Being a winning slot machine player is impossible. All slot machines are created specifically in order to offer the house a long-term edge, so the house will invariably come out ahead if you play long enough. The only real way to counteract the home edge on slot machine games is to play a game with a really big jackpot, bet the max every time you play, and hope that you hit the jackpot. Then when you do hit the really big jackpot, guess what you need to do next? Stop playing that game.

Do not get me wrong. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t play trusted online slot casino machines. In reality, I think slot games, especially the great ones, are a lot of fun. But you want to keep within the forefront of your brain that mathematically, what you’re doing when you are playing a slot machine on a long-term basis is paying for entertainment. You can calculate how much you are paying for that entertainment by multiplying the house edge times your average bet times your number of spins per hour.

As an example, if you are playing a slot game with a payout of 95%, then the house edge is 5%. (The casino keeps 5% of every bet you make long term.) And if you’re average bet is $3, then you’re going to pay a normal of 15 cents per spin to the home. (5% times $3.) Assuming you are making 500 spins per hour, that game costs you $75/hour to play, which may or may not be a reasonable price for you entertainment. That is dependent upon your bankroll.

Another thing to factor into your calculation is the amount the perks and bonuses you are getting back from the casino are worth. For anyone who is playing in a land-based casino where you are getting free drinks while you play, then you can subtract the price of those drinks from you are hourly cost. (Or you may add the expense of those drinks to the value of the entertainment you are receiving–it’s just a matter of perspective.) My recommendation is to drink top-shelf liquor and premium beers so that you can maximize the entertainment value you are receiving. A Heineken can cost $4 a bottle in an excellent restaurant. Drink two Heinekens per hour, and you’ve just lowered what it costs you to play each hour from $75 to $68.

Slot clubs also give back a portion of your losses each hour, so definitely be sure you join the casino’s slot club and ALWAYS use your card to track your play. There is absolutely no reason not to do this. Casinos also reward their larger slot players with comps like meals, show tickets, and free rooms, which all add up to reduce the total amount of cash you’re spending each hour that you’re playing on their own machine.

Just how to be a winning slot machine player? I’d sum it up by saying know just how much it’s costing you to play each spin and each hour, take advantage of all of the comps and the perks, and go for the big progressive jackpot.