Southern Gaming & Destinations March 2012 Slot Guide

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superior slots THE INDUSTRY’S LEADING MANUFACTURERS BY L I ND A B OY D

To make the games more comprehensible, you must consider the kaleidoscope of creators. In fact, manufacturing slots is such a lucrative business worldwide that some new companies are now giving International Game Technology (IGT) a real run for their money. Each of the companies I’ve listed is reliable and adheres to all legislative requirements within their jurisdiction. You’ll want to be cautious when playing in unregulated areas or on devices manufactured by unknown companies. They may be perfectly legitimate, but take the time to research the company. Make sure Gaming Labs International (GLI) or a similar company has approved them. If you’re a regular slots player, then you already know the payback percentages vary from game to game, as well as casino to casino. That’s because casinos are free to order from a range of available chips for a given game.

I N C R E DI BL E T EC H N O L O GI E S is headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Looking around the casino these days, you will notice that some industry giants have created brilliant bells and whistles on their latest games, especially during bonus rounds. Soon you’ll find virtual games realistic to the point of mesmerizing that may even include dexterity skills as well as “braininess.” Guess that’s why I find so many people molded to their seats in front of the latest games by Bally, Incredible Technologies, Aristocrat, Konami, IGT and others. You might want to do a little research before your next casino visit. Among other things, you’ll maximize the entertainment value when you know how you earn a bonus round or whether there’s the extra long-shot possibility of lucking into a life-changing jackpot. Today you can even download some games onto your iPhone, Android or home computer. Getting familiar with the newer games on your electronic devices will result in making the real deal (that’s playing for cash) more understandable and exciting. 22

Southern G aming an d De s t in a t io n s

For example, a manufacturer may have eight different chips available for the same game, say Wild Panda by Aristocrat, which has a range of chips from 88-95%. The casino orders the chip they want from a book, but the player has no way of knowing which chip is in the machine. In fact, you can have side-by-side Wild Panda devices with two different percentage chips—one could be 90%, while the other could be 95%. If you’re a casino regular, pay attention to paybacks and you may determine a ballpark for the ones with the higher expected returns (ERs). Be aware that anything can happen in the short run, so you shouldn’t make assumptions based on just a few sessions. Slots can have lengthy winning or losing cycles, but if you play long enough you’re guaranteed to lose. That’s why some players choose to walk away a winner and come back another day. One other thing to consider is the pay schedule for the game you’ve selected. If you’re rewarded with something extra for a maximum bet—special bonuses or more per coin for the same combinations—make sure you place a maximum bet. If you can’t afford the amount then find a game that doesn’t punish you for short-coins. Slots have ERs favoring the house, so you’ll want to get value


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