12. When you insert coins, don’t assume all the tokens register before you pull the handle. Played five but only four recorded? SORRY. You will get a sympathetic pat on the back from the casino, but no money.

13. I recommend avoiding machines that use video representations of symbols. With these slots, there is absolutely no way to figure out what the payoff percentage of that machine is. For all you know, your true chances of hitting a major jackpot could be 2,097,152 to one.

14. Most online casinos will hold a slot for you while you go to the restroom, take a short break, or even go on a buffet run. Just ask a slot supervisor to reserve your machine and give a specific time when you will return.

15. Don’t chain yourself to a cold machine, even if it is your favorite. Why? Because the longer you stay on any slot, the more time the machine’s built-in mathematical advantage has to work you over. This is how casinos build mega-resorts. Time always works on their side, and they have a mathematical edge on every slot.

16. Just because you’re only playing free slots, you still need to set a loss limit on your bankroll for both your trip and each individual gaming session. Divvy up your wad per playing session, discipline yourself and stick to it.

17. I’ll come clean here. I don’t play slots. But as a local in a casino town, I know where the locals who do play find the most cluck-for-the-buck. Simply put, locals don’t play dog machines. So when searching for high payback machines, ask a few employees where the locals find the best slot value. Even if they are not slot players themselves, they at least know where their friends like to play.

18. Leave both your credit and bank teller cards at home so you will not be tempted with the easy convenience of getting cash. Also, allow me to take the obvious one step further. Only bet what you can afford to lose.

Finally, going to slot heaven-Las Vegas? Your best return in Las Vegas, and the country for that matter, are in the casinos Downtown or N. Las Vegas. Average return on quarter machines: 95.5 percent. That almost makes it a decent wager.