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Tip #4 - Physical placement - When picking a machine, location is very important. The physical placement of the machine is an indicator of how loose or tight the machine is. Here is some more information on how to find tiht and loose slots.
Finding loose slots
Because loose slots exist to attract more slots players, the casino has a special slot placement strategy to get the most out of them. Since the number of wins on a loose slot machine is more frequent, the casinos want as many witnesses as possible. You could consider it as another way of advertising, but one that we can use to our advantage as slot players.
Near the change booths - casinos want other players who are waiting in line to receive change to hear the unmistakable sounds and sights of players hitting mid-level and top jackpots. This will motivate other players to get more change and play more machines.
On elevated carousels - high payoff machines that are visible from nearly any angle from the gaming floor also serve to motivate other players to put more money into their chosen machines.
Near the coffee shop/cafe/snack bar - casinos frequently place their best machines in these locations to motivate players to eat quickly and get back to the gaming floor as soon as possible. When a player takes a "time out" for food or drinks it's time spent not playing the machines. No play means no revenue for the casino.
Slot aisles known as "crosswalks" - crosswalks are areas that players must walk through to get to other slot aisles. The casinos want slot players to witness frequent jackpot (mid-level or top) payouts. People passing by using these carefully planned pathways are more likely to be drawn into the main slot aisles, where the mid-range and tight machines are waiting to fleece them.
AVOIDING TIGHT SLOTS
Similar to the loose slots placement strategy, there is also one for tight slots. These, on the other hand, are always located secluded areas where there aren't many passer-bys and few other slot players. Just try to think of it from the casino's point of view and it's sure to enlighten you a little. One thing to remember is that every casino is different and that each moves their slot machines around to challenge those who seek the loose ones.
Near casino entrances - At one time, the casinos placed some of their best-paying machines here in an attempt to lure players in off the street and into the main casino, where the tighter slots were located. This plan backfired as patrons who began playing at the entrances stayed at the entrances. They never ventured any further into the casino. And, why should they? They did just fine right where they were! The casinos have now moved mid-range and tight machines into the entrance areas.
Around or near the sports book/racing areas - Casinos do not want their sports book patrons to be distracted by the clanking of tokens hitting the slot trays. Sports book players spend vast amounts of money, betting on all kinds of action, and would probably not play slot machines themselves - so placing a high-payout machine there would be waste of time, and may even cause the sports book players to leave the area.
Near the ticket/show lines - People waiting in line for show tickets or to see a show have already taken off their "gambling hat" for the time being. Since their interests lie elsewhere than in playing slot machines, placing a loose machine there probably would not motivate those folks to play.
Surrounding the gaming table areas - Slot machines that are near the gaming tables are almost always tight machines with a few mid-range machines thrown in for good measure. Table players aren't usually regular slot players. The point of loose slots is to attract more people to play them, so why put one in an area where slots aren't much favoured?
The older places near the north end of the Strip may set their machines looser to try and draw players away from the newer, fancier resorts. |
