The best time to play slots. I love reading your column as I am an avid slot player who goes to Atlantic City at least twice a month. I read your answer to Laurie about the best times to visit the casino. I beg to differ about your answer. In Atlantic City, the best time to play is at night — the later, the better. Since the advent of 24 hour gambling, what time you turn up to a casino shouldn’t really be a problem. Yes, some people might think the slots are looser in the evenings or between 9am and 12pm, but, in truth, that’s a lot of nonsense. The slots machines are set to pay out based on play, not by the date and time. Whenever you feel lucky I guess. There is no rhyme or reason to playing slots, it’s just completely random. The machines that have been taking in the most money might be tight or ready to pop.
Administrator
I doesn't matter what time of day, or day of the week you play.
*sigh*
I doesn't matter what time of day, or day of the week you play.
April 31st from noon to 6pm is when I prefere. Haven't had a losing sesion since I turned 21. ;+)
*sigh*
I doesn't matter what time of day, or day of the week you play.
That's only true under the assumption that the casino doesn't dynamically change their floor on a schedule as the OP said. At least two major gaming manufacturers, IGT and Bally, have systems that allow precisely that to happen -- and at least the Aria is totally set up for that technology. On-the-fly floor mix changes is one of the benefits of server-based gaming. The question is 'if that's implemented, what's the schedule?'.
To my knowledge, most casinos have not implemented server-based gaming in this level of detail. It's still very much a turn-the-key process.
Administrator
Even if we ignore that issue, it wouldn't be good business to loosen and tighten slots according to the hour or day. For any given casino there is going to be some optimal return to set the slots at, according to denomination. Same as any other game. Make the machines too tight on a busy night, with a captive audience, and you may make more money temporarily. However, you'll create ill will among all the players who lost, and they will be less likely to return.
That said, I'm not sure I agree that it's not good business. It's very commonplace in other industries to charge different fees for the same services at different times. Lunch always costs less than dinner. Even in table games, you can find a $5 table mid-day Thursday but not Saturday evening. Other than changing the game entirely, the two levers the casino has are denom and edge. Most slot games are multi-denom, so that leaves only edge. In my mind, taking a multi-line penny machine from 92% to 90% on a Saturday evening isn't much different than taking a dice table from $5 to $10. Casino games have different EVs based on location, why not time?
I always thought different EV's based on slot location was a myth because of the random assigment of the chip. I don't know.
Slotmachines are up there with the most popular games in casinos. Withtheir flashing lights, attractive graphics andthe chance to win big, it’s no wonder people enjoy a spin on the reels.
You can become an instant millionaire thanks to an incredible range of bonus features available on land-based slots. And, with an estimated 200,000 machines in Las Vegas alone, you have plenty of choice and opportunities to win.
People like different games for different reasons but the most popular slots are the ones with bonus games. These juicy extra features are usually where you’ll win big, so let’s check out some of the best bonus games out there on the casino floor:
Cleopatra(IGT)
What better way to begin this list than with one of the most iconic slot machines of all-time? The Egyptian-themed Cleopatra slot is a 5-reel, 20-payline title that is hugely popular for a reason.
Players can trigger a free spins bonus round where 15 free spins are up for grabs with a 3x multiplier. It’s one of the more simplistic bonus features around but the payouts make it worthwhile.
Zeus (WMSGaming)
Next up on this list is another classic from the casino floor. The Greek mythology-themed Zeus slot is an institution in its own right. It is a 5-reel, 30-payline game where players can win up to 100 free spins as a bonus.
Thepotential wins from those free spins have helped propel the slot into slotsimmortality. Follow-up releases of Zeus II, Zeus III, and Zeus: God of Thunderhave been equally well received by slots players.
Buffalo (Aristocrat)
The legendary Buffalo slot from Aristocrat is a superbly volatile game with 1,024 paylines. The result? You can win money really quickly and those wins are easy to come by, but your bank balance can also plummet quickly too.
The bonusround at this game is where you can really make your money. You get free spins,which might sound standard, however they have a twist. You can land a megamultiplier of up to 27x!
If you’relucky enough to get the multiplier, you’re in for a huge payday.
BeverlyHillbillies (IGT)
The Beverly Hillbillies was a smash hit US television sitcom that ran between 1962 and 1971.
It revolved around a family of hillbillies who move to the luxurious Beverly Hills area after striking it rich by finding oil on their land. The series is the inspiration for this 5-reel, 20-payline slot machine by IGT.
TheMillionaire Mile bonus feature is one of the most exciting on a slot everreleased. Players must spin the ticker to navigate around the trail and try towin as much cash as possible. It’s a game within a game!
Best Time Of Day To Play Slot Machines In Casinos Live
TheWalking Dead (Aristocrat)
TheWalking Dead is a hugely popular US TV show that has been shownon AMC since October 2010. It follows a group of survivors during a zombieapocalypse.
Slots developer Aristocrat decided to grab the licensing deal quickly and have produced this thoroughly enjoyable 6-reel slot machine release.
Playerscan play either using the Center for Disease Control wheel or the Atlanta wheel,which gives the game extra depth. You also have the chance to win free gamesand a mega $500,000 jackpot.
Elvis theKing (IGT)
Elvis hasbecome synonymous with Las Vegas over the years, so the gambling industry hasalways sought to take advantage of that special relationship. A fine example ofthat is this 5-reel, 25-payline slot based on the legendary singer.
Elvis theKing has a little bit of everything. Here’s one player enjoying the Hound DogBonus, Jailhouse Rock Bonus and Jukebox Bonus:
The musicblaring out will really get Elvis fans on their feet. If that doesn’t, the freespins sure will!
Book ofRa (Novomatic)
Is it too much to have two Egyptian-themed slots on this list? Well, not when the second title is of the caliber of the 5-reel, 10-payline Book of Ra slot machine.
This gamehas proved particularly popular on the European continent with Novomatic reallypushing it in a number of countries in that region.
Thejackpot is great on this game, though with just 10 paylines you will need torely on Lady Luck to help you win. The bonus round is packed with expandingsymbols, which is ideal for bringing in extra wins.
RainbowRiches (Barcrest)
The 5-reel, 20-payline Rainbow Riches slot machine is one of those games that comes along every once in a while and captures the imagination of the slots playing public. Initially, players were critical that the game did not offer a free spins bonus round.
However,when it soon became obvious how incredible the Pots of Gold Bonus, Road toRiches Bonus, and Wishing Well Bonus were, it was clear the lack of free spins didn’tmatter. And the jackpot is insane!
It is no surprise that this game spawned several sequels online including Rainbow Riches: Reels of Gold and Rainbow Riches: Pick ‘n’ Mix.
Try Before You Buy
If you want to get a feel for any of these games before you play them at the casino, we suggest playing the slots for free first.
This way you can get a sense of their volatility, how they work and whether you think it’s worth your while before you put down any money on online slots.