The notion of Advantage Play slots has been present in various forms for over a decade. Modern slot machines have configurations that allow players to find occasions where the odds turn in their favor against the casino.
This guide provides insights from seasoned Advantage Player Bob Lauria, covering.
Let’s dive in!
Author’s Note
In contrast to strategies like card counting, we simply play slots as they are, but at moments when the numbers favor us. I’ve been relying on advantage slots for my livelihood for five years now, having transitioned from being a professional poker player to a slot expert.
While there remains a significant amount of variance in slot play, I find it more enjoyable because it involves a day of strolling through casinos, observing slot machines for opportunities, and enjoying solitude rather than sitting at a table with eight intense players.
What Are Advantage Play Slot Machines?
Since slot machines debuted in 1894, their allure and mystique have endured.
Slot machines continue to be the largest revenue generators for casinos globally – by a substantial margin.
With advancements in technology, manufacturers have integrated more intricate and inventive features that weren’t present in traditional slots.
Over time, slot machine developers began launching games with a persistent state feature linked to bonus games.
In essence, a “progressive state” implies that something accumulates during the base game play, which eventually leads to the bonus being triggered once a certain condition is met.
Why Do These Games Even Exist?
These games were initially designed to keep players engaged longer, thus generating more income and enabling the activation of bonus features.
This led players to pursue progressives, free spins, or wild symbols accumulated over time, gaining popularity on casino floors.
With time, smart casino visitors caught on.
If these games are played when the symbols, amounts, or spins have already been built up by others, they can, at a point, realize a mathematical advantage (+EV) over the casino.
This realization saw many players wandering around casinos searching for machines left by other players, which were partially accumulated and therefore “ready” to trigger bonuses sooner than if they were played from scratch.
Meaning of Advantage Play in Slots
In its simplest term, Advantage Play refers to seizing a slot machine when the probabilities are beneficial to the player rather than the house.
Much like how casinos typically enjoy significant advantages in games, it’s still possible for players to win, and the same applies to advantage slots.
The odds may lean in your favor, but you might still face losses in the short term.
Like any professional gambling style, it involves fluctuations. Nevertheless, advantage slots can be highly profitable over the long haul for knowledgeable players.
Top Advantage Slots
Early advantage games like WMS Piggy Bankin’, Bally S&H Green Stamps, and Golden Monkey gained traction among many players.
As time passed, slot developers continued to create new games often found in advantageous states.
Titles, such as IGT’s Scarab, introduced a feature involving a 10-spin cycle. In this cycle, symbols are collected during spins 1-9. On the 10th spin, these symbols become wild.
This cycle repeats, making it a sought-after feature on numerous slot machines.
Casino floors are now populated with machines offering these features, and each year, new and intriguing persistent state games are introduced to the market.
Key Features of Advantage Play Slots
Advantage slots offer unique features that savvy players can capitalize on. Here are some of the most noteworthy:
Legend of the 3x 2x Phoenix: Progressive Free Games by IGT includes a “must-hit-by” meter that guarantees 15 free games before the threshold is reached.
Games from providers like Konami (G+, G+ Deluxe) or Ainsworth (a640 cabinet) also include “must-hit-by” progressives. These games require the progressive jackpot to be awarded before reaching a predetermined value.
The jackpot amount increases with each bet placed, and many experienced players use simple calculations to estimate how many spins it might take to trigger a win.
The closer the progressive value gets to the must-hit point, the better the opportunity to profit from a session.
Know When the Edge Disappears
A critical skill for advantage players is recognizing when the mathematical edge is no longer present.
When Advantage Play Stops Paying OffKnowing when to walk away is essential. A common pitfall is reverting to regular gambling behavior once all +EV (positive expected value) opportunities are gone.
Aimlessly roaming the casino for hours without finding a playable opportunity can be frustrating. This often leads to chasing poor plays just to stay active, which defeats the purpose of Advantage Play.
Tips for Advantage Slot Players
The slot market is constantly evolving. Staying updated with new releases and understanding their mechanics is essential for success.
Learning how to identify profitable moments in new games is part of what separates casual players from dedicated professionals. My team and I share insights daily, helping each other pinpoint exactly when a game becomes favorable.
Bankroll ManagementManaging your bankroll is vital in all forms of gambling, but especially so for Advantage Play. Maintaining discipline ensures you avoid playing beyond your means and protects you from financial risk.
Always use your head, not your emotions. Never chase plays that could cause serious financial strain if they don’t work out.
Stay proactive — research new games as soon as they hit the casino floor to maintain your edge.
Final Thoughts
Once you gain experience, recognizing which slots offer real advantage becomes second nature.
Advantage Play slots can be a highly profitable avenue, suitable for all bankroll levels — from low-stakes players to high rollers.
As your bankroll grows, you’ll be able to take on larger opportunities, potentially earning significant profits from machines that were originally designed to favor the house.
In some situations, you can swing the edge in your favor by as much as 15–30%, especially with games featuring “must-hit-by” mechanics. These can be calculated with precision, letting you know exactly when odds shift to your advantage.
With the right knowledge and discipline, you can consistently find +EV plays and walk away a winner — just make sure you stay informed and play smart.
Advantage Play Slots - Frequently Asked Questions
What slot machine is most likely to pay out?
It’s important to understand that we can never definitively predict which slot machine is going to pay out. All slot machines operate using a random number generator (RNG), which means the outcomes are always unpredictable. However, what we can do is strategically place ourselves in situations where the payout potential is in our favor.
To do this, we need to pay close attention to features such as “must-hit-by” bonuses and accumulated free spins that indicate when a machine may offer a better chance of rewarding the player. Recognizing these signs can help tip the odds in our direction.
Should I put $100 into a slot machine?
Slot machines, no matter how calculated your approach is, are still a form of gambling. Even if the numbers suggest the odds are slightly in your favor, there’s never a guarantee of making a profit in any given session.
That said, if you consistently target slot machines with a theoretical return over 100%, you are statistically likely to profit in the long run. Variance, however, will always be a part of the game. Just like in poker, the best hands can still lose. But if you consistently make the best possible plays, over time, your bankroll should grow and you’ll see gains.
What is the luckiest slot machine to play?
Personally, I don’t believe in luck—I never have. After two decades of playing poker professionally and practicing advantage play, I’ve learned to focus solely on the edges that give me the highest probability of success. It’s all about making smart plays.
When you consistently play with an edge, rather than relying on luck, the results will eventually lean in your favor. You don’t need the “luckiest” machine—you need the most favorable opportunity.
Do high denomination slot machines pay more?
This is a compelling question. In general, betting higher amounts increases both potential rewards and risk. Some casinos do assign higher RTP (Return to Player) percentages to high-denomination machines in order to give high rollers better chances of keeping their money longer before losing it.
That said, accurately determining a machine’s RTP is difficult, unless you have access to the internal software or control board data. The best thing you can do is research local laws and regulations regarding how RTP can be set at casinos in your area. When in doubt, assume the lowest legal RTP setting when evaluating any slot machine.
Is it better to use small bills in a slot machine?
Slot machines are sophisticated computer systems. They have no way of knowing whether you’re inserting single-dollar bills, hundred-dollar bills, or even a TITO (Ticket-In, Ticket-Out) voucher. The RNG is always active, and the outcome is determined only at the moment you press the spin button or pull the lever.
The denomination of your bill has no impact on the outcome. Likewise, using or not using a player’s card does not change your odds—but it does affect what you get in return.
Always use a player’s card. It helps you accumulate comps like free play, discounted meals, and hotel offers. Since it doesn’t affect your game results in any negative way, there’s no reason not to take advantage of it.
Is it better to stay on one machine or move around?
When playing Advantage Play slots, you’ll find yourself moving quite often. You play a machine only while it’s in a favorable state. As soon as it’s no longer offering a positive expected value (+EV), it’s time to move on to another.
Over time, every slot machine will statistically perform according to its RTP. For example, if a casino has a machine set at an 87% RTP, you will lose about 13 cents per dollar over the long term. This makes it essential to constantly seek out opportunities where the RTP temporarily shifts in your favor.
Thanks for taking the time to explore this FAQ section. Hopefully, it’s sparked your interest in Advantage Play slot strategies. As we move forward, we can dig deeper into specific games and methods you can use to turn the tables on the slot machines and find those rare moments of real profitability.
