Why do people play slot machines?

dgtatu01

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https://www.wdrb.com/in-depth/sunda...cle_ed34babe-1df1-11ea-b3c2-6fcd02a08e19.html

Louisvillians and others put $1 billion into the machines at Derby City Gaming in its first year of operation.

Churchill Downs will up the ante in 2021 when it adds another 1,000 slot-like racing machines – along with a hotel – to its historic Louisville racetrack on Central Avenue.
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I do not understand the attraction for slots. There is no chance to come out ahead over the long haul and there is no entertainment value. What is it that entices people to play?
Because losing $100 for 51 weeks is not bad enough to kill the excitement of winning $2000 that other week.
 

TortElvisII

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May 7, 2010
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The gentleman pointed out he could get oral gratification from under the table for 5 bucks.

I was showing him what those individuals might look like.
 

Blu-ish

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Can a player get an edge on a slot which relies on pure chance? Not really. “There is a statistical advantage for the casinos,” Ambrose says. “The math of the game ensures that casinos generate a consistent positive win for themselves.”

Something to remember, because no matter how lucky you feel, eventually the casino will get luckier.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davids...e-money-when-you-play-the-slots/#1a0553c94d09
 
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AustinTXCat

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Because losing $100 for 51 weeks is not bad enough to kill the excitement of winning $2000 that other week.
Can a player get an edge on a slot which relies on pure chance? Not really. “There is a statistical advantage for the casinos,” Ambrose says. “The math of the game ensures that casinos generate a consistent positive win for themselves.”

Something to remember, because no matter how lucky you feel, eventually the casino will get luckier.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davids...e-money-when-you-play-the-slots/#1a0553c94d09
I totally agree. My wife lucked out once on slots in January 2002 out in Las Vegas and won $3,500. She's also had her *** handed to her numerous times over the years in Kinder and Bossier City, LA. Can't tell her it's rigged in the house's favor. Nope, she'll have none of it.
 
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CatOfDaVille

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Slots should only be played for entertainment. If you're playing slots to win money, you're not very bright.

I like to play slots when I've had too much to drink. It's mindless and entertaining. I expect to lose every dollar I put in so if I luck out and win something, it's just an added bonus.
 

Ben101er

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Apr 21, 2004
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For me, the difference is that there's some element of skill to stocks, poker, and sports gambling. A monkey can pull a lever and have the same odds as me. Not to mention there's no way to tell if that slot machine is legit. That thing is designed to make money, not lose it. I'll never trust that a casino computer is giving me a fair shake.

If I'm not mistaken, the Nevada gaming commission regulates the payouts of slot machines. I believe they pay out 70% of what they take.
 

docholiday51

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If I'm not mistaken, the Nevada gaming commission regulates the payouts of slot machines. I believe they pay out 70% of what they take.
I think the payouts are higher than that but I could be wrong.I think the rtp
in Vegas is mandated at not below 75%.The rate can and does vary by jurisdiction.In some
areas it is as high as 86%
 
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LineSkiCat14

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If I'm not mistaken, the Nevada gaming commission regulates the payouts of slot machines. I believe they pay out 70% of what they take.

So take in 10 bucks, give out 7? Just not good enough. And these machines are designed to give you just enough of a "hit" to keep you.

I actually will put 20 or 30 on slots every so often.. mostly if a buddy wants to play. But if I get up, say double that, I immediately cash out and move on.
 

Deeeefense

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Aug 22, 2001
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No way to come out on slots, but you can come out break even or slightly ahead on full pay deuces wild video poker with the right system. However if you are savvy about using the rewards cards you can actually make a profit, though your "profit" is more along the lines of free miles, free hotel rooms, etc.
 

catsfanbgky

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Slots does not take any skill or use of the brain. Also, you do not have to learn the game and use strategy. Simply pull a handle and wait.

Kind of like the old joke.

There was a blonde girl standing in the lobby in a casino. A gentleman from afar stood and watched her excitement with amazement. She would put money in a soft drink machine, push a button, then jump up and down with joy. Finally, after about 20 minutes of observing, the gentleman went over and asked the lady, "What are you so excited for, and what are you doing ?" The blonde turned to the man and replied "Duh, winning."
 

oldsports_

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Most who play slots are too stupid to play other games. Slots require 4 brain cells max.
 

Rebelfreedomeagle

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I totally agree. My wife lucked out once on slots in January 2002 out in Las Vegas and won $3,500. She's also had her *** handed to her numerous times over the years in Kinder and Bossier City, LA. Can't tell her it's rigged in the house's favor. Nope, she'll have none of it.
I used to have a relative that loved slots and brought up the story of the time he hit one for several thousand at least weekly. He rarely mentioned his other trips and gambled enough to get several free trips a year. I didn't even want to know how it averaged out.

I'm not a gambler at all really, and it's partly because of UK. I had a statistics class being taught by a TA who was actually pretty cool. He often worked in gambling probabilities and it really highlighted how bad a lot of it is. His favorites to ridicule were the lottery and slot machines. I never heard about him after that class but I like to think he retired to an island nation after a card counting tour of the US.
 

Tinker Dan

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Jan 31, 2006
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I used to have a relative that loved slots and brought up the story of the time he hit one for several thousand at least weekly. He rarely mentioned his other trips and gambled enough to get several free trips a year. I didn't even want to know how it averaged out.

The above story was my father to a T.

However, he seemed to enjoy the trips and telling us all about his treatment from the casinos. It is a common theme as it seems.

My father enjoyed his later years, seemed happy and had something to look forward to doing.

I guess I cannot complain. I just have zero interest in, nor do I understand the draw of casinos.
 

LOL_Man

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Many years ago I spent a weekend at the Luxor and the whole weekend I never passed by the Wheel of Fortune slots without the same 3 Middle Eastern guys playing them. The whole weekend. No idea when they slept or took a break.

Something has to be addictive in the process. I know people that throw every penny they make into them. I know a lady that spends almost all her free time playing video poker at the casinos.
 
Jan 3, 2003
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I do not understand the attraction for slots. There is no chance to come out ahead over the long haul and there is no entertainment value. What is it that entices people to play?
You could say the same about lottery tickets, scratch offs, craps, black jack, roulette. I do see some entertainment value in poker.

I am sure it’s the hope to beat the odds and win big. And they entice you with modest but more frequent wins.
 
Jan 3, 2003
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You could say the same about lottery tickets, scratch offs, craps, black jack, roulette. I do see some entertainment value in poker.

I am sure it’s the hope to beat the odds and win big. And they entice you with modest but more frequent wins.
And I do like roulette. And I know the odds of that game and every other is in the casinos favor. I’ve played 4-5 times at different casinos (Vegas, Bahamas, London, New Orleans, Zurich) and only once did I leave in the red. Small sample size I know. I go in thinking I’m going to spend X $, let’s see how long I can make it last.
 

Blu-ish

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You could say the same about lottery tickets, scratch offs, craps, black jack, roulette. I do see some entertainment value in poker.

I am sure it’s the hope to beat the odds and win big. And they entice you with modest but more frequent wins.
I guess that is why I don't participate in those either. I go to the track once a year for a social outing. I play Texas Hold 'em and straight poker, but not at casinos.
 

trueblujr

Heisman
Dec 14, 2005
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Can a player get an edge on a slot which relies on pure chance? Not really. “There is a statistical advantage for the casinos,” Ambrose says. “The math of the game ensures that casinos generate a consistent positive win for themselves.”

Something to remember, because no matter how lucky you feel, eventually the casino will get luckier.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/davids...e-money-when-you-play-the-slots/#1a0553c94d09
For every person that wins a thousand bucks on a slot, there are 99 who lose $100. Do the math, but on an even larger scale.
 

CAT Scratch FVR

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Sep 4, 2004
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Maybe slot people have it right. Pull the lever, push the button, swilling on "free" drinks, maybe taking a drag on a cigarette if allowed, nothing to think about, when they could be thinking about junior in the can or Stacy and her 3 children. For that moment, that is zen for them. Good for them but it's not for me.
 

Deeeefense

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Aug 22, 2001
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With few exceptions the only type of gambling you have any chance at all of coming out ahead in the long run is parimutual wagering - horses, sports, poker. But even in those the vast majority of people lose their money.
 
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Jul 19, 2012
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Hope broken dreams and alcohol.

Used to casinos provided free drinks to anyone gambling. So slots was were an easy way to get slammed and beat the casino at something. Now I don't know any that offer that for any small amounts.

Me and my wife go like twice a yr at most
Usually to eat at the steakhouse at belterra get away from the kid and house for a night and just do something different. Treat it like any other date night with an expected budget. Gives her a reason to wear a dress she doesn't wear often and me a reason to liquor her up to take it off.