Jennings 1940s Chief Nickel Slot payout

[VitaminC914]

I bought this Jennings slot machine and I am curious if there is a simple way to improve the winning odds? Any input is greatly appreciated..thank you.

[DennyW]

Why would you want to do that?

[marsonion]

I bought this Jennings slot machine and I am curious if there is a simple way to improve the winning odds? Any input is greatly appreciated..thank you.

I also am curious as to why you would want to alter the machine to that effect. On the other hand, perhaps you're frustrated that the machine appears to be denying you a payout rate that would make it entertaining to play; if you seem to never get any higher payouts than cherries, maybe you should check the star-wheels for bugs? I've seen machines loaded with no less than three bugs, preventing not only jackpot payouts, but bells and plums as well! Downright insidious.

[memphisbigdave]

So, old mechanical slots can not have their odds ‘improved’ so to speak. However, several people have commented that you may have one or more bugs. Bugs were installed by the operators to decrease the odds of winning, back in the day. Pull the mech out and check the reel bundle to see if any holes in the reels have a nut and bolt in them. That would be a bug. Remove them or that to return to standard payout

[watlingboy]

The old wives take was you could take a screw driver and change the payout odds. I can only assume that this refers to the adding of a bug. If you want to change the payout odds, change the bundle. The payout is determined by the symbols on the reels. Operators could order reel bundles which would be set for different pays, such as 70/30, 80/20.
George

[VitaminC914]

To answer the question as to why I want better odds, it is very simple. I am not running a casino or a gambling operation.. LOL. This is for my friends and I to play with it and it would be nice to have a payout more than I am getting now.

I will look for those bugs and see what I can find and I will post pics. I am not an expert on this. Always wanted a machine and the price was perfect.

[VitaminC914]

Here are 2 pics of the back of my machine. I don't see any "bugs". Can anyone help me figure out where or what I need to do to improve odds?

Thank you in advance!

[63mini]

VitaminC914,

There is no easy way to improve the olds on a mechanical machine. Now, I did notice that on your second photo there is a weld plug/patch on your payout disc. This is in the 12 o'clock position where a cherry symbol would have been. You could remove that welded plug/patch and get a replacement reel strip (or set). But since your reel strips have the Fitzgerald logo on them, they would not be easy to find. You could take a spare strip and cut out a Cherry symbol and do a "patch" on the existing reel strip. This would not look good, but it would "Improve" the odds. In my opinion it would be too much work if you are not familiar with the R&R these parts. I would just play it and enjoy it as is.

[VitaminC914]

@63mini thank you for your answer and your suggestion. After reading what you posted, I am definitely going to just enjoy it as is. The last thing I want to do is to take it apart

[oldslotman]

Here are 2 pics of the back of my machine. I don't see any "bugs". Can anyone help me figure out where or what I need to do to improve odds?

Thank you in advance!

Bugs would be on the reel stop.