First Quiz of the Semester 
October 2003
by Gayle Mithchell

OK, class, it's test time. I've created this quiz for novice and veteran slot players. I find that slot players possess different levels of expertise and education. There's the group that believes that all you have to know is how to push a spin button or pull that handle. Some think all slots are alike and pay the same. Others get educated once with no continuing education and are bewildered by the newest slot versions arriving frequently to the casino floor. We all need to upgrade our slots education to stay current, myself included. 

I visit casinos at least once a week to get educated and work very hard researching any new versions or strategies. This is tough work that must be done, and it might as well be me that does it! I offer up this quiz in the expectation that all slot players will forever hear the sound of "raining coins." Let's get started.

1) What is an RNG?

A: Really Nice Gambling.
B: Random Number Generator.
C: Right Number Gaming.

2) What are the three types of slots?

A: Basic, Progressive and Bonus slots.
B: Red White & Blue 7s.
C: Flat Tops, Megabucks and Double Diamonds.

3) Are the higher denomination slot payouts better?

A: Yes.
B: No.
C: All the same.

4) What are loose and tight machines?

A: Loose machines have more graphic symbols, tight ones have fewer.
B: Loose machines have better payouts, tight machines less.
C: Loose machines offer more slot versions, tight machines offer fewer choices.

5) What is a slot-mix?

A: Slots are placed back to back on either side of aisle.
B: All the high denomination slots are in one area of the casino.
C: Casino management's placement of loose/tight slots.

6) What is a hold percentage?

A: Monies held by winning slot players.
B: Percent of coins held by casino.
C: Percent of coins through the slots.

7) Do some slots have a higher "hit" frequency?

A: Yes.
B: No.
C: All the same.

8) What is a multiplier slot?

A: Slot that has multiple graphics and symbols.
B: Pays more for more coins played on certain winning combinations.
C: Multiplies your win no matter how many coins played.

9) What is a nudge slot?

A: Wild symbol combination pays.
B: A certain combination nudges you to the bonus round.
C: Paying symbol drops up or down on center payline for win.

10) What's a "hit and run" winner?

A: Slot player who plays new baseball bonus slot.
B: Slot player who uses a token slug, and grabs the payout.
C: Slot player who plays 3-5 max-coin spins to test for payouts.

11) What's a short win?

A: A small jackpot.
B: A win just before you are running out of money.
C: A large win with a small cash outlay.

12) What is flying solo?

A: Gambling alone.
B: Slot players who play one coin only.
C: Only winner of a progressive jackpot.

13) What is a "certified" slot?

A: A slot with a certificate from the manufacturer.
B: Slot that is guaranteed to pay back a large percentage, as high as 98%+.
C: Slot that is certified to have a certain number of symbols.

14) Do all "certified" slots in the carousel/bank offer high payouts?

A: Yes.
B: No.
C: Yes and no depending on casino.

15) Will all "certified" slots pay out their advertised rate all the time?

A: Yes.
B: No.
C: Can I sell you some land in Florida.

16) Which is better: pull the handle or press the spin button on slots?

A: Handle.
B: Spin button.
C: Both the same.

17) What is a Wild-Pay slot?

A: Slot that has more wild symbols than 7s.
B: Slot types that offer double, triple and more with wild symbols.
C: Only wild party animals are paid jackpot.

18) How many games/hour does the average slot player play?

A: 500 games/hour.
B: 600 games/hour.
C: 700 games/hour.

19) Are there higher dollar values for some progressives in the casino?

A: Yes.
B: No.
C: All the same.

20) Easy Point. What's "Call Attendant?"

A: Large cash hand-paid jackpot.
B: Machine is broken, needs maintenance.
C: My slot club card points have reached their limit.

ANSWERS:

1) B. Random Number Generator: a computer chip placed inside each slot that is programmed to generate multiple combinations of symbols and payouts. A selection is picked randomly, thus determining the final outcome. A busy little drone. 

2) A. The three types of slots are: Basic (straight slots or "flat-tops"), which have a constant jackpot. Progressives with an ever-changing jackpot. And the latest gaming trend, Bonus Video slots that offer a bonus round for extra winnings. Although the RNG runs all three types, there are different playing strategies for each type.

3) A. Yes, higher denominations ($5+) have a higher hit frequency, however, it's all relative when you are investing more of your gambling bankroll. Start off with quarter machines that account for 25% of total slot revenue and are the most popular slots. Streeetch those gambling bucks.

4) B. Loose machines are a slot player's dream. They are programmed with more paying symbols and combinations resulting in better payouts. Tight machines are the opposite. Yikes, they're stingy.

5) C. Also known as slot placement. Casino management places different slot versions that are loose and tight on the casino floor, and yes there is a "science" to this method. Loose slots are to be found in high traffic areas that can be seen by "wannabe slot winners" from many angles in the casino. 

6) B. Percentage of coins played that the casinos keep in their hot little hands. The looser 98% slots hold two dollars while returning $98 to the player. But, hold on, that percentage is over the long term ‹ perhaps months, while short term play return percentages can bounce around like a roulette ball. 

7) A. With the introduction of the new bonus video slots, hit frequencies have been increased to a high of every 2-3 spins. While you don't always get your original bet back, these graphic-rich slots provide the most entertainment for your money. Wager management is the key here. It's not always wise to bet maximum coins every time and a higher hit frequency doth not necessarily a winning slot make.

8) B. Stated simply, the more coins played, the better the winning payouts. Particular symbol payouts, as per slot schedule, are multiplied by number of coins played. This can mean the difference between a two-coin and a 10-coin payout.

9) C. Come on baby, drop that paying symbol down and give mama a big win. It could be a basketball, diamond, cherry or wild symbol. You just need a little nudge up or down to that center payline and you're in the money. 

10) C. Slot players who test a slot before continued play by spinning the reels 3-5 times with maximum coins in play each time. If there are no payouts during that period, you are outta there. By the way, I suggest you not try B, the casinos don't like it. 

11) C. This happens all the time. A large jackpot is hit with a minimal cash outlay. Fifteen bucks gets you $1000s. Now that's a long win on a short chance. Take the money and run.

12) B. I call them "onesies." Slot players who play only one coin. I know I advocate wager management, but this is wager suicide. I suggest you drop down a denomination and play max. coins where at least you are in the running for the top jackpot without the "slot bends" of missing out because you should have played just one more coin. The only exception here are the bonus multi-line slots.

13) B. Most casinos promote their "certified" slots at a bank or carousel with flashing, large, neon lights generally near the entrance of the casino. Like carnival barkers, these round neons seem to say: "step right up, folks, see the slots with huge payouts, play the big winners, yowser, yowser, yowser." Most "certified" slots are at least dollar denominations.

14) C. A casino can legitimately advertise a very high payback even if only one of the machines has the advertised payback. Sneaky right? However, the casino must tell you whether the payback is all or one. Ask the slot manager if all or one slot is "certified." If the answer is not all, run, don't walk to another casino. If there is only one or two, you could spend a lot of money looking for that "slot in the haystack." 

15) B. "Certified" slots payouts, whether they are advertised at 98% or 100% are programmed over an average period of time that could be weeks or months. As you know, timing is crucial in the slots game and the same goes for "certified" versions. Don't stay too long, determine the total amount you want to wager before you play, stretch your gambling bankroll and have fun.

16) C. There is no difference. Manufacturers still add on the handles as a holdover from the "bronze-age" days of slots. The day is coming when the handle will be eliminated entirely and we will yearn for the good ol' days.

17) B. The wild symbol substitutes for a win, double wild symbols multiply the win, and generally three wild symbols nets you the top jackpot on the payline. There are many more wild slots out there to choose from now. However, keep this in mind before selecting, the higher the payout multiplies, (e.g. 5x, 10x, 20x), the lower the probability of payouts. Therefore seek out the double, and triple wild slots. 

18) A. 500 games/hour on average. These stats can change dependent upon whether coins are manually inserted or credits used. There is no need to hurry, unless you are playing in a slot tournament, then accelerate to warp-speed for the win.

19) A. Oh yeah. Most casinos have a selection of banks that consist of progressive slots with different primary jackpots. Savvy slot players will want to scout out these slots and play "large."

20) A. It's party time. Big time payday with hundreds peeled off into your sweaty, winning palms. All casino players should get this one right and truly enjoy the experience.

Ratings:

20-15: Congrats. A veteran player with a slots education degree. Bravo.
14-10: A slots education should be in your future.
9 or less: Psst, over here. All is not lost, I can help. 

Until next we meet, remember: Not only do you have good luck with a gambling education, but you are making your luck. 

• Gayle Mitchell is the author of Casino Gambling Made Easier books, EBooks, booklets & the Slots Trilogy. WEB: www.easycasinogambling.com Casino Players Workshop & Seminars ‹ publishers, 848 N. Rainbow Blvd. #300, Las Vegas, NV. 89107. 

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