Finding the Loosest Slots

Unlike video poker machines, you can’t look at the payout schedule on a slot machine and tell if it is loose or tight. And when a casino advertises that its slots pay back up to 97 percent or that some of its slots have a “certified” 98 percent payback, it’s difficult to tell which of the hundreds of machines on the floor are the advertised ones. Actually, you can get in the neighborhood, but it’s not nearly as precise as finding the best video poker machines. The secret is, as they say in the real estate business - location, location, location.
In every casino, the slot manager gives considerable thought to the placement of the slot machines. Therefore, to determine where the few loose slots are located on the casino floor, you have to think like the manager. An even better way is to get inside information directly from those slot managers - which is what I have done for you.

Years ago, it was generally known that the best slots were usually located in high-traffic areas - next to the main aisles or near the front entrance - where the greatest number of people would notice the flashing lights and ringing bells of a jackpot winner. Many old-time slot players remember that advice and still seek out machines in those locations. Times have changed, however.
Today, most slot managers place their loosest machines where the greatest number of slot players will see and hear them when they pay off. The idea is to motivate the serious slot players so they will keep feeding their machines in the hope that the next big jackpot will be theirs. Consequently, they locate the loose slots next to change booths, on elevated carousels, and anyplace in the center of the slot area where plenty of slot players will notice them when they pay off. Whenever loose slots are placed in a straight row of machines,

they are usually one of the first three machines from either end, and never in the middle.
However, not all machines in these locations will be loose because there are always far fewer loose slots than tight ones. In fact, a typical ratio is 5 to 10 percent loose, 30 to 40 percent tight, with the remainder being midrange. The best you can do is find the general area where most of the loose machines are likely to be.
Sometimes the managers also put a few loose slots within sight of the patrons in cafes and coffee shops (but not where the entrance line forms) to encourage players not to dally over their coffee, but to get back to their machines. Keep in mind, however, that tight slots always flank a loose slot, even though the machines appear to be identical. This is done to thwart those people who like to play two side-by-side machines simultaneously.

Avoid playing slot machines in places other than casinos. Machines located in stores, laundromats, restaurants, and airports are known to be poor payers.
It is almost as important to know where the tight machines are likely to be placed by the slot manager, so you can avoid them. Anywhere people stand in lines waiting to get into buffets or shows are prime locations for tight machines.

Those people will kill time by idly dropping coins into the machines without really expecting to win - and they won’t. Because many table-game players are distracted and annoyed by the constant clatter of coins, the areas surrounding the table games (especially baccarat and roulette) are populated with tight machines. The same is true of areas near the sports site. In fact, any location where the noise of slot machines would disturb nonslot players is apt to have predominately tight machines.

Finally, you must assume that all slot machines located outside of casinos, such as in convenience stores, grocery stores, laundromats, airports, bars, and restaurants, are very tight. In fact, they are probably the tightest machines in town. And remember you are nothing to worry if you play in an online casino!