Loose Slots is a Relative Term
Playing slots is a personal choice that is anchored on varied reasons. Some people play slots for the money, while some play for fun and entertainment and still others play for both the money and entertainment. Well, we couldn't blame any of these players because slots is a very enjoyable game, indeed. And, if you can play slots for the fun and excitement it offers and win some money along the way, then by all means, go for it! But lately, talk about loose slots is causing quite a stir on the casino floor. So, before you join the wild goose chase for the prized machine, stop for a moment and think if your idea of "loose" is the same as that of Tom, Dick and Harry.
The term "loose slot machine" is relative to other slots in the same casino floor or to other slots within the same city. A machine that is considered very generous along Las Vegas Strip may be scoffed at as stingy in downtown Las Vegas. By the same token, the perception of "looseness" also depends on the gaming jurisdiction. Slots in Vegas, the gambling capital of the world, are imagined by many to be loose but in reality, Atlantic City slots legislatively have the edge. Many people may not be aware of it, but the law requires slots in Nevada to have a pay out of at least 75 percent while machines in New Jersey are required to have at least 83 percent payout. Even so, none of the machines in Nevada are set to pay out as low as they are legally allowed because no self-respecting gambler would play slots set that tight.
Loosening or tightening up slot machines is a business decision. Setting them up too loosely would cause casinos to lose needed profits, while setting them up too tightly would discourage repeat customers, and eventually, put the casino out of business. While the competition for bettors influences how loosely or tightly a machine is set up, the earnings standard of the casino is also taken into account. To illustrate the point, lower denomination slots are typically a tad stingier than higher denomination machines. Tightness is a compensating factor to provide a hedge against casino operating costs. While a nickel machine is designed to attract players with small bankrolls, it requires the same amount of maintenance cost; it consumes the same amount of power and occupies the same amount of space in the casino floor as that of a dollar machine. Thus, nickel slot machines are generally stingier than quarter slots, which are in turn tighter than dollar slots, and so on.
A slot machine with a pay out of, say, 95 percent may be considered either as a loose or a tight slots by two different people depending on their preferences, playing experiences and motives for playing the game. That is why when you sit down in front of a slot machine, define your game. You will enjoy slots more if you are looking for the excitement that the game offers and any winnings that you may take home will be a pleasant bonus on the side. So, play smart and conserve your bankroll so that you will have the staying power to keep on looking for loose slots.
