How to Improve Your Odds at Wheel of Fortune Slot Machines

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: November 26, 2022

Wheel of Fortune slot machines are some of the most popular slot machines in the world. Launched in 1966, this dazzling style of betting has captivated gamblers for years with high jackpots and spinning money wheels. While the outcomes of these slot machines are randomly generated, there are a few tricks to stretching your money and increasing your chances of winning.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Improving Your Odds by Stretching Your Money

1
Increase the number of rounds you can play. To do so, choose a low maximum bet machine. If you're on a budget, choose a lower denomination slot machine. For example, play a two coin slot machine instead of a three coin slot machine. You'll lose money more slowly and get to play longer, increasing your chances of winning.^{[1]
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- The lower bet machines sometimes have lower payouts as well. This information will be listed on the machine in the payout table.
2
Use a casino player card. These cards keep track of your credits and can be used to gamble. Using a player card on slot machines won't improve your chances of winning.^{[2]
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Research source} However, many casinos offer compensations such as free hotel rooms and extra betting money if you use their cards to gamble. These benefits help you stretch your money further.
- Most casinos have their own player cards. Visit or call your favorite casino to find out how to get one.
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3
Check for bonuses and promotions. Many casinos will advertise bonuses and promotions on their websites. These bonuses can include extra gambling money, meals, and giveaways. Check with your favorite casino before gambling by visiting the website or calling a customer service representative. The more money you save, the more money you'll have to gamble.
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Budget your gambling money properly. You need to bet the maximum bet on each Wheel of Fortune to be eligible for the jackpot or to spin the wheel.^{[3]
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Research source} Therefore, you should bring enough money to play the machines for at least a few minutes. If you bring twenty dollars for a five dollar max bet machine, you may only be able to play four rounds.
- There are many different machines with maximum bets ranging from a few quarters to a hundred dollars.
- The more rounds you play, the more likely you are to win money.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Playing to Win

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Bet the maximum amount of money. Insert your coins, cash, or player card into the machine. Press the “Bet Max” button to bet the maximum amount of money possible. This is the only way to be eligible for the jackpot or to spin the Wheel of Fortune.^{[4]
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Research source} Look at the indicators and make sure your bet is valid each time you play, that each bill and ticket is accepted.
2
Begin gambling. Pull the lever or press “spin” to start gambling. Each type of slot machine has a different winning combination to get the jackpot. To spin the Wheel of Fortune, you have to land on a “spin” picture (old style), or 3 spins on a payline (new style). Keep gambling until you either lose all your money or come out ahead.
- Trust your instincts. If you're not feeling lucky, either switch to another machine or take a break from gambling.
- Never gamble with money that you can't afford to lose. Never bet with rent money, mortgage, utilities, car payment, or other funds you need to live. Do not use credit cards for cash advance; there are fees and the interest rate can approach 50%.
3
Spin the Wheel of Fortune. If you land on the “spin” picture you'll have an opportunity to spin the Wheel of Fortune. Some machines have a special “spin the wheel” button while others let you press the regular “spin” button. After you press the button, the large wheel over the game will begin to turn. Whatever dollar amount the wheel stops on is yours to keep. The wheel sections may be stated in dollars or credits; multiply credits x the machine denomination to determine your winnings.
- The lower maximum bet machines will have lower dollar amounts on the Wheel of Fortune, and vice versa. A new version of the $100 Wheel has a top spin prize of $40,000!
4
Collect your winnings. Any amount won that exceeds $1200 will be a hand pay; the machine will lock up and flash its candle, and an attendant will come over to handle the win. If you win the progressive jackpot, you can choose to accept your money in payments over time or as a lump sum. If you accept the money in payments, you will lose less to taxes. However, most experts say to choose a lump sum. Even though you will lose a larger amount to taxes, you can invest a larger sum of money at once and make it all back .^{[5]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Choosing a Machine

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Choose a machine with a smaller minimum jackpot. Different versions of the Wheel of Fortune games have different minimum jackpots. Some gamblers believe that smaller jackpots are easier to win.^{[6]
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Research source} Even if this isn't the case, machines with smaller jackpots have smaller maximum bets, which will allow you to stretch your money further. Note that the $25 and $100 Wheels have fixed jackpots that are not progressive.
- For example, lower maximum bet games often have a minimum jackpot of $200,000, while the higher maximum bet games usually have a minimum jackpot of $1,000,000.
2
Pick out a Wheel of Fortune game. Over two dozen kinds of Wheel of Fortune slot machines exist. These games will have different winning combinations and symbols, but they'll all include a bonus "spin" option that lets you spin the Wheel of Fortune. Almost all of the versions have the same odds, so choose one that looks fun to you.
- You can identify these games by the large spinning wheel over the main part of the machine.
- All of these machines use random number generators to determine outcomes.
3
Understand your odds of winning on these machines. Many professional gamblers avoid slot machines because the chance of winning your money back is low. Furthermore, no matter how high the jackpot gets, slot machines aren't required to pay out. A larger jackpot doesn't give you a better chance of winning.
- Because the machines use random number generators to decide outcomes, your odds won't ever change no matter what time of day you play.^{[7]
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Do not try to muscle a slot machine!
- Slot machines are built to take daily use. They are armor-plated, have tempered glass, and are equipped with sensors that detect tampering and abuse. They are tested against various types of behavior before leaving the factory, including zapping it with a Tazer. You cannot affect the outcome by slamming it, banging it, nudging it, lifting it off its foundation, or other forms of physicality. What will happen is much like the pinball machines of old: the machine will detect the abuse and shut itself down, which also voids any credits you have left. You will then find yourself surrounded by security or police, who may arrest you but will more likely escort you off the premises.
- Remember, cameras are everywhere, so whatever bad behavior you exhibit is recorded and can be used against you in court. Those of us who play regularly have had our bad days and our good days; if you arent having a good day, there is always tomorrow. Walk away, go have a meal, or a massage, or a swim, or go shopping.

Community Q&A

Question

Do people generally win on the wheel of fortune game if they play the quarter game as opposed to the $5 wheel of fortune game?

Community Answer

Your chances of winning don't change from game to game. However, your odds of winning improve the more rounds you play. If you are playing on a budget, this means that you'll be more likely to win the quarter game as you'll be able to play more rounds.
Question

What are the odds of winning the jackpot on the Wheel of Fortune machines?

Steve Sedlis

Community Answer

Are you referring to the progressive jackpot or other jackpots? The WOF has made more millionaires than any other slot machine in history. But like any investment, past performance is no guarantee of future earnings. I have played all of the WOF versions, up to and including the $100/play, and it is a wildly volatile machine and very profitable for the casino. For example, a $1 two-coin Double Diamond WOF pays its wins with a one coin schedule; the second coin is a side bet for the SPIN and jackpot. Consider that current-version RNG chips can do 4000 combinations in a half-second, and only 1 combination comes up WHEEL-WHEEL-WHEEL, the chances are minuscule that the progressive will come up.