Heres a question that Internet gamblers are asking themselves (and anyone else who will listen without running away, for that matter) all the time: How can I adopt a strategy for slots that will really boost my winning average?

Its high time someone answered that question. But first, a little history lesson would certainly be of value. Hey, no groaning from the back rows, this is important stuff. And no napping, either!

All the way back in 1891, which was probably before most of you were born (and if not, my condolences) a company that surely was run by a bunch of total wackos came up with a crazy idea. The name of this company was Sittman and Pitt. They were based in Brooklyn, New York, and their crazy idea was to develop a totally new kind of gambling machine. Turns out the idea had some legs, because this innovative gambling device was the precursor to the modern slot machine. It contained 5 drums holding a total of 50 card faces, and the style of game play was based heavily on poker.

As you probably guessed, that nutty little invention proved quite popular with the unwashed masses (the washed ones too, apparently) and before you could get change for a quarter there was hardly a bar in all of good ol Manhattan Towne that didn't have one or more of those buggers stationed right up by the beer tap. Players would insert a nickel and press a lever, which would spin the drums. There was no direct payout mechanism, so a pair of kings might win you a cold frosty on the house, whereas a Royal Flush could result in a free cigar or maybe a spin around the rosy with a pretty bar gal.

The first one-armed bandit didnt appear on the scene until 1887, courtesy of Charles Fey of San Francisco, California, who devised a much simpler automatic mechanism. Due to the vast number of possible wins with the original poker card-based game, it proved practically impossible to come up with a way to make a machine capable of making an automatic payout for all possible winning combinations.

Now, down to some serious tips about how to succeed, which is what you really wanted to hear:

No matter what tip or strategy you use to play slot machines, its imperative to set a limit to how much you are going to spend before you sit down to play. Once you reach that limit, just turn around and walk away. This rule simply cannot be overstated.

Secondly, try to avoid slot machines with 4 or more reels until you have built up a bankroll. Odds on 4 or more reel machines are trickier than the standard 3 reel slot machines. Furthermore, divide your bankroll into the number of slot sessions you plan on playing. You will enjoy your time at the casino a lot more without blowing your wad all in one sitting and have no money left for the remainder of your visit. People who do not follow this rule end up crying in their beer. Dont be one of them.

Heres another valuable tip: always play slots with your bankroll and not from the credits meter. By using this strategy, when you run out of money or want to leave the casino, any credits you earn will count as winnings. Conversely, should you spend all your money and use up all your credits, you walk away with precisely nada (otherwise known as zilch.) And thats not a good feeling.