CASINOS TIGHTEN SLOT MACHINES ON THE WEEKENDS This is the most common variation of the most persistent myth around. I’ve even heard some customers insist that people in surveillance scope out the casino and pick one lucky customer, press a magic button, and make that customer’s machine start winning. Another belief is that casinos can simply tighten or loosen a machine at will, as if there’s some sort of handle on the back that the staff winds up on weekends and unwinds once the crowds have left. If you actually believed this, why on earth would you come to a casino? Trust me: Slot machines come preprogrammed to be as loose or tight as the casino wants. To change the payback percentage, you need to order a whole computer chip (and sometimes a whole new computer board), then contact the appropriate regulatory authorities (so they can monitor your staff) as such a hassle that most slot managers won’t bother; it’s easier just to order new machines.

PULLING THE LEVER PAYS BETTER
In the early days, all slot machines had levers because they were purely mechanical. Today, everything is done through the machine’s computer, so it makes no difference whether you pull the handle or press the spin button. In fact, both parts are wired to the same circuit. The only reason they still have levers is tradition, and there are still plenty of customers who prefer the feel of the pull.