Being a profitable slot machine player is impossible. All slot machines are created specifically in order to give the house a longterm edge, so the house will always emerge ahead if you play long enough. The sole method to counteract the house edge on slot machine games is to play a game with a really big jackpot, bet the max each time you play, and hope that you hit the jackpot. Then when you do hit the really big jackpot, guess everything you do next? Stop playing that game.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t play slot machines. In reality, I do believe slot games, especially the really good ones, are plenty of fun slotth. But you intend to retain in the forefront of your mind that mathematically, what you’re doing when you’re playing a slot machine on a longterm basis is investing in entertainment. You are able to calculate just how much you’re investing in that entertainment by multiplying the house edge times your average bet times your number of spins per hour.
Like, if you’re playing a slot game with a payout of 95%, then your house edge is 5%. (The casino keeps 5% of each and every bet you make long term.) And if you’re average bet is $3, then you’re going to pay on average 15 cents per spin to the house. (5% times $3.) Assuming you’re making 500 spins hourly, that game costs you $75/hour to play, which might or may not be an acceptable price for you entertainment. That depends on your own bankroll.
Another thing to factor into your calculation is just how much the perks and bonuses you’re getting back from the casino are worth. If you’re playing in a land-based casino where you’re getting free drinks when you play, then you can subtract the cost of those drinks from you’re hourly cost. (Or you can include the cost of those drinks to the worthiness of the entertainment you’re receiving–it’s only a matter of perspective.) My recommendation is to drink top-shelf liquor and premium beers in order to maximize the entertainment value you’re receiving. A Heineken could cost $4 a container in a great restaurant. Drink two Heinekens an hour or so, 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 one’s losses each hour, so definitely make sure you join the casino’s slot club and ALWAYS use your card to track your play. There’s zero reason not to complete this. Casinos also reward their larger slot players with comps like meals, show tickets, and free rooms, which all add up to reduce the amount of money you’re spending each hour that you’re playing on the machine.
So 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 of the comps and the perks, and choose the big progressive jackpot.