Slot Machine Payout Percentages

[gw2fll]

I have read several places that the higher the denomination of the slot machine the higher the payout percentage. For example:

• Penny: 88.4%
  
• Nickle: 91.6%
  
• Quarter: 91.9%
  
• Dollar: 93.5%
  

(Nevada State Gaming Control Board)

 

I'm assuming that is if you are playing a single denomination machine.

 

With the introduction of server based gaming and multi-denomination machines, does the computer adjust the payout percentage based upon the base denomination being played or is it fixed regardless.

 

Said another way - if you are playing a machine that allows you to pick the denomination, say quarter / dollar - will the machine payout 91.9% if playing set to a quarter and 93.5% if playing set to a dollar, for example.

 

I know this is a fairly complicated question, but I have always wondered if one should look for a fixed machine in the choice denomination or if you are OK playing a multi-denomination machine.

 

The other thing I have read is the casino is able to change the payouts for server based machines as desired. However, from what I have read, they can't do that while a player is playing the machine or within a certain timeframe of last use. (Of course, when they do alter the payouts, there is required paperwork that must be submitted.) This is different for a standalone machine that requires a chip change and the presence of a gaming board official.

 

I recognize the above is based on land based casino and the ships have a little more latitude. I'm just curious when I am onboard a ship how to best play the slot when I need a break from the tables.

 

Thanks for the help and any insight folks may have. I have tried to locate the above on the internet, but have been unsuccessful finding anyting remotely close to answering the question about payouts.

[cb at sea]

It's true, that higher denominations machines do have a higher payout rate....penny and nickel machines are the worst!....but on a ship, who knows. I do know they are TIGHT! ALL of them!

[gw2fll]

I agree they are tight. An odd thing that I have noticed is I tend to do better the first couple of days of a 7-day cruise than I do towards the end. It's strange, the slots tend to payout a little better then. Maybe its coincidence, maybe its luck, but it is odd.

 

I was just toying around with a penny machine on our last cruise killing time, thought oh, I will just run $10 thru it. Well, dumb me forgot to read the requirements and the slots hit the bonus on first pull - but I failed to make max bet and missed it. I was like, what's up with this.

 

Next pull I resolved the situation, and yep it hit the bonus again. Then it started this bonus round that lasted 15 minutes and next thing I know I am at $240. OK, works for me, played a little more, cashed out at $220 very happy.

 

The reason for my original question is I have found those multi-denomination machines tend to payout according to the lowest denomination, regardless what I am playing. (I see the same results in land based casinos, so I am really confused and tend to avoid them since I don't know the answer.)

 

Thanks for the feedback.

[rugglesmom]

Hi gw2fll: I know nothing about getting around this site (I'm oh so new) but I do know slots. Vegas is strictly controlled by NV Gaming Commission. Each casino must comply with minimum state set percentages and if a higher percentage is advertised above a certain block of machines, then at least one in that block must be set at the higher amount. It's my understanding (and unfortunately I know too much about this - I'm now 5'3" and I used to be 6'1" after being pounded a few times) that there is no difference if a machine is multi-denominational. It's a computer and shifts as the play shifts. Look at the pay tables on whatever you play and compare similar type machines before you play. Often, the fewer variables in fruit salad or farm animals, the better the odds.

Yes, you are right that cruise ships can set their own payout percentages. The percentages and payouts tend to be much tighter but there are exceptions. Video poker has very specific pay tables and each machine in a given row could be different. Again whatever you're playing, compare pay tables of a few machines. It doesn't take a calculator. It's right there to be seen on every type of machine. Regardless of the overall percentages, you can improve your odds of having more fun and having your money last longer if you get paid on more types of hits.

rugglesmom

[Lionesss]

On the Freedom July 22, the slots were tight

I remember on the previous sailing every so often a winner would be announced over head.

Not so, this sailing. Either something new or no winners.

We ended up on black jack, and had more fun and broke even on black jack (not on slots).

 

Safe travels

 

Sue and crew

[Witling]

Casino Player magazine answered this question just a couple months ago. They said, Yes, the chip will calculate the payback percentage differently for different denominations even on a multi-denomination machine.

 

Here are a couple internet articles that also address this issue:

 

http://m.nwitimes.com/business/gambling/casino-scene-multi-denomination-slot-machines-pose-player-questions/article_f5bfc2c9-4cea-5eee-8f44-39d0eadc16d7.html

 

http://brokopp.casinocitytimes.com/article/do-payback-percentages-vary-on-multi-denomination-slots-53773

[gw2fll]

Thanks. This is helpful. In fact, I stumbled across this magazine yesterday and signed up for a subscription. Can't wait to get it.

[popsec]

We got friendly with a casino manager on one of the Carnival ships and he told us the slot payout was around 80% :eek: ....and he said it like it was nothing they should be ashamed of! :eek::eek:

[rugglesmom]

Popsec: Thank you for posting your info. I've gotten the same from casino sources. 80% is about right. That never stops me from playing, just lowers my expectations. I just love it anyway.

rugglesmom

[gardeningmama]

We have always done reasonable well on the slots on board. My husband won $6000.00 on the Glory a few years ago. One pull on a dollar slot. :D

[popsec]

Popsec: Thank you for posting your info. I've gotten the same from casino sources. 80% is about right. That never stops me from playing, just lowers my expectations. I just love it anyway.

rugglesmom

 

Even tho' I know how bad the odds are....I love slots!

[gw2fll]

I'm right there with you. Just call them my video games. I just hope NOS has installed the ticket reader. It was frustrating on our last cruise when the machine gave tickets yet none of the machines could read them. Spent my share of time at the casino cage.

[rugglesmom]

Popsec: The ticket reader problem happens in all casinos from time to time. But lines at a cashier window in a small corner on a ship are really annoying. Especially if you've found your favorite machine and have to have someone "hold" it for you while you cool your heels. I always make friends with the player next to me - for potty breaks, etc. You just can't do this alone. WARNING: Make sure the machine you're playing is logging your play. Those points add up and cover a lot of charged items. If your name does not appear when you insert your card - move on. Congrats to your husband. I looooove

this stuff.

rugglesmom

[VideoTech]

I agree they are tight. An odd thing that I have noticed is I tend to do better the first couple of days of a 7-day cruise than I do towards the end. It's strange, the slots tend to payout a little better then. Maybe its coincidence, maybe its luck, but it is odd.

 

All that's happening is the inevitability of the house edge over time as you play. You're as likely to hit a jackpot, bonus, or payout on any day, at any time, on any pull. But the longer you play, the more the casino will nibble away at your money, 2 or 3 or 4% at a time. Inevitably, over time, you will pay out more than you take in. That's how they make their money. The only way to avoid this is to walk away when you're ahead, and never go back.

 

...The reason for my original question is I have found those multi-denomination machines tend to payout according to the lowest denomination, regardless what I am playing. (I see the same results in land based casinos, so I am really confused and tend to avoid them since I don't know the answer.)

 

Thanks for the feedback.

 

As far as I can tell, the general practice seems to be to use the same paytable for any denomination on a multi-denomination machine. The only way to tell this for sure would be to manage to get the exact same spin result for two different denomination wagers, and see if the amount returned is the same, or is increased for the higher denomination wager. Needless to say, that would be very difficult.

 

It used to be true that the higher limit (single denomination) machines had better payback percentages. However, I'm not sure that's true anymore, as I'm now seeing $25 and $100 video poker machines only offering 8/5 or 7/5 Jacks or Better in many casinos (VP machines are the only machines where you can determine the payback percentage of the machine from the printed paytable).

[VideoTech]

Casino Player magazine answered this question just a couple months ago. They said, Yes, the chip will calculate the payback percentage differently for different denominations even on a multi-denomination machine.

 

Here are a couple internet articles that also address this issue:

 

http://m.nwitimes.com/business/gambling/casino-scene-multi-denomination-slot-machines-pose-player-questions/article_f5bfc2c9-4cea-5eee-8f44-39d0eadc16d7.html

 

http://brokopp.casinocitytimes.com/article/do-payback-percentages-vary-on-multi-denomination-slots-53773

 

Well, as I read those articles, what they are saying is that they can calculate the payback percentages differently for different denominations, not that they are.

 

My experience with multi-denomination machines leads me to believe that the vast majority of them only use one pay table, no matter the denomination of the wager. I have run into a few that seemed to payback better at a higher denomination, but not often - and I'm not sure that I had enough repeated play on them to really begin to make an educated guess, which is about all you can do.

 

As the author of those articles said: the casinos won't tell you. And unlike a video poker machine, there's no way to determine the payback percentage from the information given on the machine.