Online Slots Strategy

Do not ignore the topic of slots strategies just because everyone thinks that slot machines are largely games of chance. While you may not have control over every factor of the game it does not mean that you are totally powerless when it comes to maximizing your winnings.

Choices, Choices

There are hundreds of online slot games out there and they are most certainly not made the same. Your choice of game is extremely important and should be the starting point of your strategy. Since there are so few opportunities for using genuine strategy once you start playing, deciding which game to play can make all of the difference.

Slots games can be generally divided into two categories: classic 3-reel slots and 5-reel video slots. The rules are basically the same, but the experience is totally different because classic slots only have one payline, while video slots can have dozens of them. Along with all of these paylines comes the necessity of playing all of them (which is not necessarily a cheap thing to do) as well as the opportunity to win more frequently. If you plan on playing penny slots, then you can pretty much rule out the modern 5-reel games. Players willing to bet at least $0.20 per spin, though, may want to take advantage of the bonus features that can only be found in the more modern video game slots.

What Makes One Slot Machine Better Than Another?

Once you generally know what kind of slots game you want to play, the pay table is the first thing you should look at to separate the wheat from the chaff. A slots machine's pay table tells you how much you can win for different winning combinations. It also describes bonus rounds and mini-games, if they are part of the game. Inexperienced players might not glean much information from simply reading a pay table, and you may be better served by taking some time to play for free with "fun money".

Even if you don't find it particularly entertaining to play without real money, consider it research – this is your chance to learn the ins and outs of a game. Even games that have the same layout could have drastically different pay tables and variances. This is especially true of games offering progressive jackpots: the mid-level prizes are worth significantly less, but if you hit the jackpot, then your whole life could change. These factors influence how quickly your bankroll will increase and decrease, and what kind of top prizes you stand to win, and only you can decide what is best for your style of play.

Take a Look at the Numbers

The most important thing that you can do when selecting a slot machine, from a statistical perspective, is looking at the cold hard numbers. The payout percentage describes how much a casino will, theoretically, be expected to payout for any given bet in a slots machine. For example, a machine with a 95% payout (5% house edge) is expected to pay out $0.95 for a $1.00 bet. This isn't always the case, and it really only applies in the long run, but the closer this number is to 100%, the better.

Pictures Are Important Too

Finally, the number of symbols that a slot machine has is significant. The fewer symbols there are, the easier it is to get them to line up on a payline and provide a win. Conversely, games with a large number of symbols means that your wins could be far and few between. Pick carefully, as even a slight edge can become profitable over the long run.

So the next time you hear someone saying that slots are completely random, allow yourself a smile. Slots are only truly and completely random when you play them at random. Choose wisely and weigh up even the smallest advantages and you can at least do your part to shift the edge slightly more in your favor.