A brief note on slot machine etiquette. It's considered bad form to play more than two machines at the same time. If it's five o'clock in the morning and there are few people in the joint, then you can get away with it.

Other than that, expect to find offended people forcing their way into your domain if you attempt to play more than two machines at the same time.

Now, three is taboo, but two is normal. Lots of people play two machines at the same time. But even here there's a right way and a wrong way to do it.

You don't stand between the slots machines, but rather sit down in front of one. You don't play the machines at the same time, but rather one at a time.

When you win, leave a few coins in the tray at the bot­tom of the machine. This will discourage others from trying to sit down next to you and take your machine.

Some casinos have a regular policy of allowing only one machine to a customer. Others restrict players to one ma­chine only when the slot parlors are extremely crowded.

If this is the case, the casino will either have personnel come around announcing the rule, or signs will announce it. Either way, give up the second machine if the casino tells you to.

If you refuse, you'll usually be asked to leave.