If you love playing slot machines, then you know that the bright lights, jingling jangling noises and frenetic activity are enough to draw anyone in. However, you should always be careful when it comes to playing slots and protecting your bankroll. There are several playing techniques and myths that can actually damage your chances of winning on a consistent basis.
The 75% Payback Myth
A lot of players believe that the odds of a particular slot machine are based on how many times a particular symbol has appeared on the reels in the past. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Random number generators spitting out streams of numbers each second, then locking onto a group as soon as the spin button is pushed, determine the symbol combination for that spin. If you could somehow predict the exact number combinations, know how often they would occur and push the button with superhuman reflexes, you might be able to get some advantage.
Route Running
A good slot receiver must be able to run just about every route on the field, including some that are more complicated than others. They must also be precise in their timing and have chemistry with the quarterback. In addition, they need to be a solid blocker because they typically do not have the help of a fullback or an extra tight end.
Slot receivers are typically smaller than their wide receiver counterparts and look more like a running back. In fact, they normally are not much taller than 6’0” and usually weigh between 180 and 190 pounds. They need to be nimble and quick in order to avoid getting hit by the defense’s best tacklers, while still being strong enough to break a big play at any moment.
Slot is the most versatile position on a team’s offense, as they can be used in many different ways to open up the passing game for the entire team. Because of this, they are usually the primary target for the quarterback and are a vital part of the team’s offensive strategy. The more versatile a slot receiver is, the better off the team will be. If he can be utilized in multiple ways, he will not only gain more playing time, but he will also become a key contributor to the team’s success. In the NFL, Sid Gillman was a pioneer of the slot receiver position when he used a formation that placed one wide receiver on the outside and a second on the inside. This gave the Raiders a distinct advantage against opposing teams and was an integral part of their Super Bowl wins in 1966 and 1977. Al Davis, who succeeded Gillman as the Raiders’ head coach in 1963, continued to build upon Gillman’s strategies when he created his famous “Slot Formation.” Davis and his staff emphasized the importance of route running, speed and hands for slot receivers, which led to his team’s great success in the 1970s and early 1980s.