Is there any way to consistently manipulate the slot machine to win every time? I saw one run where the runner clicked USE 8 times before using a coin in the slot machine. This manipulation is also mentioned in a TAS description. I have tried this to some success, but it doesn't always work. When it works I always get 3 cherries, so I don't think it's coincidence. Could this be entirely dependent on the number of button presses from the beginning of the room, or even worse, the beginning of the game?

its dependent on how many actions it takes for you to get there. I believe you have to get there only missing two commands the whole time (or purposely advancing the commands by hitting B if you manage to not mess any of them up to that point). Every action advances the in game RNG so if you know it well enough you can avoid all "random" encounters with the thug as well.

I say 2 extra actions and what I meant by that is 2 extra actions from NESC's WR route. I don't know the exact number but yeah, just wanted to clarify I mean the WR route.

Thanks for the replies. I did some experimenting, and it seems that I have found something consistent. In my first experiment run (without careful button presses), I won on the first try with 3x Plums. Then, using save states and repeatedly increasing the action number by one, I found that I won at 11, 12, 18, 22, 23, and 27 additional actions. The 11 and 22 action wins give 3x Lemons that doesn't give you enough coins for all taxi rides (well, you could use the yellow taxi for the final trip back to Peoria from Auburn.)

NESC's WR-run gets 3x Bells, which I also managed to achieve in another experiment run where I was very careful with all button presses. 2 extra actions from this yields the 3x Plums win, just like you said, Toad. From this 3x Plum win, 11, 12, 18, 22, 23, and 27 actions ensures a win. Hence, relative to WR-run, 2, 14, 20, 25, and 29 extra actions ensures a win. Note that this was a quick and dirty experiment. It was done on the US-rom on FCEUX emulator. I tried both reset and power on, and the outcome were the same.

Yeah)! Manipulate the slot machine to win every time