How to win at slots 🎰 Tricks to improve your odds
Learning how to win at slots is no easy task. Online slot machines are renowned for being completely random, so no amount of skill will give you the edge. However, you can do some things to improve your chances of winning, and ultimately learn how to win jackpots on slot machines more often. On this page, you’ll discover slot machine tips, strategies, and much more.
How do slot machines work?
To learn how to beat slot machines, you need to first know how they work. Slots are amongst the most popular casino games in the world, both in land-based and online casinos. Slots are almost entirely down to chance, meaning there is very little strategy involved, and every player has the same odds of winning. You simply spin the reels and hope to match symbols along the various paylines. For a more detailed breakdown of the rules, check out our page on how to play slots.
Our top 5 online slots tips
When it comes to making a success of your online slot gaming, knowledge is power. You'll never be able to improve your luck playing games which are completely random and dependent on chance, but you will be able to give yourself the best chance of winning if you follow our experts' five top tips on how to win at slots:
1. Choose your slot carefully
The first thing to understand is that no two slot machines are ever the same. Not only do different machines come with different themes, soundtracks, additional features, and symbols, but they also all have different Return to Player (RTP) rates. It pays to go for a game with a high RTP rate, so check the RTP percentage at the online casino before you start playing.
2. Practice with free games
Before you begin playing slots for real money, you have the option to try free slot machines. Not only is this great fun, but it also gives you the opportunity to get to know your game and all of its secret quirks. Play a slot with bonus rounds, as this is a great way to hone your skills. Don’t start playing with the idea that you’ll soon know how to win at slots in Vegas – always start with free games.
3. Study the pay table
Every slot machine comes with its own unique pay table. The pay table shows what each symbol is worth and which ones are the most lucrative. It'll also tell you whether the game has wild symbols and scatters.
4. Stick to your budget
One of our most important pieces of advice is this: set your budget before you begin. Don't start spinning those reels until you've decided on a maximum sum that you are prepared to spend. If you reach that sum, stop playing. Never bet money you can't afford to lose.
5. Aim for smaller jackpots
Games with smaller jackpots tend to pay out more frequently, so if you're after a win but you're not concerned about chasing the big bucks, games with smaller jackpots are ideal. We know those huge progressive jackpots are enticing, but your chances of claiming one aren't very favorable!
What is an RTP rate in slots?
RTP stands for the 'Return to Player' rate. This number is a percentage that indicates the average returns for a specific slot game. An RTP percentage is typically calculated over a minimum of 10,000 spins and is a rough returns average. For example, if an online slot machine has a 95% RTP, you might expect to win $95 for every $100 wagered.
Best RTP slots
Slots can be categorized into low, average, and high RTP games. Low slots have 90-93% RTP, average slots have 94-96% RTP, and high slots have 97-99% RTP.
How to win big at slots online
If you’re hoping to walk away with a really huge win, progressive jackpot slots are your best option. Every so often, a few lucky players walk away with life-changing sums of money, with many jackpots reaching the millions. Popular games include the Mega Moolah series, Hall of Gods, and Loot’enkhamun. It is, however, important to bear in mind that if you’re looking for smaller but more frequent wins, progressive jackpots may not be the best way to go.
Slot machines with the best odds
While it may not be possible to use strategies to improve your chances of making a profit, your odds of winning can vary a lot with the games you choose to play. If you’re looking to increase your chances of a payout, you’re best playing low volatility slots. Low volatility simply means that the slot pays out less significant sums, but reasonably frequently. The opposite to this is high volatility slots, which can pay out some huge sums, but far less frequently. However, this doesn’t mean that when playing a low volatility slot, it’s completely impossible to hit a big win. Below, we’ve listed our top five:
- 1
- 2
- 3Mermaid’s Millions
- 4Jumanji
- 5
Understanding slots pay tables
Before you start playing any slot machine, it's a good idea to take a look at the pay table. That’s because if you’re trying to win big on slot machines, it’s worth understanding how the features of your chosen game work. The pay table will show you a list of all the symbols used in the game and what they're worth if you're lucky enough to line them up.
The pay table will also tell you whether the game uses special features such as multiplier symbols, wild symbols, scatter symbols or bonus symbols. If bonus symbols are noted, you can expect a bonus round in the game, where you might be able to claim added extras like cash prizes and free spins.
Symbol guide
Use the symbol guide for an overview of all the icons in the game.
Multipliers
Remember to find out if the game includes wild symbols or multipliers.
Scatter symbols
Discover which are scatter symbols and if any are lurking in the game.
Jackpot
Find out how to win the biggest jackpot on the slot machine.
Bonuses & special features
See whether or not the game includes bonus rounds or other special features.
Playing slots at a land-based casino
At land-based casinos you’ll often find rooms filled with slot machines from various game developers. The games are played in a very similar way to their online counterparts, although due to space limitations you’ll find that the selection is perhaps not as great.
When players say they know how to beat slot machines at a casino, it really means increasing their chances of winning at slots. As usual, you’ll be relying largely on pure chance. There are plenty of theories out there, for example that machines can be ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ depending on when they last paid out, or that those closest to the walkways are ‘looser’ in order to entice customers. However, this is very unlikely to be the case - casinos are, after all, in the business of making money and don’t want to make it too easy to win.
How to win at penny slots
One type of casino slot you’ll find pretty much everywhere, from your local casino to the Las Vegas Strip, is penny slots. By betting such a small amount of money, you might think the payouts won’t be so big. However, by playing the max number of paylines and credits, some players have been known to walk away with hundreds of dollars from a penny slot machine. They’re certainly worth a try if you’re on a smaller budget.
Understand casino bonuses
One of the biggest perks of modern online slot gambling is the addition of casino bonuses. There are a wide range of different bonuses which players can take advantage of when playing slots online. Let's take a closer look at some of the most popular ones.
Welcome bonuses
Most online casinos offer lucrative welcome bonuses to entice new players. Often these come with significant playthrough requirements, so you will need to wager this money several times before you can withdraw. The good news is, slots often contribute highly towards these requirements.
Free spins
Free spins bonuses are triggered within games, and enable you to spin the reels again for free. These can appear during bonus games or regular play. It's common to win several free spins at once when playing online slots.
Cashback bonuses
Regain a proportion of your losses with a handy cashback bonus. This type of bonus is often not subject to any wagering requirements, making it a lot easier to claim than many other bonus offers.
How to win at slot machines: Managing your bets
Like all casino games, slot machines are available in a wide range of denominations. It's possible to wager pennies or one hundred dollars per spin if you prefer, but if there’s one thing you want to avoid doing, it’s running out of money too early! There’s no technique for how to win on slot machines every time – don’t forget you’re dealing with pure luck.
While it might be tempting to put all your money into a single spin, we highly recommend exercising what the pros call bankroll management. By placing bets in line with your budget, you'll be able to keep playing longer even when you don't win any large amounts.
Your exact recommended bet size depends on the size of your bankroll and how fast you play. You can calculate your bet size by seeing how much money you're willing to bet and how much you're not willing to lose. This is a good way to stay on track with bankroll management.
Single payline
| Your bankroll | Slot coin value | Amount of spins |
|---|---|---|
$100 | $0.5 | 200 if only 1 payline |
Multiple paylines
| Amount of spins | Paylines | Amount of spins |
|---|---|---|
200 | 5 | 40 with milti-paylines |
Multiple sessions
| Amount of spins | Sessions | Amount of spins |
|---|---|---|
40 | 4 | 40 with multi-sessions |
Start winning at slots today
Bearing all of this in mind, you should now have a firm understanding of how to win at slots at your favorite casinos. Remember that although you’re unable to influence your odds, you can still take a number of steps to minimize your losses and give yourself the best chance of winning. Simply choose the game that’s right for you and your budget and start spinning!
How to win slot machines FAQs
How do I pick a winning slot machine?
The best slots strategy is to choose a game with a high RTP percentage. Slots with an RTP of 97%+ tend to pay out more over time. Find more of the top RTP slot games above.
What triggers a slot machine to win?
Slot machine jackpots are triggered by lining up the correct symbols. Every spin is completely random and usually nothing else is needed to trigger a win.
Is there a trick to slot machines?
It all comes down to chance. The outcome of every spin is completely random and can't be predicted. However, some slots have a higher RTP percentage which means they have historically paid out more. Check out some of the top RTP slots games above.
Is it better to play one slot machine or move around?
There's no difference between playing one slot machine or playing multiple. All slots are built using Random Number Generators (RNGs). This means the outcome of every spin is completely random.
More ways to win at online slots
How to gamble responsibly
Playing online slots is supposed to be fun, but sometimes it can become a problem. If at any point you find yourself becoming overwhelmed and are no longer enjoying the game, this is the time to stop. Take a step back from the screen, relax, and even talk to a friend. For more support visit our responsible gambling page or check out our slots reality check guide.
