that this has the potential to quickly exhaust your wallet. With this in mind, find a machine that best suits your budget. A quarter machine may suit your budget more so than a dollar machine, for example.

Recognize when a jackpot (large value) has been won. Some machines will ask you to call an attendant who will organize payment to you. Never handle or walk away from a machine that has just produced a jackpot winning. Call the attendant or have someone call him/her for you while you wait at the machine.

If you play slots regularly, take a note of which machines tend to be paying out significantly. If a machine seems to be paying out significantly, and often, it may be worthwhile giving this machine a try sometime. You may find that casinos place their most liberal machines in places where they are likely to attract attention.

Consider trying the machine next to you if your machine isn't paying off.

Find out if the venue you intend to play at offers other incentives, such as points, meals, accommodation, etc., that goes with your game play. This however doesn't mean that you should play purely for these secondary benefits.

Try to recognize when your luck may have changed. There are many examples of people winning significantly then "getting greedy", so to speak, and losing everything.

Make sure you empty the machine of your credit prior to leaving it. Each year, people accidentally abandon machines that still have their credit inside.

Assign a budget for the day's play. If the budget is lost, you will know when to leave the casino.

Don't bet more than you can afford to lose.

Remember to always have fun :)

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