How to Win at Slots – Tricks to Improve Your Odds

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 throughout 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 Tips for Online Slots

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, 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 % 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, 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!

How to Gamble Responsibly

What is an RTP Rate in Slots?

Although house edge is the term used in most casino games to tell the player what advantage the house has over them, in slots you might also hear another term. The RTP rate, which means Return to Player rate, is another phrase to describe the house edge. The RTP rate or house edge varies according to which game you choose to play.

How to Win Big on 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.

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Slots 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 5:

Understanding Slots Paytables

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

See what each symbol is worth

Multipliers

Find out if the game includes wild symbols or multipliers

Scatter Symbols

Discover scatter symbols which might be 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.

Managing Your Bets Well

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.