It’s a vibe, ok? While some interesting slot personalities will tell you there is a way to sniff out a guaranteed win on any given casino floor, I’m here to tell you, in most cases, it really is all about the vibe.
Yes, there are some slot titles that can give a clue if they are getting closer to releasing a big win- think “must hit by” progressives. On the other side of the coin, there are games designed to give the illusion that they are about to pop, looking at you accumulators, but in actuality, they mean nothing.
For myself, and I’d wager a large portion of players, we pick games on the floor based on feelings (aka vibes), general atmosphere of where the game is located, and game design including theme.
Read on below to see some of the specific things I look for when picking my next target and let us know what makes your list in the comments.
Ease of Play: When I go to the casino, I am looking to turn my brain off and to sit back and relax. I am a lover of straight forward pay mechanics that don’t require collegiate level math to figure out what is happening on the screen. Numbers aside, it is also important that I can grasp the concept of the game within a few spins. If I need to keep popping up the pay table to see what I need to land every spin, I lose interest.
Must Hit By: We talked about it a little above, one of the actual “clues” you can keep an eye out for while playing is a “must hit by” progressive. If you have played some of the older Ainsworth titles, you have probably seen it. On these games, the progressive must be given to a player before it hits the cap on the progressive. If the game is very close to the top of that max range, you can deduce that it can* hit soon.
One of the most well known examples of this is also one of my all time favorites. Thunder Cash is an easy to understand game with very straight forward mechanics and an absolutely delicious bonus. This title and some other Ainsworth creations, feature two “Must Hit By” progressives. I love that the game clearly states the limit and allows you to make your educated guesses how close it is going off.
*Note this is gambling! Even “must hit by” progressives are a risk. You are never guaranteed a win!
Multi-Denomination: I have gotten to the point where I really dislike playing pennies. In all actuality, I reached that point about five years ago and have been a lover of multi-denomination slots ever since. I greatly enjoy the flexibility that multi-denomination slots offer, if nickel spins are doing poorly, I switch up my luck and try out some dimes.
Multi-denomination titles can also help when it comes to making a gambling budget stretch a little further- if you don’t get carried away! For me, if I am down on my luck, I will toggle my bet size down hoping for a bigger win or a bonus. Then, if things works out, I take that win and bounce back to a higher denomination.
Cute Animals: Listen, I play slots for fun and I like looking at things that I like. I like looking at cute and adorable animals almost as much as I like watching an animation of a big win play out. When I am cruising the floor looking for a new place to sit, I will look at the theme of the game just as much as the denomination options and bonus mechanics.
A more recent example of this, still made by Ainsworth, is San Fa Pandas. I played this for the first time simply because I like pandas.
Bonus Action: One of the most important factors to take into account when picking a slot machine often comes down to what the bonus looks like. For me, I am looking to see how many bonus options there are, if you can combine features, and if you can retrigger or launch an additional phase of the game while in the feature. I am a big fan of slots that include bonus games that can be combined into a mega feature. I can play Super Hot Flaming Pots until the cows come home.
Dragon Link and Dollar Storm are additional examples that call my name based on their bonuses. I like that both titles offer up the chance to score two completely different feeling bonuses*. I love that you can trigger the hold and spin action when you are in the Free Games too.
*I know Super Hot Flaming Pots has two bonuses, but, let’s talk about the Super Lantern Bonus. I’ve only captured this bonus once and I play this game A LOT.
Location: Location matters for more than homes! When hitting the slot floor I am looking for a game not only with an open chair, but with an open buffer when possible. I want my personal space when gambling, and nothing harshes a vibe more than a negative nelly neighbor. Furthermore, have you ever had someone so violently smack a screen on the opposite side of your game that it shakes yours? That rude neighbor behavior has trained me to stick to the outside walls of a casino if I like those options. Games against the outside walls mean no neighbors making you check your phone for an earthquake alert.
Of course, if I am playing with my friends or a large group of people, I will seek out a section that allows us all to sit next together in more of a traditional row configuration. This is especially true if I am helping someone understand a game. The newer circular pod formation hinders my ability to see my crew’s screen and explain either what they are looking at or what they should be hoping for.
Drink Service: Sometimes, the priority is getting a drink! Whether I am after a Diet Coke or a gin and soda, I have been known to plop in front of a slot simply because it sits in the middle of a cocktail server’s area. Most of us know it can be a challenge to get a drink sometimes, so if I need to do some random spins on a random game, I will. Once I get my drink, I will then promptly cash out and go find something that speaks to me.
