Bankroll Management

Proper bankroll management is the difference between a successful AP career and going broke. Even with a mathematical edge, variance can be devastating without adequate reserves.

Section 01

How Much Do You Need?

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A general rule for slot AP:

Session bankroll: 2-3x the expected coin-in for your play
Total bankroll: 10-20x your average session bankroll
Conservative approach: Start with at least $5,000-$10,000 dedicated AP bankroll

Section 02

The Variance Problem

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Even with +EV plays, you will have losing sessions. The base game return is typically 85-90%, meaning you lose 10-15 cents per dollar on the base game while waiting for the progressive to hit.

Example scenario:

Expected coin-in to hit: $2,000
Base game return: 85%
Expected base game loss: $300
Progressive value: $350
Expected profit: $50
But actual results can vary by hundreds of dollars in either direction

Keep building the edge

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What is Advantage Play?

Advantage play (AP) is the practice of using legal strategies to gain a mathematical edge over the casino on specific slot machines. Unlike regular gambling, where the house always has an edge, advantage players identify situations where the expected return exceeds 100%.

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Section 03

Session Bankroll Sizing

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For each play, calculate:

Expected coin-in to reach the midpoint
Worst-case scenario: Assume 80% base game return during variance
Session bankroll = Expected coin-in x (1 - 0.80) = 20% of coin-in

Section 04

Risk Management Rules

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Never risk more than 5% of total bankroll on a single play
Set stop-losses: If a session goes badly, walk away and reassess
Track every session: Record buy-in, cash-out, time played, and game details
Separate AP bankroll: Keep it separate from personal finances
Replenish from profits: Grow your bankroll before increasing stakes

Section 05

When to Size Up

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Consistent profitability over 50+ sessions
Bankroll has grown 50%+ from starting point
Comfortable with higher variance swings
Found reliable +EV opportunities at higher stakes

Section 06

When to Size Down

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Bankroll drops below 75% of starting amount
Losing streak exceeds 10 consecutive sessions
Emotional decisions creeping into play selection
Life expenses threatening AP bankroll

Must-Hit-By Progressives

Must-Hit-By (MHB) progressives are the bread and butter of slot advantage play. These are progressive jackpots that are **guaranteed to trigger before reaching a specified ceiling value**.

AP Glossary

Key terms every advantage player should know.