Online Casino Gambling

Progressive slot machines may be the most misunderstood gaming device in the casino. All too often, players will sit down at a progressive slot machine and start playing without realizing the differences between a progressive slot and a typical slot machine. While a progressive slot machine promises higher jackpots then any slot in the house, they can be dangerous if a player does not understand how they work.

How a Progressive Slot Machine Works

Typically, progressive slot machines work similar to communal slots. There is often a row (or several rows) of the same type of progressive slot. These machines are tied together in to one big pot. Every time a player places a bet, a portion of that money is added to the pot. The jackpot is paid out on a scale depending on how much the player is betting.

The Three Types of Progressive Slot Machines

Stand Alone Progressive: A Stand Alone Progressive slot machine operates independent of other progressive slots. In a Stand Alone Progressive machine, the player’s bet increases the jackpot on that machine alone.

In-House Progressive: An In-House Progressive is a series of slot machines owned by the casino. These machines can either be tied to other similar machines in the casino or tied to a larger network of machines in several casinos owned by the same company. An In-House Progressive slot machine’s jackpot is shared by every machine.

Wide Area Progressive: A Wide Area Progressive slot machine is linked to many slot machines all owned and operated slot machine company. In a Wide Area Progressive slot, every slot machine on the grid adds to the jackpot pool. These types of slot machines generally have the highest payout, and the lowest odds of striking the jackpot.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Progressive Slot Machine

Progressive slot machines offer the highest jackpots of any slot machines in the casino. These jackpots are often as enticing as a big poker tournament win. However, to qualify for the full jackpot, a player must be betting the maximum amount on every spin. If they are betting less then the maximum and hit the jackpot, then the payout will be much lower then anticipated. For this reason, it is only a good idea to play progressive slot machines if you can bet the maximum on each spin, otherwise a player should stick to a multiplier slot machine.

Playing a slot machine online is similar to playing a live slot machine in a brick and mortar casino. Online slot machines have the same reel system that plays out using random generation. However, the online slot machine experience is different from the brick and mortar experience, and you should plan your play accordingly.

Tips for Playing Slot Machines in an Online Casino

Play a Variety of Slot Machine Games

Slot machine games online are different from the ones you play in the brick and mortar casino. Try several of these games out to get a feel for the differences in style. Bear in mind that while virtual slot machines use advanced flash players that rarely lag, it will feel much different playing a slot machine online then it would playing in a brick and mortar casino. Take some time to get used to this as well.

Keep an Eye on Your Bankroll

It can be easy to spend more then you intended in an online casino. This is due to two factors. For one, your online casino bankroll account is typically linked to your credit card, and some people have a hard time remembering that their credit card is actually money. Online casinos also use virtual banks instead of chips. This can make it even harder for people to keep track of their bankroll. Keep a close eye on your money numbers while you are playing, and make sure you do not spend more then you intended.

Remember that Online Casinos Move Quickly

Typically, games in an online casino move faster then games in a brick and mortar casino. Most players will not notice the faster play. This can spell disaster with your bankroll. By playing faster you are spending more, and going through your bankroll quickly. Keep track not only of how much you are spending but how much you are playing.

Read the Rules

Every casino lists their pay out scales and basic rules for all of their slot machine games. The same is true of online casinos. Be sure to read all of the instructions and pay out scales provided on each game you play. The game may have specific requirements to get a bonus, or hit the full jackpot, and you would not want to miss out on that opportunity just because you did not read the instructions before hand.

Most players have a system in place for their betting, whether they are at the blackjack table, in the poker room, or at the slot machines. Gamblers want to know they are working their bankroll the best way possible. Several people have developed betting systems over the years. These systems often use a combination of strategy and math to determine when and how much a player bets. More often then not, betting systems like these do not work in the long run, but some do. Betting systems can be broken down in to three types.

The Three Types of Betting Systems

The Positive Progression

A positive progression, or let it ride, betting system is based on riding out a winning streak. It is a simple “go big or go home” theory. In a positive progression, a player will start out with smaller bets, then once the player starts to win they will increase their bet until they loose again. Once the player looses they will go back to their original bet or start to decrease their bets in increments depending on the positive progression betting system they are following. A positive progression is a good way to bet as it much safer then other betting systems.

The Negative Progression

A negative progression betting system works the exact opposite of a positive progression betting system. A player will start with a minimum bet, often of their choosing. If the player wins, they will keep their bet the same. If the player looses, they will increase their bet. Negative progression systems work on the theory that the game must turn around, and when it does the player’s higher bet will work out in their favor. However, the game does not always turn around and player’s can loose big this way.

The Insurance System

The insurance betting system is often considered the safe bet in the casino. With an insurance betting system, a player will start with a high bet. If the player wins, then they will lower their bet. This guarantees that the player will keep some of their winnings regardless of the next hand. Since the odds are at least one round will be a winner, the insurance betting system can be a safer bet. However, if the player hits a loosing streak they can run through their bankroll quickly by betting those high bets.

Not all slot machines are created equal. Each slot machine has different pay lines, bonuses, multipliers, and payout scales. Each slot machine has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. Knowing the five types of slot machines will help you determine which slot will have the best payout in the casino.

The Five Types of Slot Machines

Progressive Slots

In a progressive slot machine, several slot machines in a row are linked together. When a player at one of these slots places a bet, a portion of that money is added to a pot. The pot continues to rise as each player bets. One player at the stream of progressive slots can win the big pot if they land on a certain pay line.

Buy-a-Pay

In a Buy-a-Pay slot machine, payouts are determined by the amount a player is betting. For example, if a player is betting the minimum bet, he or she will only collect if the machine shows lemons and will not collect if the machine shows cherries or oranges. In order to collect on all the payout lines, the player must be betting the maximum bet.

Multiple Pay line

Multiple Pay line slot machines are one of the most common slots in a casino. In a Multiple Pay line slot, there is more then one payout line (typically up to nine lines.) The player can activate each payout line by raising his or her bet. For example, if a player is betting the minimum, he or she will only win on one payout line. To win on all nine payout lines they must be betting nine times the minimum bet.

Multiplier

In a Multiplier slot machine, payouts are multiplied by the amount of the player’s bet. For example, if the Multiplier slot machine uses a lemon as a winning symbol and the player is betting five times the minimum bet, then he or she would win five times the standard payout for the lemon symbol.

Bonus Multiplier

The Bonus Multiplier slot machine works the same as the Multiplier slot machine. A player is paid a multiple of his or her bet for winning symbols. However, the Bonus Multiplier slot machine offers a chance to win a bigger bonus for certain symbols. The only catch is the player must pay an extra coin on every bet to qualify for the bonus.

Take time to look at each slot machine in the casino before choosing one to play. By comparing how much you want to bet with the different types of slot machines, you can greatly increase your odds of winning.

Randomly generated bonus slot machines offer a new way for players to win at the slots. These type of slot machines use a different method for triggering the bonus features offered by the game that can be very exciting to slot players. These slot machines add a level of exhilaration to an already exciting casino game.

What are Randomly Generated Bonus Slot Machines?

In a traditional slot machine, a player can activate the bonus by getting three to five matching symbols across five reels on an active pay line. Some slot machines offer monetary bonuses while others offer interactive game play. In a randomly generated bonus slot machine, the bonus can be activated at any time, regardless of symbols on the active pay line reels. Some randomly generated machines only offer bonuses that are generated randomly, while others offer both randomly generated and player earned bonuses.

What Are The Upsides to Randomly Generated Bonuses?

Randomly generated bonuses offer several advantages. For example, players who are hitting a particular loosing streak when it comes to activating bonuses on other slot machines, might benefit from the randomly generated bonuses. Plus, randomly generated bonuses add a level of thrill to slot machines. By not knowing when or how the bonus may come, players are often on a very excited edge.

What Are The Downsides to Randomly Generated Bonuses?

The main downside to a randomly generated bonus slot machine is the player is not able to tell if and when they will get the bonus. This can be incredibly frustrating to some players, especially if the machine only activates the bonus at random. Some players prefer knowing what symbols and how many they need to get the bonus.

Where Can I Find Randomly Generated Bonus Slot Machines?

These random machines are scattered throughout casinos. The best way to find these machines is by reading the instructions found on the menu screen. The instructions will list how the bonus can be activated. Some brick and mortar casinos may also mark their random machines with signs, hoping to draw in players. You can also find randomly generated bonus slot machines in online casinos. Check the instructions menu or look for special sections on the website where these slot machine games might be placed. Not every online or brick and mortar casino will carry these types of slot machines, but most bigger casinos will have several on their floors.

Slot machines may be the most popular attraction at the casino. Casino beginners enjoy slot machines for their easy use being that they take little skill level and anyone can play. Advanced gamblers enjoy slot machines for their high jack pots and varied games. Typically, in a casino there are two types of slot machines; video machines and standard reel machines.

What are the Differences between Video and Reel Slot Machines?

Video slot machines offer an advanced level of sport over standard reel slot machines. In video slot machines the game often has up to twenty lines of play, which is more then three times the amount offered by reel machines. Video machines also often have interactive bonuses, which most players find to be more entertaining then reel machines. Video slot machines also offer higher betting limits. A reel machine may take nickels, quarters, or dollars, but a video slot machine can accept up to 500 credits in some instances.

How do I Play Video Slot Machines?

A video slot machine may be slightly intimidating to someone who is used to playing a standard reel machine, but once you understand the basics you can play any video slot in the casino.

Read the Rules: All video slot machines come with a set of instructions. You can usually find these instructions by pushing one of the interactive menu buttons on the screen. The option will tell you the betting amounts, basic rules of play, and explain any bonuses.

Know the Payouts: Most casinos list the payout percentage on their video slot machines. This is especially important if you are playing a progressive slot, as the payout percentages are vital to winning the jackpot.

Understand How to Bet: Betting in video slot machines varies by the type of game. Some games have a higher betting allowance then other machines. It is also important to remember that not all video slot machines pay on the same scale. Some machines may pay out a higher percentage if you bet higher.

Know Your Bonuses: Make sure to read up on any bonuses offered by the video slot machine. These bonuses are usually listed around the machine, or on the game itself. Understand all possibilities for a bonus and what is required to get one before you start playing. For example, if the game requires you bet the maximum to qualify for a bonus, you do not want to be betting less then that.

Video slot machines can be one of the most daunting games at the casino, or one of the most fun depending on how well you prepare before you go in.