Slot machines use random number generators to ensure that each spin is independent of the next. But despite this technological innovation, there are plenty of players who still cling to the notion that they can beat the house by using a slot machine betting system. It should also come as no surprise that numerous individuals have looked to capitalize on this belief, offering all manner of “winning” slots systems across the Internet (for a fee, of course).

This article will highlight some of the most popular slot betting systems in the hope that you’ll avoid them in the future. While slot machines offer flashing lights, animation, and the chance for a large payday, they should never be viewed as anything other than games of pure chance. Once you’ve gotten this idea through your head, your experience at the casino should be much less frustrating.

The Zig Zag Method

Cars, Slot machine, cards, bikes, collectibles, swords, mi $0 pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. Favorite this post Nov 29 IGT G20 Game King (Multi-Game) Slot Machine $1,800 pic.

This bizarre slot machine betting system relies more on the player’s powers of observation than anything else. To initiate the zig zag method, you’ll need to study several of the slot machines around you. Your objective is to find machines with certain reel patterns, especially those with the same symbols on all reels. According to the system, this means that the machine is “hot” and about to offer a big payday.

While horizontal and v-patterns are desirable, the most coveted alignment in the zig zag method is roughly the shape of a diamond. Adherents to this system will tell you that a diamond configuration is a harbinger for a big jackpot, but all forms of scientific analysis dispute this claim.

The biggest problem comes in the form of the slot’s random number generator. Since each spin is independent of the next, looking for patterns is useless.

The Hot and Cold Theory

This is a bare-bones system, but it makes about as much sense as the zig zag. All that’s required is for the player to hang back and observe people playing at a bank of slot machines. When another player vacates their seat at a “cold” machine, the system says to swoop in and start pumping coins into the slot. That’s because the cold machine is bound to turn “hot,” which will result in big winnings for the current player.

I shouldn’t have to say it, but the random number generators in all modern slots render this way of thinking obsolete. The appearance of hot or cold streaks is nothing more than an illusion.

The Martingale Technique

When it comes to betting systems, the martingale is the most well-known of the bunch. Its origins stretch back to 18th century France, and the basic premise of the system hasn’t changed much in several centuries. The idea behind the martingale is that the player doubles their bet after every loss. This is supposed to result in larger wins that cover any previous losses, as well as achieving a profit equal to the original stake.

The biggest problem with a martingale betting system is that players don’t possess unlimited funds. If they did, their increasingly larger bets would eventually pay off and bring in a vast payday. But since even the wealthiest players have a budget, a losing streak combined with a continual doubling of bets can quickly deplete even the most ambitious bankroll.

The Anti-Martingale Technique

Also known as the “reverse martingale,” this betting system calls on the player to reduce wagers after a loss and increase them following a win. This is meant to take advantage of hot streaks while minimizing the damage of those pesky cold streaks.

This system is flawed for the same reason as the traditional martingale theory. Each spin of the reels is entirely independent of the next, so concepts such as “streaks” are nothing more that figments of the player’s imagination. Add bankroll limitations to the equation and you have yet another slot system that fails to live up to expectations.

While slot machine betting systems offer players a sense of hope, they’re ultimately leading them down a path fraught with misinformation and outright lies. Some players swear by these systems, of course, but they seem incapable of admitting that their winnings are the result of nothing more than good luck.

The hucksters who sell “secrets” to winning slot machine strategies further muddy the waters, as they’re willing to say anything in the pursuit of the almighty dollar. The best advice I can give is to avoid these individuals and their schemes like the plague. Even if their systems yield some profits in the short term, you’re bound to give it all back to the casino by practicing a flawed gaming method.

The best solution is to look at slot machines for what they truly are: games of chance. All wins or losses are determined entirely at random, and each spin has as much chance of winning or losing as the previous one. Hardcore gamblers may find the preceding sentence decidedly unsexy, but pretending that slot systems are anything other than nonsense is a waste of everyone’s time.

I’ve discovered a lot of odd things while living overseas, but none has surprised me as much as the presence of slot machines on military bases. Every base I’ve been to in Europe has slot machines. I’d always thought that gambling on military bases wasn’t allowed. I was definitely wrong!

While I have no problems with recreational gambling, I find it odd that the military would allow slot machines. The Department of Defense regs clearly prohibit gambling, as explained in this excerpt from Hill AFB’s Hilltop Times:

“While on government-owned or leased property or on duty for the government, an employee shall not conduct or participate in any gambling activity, including conducting a lottery or pool, (or) participating in a game for money or property …” (5 C.F.R. ¬ß735.201). The Department of Defense has wholly adopted this rule. “A DoD employee shall not participate while on federally owned or leased property or while on duty (for military members, this means, in this context, present for duty) for the federal government in any gambling activity prohibited by 5 C.F.R.” ¬ß735.201. (Joint Ethics Regulation — DoD 5500.7-R).

If this is accurate, how in the heck can the Department of Defense justify having slot machines available on base?

History and Current Situation

I did a little research, and I discovered that slot machines have been present on military bases since at least the 1930s. Official support for slot machines has waxed and waned over the years. The machines were removed from all Army and Air Force bases in 1972, but remained on Navy bases. The machines began to be reintroduced in 1980. While hard and current numbers are hard to find, there are at least 5,000 slot machines located on nearly 100 overseas military bases.

Base For Slot Machine

Positives of On-Base Slot Machines

There are some reasonable arguments for having gaming machines available on base in locations where similar gambling is illegal off the military installation. Occasional gaming can be fun and relaxing for troops and their families. Officials state that on-base machines offer higher payouts than off-base machines. Gambling on-base can be safer than off-base gaming locations, and there is a decreased chance that a problem gambler will do something illegal if they are within the grounds of the installation.

The money earned from these on-base gambling machines is used to supplement the Morale, Welfare and Recreation budgets of local bases, supporting swimming pools, movie theaters, and concerts. Estimates are that on-base gambling brings in between $100 and $150 million dollars in revenue each year. That’s a lot of movies and popcorn.

Negatives of On-Base Slot Machines

There are also a lot of reasons why DoD sanctioned gambling is a bad idea.

Easy access has been proven to increase the number of problem gamblers. John Kindt is a University of Illinois business professor who has studied the gambling industry and focused on the military in recent years.

These troops, they’re Type A personalities,” he said. “They’re naturally drawn to risk and adventure, and that’s the group most vulnerable to gambling problems.

We’ve seen civilian studies where populations with easy access to slot machines have nearly doubled the number of problem gamblers,” he said. “The slots are easy and highly addictive.

If they got rid of the machines, there would still be some with serious problems who go off base or get involved in back-room poker games. But just having them there, you get some people addicted who never would have had a problem otherwise.

What Is A Base For A Slot Machine Gun

Not Just Slots

Bingo is a popular form of entertainment on many military bases, and much if it is run by the Department of Defense through it’s MWR departments. The National Council on Problem Gambling claims that Army bingo was a $45 million dollar business in 2005.

A quick internet search on “army bingo” shows that Hunter Army Airfield currently runs bingo games six nights a week, and I’ve seen prizes as high as $42,000. Holy Cow! Heck, Bingo at HAAF has it’s own Facebook page! Fort Gordon even has it’s own Bingo Palace.

For me, I don’t care if the military wants to support gambling. I DO care if they are inconsistent with their own rules, and I think it is pretty clear that things are inconsistent when it comes to gambling.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and opinions.

I’ve used a lot of sources for this post. In no particular order…

photo by: ddesk

Do you want to know more about your military pay and benefits?

Slot Machine Cabinets For Sale

Things change fast around here! Keep up-to-date with email alerts about the topics that are important to you!