1 ALWAYS INSERT YOUR SLOT CLUB CARD
Using your card can increase the payback of the machine you are playing by as much as one percent. It just takes a few minutes to join a slot club and there is no down side. It also qualifies you to get rated, which translates to free comps at hotels, like free shows, dining, and even hotel rooms. Do this before you risk any money in the casino.

2.) PLAY ONLY WHAT YOUR BANKROLL CAN HANDLE
You will need to have an estimate of the cost per hour a machine will take. This depends on the type of machine, payout rate, and how you bet. The following examples are based on an average of 8 spins per minute and a 90% payout rate.
- Nickel Machine 2 coins:$5/hour 3 coins:$7/hour 5 coins:$12 hour
- Quarter Machine 2 coins:$24/hour 3 coins:$36/hr 5 coins:$60/hour
- Dollar Machine 2 coins:$96/hour 3 coins:$144/hr 5 coins:$240/hour

You then need to decide on the number of hours you will play over the course of your entire stay. If you start with a bankroll of $600 and plan to play an average of five hours a day for three days, then that comes to 15 playing hours. When you divide $600 by 15 it comes to $40 per hour. In order to stay within this budget you should not playing anything over a 3 coin quarter machine (e.g., $36/hour).

3.) BE CERTAIN YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
Slot machines are like any machine and get wear and tear. They can also malfunction. One of the best ways to protect yourself against a malfunction is to observe the glass payout schedule and the paylines as you insert each coin to be sure the correct sections light, up, showing that they are properly activated. If you hit a winning combination that does not pay because only two of your three coins registered, you are out of luck. If one of your coins does not register, be sure to contact an attendant or press the change button and wait for someone to arrive. Don't spin the reels until the problem is fixed.

4.) ONLY PLAY ONE MACHINE AT A TIME
Casino managers know that some people like to play two side-by-side slots at the same time, so they always put a loose machines with the tight one on both sides:
(loose machine)<->(tight machine)<->(loose machine)
At best, you will win from a loose machine only to lose your winnings to a tight on, or you will lose to two tight machines. Every casino has far fewer loose machines than tight one and they never place them together.

5.) NEVER PLAY NEXT TO SOMEONE WHO IS WINNING
If the winner's slow is loose, the machines on either side will be tight. You might consider waiting for the winner to leave and then playing the same potentially loose machine.

6.) STAY WITH A HOT MACHINE
Don't leave a machine that just paid a big jackpot. It may be a hot machine that could continue to pay out nicely. Don't abandon the machine unless it has not paid anything for 5 or 6 consecutive spins.

7.) OBSERVE OTHER PLAYERS WHO ARE WINNING
Watch players who are hitting jackpots and winning regularly and keep and eye and ear out for sudden big winners. Many times, big winners cash in and leave their machine while it is still hot. If you see that happen and you are on a cold machine, move over to the hot machine and give it a try. Many slot players think a machine will turn cold after a big payout, so they leave. The truth is that it is more likely to still be in a hot cycle.

8.) ABANDON A COLD MACHINE
If after six spins the machine has paid very little, abandon it. Don't throw good money after bad. If the machine next to it is available, move over and try the new machine that may be loose. Remember, tight and loose machines are usually next to each other.

9.) NEVER LEAVE A MACHINE THAT OWES YOU MONEY
Sometimes when you hit a big jackpot, an attendant has to make the payoff, or you may run into a situation where the machine runs out of coins. Stay with the machine no matter how long it takes to get the attendant to arrive. Occasionally a machine malfunctions and you can't redeem your credits, or the bill acceptor gets hung and eats your dollars without give you credits. Stay with the machine. If you leave the machine to get an attendant you will have trouble claiming what is rightfully yours.

10.) REMEMBER TO PRESS THE CASH OUT BUTTON
Most slot machines accumulate credits as you play, and you must press the CASH OUT button in order to convert the credits into actual coins. Even if you have just won a hand-paid jackpot, before leaving the machine be sure to press the CASH OUT button and be sure the credit meter reads zero. If it doesn't , call an attendant because the machine may need a hopper fill, or the coin mechanism may be jammed. On cash ticket machines, always check the ticket slot. If you are distracted when you leave your machine and forget to cash out or retrieve the ticket, someone else will get to enjoy your winnings.

REMEMBER THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE: QUIT WHEN YOU ARE AHEAD AND NEVER QUIT DURING A WINNING STREAK.