Being a winning slot machine player is possible. But all slot machines are created so that you can provide the house a long-term edge, so the house will invariably come out ahead if you play long enough. The only real way to counteract the home edge on slot machine games is to play a game with a really big jackpot, bet the max every time you play, and hope that you hit the jackpot. Then when you do hit the really big jackpot, guess what you need to do next? Stop playing that game.

Do not get me wrong. I am not saying that you should not play slot machines. In fact, I think slot games, particularly the great ones, are a lot of fun. But you want to keep within the forefront of your brain that mathematically, what you’re doing when you’re playing a slot machine on a long-term basis is paying for entertainment. You can calculate how much you’re paying for that entertainment by multiplying the house edge times your average bet times your range of spins hourly.

For example, if you are playing a slot game with a payout of 95%, then the home edge is 5%. (The casino keeps 5% of every bet you make long term.) And if you are average bet is $3, then you are going to pay a typical of 15 cents per spin to the house. (5% times $3.) Assuming you are making 500 spins by the hour, that game costs you $75/hour to play, which may or may not be a reasonable price for you entertainment. That will depend on your bankroll.

Another thing to factor into your calculation is simply how much the perks and bonuses you are getting back from the casino are worth. For anyone who is playing in a land-based casino where you’re getting free drinks while you play, then you can subtract the expense of those drinks from you’re hourly cost. (Or you can add the cost of those drinks to the value of the entertainment you are receiving–it’s just a matter of perspective.) My recommendation is to drink top-shelf liquor and premium beers as a way to maximize the entertainment value you’re receiving. A Heineken can cost $4 a bottle in an excellent restaurant. Drink two Heinekens per hour, and you’ve just lowered what it costs you to play each hour from $75 to $68.

Slot clubs also give back a portion of your losses each hour, so definitely be sure you join the best online casino slot‘s slot club and ALWAYS use your card to track your play. There is absolutely no reason not to do this. Casinos also reward their larger slot players with comps like meals, show tickets, and free rooms, which all add up to reduce the total amount of cash you are spending each hour that you are playing on their own machine.

So, just how to be a winning slot machine player? I’d sum it up by saying know how much it’s costing you to play each spin and each hour, take advantage of all the comps and the perks, and go for the big progressive jackpot.