The Mechanics Of Slots

Casino Decorum
Walking into a casino for the first time can be daunting. Adhering to these social norms will help you fit in and avoid any awkward situations with dealers or other players. Beyond the official rules of the games, there's a code of conduct, or casino [from the Morvernodling blog] etiquette, that ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Raise
To increase the amount of the current bet, forcing other players to call the new, higher amount. Bet
To make the first wager in a betting round. Only possible if no bet has been made in the current round. Action
Description




Check
To pass the action to the next player without betting. You are out until the next hand begins. Call
To match the amount of the current bet to stay in the hand. Learning these basics is the first step on your path to becoming a competent poker player. Fold
To forfeit your hand and any money already in the pot.

Be Respectful to the Dealer: Dealers are professionals doing their job. When making a bet, place your chips neatly in the designated area. Rules for the Floor

Know the Rules Before You Play: Don't sit down at a table without understanding the basics of the game. It slows down the game and can be a security concern. Limit Phone Use at the Table: Most casinos frown upon using your phone while at a table game. Watch for a bit first or play online for free to practice. Be polite, and if you're winning, a small tip is always appreciated. Handle Your Chips Correctly: casino Don't touch another player's chips. Don't Ask for Advice: Do not ask the dealer or other players how you should play your hand. Decisions are yours alone.

The Objective and Hand Rankings
The main objective in poker is to win the "pot," which is the sum of all bets made in a hand. Understanding hand rankings is essential. You can do this in two ways: by having the best hand at the end of the round (the "showdown"), or by betting in a way that makes all other players fold their hands.

Always gamble responsibly. Prize
Casino
Year
Game




$39.7 Million
Excalibur, Las Vegas
2003
Megabucks


$34.9 Million
Desert Inn, Las Vegas
2000
Megabucks


$27.5 Million
Palace Station, Las Vegas
1998
Megabucks


$21.3 Million
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
1999
Megabucks



These stories are inspiring, but it's important to remember they are extremely rare exceptions to the rule.

A Hall of Fame of Winners

The Excalibur Jackpot: In 2003, a 25-year-old software engineer from Los Angeles visited the Excalibur Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. He put $100 into a Megabucks slot machine and walked away with an astonishing $39.7 million, the largest slot jackpot in history. The FedEx Founder: Frederick W. He played blackjack and won $27,000, which was enough to cover the company's $24,000 fuel bill and keep it afloat. The World Series of Poker Champion: In 2003, an amateur poker player named Chris Moneymaker turned a $86 online satellite tournament entry into a $2.5 million win at the World Series of Poker Main Event. Smith, the founder of FedEx, famously saved his company in its early days by taking its last $5,000 to Las Vegas. His victory is credited with starting the "poker boom."


Here’s a look at some of the largest recorded slot machine jackpots.

Its purpose was to control and regulate gambling during the carnival season. The first known European gambling house, the Ridotto, was established in Venice, Italy, in 1638. From these modest beginnings, the casino concept expanded across Europe and eventually to the Americas. A Historical Overview
The idea of the casino has a rich and captivating history, dating back centuries.



Never touch your cards in a game where they are dealt face-up. Craps
Don't say the word "seven" at the table. Keep your hands out of the way when the shooter is rolling the dice. Act in turn and don't "splash the pot" (throw your chips into the middle). Roulette
Wait for the dealer to remove the dolly (marker) from the winning number before placing new bets or collecting winnings. Poker
Don't talk about a hand casino you're not in. Pastime
Main Guideline




Blackjack
Use hand signals to indicate Hit or Stand.

Straight Flush: Five cards in sequence, all of the same suit. Flush: Any five cards of the same suit, not in sequence. Royal Flush: A, K, Q, J, 10, all of the same suit. Straight: Five cards in sequence, but not of the same suit. Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank. Two Pair: Two cards of one rank, two cards of another rank. Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank. The best possible hand. Full House: casino Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. High Card: If no one has any of the above, the player with the highest single card wins. The basic actions in a betting round are also crucial to learn. One Pair: Two cards of the same rank.

That difference is where the casino makes its money. Wager Kind
Numbers Covered
Reward
Chance to Win




Straight Up
1
35 to 1
2.70%


Split
2
17 to 1
5.41%


Street
3
11 to 1
8.11%


Column/Dozen
12
2 to 1
32.43%


Red/Black (Even Money)
18
1 to 1
48.65%



Notice how the probability of winning is always slightly less than what a "fair" payout would be.