Likes (Given) 169. Likes (Received) 449. The end of the month always gets me badly 8/10. I seem to do best between the 5th and 25th on land and online. The beginning and end they seemingly tighten everything up due to the upswing in business. Ringo Starr said it best about gambling: It Don't Come Easy. Slot placement isn’t random. Although casinos would like you to think that.
Las Vegas is home to 160,000+ slot machines. People who don’t gamble or visit Vegas much don’t realize how much variety exists among these tens of thousands of games. Thanks to strict regulatory work, we know that the return to player percentage of Vegas slots ranges from 78% to almost 99%. Whether you’re an advantage gambler or not, you should recognize that some Vegas slot machines are designed to take more of your money and at a faster pace than others. In the industry, this is referred to as a machine’s “tightness” or “looseness.”
The loosest slots in Vegas in 2021 (and probably 2022) are at off-Strip casinos and casinos in North Las Vegas, at places like Fiesta Henderson or Sam’s Town near the Boulder Strip. Some slots at these off-Strip spots in Las Vegas are similar in theoretical return percentage to the more traditionally player-friendly slot games in Reno, some are even better than the average Reno machine.
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In this post, I’ll prove everything I just said with specific statistics, showing you how to find the loosest slots in Las Vegas in 2021. And let’s be honest, this information isn’t likely to change much in 2022, either.
What Are Loose Slots (In Vegas or Anywhere Else)?
A slot is loose if its theoretical return to player is high relative to other machines. RTP is measured as a theoretical percentage representing how much of a player’s money will be paid back out in winnings. The RTP tells you how much you stand to lose over a given period of time.
Loose slots have higher percentages.
Tight slots have lower percentages.
Loose vs. Tight Slots in Vegas Example
Let’s look an example:
50 Lions slot machines by Aristocrat are popular on Vegas casino floors. This is a 5-reel and 3-row video slot with all the modern features players like, with bonuses, wild symbols, a scatter symbol, but nothing too much in terms of video cut scenes or complex side bets or bonus games. It’s accessible to a huge number of players and that’s why you can find it on lots of different gaming floors.
The standard issue game of 50 Lions has an RTP of 94.71%.
That doesn’t mean that every version you find in Vegas has that same RTP – casinos are allowed to alter games to change the theoretical return percentage. This is done mainly by changing the pay tables in subtle ways or by actually changing the programming of the game itself.
This means that playing 50 Lions slots at the Peppermill Reno will be a totally different experience than playing at The Venetian on the Vegas Strip.
In fact, there could be as much as a 10% difference between that game at The Venetian and the game at the Peppermill.
Does RTP Really Affect a Slot Machine’s Play?
I think this question really means “Will I notice any difference between two games with different RTPs?”
Maybe, maybe not.
You have to take RTP numbers with a Vegas-sized grain of salt. That’s because these numbers only become true when you consider them over an infinite period of time. In the short-term, you will not see exactly 97% of your money paid back when you play a slot with a 97% RTP for an hour or two. In fact, the shorter amount of time you play, the less a game is like its posted RTP figure.
That’s because these numbers are calculated for an infinite bankroll used for an infinite amount of time.
But don’t ignore RTP.
It’s the best (meaning the most scientific) way we have of quantifying a slot’s relative return to the player. We also like it because in most places where gambling is legal, operators are required to report RTP figures for all their games. This is true in Las Vegas and the rest of Nevada’s gambling areas.
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Where Are the Loosest Slots in Las Vegas in 2021 and 2022?
Okay, now that you’re an expert on the meaning of RTP in slot play, let’s help you zero in on the slots with the best RTP figures in the entire city of Las Vegas.
For starters, it’s important to know the average RTP figures for various slot game denominations on the Strip. Here’s a quick guide to the most common:
- $0.01 Slot Machines – 88.38%
- $0.05 Slot Machines – 91.64%
- $0.25 Slot Machines – 89.35%
- $1 Slot Machines – 92.43%
If you’re looking for loose Vegas slots on the Strip in 2021 and 2022, head for either the nickel slots or the more expensive $1 games, mostly found in the high limit area.
Let’s compare those figures to the same ones for North Las Vegas:
- $0.01 Slot Machines – 90.88%
- $0.05 Slot Machines – 95.29%
- $0.25 Slot Machines – 96.41%
- $1 Slot Machines – 95.39%
Obviously, every denomination offers a better RTP in North Vegas than their companion machines on the Strip. Will players notice the difference on penny slots?
Maybe not, but the higher the denomination of the machine, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to tell that you’re playing on a machine with a better theoretical return percentage.
The final set of numbers shows the theoretical return for games on the Boulder Strip:
- $0.01 Slot Machines – 90.38%
- $0.05 Slot Machines – 96.21%
- $0.25 Slot Machines – 96.13%
- $1 Slot Machines – 96.13%
Notice that some denominations are technically higher in the Boulder area than in North Vegas, while others are the opposite.
It’s not clear to me that you’ll notice much difference in a typical session of slot play, but some bettors really like to play on the best possible machines they can.
Where Are the Tightest Slots in Las Vegas in 2021 and 2022?
As a fun exercise, and as a cautionary tale for advantage gamblers looking to avoid tight slots, let’s take a quick look at the casinos with the tightest slots in Sin City.
Take note that all five of these are located prominently on the Vegas Strip.
The Venetian currently holds the title of Tight Slot Champion, with an average RTP across all their slots of 86.66%. That’s lower than the average slot RTP for the city of Las Vegas, which is right at 93%. It’s even lower than the overall RTP average for the Strip, which is 91.47%. About the only place you can play slot machines with a lower RTP average than the Venetian is the airport, where the average return is just over 85%.
The Bellagio is an icon, a gorgeous symbol of Vegas excess and American wealth. It’s also home to some really bad slots, in terms of RTP – the average slot machine here has a RTP of 87.42%. Sure, you can play at 2,300 different machines, among the biggest variety in the world, but you’re paying a small price for that privilege.
You should visit Caesars Palace for the Bacchanal Buffet, the world-class resort and amenities, and its poker room, which is among the best in the world. You should not visit if you’re looking for slots with low RTP figures, since the average here is 88.87%.
Mandalay Bay and its gold-plated windows give off a heck of a Vegas vibe. The average slot RTP here is 89.05%, well below average even for a Strip property.
The Mirage is a new entry to this list, and offers a similar product to Mandalay Bay, down to the average RTP on their slot machines. In 2020, the Mirage tightened up even more, producing a slot RTP average of 89.3%, middling at best for the Vegas Strip, where the tightness of the slots is a well-known thing.
Conclusion
In my experience, two kinds of people are looking for “loose slots.”
You’re either an advantage gambler looking for the mythical 98.8% layout of 50 Lions so you can squeeze every penny out of the casino, or you’re a newcomer who thinks you can find a magical slot that will guarantee winnings. To the first kind of gambler, I say “Carry on.” Using the information in this post, and a little bit of time on Google, you can easily find out where the slots are loose and tight in Las Vegas in 2021. And 2022 looks to be much the same – it’s unlikely that looser slots are on the horizon as soon as next year.
If you’re the type who believes that they can find a slot machine so loose that it guarantees a payday, a word of warning. Slot machines are literally designed to take your money, and the manufacturers and gaming providers advertise this information publicly. Gambling is entertainment, with a fun and distracting game that gives you the chance to win a little bit of prize money. There’s no sure-thing in Las Vegas – not on the Strip, not in the North, and not in the airport gate.
If you want to find loose slots because it will increase the value of your entertainment budget, use the tools here to do just that. If you’re looking for loose slots as part of your retirement strategy, please understand that all gambling entails risk. Play for fun, not for profit.
Progressive slots Jackpot – standalone:
Standalone progressive Jackpots are Jackpots that sit on only one machine. Meaning that the Jackpot can only be won on the Slot Machine that sits under it. These Jackpots are funded by the play going through the machine (usually 1 – 5% depending on the game) so this means that a percentage of the money returned to the player is in the Jackpot.
Progressive Jackpots have a maximum limit but can sit on that limit until it is won. The size of the “ceiling” and “start up” value differ from game to game.
Ceiling value:
The limit the Jackpot can reach usually Jackpots are won before this is reached but they have also been known to sit on ceilings for extended periods of time which drives much more intense play on the machines.
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Start-up value:
This is the starting value of the Jackpot. This is the minimum amount the Jackpot starts at. A Casino does not start to make money until the startup value is exceeded 101% or the previous ceiling was reached. This is where they make the majority of their money as hungry players frantically play the game to score the Jackpot.
How to hit the Jackpot on Slot Machines
hitting jackpot on slot machine is not as simple as just being lucky. Many slot players want to to know how to make a slot machine hit jackpot. Before you play any kind of Slot machine jackpot you need to understand the difference between the types of jackpots available.
Many modern games such as the “Hold and Spin” style which has become popular center the majority of return and game math around the Jackpot Prizes of varies levels. A great example of this are the Lightning Slot Games and the Dragon Slot Games. The “hold and spin” feature is merely a chance to win the Jackpot. There is nothing wrong with these games as almost all the return sits in these features. Both the base and bonus spins are essentially garbage.
In games such as this the Jackpots are far more frequent and the more you bet the more chance you have to win or to score larger prize values.
Progressive Slots, linked Jackpots (in house):
Linked progressive Jackpots follow the same theory as standalone progressive slots. The main difference is that the Jackpot sits over many machines in the same venue. These jackpots are usually much higher as multiple machines feed a bigger pool. In house links are usually operated by the Casino and feature a collection of machines under the link. The slots under an in-house link.
Casino operators often do this the lift the performance of poorer performing games, extend their life-span on their floor or to add a point of difference to their Casino offering.
The RTP% of each game can be lowered to accommodate the return provided by the Jackpot or the Casino Operator could take a small hit on the bottom line effectively raising the RTP% of the game. So for example if the machine contributes 1% a 93% slot could become a 94% slot or a 92% slot.
If you follow my strategy the operator taking a hit actually works out better for you. So it might be worth finding out.
linked Jackpots (wide area):
Similar to the in house wide area jackpots come packaged with the series of slot machines sold.
These are usually the same type of slot machine or the same series of slots from the same manufacturer Lightning and Dragon slot games are again a great example of this. They have a “Linked” Jackpot level which runs across all of those machines in the Casino or across multiple casinos.
The more of these machines that the Casino Has or are on the network the more often that top level will be won and the faster the Jackpot will increase. As these games have the levels factored in the RTP% is affected.
Mixed Progressive Slot and Linked Slot:
Many modern slots now feature both standalone progressive and linked jackpot amounts. This is often shown as multiple Jackpot levels with smaller standalone prizes and much bigger Jackpot prizes to be won. Once more main issue here is that this can start to really eat into the RTP% with much of the player return sitting in Jackpot bonuses.
The more levels of Jackpot the Game has the more of your return is split between those elements and this can really dampen the game.
Deterministic Jackpot (must hit Jackpot):
Found only in some jurisdictions and not quite as common – Deterministic Jackpots are in my opinion the main type you should keep an eye out for when playing in a bricks and motor casino.
While progressives have a ceiling or limit amount that they can reach, the Jackpot can sit at the limit for for an indefinite period of time. A deterministic Jackpot on the other hand MUST PAY OUT AT IT’S CEILING – this means that the Jackpot is guaranteed to go off at or before a specific amount. So if you find a jackpot like this sitting high at or near its limit – than it really is worth a shot.
Of course this can create absolute pandemonium on the floor and the closer it gets the harder you will find it to get on a machine. Of course playing a Jackpot Online has it’s advantages you can get on a high-jackpot anytime you want and can do so in your pajamas. See the end of this post for some suggestions.
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In the case of in-game Jackpot Features an increased betting method is used. Meaning the more you bet the more Jackpot trigger symbols appear this will increase the chances of hitting the Jackpot. This is an obvious design choice to increase the average player bet and ultimately drive more revenue for the casino.
These features will also eat into your bank roll much more quickly. So before playing any slot with a Jackpot Bonus have a look in the game rules if a higher bet means a higher chance to hit the jackpot. Jackpots slot wins are fairly frequent when the ceiling is much lower.
Playing online for example – the standalone is built into the game RTP% and there is a strong call to action to bet more to win the progressive bonus as per the example below.
So… Should you play MAX BET to win?
In short… Yes. Progressive Jackpot Game such as Gunslinger above or the Lightning slots and Dragon slots means both higher prizes and a bigger chance to win when you increase your bet. You should however ensure that you can afford to play at this level. Quite often you can scale the investment so pick a bet level you are comfortable with.
When should you play a Jackpot Slot?
Simple… when they are high. Sounds logical and yes it is but it also helps to have some background information. Basically you need to know how high the Jackpot has reached previously and what the limit is.
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In some cases it might help to know if the Jackpot even has a ceiling. But if a Jackpot that can reach a multi-million dollar limit and it is currently sitting at that number than you would be crazy not to give it a go. Even at a lower bet with all lines, it’s worth a try and the odds are still probably better than winning the lottery.
how often does a slot machine hit jackpot
This is difficult to know as it all depends on how much turnover and play is going through the slots linked to it and where the Jackpot level is currently sitting. Generally Jackpot odds are worse at the startup value than they are at the limit value.
Best thing to do is ask someone who works at the casino or venue, many of the employees have records on recent jackpot hits. You can find out at how much and how recently the Jackpot was won and work out an average hit range. Big jackpots are always worth having a play for so as long as the Jackpot is at a ceiling why not.
Jackpots work a lot like the lottery as the pool increases so does the number of tickets people buy. Every time you press the spin/play button you are buying a ticket, the more tickets you buy the bigger chance you have to win.
Best Time To Go To Casino
I would suggest however that if you are playing for a jackpot you keep this playing activity separate from your regular play activity The same goes online as many online casinos feature games linked to Jackpots below are some of the best online casinos for slot jackpots.
Recommended Online Jackpots
The following Casino’s all have a wide variety of games with some great Jackpot offerings. From small and frequent Jackpots to HUGE jackpot prizes. All legitimate safe Online Casinos operating in a number of currency and payment options.