We’re excited to take this myth on, because we find it particularly frustrating. Games like Lightning Link and Dragon Link have players banging the heck out of the spin buttons and tapping on the screens in the various open spaces.
Does this do anything to help the game provide bigger wins? Absolutely not.
In fact, the thing that’s almost funny about the whole situation is you can’t speed up the Hold and Spin bonus on Lightning Link and Dragon Link, where all that button slapping an screen banging is happening to begin with.
Once you hit spin, the reels come to a stop at the same speed whether you touch the machine’s spin button or screen, or do nothing. The outcome of that spin on the hold and spin is established once the spin button is pressed, so everything players do after that has no impact on the outcome of what appears (or doesn’t appear – c’mon words tell us a story!).
However, slapping buttons and banging screens can have the effect of potentially wearing down or even breaking a machine. Slots are designed to be incredibly resilient, but it is still a physical device, and wear and tear happens. When players abuse machines, they can break down faster.
If players go over the line, they could be liable for damage. We’ve encountered examples of screen breakage from a player smacking the machine too hard, and they’ve been billed for repair of the machine.
These aren’t inexpensive repairs either – a screen on a slot may look like any other computer monitor but it’s not, and the cost to replace the screen or the glass on the slot can roll into the thousands of dollars, particularly for machines that are no longer in production.
There’s no reason to smack the screens or spin buttons hard, but we do so at our own risk. Instead, we recommend you just enjoy the show and let the slot do what it will do during a bonus. Your success of getting another prize comes at the start of that spin when you press the button, so here it really is all about timing.
Thank you for the article about Mystery of the Lamp. Love ❤️ this slot game. It’s beautiful graphics and great bonuses . IGT two thumbs up.
Love when Brian plays it …especially the group pull that was faaantaasstic !
Thanks Christine! We love it too! It definitely brings something different to the casino floor!
OMG.. I’m so glad you wrote this article! I detest button slappers and often ask them to stop pointing out all the broken machines around the casino I once went to before moving to Tennessee where sadly gambling is not allowed. I simply don’t get the button slapping and have always been confused why security doesn’t make this “ritual” against casino policy.
But as we know, Casino Karen will ignore everyone convinced she has found the secret to BIG WINS, only to leave the casino broke.. but broken machines only take away the fun for the rest of us who’s fun is diminished because our beloved machines are now broken.
Thanks Brian, again, for addressing this.
Janine
Thanks Janine! We encourage healthy gambling, and that includes not smashing the machine during a bonus :)
I recently asked a manager if the slot attendants could ask a guest to stop slapping. She said “if it bothers another guest”. So, if it bothers you, it’s easy to ask an attendant for help. It’s about time we made some noise –to minimize that noise.
Hey Dave – if the casinos are open to this that’s a good approach. Unfortunately what other players have shared is some casinos won’t even do that much. It’s worth a try though!
If touching the screen has no effect on the outcome of the spin, PLEASE explain “WINDEX”. LOL Is it the effect it has on timing, or is this just a traditional BC gesture, treasured by those of us who watch? Thank you for these Q&A’s, they are truly enlightening.
Thanks so much Jim for the question! Brian offers an answer here:
https://fliptheswitch.com/whats-the-deal-with-the-windex/