Difference in Slot Machine Types / Payout?

[jjrabbits]

Are there any types of slot machines that have a better payout?

Is it true that the slots nearest the entrances payout better than the ones on the insides?

Any more tips on playing slots on the cruise?

Thanks!

Renee

[dna1990]

In my opinion, cruise slots are set alot tighter than their land counterparts. There are certainly winners, and some of them big - but don't expect a roll of quarters to last very long to the typical player.

 

I am sure there are those who insist all is fair - but I would not be surprised if ship-based slots don't have specific tuning with regards to overall payout. They are not operating under the same Nevada or US based gaming commissions.

 

Play in the slot tournament and hope to win a hat...or play blackjack/craps. Ship slots should not be used to fill time, as they might on land.

 

It also seems that RCCL is particular doesn't have much in the way of Players Club for slot players, where you could at least rack up some points for something...that may have changed on the newer ships like Freedom, dunno. Have a great trip.

[yellowbird23]

Are there any types of slot machines that have a better payout?

Is it true that the slots nearest the entrances payout better than the ones on the insides?

Any more tips on playing slots on the cruise?

Thanks!

Renee

It's like any other casino, win some, lose some. It is there for entertainment purposes. Just go in with a certain idea of what you can afford to lose and you will be fine. You may come out a winner, but then again, you may not.

[Yo Eleven]

Are there any types of slot machines that have a better payout?

Is it true that the slots nearest the entrances payout better than the ones on the insides?

Any more tips on playing slots on the cruise?

Thanks!

Renee

You betcha sweet lollipop there are. Each slot machine has a computer that can be set to how often it pays out. I forgot the actual term to describe it, but there are like 6 skill levels.

 

Each casino is required by the gaming commission that the slot machine has to pay out a percentage of what it takes in. The number may be high, but you have to be there at the right time to hit it.

 

What you are asking is one of those urban legends. In my opinion I do not think there are set any different from any of the other machines. But, this is only a guess.

[renalrn]

You betcha sweet lollipop there are. Each slot machine has a computer that can be set to how often it pays out. I forgot the actual term to describe it, but there are like 6 skill levels.

 

Each casino is required by the gaming commission that the slot machine has to pay out a percentage of what it takes in. The number may be high, but you have to be there at the right time to hit it.

 

What you are asking is one of those urban legends. In my opinion I do not think there are set any different from any of the other machines. But, this is only a guess.

 

Hi Yo-11,

Are cruise ships regulated by any gaming commission? I always thought that they weren't because they aren't US Registered.

 

On a personal observation, I 've always heard that ships casino slots have a better payout on the first few days (to create a buzz) , and have found this to be true when I cruise.

-maryann

[Yo Eleven]

Hi Yo-11,

Are cruise ships regulated by any gaming commission? I always thought that they weren't because they aren't US Registered.

 

On a personal observation, I 've always heard that ships casino slots have a better payout on the first few days (to create a buzz) , and have found this to be true when I cruise.

-maryann

They follow ICCL guidelines.

 

http://www.cruise-casinos.com/rules.htm

[Bases5]

Hi Yo-11,

Are cruise ships regulated by any gaming commission? I always thought that they weren't because they aren't US Registered.

 

On a personal observation, I 've always heard that ships casino slots have a better payout on the first few days (to create a buzz) , and have found this to be true when I cruise.

-maryann

 

 

It not that easy to just go into a slot machine and change the payout percentage. You don't just turn a dial. You would have to replace the micro chip, I don't think the ship board casino's go into the machines and change these from the beginning to the end of a cruise.

I do however think that a lot more players are playing on the first few night so the odd of more people hitting are greater. As people lose there allotted amount they stop playing thus less players and less winners.

Just us crazy's like me will just keep playing.

[Yo Eleven]

It not that easy to just go into a slot machine and change the payout percentage. You don't just turn a dial. You would have to replace the micro chip, I don't think the ship board casino's go into the machines and change these from the beginning to the end of a cruise.

I do however think that a lot more players are playing on the first few night so the odd of more people hitting are greater. As people lose there allotted amount they stop playing thus less players and less winners.

Just us crazy's like me will just keep playing.

What you say may not be entirely accurate. It is actually very easy to change out the payout percentage.

Even though this isn't a vegas machine my understanding is they all can be programed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v8USoRVbqo

[Bases5]

OK Yo

[renalrn]

Thanks all. I had actually heard this from a former crew member who told me that they program them in 30 day increments.

 

I have actually planned my daily slot budget accordingly since then, and done allright.(CCL,RCCL, X). In August I'm sailing ncl for the first time, we'll see how it goes in their casino.

I tried Baccarat for the first time in February on Carnival and actually won but I don't like to think too much when I'm in a casino with a drink in my hand (that sounds dangerous when I re-read it), so I'll stick to my slots.

Yo-11, thanks for that link, interesting!

[Yo Eleven]

Thanks all. I had actually heard this from a former crew member who told me that they program them in 30 day increments.

 

I have actually planned my daily slot budget accordingly since then, and done allright.(CCL,RCCL, X). In August I'm sailing ncl for the first time, we'll see how it goes in their casino.

I tried Baccarat for the first time in February on Carnival and actually won but I don't like to think too much when I'm in a casino with a drink in my hand (that sounds dangerous when I re-read it), so I'll stick to my slots.

Yo-11, thanks for that link, interesting!

Yep! This confirms the ease at which slots are programmable. Even on cruise ships.

 

Glad you found the link educational. Have fun playing and good luck.

[MaadCow]

What you say may not be entirely accurate. It is actually very easy to change out the payout percentage.

Even though this isn't a vegas machine my understanding is they all can be programed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v8USoRVbqo

 

I've been in the gambling industry for over 11 years in Las Vegas, and Nevada DOES NOT have any machines like that. The company I work for also has casinos in other states and in other countries and they DO NOT have any machines like that.

 

All machines have what's called an EPROM chip, which is connected to a mother board. That is how the machine "reads" what the payout should be. It is totally random. There are no keys to turn that changes what the payout should be. Changing out an EPROM chip isn't that difficult or time consuming. You just need to reset all the parameters on the machine, such as it being a quarter machine, or does it take 2 or 3 coins, etc.

 

The best time to play a machine is when it has a new EPROM chip in the machine because it does not have any memory at that time. Places I've worked will keep machines with new EPROMs in their shop and put it on autoplay so that the chip can build up a little bit of a memory before the machine goes onto the floor.

 

The machine can have different hold percentages though depending on whether you play max coins or not. Also, a multi-game machne can have different hold percentages depending on what game is played

 

The only slot game that isn't truly random is video poker. This is the only game that the player can change the outcome of the game by what cards they hold and discard.

 

I seriously doubt that there are any of those machines as seen in the video on the cruises. Several years ago, I had friends that went to work as slot techs on the cruiselines for a year, and they never talked about anything like that.

[OCruisers]

The only slots I never really do is Video Poker. Much prefer the non-progressive machines vs progressive machines! Seem to be harder and harder to find! :rolleyes: On our last cruise all of the video poker machines were Progressive so, of course, I played.

 

:D Sort of like the OLD Question:

 

Q: When do you play a crooked wheel?

 

A: When it's the ONLY one in town!

[cruzincurt]

I noticed on my recent cruise on the Liberty of the Seas there were a lot more simple multiplier machines, ie., one quarter 800, 2 quarters - 1600, three quarters -2400.

 

When not playing craps, I play these one coin at a time since there is no bonus for playing three. This makes the money last longer and gives you more of an opportunity to at least win something on a tight machine.

 

I hit a a single coin on a 2 coin simple multiplier for 2500. People walking by stopped to say "See, you should have been playing 2 coins".:eek: What they don't know is that I would have busted out my $20.00 some 30 pulls ago. So I'll take the 2500.:D And kindly, MYOB.

[unklez]

I noticed on my recent cruise on the Liberty of the Seas there were a lot more simple multiplier machines, ie., one quarter 800, 2 quarters - 1600, three quarters -2400.

 

When not playing craps, I play these one coin at a time since there is no bonus for playing three. This makes the money last longer and gives you more of an opportunity to at least win something on a tight machine.

 

I hit a a single coin on a 2 coin simple multiplier for 2500. People walking by stopped to say "See, you should have been playing 2 coins".:eek: What they don't know is that I would have busted out my $20.00 some 30 pulls ago. So I'll take the 2500.:D And kindly, MYOB.

 

Yea I see what you are saying. I only up the ante sometimes and only if there is a premium return on max bet.

[chebella82]

My roommate and i took a casino trip to Louisiana yesterday. We never normally play slots, only roulette and poker. We only played because the casino was giving away $10 in free slot play to each person that night. Looking around to choose a machine, we saw a lady hit 2 big wins- about 200 bucks each- almost in a row on a progressive 5 cent slots machine. so we got on the similar progressive one right next to her. after about 20 pulls or so and getting some good, small wins like 10 bucks or so, we played max bet (which i think is $2.25 - 9 lines, 5x per line?) and hit the 2nd to highest jackpot which payed $2,420.00!!! We were in disbelief until the attendant came up to pay us. However, i did ask her if that happened often and she told me "on THESE machines? never." Not sure if she meant progressive types or what.

The few times i have played slots on a cruise i have never really won anything. In fact on our last cruise, I lost about $500 in the casino overall, during the course of the 7 nights :eek:That's pretty bad compared to how i normally do in Louisiana.

[CRUISE4JANE]

I noticed on my recent cruise on the Liberty of the Seas there were a lot more simple multiplier machines, ie., one quarter 800, 2 quarters - 1600, three quarters -2400.

 

When not playing craps, I play these one coin at a time since there is no bonus for playing three. This makes the money last longer and gives you more of an opportunity to at least win something on a tight machine.

 

I hit a a single coin on a 2 coin simple multiplier for 2500. People walking by stopped to say "See, you should have been playing 2 coins".:eek: What they don't know is that I would have busted out my $20.00 some 30 pulls ago. So I'll take the 2500.:D And kindly, MYOB.

 

Don't you hate when people say that :mad:! I play quarters but also the max, and if I hit something good, there is always someone who says, "Were you playing dollars?". I say " No, I am not that stupid"! I am not going to throw ALL my money away. That usually ends that conversation :).

[jetwet1]

I've been in the gambling industry for over 11 years in Las Vegas, and Nevada DOES NOT have any machines like that. The company I work for also has casinos in other states and in other countries and they DO NOT have any machines like that.

 

All machines have what's called an EPROM chip, which is connected to a mother board. That is how the machine "reads" what the payout should be. It is totally random. There are no keys to turn that changes what the payout should be. Changing out an EPROM chip isn't that difficult or time consuming. You just need to reset all the parameters on the machine, such as it being a quarter machine, or does it take 2 or 3 coins, etc.

 

The best time to play a machine is when it has a new EPROM chip in the machine because it does not have any memory at that time. Places I've worked will keep machines with new EPROMs in their shop and put it on autoplay so that the chip can build up a little bit of a memory before the machine goes onto the floor.

 

The machine can have different hold percentages though depending on whether you play max coins or not. Also, a multi-game machne can have different hold percentages depending on what game is played

 

The only slot game that isn't truly random is video poker. This is the only game that the player can change the outcome of the game by what cards they hold and discard.

 

I seriously doubt that there are any of those machines as seen in the video on the cruises. Several years ago, I had friends that went to work as slot techs on the cruiselines for a year, and they never talked about anything like that.

 

Just to clarify this a bit, the RNG's have no idea what the payouts are, they simply generate a number, this corresponds with a place on the "reel" for it to stop.

 

The actual "lose or tight" part comes from the payout table. To really understand the payout percentage it's best to have a PAR sheet, but the chances of that happening are next to zero, unless you have insider knowledge. The other way of course is to do a bit of studying and learn the pay tables, good luck with that on the new "slot" machines, but on video poker it is pretty simple.

[cruzincurt]

If the RNG is truly random, why does the machine need to build a "memory"? This doesn't make sense. The machine should be programmed with a distribution of wins based on preselected RNG results. If truly random, the next event has no relationship to past events.

[VideoTech]

If the RNG is truly random, why does the machine need to build a "memory"? This doesn't make sense. The machine should be programmed with a distribution of wins based on preselected RNG results. If truly random, the next event has no relationship to past events.

 

Read that too, and wondered the same thing. Didn't make sense to me either.

[VideoTech]

As a dedicated video poker player, I can tell you that the paytables on cruise ships are generally awful. As tough as it is to find good returns in a land based casino anymore, it's almost impossible to find them on a cruise ship. I play on the ships for fun only!

[jetwet1]

If the RNG is truly random, why does the machine need to build a "memory"? This doesn't make sense. The machine should be programmed with a distribution of wins based on preselected RNG results. If truly random, the next event has no relationship to past events.

 

Correct, I have no idea where this memory thing came from.

 

The simple fact is, you have the same chance of hitting a jackpot on the next spin after hitting a jackpot.

 

The machine does have a memory, it is used to record the "coin in" and "coin out" along with x number of previous decisions.

[cruzincurt]

From watching various casino shows on TV, it appears that to change the payout, a "chip" in the machine must be changed. On land based casino's, there always appears to be a State gaming official overlooking the change out. They do appear to have a "switch" for slot tournament mode.

[jetwet1]

MMMM, I can only say what about what happens in Nevada, Mississippi and North Dakota.

 

The chip will have various pay tables built into it, it's just a matter of scrolling through the menu to find the one you want to use.

 

The manufacturer will have filled these tables with the relevant authority, along with the casino, from that point on the casino is free to change the payout table, thus changing the hold.

 

So yes, in a way the casino could loosen the slots on the first night, but here is the thing.

 

Casinos don't work that way, it's a risk, casinos are not run on risk, they are run on knowing that there is a fixed income.

[Riverdome]

That is correct. Here's a very simple example. Say the RNG is set to 100 possible number (1-100)

 

1-90 player looses

91-95 player wins amount of bet

96-97 player win 2X

98 player wins 5X

99 player wins 10X

100 player wins jackpot

 

So yes if the RNG could spit out 100 two pulls in a row, the odds are 1/100. Of course in reality the odds are much longer.

 

 

All that said I disagree with the theory that it's nearly impossible to change the odds from one night to another. At worse it would require using a switch (or actually pulling) to change a PROM chip. Not a difficult procedure for anyone with ANY experience working with electronics. Not saying anyone is doing this, but w/o regulation on the high seas they could be.