i also agree the slots are very tight this year......
It depends how you play man. I always play Aristocrat machines and I don't feel they are tight, I have learnt not to be "tikee", gave up the machine if it doesn't hit a feaute within $500 or the feature payout less than what I put in.
Most of the cases, I am able hit a feature within $500 (2cts denom max bet) on 5k or 5D machines at PS area M3 linked. But it all depends how much it payout.
Just like this morning, first machine 5cts 5K (sighzzz, I am so used to this machine and i must play it once a day though MM already gone), insert $500 and within $100, it hits feature and payout $1,600. Cash out and ran.
2nd machine 2cts 5K, hit feature when my $500 almost used up and it payout $700, still profit $200.
3rd and 4th machines, another 5K and 5D, both hit feature but payout less than what I put in.
5AM, the staff shutdown all the machines at PS area, game over.
Profit 1k+, went to CE, me only one player, played 2 machines at the same time and burnt off my 1k+ profit winning. Quit game and returned home. Breakeven trip.