Casino Century Club

My butt sinks into the foot-thick foam padding, I put my money into the machine, peruse the pay table, locate the inviting “max bet” button, one push and....Oh so close, I was a half cherry away from that mythical “progressive”. Maybe, just maybe it was just one push away, of course I will never know until I push it again.....and again.....and again. Wait a minute though, everyone else seems to be winning around me, another siren, riches are surely just minutes away. Alright, I know I said only 20 bucks, but come on, I’ve sunk this much into this machine, and it has to pay out soon, right....RIGHT?
For all those who have had a similar experience, the following experiment is for you. After a particularly unlucky trip to the local casino, I decided I had to rethink my gambling strategies. Is sinking money into one machine better than playing lots of different ones? Lord knows I’ve tried both, with mixed results. After a restless sleep and many casino tainted dreams, I woke up the next morning knowing exactly what I had to do.
My plan is to take a crisp $100 and play exactly 100 different machines. No matter what happens, I would not spend more than $1 at any machine. This goes against every bit of gambling logic I’ve heard through the years. It will absolutely be the least “green” thing I’ve done in some time (100 machines means 100 little pieces of paper) Some friends found the idea inspired, some thought it ridiculous, I’ll let you, the reader, be the judge:

#1 (7:45ish) Hot Red Ruby: A $100 bill goes in, a slip of paper with $99.00 written on it comes out, not the start I had hoped for, but comforting to know I have 99 more machines to go
#8 Five Times Gold: True to its name, I spent $1 and won exactly $4! My first win of the night feels amazing, I leave this machine feeling like I can do anything, maybe even win millions, I am the most delusional loser of three dollars in history.
#12 777 Blazing: Time to take a break, I’m still feeling a little light headed from machine #8, or is it the fact I have sat down and gotten back up a total of 12 times in the last 20 minutes, either way, time for a beer. ($92)
#18 Frog Princess: I’ve just spent $1 and received 30 cents in return. Did I just lose 70 cents? I chose not to look at it that way, I have won 30 cents and you can’t convince me otherwise.
#21 Total Meltdown: The wins are starting to pile up ($1.50). Someone around me just won big. Slots are like the guy next to you ordering fajitas, and I am drawn to them. I want to go to there.
#25 (8:45) Beer, Bait & Ammo: Couldn’t have thought of a better machine to lose too going into the break. After 25 machines, I’m at a cool $82.60. I’ve thought I was one push away about 22 times thus far; this is harder that it may seem.
#39 Cool Catz: I ran into a friend during the first quarter break and he recommended this machine. Thank you Will, first double digit win of the night $10.20. I can do anything; I might levitate to the next machine, if it pleases me.
# 45 Jackpot Express: winner, winner, chicken dinner ($2.00)
#50 Diamond Fever: Halftime is here and I’m at $80!! Some said I would only leave with $20-$30 after the whole evening! I ran into a weird batch of machines (they keep spitting out these tickets that can’t be used, only cashed), I'm having to back and forth to the cashier. After telling one particularly impressed cashier about my brilliant plan, he asks, “Why? What are you trying to figure out?” Indeed, I have stumbled upon their secret. They are scared.
#61 Mr. Money Bags: I have finally run out of new machines, this is the first repeat title, but it also coincides with a $4.00 windfall. I should have tried this earlier.
#75 (11:20) Star Spangled Sevens: the end of the third quarter and I am getting tired. Not coincidently I’ve dwindled down to $67. It has already taken more time then expected, I need something good to happen and quick!
#76 Hot Red Ruby: JACKPOT! A $44 dollar win and I am reborn! The pit boss will surely be here soon, I think about employing a body guard. I see assassins around every machine, I’m being watched.
#94 Gold Standard: a win! I have reached the edge of the desert; finally, my thirst is quenched! ($.50)
#100 Wheel of Fortune (11:45): The end has come. After playing exactly 100 machines I have won exactly $88.91. I firmly believe that I am the smartest man in the world. I cannot stop grinning. This is the best I’ve ever felt leaving the casino.

So what do you think? After 4 hours and $11.09 spent; I’m left with more questions than answers. I know for a fact that it is REALLY hard to leave a machine after one pull. I know for a fact that my date was bored out of her mind (I cannot thank her enough for the brilliant note-taking and encouragement, thank you Cyndi!). But do I know whether it is better to play a lot of different machines or just one? I think that question will have to remain unanswered.........FOR NOW!