I received the following question a few days ago…
Q. This is only my feeling and would like an expert to confirm if true or false. If you made a big or moderate win from a particular slot machine you should transfer because chances are that this machine will clean you up if you continue. True?
A. The answer is “yes” and “no”.
“No” because technically these machines hit randomly. They could just as well produce three big payouts within a few spins of each other.
“Yes” because all slot machines are set with a lifetime payout percentage. If a machine is set to a payout percentage of 80%, it means that 80% of the money it collects will be paid back to the players in the form of a win, but most often as a small win.
However, when the machine pays out a big or moderate win, it still must maintain that 80% payout percentage. That means, it must hit you with enough losses or small wins to balance out that lifetime percentage.
But remember, all machines are set this way. So, if you cash yourself out, and put that money into another machine, you could end up putting that money into a machine that just recently paid out a big win.