AboutPhillip Boucher Expertise Author of the book, "Slot Machines: Fun Machines or Tax Machines? A Technician Reveals the Truth About One-Armed Bandits", ISBN 1-55270-049-6 published by Productive Publications under the pen name Ian B. Williams. I can answer any question related to the concept, design, marketing, programming, operation, installation, repair, and maintenance of slot machines, video poker machines, and video lottery terminals, and their related equipment and machinery, within the regulated gaming industry. I WILL NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS WHATSOEVER RELATED TO THE PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF GAMING MACHINES, INCLUDING QUESTIONS SUCH AS "I JUST BOUGHT A SLOT MACHINE AND IT DOESN'T WORK...". I can help dispel all the myths and misconceptions that have permeated the print and news media about slots over the years. I can also answer questions related to gambling addiction in general and slot machine addiction in particular. Each question will be answered truthfully, without bias, whether the answer is what the questioner wants to hear. I will not propagate the myth that there are secrets to winning or beating slots, because there are none. There are no methods or tricks or other such nonsense that a lot of people think there are. I`m sorry, but reality in regard to slot machines can be a big letdown! I won`t lead anyone on. Want to know the real truth? Just ask. I can also answer general questions related to casinos except for table games.
Experience I have over eleven years experience as a slot machine technician for two major North American casinos, one racetrack slot facility, and am a Certified Gaming Machine Repairperson. I am the author of, (writing as Ian B. Williams), "Slot Machines: Fun Machines or Tax Machines? A Technician Reveals the Truth About One-Armed Bandits", ISBN 1-55270-049-6 published by Productive Publications.
Question my wife and i occasionally play the slots at dover downs. are we better off playing dollar machines or playing a dollar a pull on the penny machines? also, on multi denominational machines, is there a different chip program for each denomination? thanks for taking questions
Answer Harry, you are better off playing a dollar machine than a penny machine. Traditionally, the higher the denomination of the game, the better the odds, on a VERY TINY MINUSCULE scale. Also, your wins on a dollar machine are extremely better. For instance, an example penny machine may require anywhere from $5.00 to $11.75 per spin for maximum bet to win the jackpot, which may be a few hundred dollars to maybe a thousand dollars or so. A typical 3 to 5 reel dollar machine will require $2.00 to $3.00 per spin, but will pay a jackpot of $5000.00, $10,000.00 or more. If you actually are going to "gamble" on a spin, it makes more sense to spend less money to win more money. Penny and nickel machines are marketing ploys to get a player to spend more money with the perception that they are spending less. Most players don't realize that they are spending five dollars for a 500 credit bet. They don't correlate the penny credits to actual dollar amounts. So although each credit and each line bet only costs one cent, the perception is to bet as many lines as possible and maximum credit per line for the ultimate number of chances to win. It just isn't so. Multiple lines and multiple bets per line don't necessarily increase your chances of winning. In my opinion, the dollar machine is your better bet.
On multi denom machines, the general rule is that the game program remains the same regardless of the denom selected. Odds and probability remain the same, and the math is recalculated for percentages for each denom so the game percentages remain the same. However, a jurisdiction may allow the use of different programs for each denom. In this case, it must be stated as so on the machine paytable glass itself, or in the paytable/help menus on the machine. If there is so statement as such, the denom selected does not change the game program.
Hope this helps and answers your question. Thanks for asking. Phil
