Dear
Mark,
In past columns, you’ve stated the benefits of
playing slots that advertise returns of 98.5% versus
machines that pay back 93%. Come on, Mark, we’re
talking just a few dollars difference. What’s the
big deal? Noreen D.
The “big deal” is that the casino knows the
average Joe and Josephine don’t play through their
money just once but keeps playing their tray (credit)
return over and over again during the course of their
stay. That’s why finding higher pay back machines
is so important. Example: On a 93% return machineif
you were to play your entire $100, you can expect back,
“in theory,”$93. Of course, the casino anticipates
your playing the $93,
so expect a return of $86. Put in the $86, and your
return will be $80. Play through the $80, get back,
$74. Can you see, Noreen, how the casino is grinding
away at your crispy Ben Franklin?
Now, using the same example on a machine returning
98.5%, put in $100 and get back $98.50. Play that,
and you’ll get $97 back. Put in the $97, expect
a return of $95. Of course this is all based on
a pre-programmed computer chip in the slot, but
see how much better it is to play the higher payback
machines? It keeps you in action much longer, long
enough possibly to hit a decent jackpot.
