by Cean Burgeson

Created on: April 30, 2009   Last Updated: May 01, 2009

Slot players enjoy the rush of a good jackpot and the excitement associated with playing the most popular and newest games on the casino floor. They also like getting paid to play in the form of "comps" complimentary services and amenities that can be earned through slot play. But what is the best way to play in order to earn points towards rewards and increase the chances of winning bigger jackpots?

Oliver Shoemaker, Slot Operations Manager for Cache Creek Casino Resort in Northern California, has a few tips. The most important hint he gives is to become a member of a casino's players club and to use your card when playing. "It makes a lot of sense to play with a card. They're free, and there are a lot of free rewards that go along with having one. By not using one you don't get anything for playing."

Besides being rewarded for playing by earning and redeeming points, club membership has other advantages when tax time rolls around. "You're able to get win/loss statements which are important for people who play quite a bit and win some jackpots," says Shoemaker. "Without that club card there isn't a reliable way to track your play to assure that you aren't hit as hard with taxes on jackpots."

So why doesn't everyone join these clubs? Some players believe their slots experience is somehow changed when they play with a card, but Shoemaker shoots down that misconception. "It doesn't affect the game play at all. It's a whole separate system that merely takes snapshots of your play." And the more you play with your card the more offers you'll receive in the mail for Bonus Play, which is essentially free money."

The type of machines and the way you play also make a difference. "You usually want to play the highest denomination that you can afford," says Shoemaker. "Typically the higher denoms have a higher payback percentage. And video poker usually has a higher payback than a typical slot machine if you play it the right way."

Betting habits are also a factor. "You should try to play max bet," he explains. "On some machines, the more coins you play, the top reward will increase at a greater rate." For instance, the payout for playing two coins rather than one will more than double, increasing the rate of return per coin.

On other machines, Shoemaker explains, certain payouts aren't even available if you don't play multiple coins or max bet. "When you play more, you can get more symbols to match up," explains Shoemaker. "For instance, on Blazing 7s, if you play one coin and sevens come up, you don't get anything. If you play max you can actually win something when you get the sevens to line up."

Wide area progressives reward the player more for playing max bet, too. "On those big games like Wheel of Fortune or Megabucks, I can't imagine having the winning symbols come up and not playing max bet. I've actually seen it happen. Instead of getting five million, you get $1,700."

Some of the happiest players, says Shoemaker, are those who play machines that allow them more seat time because they pay out more frequently, even if those amounts are smaller. Other players prefer to play only for bigger jackpots even if they don't pay out as often. The key is to figure out what type of slot player you are and seek out those machines that fit your playing style in order to maximize your gaming experience.

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