We’ve got two questions for you today, both which probably fall into the concept of a “method” of play. Regular readers know that there’s no way to beat a slot machine, hence method in quotes, but so it goes! First question:
How often do backup spins actually pay, and what is the significance of doing them?
Trevor D.
A back-up spin will pay as often as any other spin on a given machine. The concept was popularized originally by Tim from ‘TheBigPayback’, and Brian Christopher enjoyed the idea enough to incorporate it into his play often enough. He’s not alone, as a lot of players will do one or a few back-up spins after a bonus nowadays. It’s simply a few more chances at anything further prior to cashing out.
What’s the significance? Well, it can be awfully fun when you get a bonus back to back. The odds of getting a bonus right after one are the same as getting that first one, so it makes for a fun moment if it happens. And if not? It’s easy to move on after those back-up spins.
From a bankroll perspective it can be helpful because it gets you in a mindset to lock in the wins from the bonus, whether it puts you ahead, catches you up a bit or whatnot. It also encourages getting up, which slows down play.
I sat next to a guy last night that was hitting the button instantaneously, not button slapping but between each ‘spin’. Besides being irritating, does it really do anything?
Dana B.
It does “something” in that it changes when the next spin starts. That changes the timing, but to what benefit? We will never know if the spin will be better or worse than what would have come out at that other point in time.
Like the back-up spin, though, we see this as sort of neutral – it’s not going to help or hurt really, and so it’s just down to player preferences. It’s not going to make anything worse, so it’s not a harmful practice. It’s just not going to make anything better either.
We know button slapping is annoying, but casinos seem to tolerate it as a rule, and as long as the machine doesn’t break (and they’re designed to be quite robust for a reason), it’s unlikely to change.
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