Machines are random and are you telling me there can't be variance -- positive variance for the player?

Yes, there are probabilities. And yes, there are also actual results.

Sometimes you have to say people can and do win on negative expectation machines, and sometimes you have to say that when you decide to pocket winners when you do get lucky can help you win on those negative expectation machines.

You will not consider other alternatives because you believe there is only one possibility based on "probabilities." This is closed minded. There are other ways to win.