Being a winning slot machine player is impossible. All slot machines are specifically designed to be able to offer the house a long term edge, so the house shall always come out ahead if you play long enough. The only real way to counteract the house edge on slot machine games is to play a game with a really big jackpot, bet the max every time you play, and hope that you hit the jackpot. Then when you do hit the really big jackpot, guess what you do next? Stop playing that game.

Don't get me wrong. I am not saying that you should not play slot machines. Actually, I think slot games, particularly the good ones, are a lot of fun. But you want to keep within the forefront of your head that mathematically, what you're doing when you are playing a slot machine on a long term basis is paying for entertainment. You can calculate simply how much you're paying for that entertainment by multiplying the house edge times your average bet times your range of spins every hour.

For example, if you're playing a slot game with a payout of 95%, then the home edge is 5%. (The casino keeps 5% of every bet you make long-term.) And in case you are average bet is $3, then you're going to pay an average of 15 cents per spin to the home. (5% times $3.) Assuming you are making 500 spins per hour, that game costs you $75/hour to play, which may or may not be a reasonable price for you entertainment. That is determined by your bankroll.

Another thing to factor into your calculation is the amount the perks and bonuses you're getting back from the casino are worth. When you are playing in a land-based casino where you are getting free drinks while you play, then you can subtract the expense of those drinks from you're hourly cost. (Or you may add the expense of those drinks to the value of the entertainment you are receiving--it's just a matter of perspective.) My recommendation is to drink top-shelf liquor and premium beers so that you can maximize the entertainment value you are receiving. A Heineken can cost $4 a bottle in an excellent slot restaurant. Drink two Heinekens an hour, and you've just lowered what it costs you to play each hour from $75 to $68.

Slot clubs also give back a share of your losses each hour, so definitely be sure you join the casino's slot club and ALWAYS use your card to track your play. There is absolutely no reason not to do this. Casinos also reward their larger slot players with comps like meals, show tickets, and free rooms, which all add up to reduce the total amount of cash you are spending each hour that you're playing on their own machine.

Just how to be a winning slot machine player? I'd sum it up by saying know the amount it's costing you to play each spin and each hour, take advantage of all the comps and also the perks, and go for the big progressive jackpot.