Most of the time when more complicated math is needed the play is going to have smaller advantage percent wise and a lot more variance.

As far as individual machine AP goes on an individual game basis you don't be need to be good at math to be on the leading edge. What you need is access to info. If you have access to any par sheets you want and maybe even access to a developer you can collect some spin data on whatever is missing and have all take points determined based on payback within days of introduction to the market or sometimes before if you know it's coming. You can then send that data to Habib in India and within hours he will make you a custom calculator for the game for less than $50 which would help you determine combo plays if you desire.