What about CowboySlots and RopeTheJackpot?

Cowboy Slots and its sister website, RopeTheJackpot.com, justifiably pride themselves on their mission to educate slot players. In a little over a year, they have more than 150,000 subscribers on YouTube. What can you share with us about the website and its leader?

Based out of Kemmerer, Wyoming, Cowboy Slots is the brainchild of a former slot technician known only as “Brantley.” He launched Cowboy Slots on February 27, 2022, and agglomerated one million-plus views on YouTube by the end of April. When not playing slots, Brantley races horses and enjoys "all the fun Western activities—rodeos, stuff like that,” he told a Boston podcast last year. (All the following quotes are derived from that podcast.)

Brantley’s motivation was to answer common questions about slot machines. Cowboy Slots started slow and “then just blew up.” In addition to YouTube, Cowboy Slots has a considerable social-media presence, including a Facebook page.

Starting out from a youthful fascination with slots, professional model Brantley began by purchasing a slot machine (one of an eventual 10) even before he worked in a casino. He took them apart, learned their inner workings, and put them back together again. He eventually opened a 1,00-slot retail store. He’s coy about which casinos he worked in, preferring to emphasize his “from-the-garage” background.

As a slot technician, Brantley did mostly routine maintenance — soldering circuit boards, replacing batteries, and so on. The urbane cowpoke, being a slot autodidact, probably didn't need much on-the-job training. However, he's quick to dispel the myth that slot technicians write code and program the slots.

Brantley uses his bully pulpit to demystify slot machines, such as the relationship between the spinning reels and the onboard computer. And he emphasizes that “the casino is a psychological trap” and that “at the end of the day, it’s entertainment.” He also dispels mythology such as the rumor that louder machines pay better. Ditto the myth of hot cycles and cold cycles. And no, the techs don’t go down in the dead of night and tighten all the slot holds: “Not only is that not true, but it’s also very illegal.”

RopeTheJackpot is the Internet umbrella under which all of Brantley’s ventures are gathered: retail (souvenirs), online tutorials, and a brief history of Cowboy Slots. One advantage of Brantley’s videos, as opposed to those of rival slot influencer Brian Christopher, is their concision. Brantley compacts all of his play and advice into 10- or 12-minute video-tapas plates. He and sidekick Marc also livestream their counsel to players and they host a raft of online forums.

Except for a Shoshone tribal casino in Wyoming, Brantley doesn’t have any cooperating casinos yet, unlike Christopher. But it's still early innings yet. Give him time. As Brantley says, “There’s always the possibility of growth.”

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Brian Taulbee Jul-24-2023

Such A Great Resource

The guys at Cowboy Slots and their crew are just awesome. So much helpful information can be found on their videos, their live streams, and their forum. Check them out if you haven't. Their advice is solid, they wont steer you wrong.

O2bnVegas Jul-24-2023

set it louder, yeah

A fellow slot player (stranger) insisted that some slots are 'programmed' to pay more/more often if the volume is set high (by the player), because more folks will be attracted by the high volume.

Ah, well, if it floats your boat, I say.

Candy

[email protected] Jul-24-2023

Bottom Line on Slots?

Is that 99.9% of folks playing slots for any length of time is simply slowly flushing away their money...Why these zombies sit at these machines for hours and hours MINDLESSLY pushing buttons thinking that is "fun" OR really "gambling" simply astounds me. It's both lazy and financially ignorant.

AL Jul-24-2023

A tiny question

So . . . . . just how many is "1,00"?

O2bnVegas Jul-24-2023

For steveludwig

Well, steve, in fact, "MINDLESS" is the key word.  But don't knock slots, since they built all the casinos you've ever enjoyed whatever game you  play in.  And, isn't that why we love casino gambling, to fall into the state of forgetfullness/mindlessness regarding the reality of life back home?  Actually, they are fun, especially the newer and really newer video slots out there now? Not just reels with bars and stars to line up.  

I'm glad there is a mix of slots, VP (which are slots, after all), and table games, all to keep things interesting.  I wouldn't say casino gambling, any of it, is "lazy", but I agree it is not in anyone's best interests financially.  Why do we who like it like it?  Ask some shrinks that question, 'cause I'm sure I don't know.

Candy

Doc H Jul-24-2023

steve L

'Is that 99.9% of folks playing slots for any length of time is simply slowly flushing away their money...Why these zombies sit at these machines for hours and hours MINDLESSLY pushing buttons thinking that is "fun" OR really "gambling" simply astounds me. It's both lazy and financially ignorant. '

lol. Let's step into reality here. Anyone who spends anytime in a casino, playing ANY game, regardless of how low the house edge is, they are going to take your money you put in steve, plus. Maybe not today, tomorrow, next month, but over the long haul, you and everyone except for the very tiny ultra dumb luck types lose everything they put in and more. There are the Bob Dancer types but 99.99% of people aren't at that level including yourself I'm guessing so I wouldn't be accusing others of flushing their money down the toilet of their game of choice as others can say the same exact thing about your game of choice, perhaps it just disappears a little slower.

rokgpsman Jul-24-2023

Chasing the good feeling of winning

I think many/most people play the various casino games expecting to lose but hopeful luck or magic will happen and they'll win some money. Playing slots is like buying a lottery ticket, you know you only have a small chance at winning. But you hear about others winning so you believe you have just as good a chance as they do. So it's the thrill of the chase that's behind playing. It's that excitement and anticipation that gives many players the desire to try their luck even on longshot games like slots, keno and roulette. There are other casino games that have better player odds, but not everyone likes those games or wants to learn to play them. Gambling has been around in one form or another since ancient days. If people didn't have the desire to chase that winning feeling the casino would go broke, so it must be something that just about everyone has inside them.

[email protected] Apr-17-2024

Gambling is fun!

Gambling is not lazy. It’s fun for some of us. I prefer to take $100 amd chance on some fun slots vs blowing it on my hair, nails, expensive clothing, drinking it away, or spending on food I can prepare cheaper at home. It’s a night out. Sometimes results in conplimentsry hotel, food, gifts, and gas. Sometimes hit big most times don’t. But the rush to have fun or get that bonus or nice line hits is what some like. It isn’t lazy. And if I liked the nightlife it be blown anyways. So I prefer my fun and you prefer yours. It’s not boring. You meet people. It’s not lazy. Nor mindless. Some ppl really need to get a life and quit bashing others. Why did you come to a slot forum? 😂 I guess that seems odd when gambling isn’t your thing. So your either looking for gambling advice as cowboy slots is advice or jealous of his gambling wins and looking for how he does it.

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