Most of us who play regularly have seen the scenario that today’s question submission addresses, and we’re here to address them:
What are those people looking for that walk up to machines press all the various denominations and then walk away?
Lisa K.
First, let’s review a couple of topics, in case some of this is new to you. We’ve spoken quite regularly about the Random Number Generator, or RNG, and how it governs how slot outcomes are determined. When you hit the spin button, whatever number the RNG has up at that time is looked up, the outcome of the reels is shown, and you’re paid based on that.
We’ve also spoken about persistence. Most three pot games are perceived persistence, which means they don’t indicate anything that relates to your chances of getting a bonus. But there’s also true persistence, which relates to elements that stick around even if you cash out and another player puts money in. A simple example is a progressive – each player that plays helps build that progressive until someone wins it.
There are other examples of this, like the number of free games on one of the Rich Little Piggies pigs, or the number of wilds collected on each of the counters on Regal Riches.
Now, why those players are looking around relates to that latter aspect, the true persistence components found on some slots. While the RNG can allow for any outcome to come at any time, the true persistence elements can create a scenario that’s a better time to play a particular slot than others. Examples for this can be:
- Spin cycle counters: A simple example of this is Scarab, which has a 10 game cycle. If someone leaves behind spaces that will turn wild in a few spins, it can be worthwhile to sit down and finish out that cycle.
- Must hit by elements: Progressives are the most common variation of this – it can make sense to sit down when it’s really close to hitting. But there are games that have other variations of this – free spin counters, wild counters, that will award by a certain time.
- Size of counts: Free games counters that are much higher than normal, progressives that are higher than normal – depending on how often these elements are designed to be awarded, it can make sense to pursue them if they’re well above their expected range.
So these players will hit all the buttons, because often these elements change based on bet level, so each bet level has their own set of counters. And so you’ll often hear them checking all the bets, and walking away if there’s nothing that they want to pursue.
It should be noted that many casinos are getting turned off by these types of machines, after accepting them for awhile, because it sets up scenarios that those who “know” the game’s specifics tend to benefit, and regular slot players tend to get the worst end of that scenario, building them up for those in the know to take advantage.
But there’s still plenty of these types of machines, and plenty of casinos that have at least some, so when you encounter this scenario, that’s what is going on.
Have a question? Submit yours here!
If it’s like 1000.00 I would definitely ask my tax lady about it, But I don’t know when you actually have to claim it.
All gambling winnings is considered income in the eyes of the IRS, regardless of whether you receive paperwork or not. A form is generated when you win $1,200 on a single wager, regardless of how much the wager was that generated the win.