How to Win at Slots – The Ultimate Guide
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 when it comes to these enticing casino games.
However, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of winning at slots. On this page you’ll discover some of the best ways to improve your slots potential.
How Do Slots Work?
Slot machines 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.
Increase Your Chances of Winning with Our Top 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' top tips.
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Choose Your Slot Carefully
No two slot machines are ever the same. Not only do different machines come with all manner of different themes, soundtracks, additional features and symbols, they also all have different Return to Player (RTP) rates. All online casino games display this before you begin, so it pays to go for a game with a high RTP rate.
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Practice with Free Games
Before you begin playing slots for real money, you have the option to try a free version of the game. Not only is this great fun, it also gives you the opportunity to get to know your game and all of its secret quirks. If you're playing a slot with bonus rounds, this is a great way to hone your skills.
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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.
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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.
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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!
Just like any other casino game, it really is a case of mind over matter. If at any point you find yourself becoming overwhelmed and you're no longer enjoying the game, this is the time to stop. Take a step back, relax, and come back to the game at a later date.
House Edge Explained
House edge is a term used in all casino games to tell the player what advantage the house has over them when it comes to winning the game. Over time, you'll find that the house will always come out on top at any given game, it's just a case of by how much.
Taking into account the odds of the game, a percentage is worked out, which is the house's overall advantage over the player. However, with slots the game completely depends on chance, so the short term outcome of the game is entirely random.
In slots, house edge is displayed as the RTP rate (Return to Player Rate). The RTP rate varies according to which game you choose to play. Make sure you take a look at the stated RTP rate of any given game before you start playing, if the information is available, as some are far tougher than others.
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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Playing 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 it comes to increasing your chances of winning casino slots, you’ll again 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.
Attempting to cheat your way to a big payout is also an unwise tactic. Casinos take stringent measures to monitor and protect their machines from fraudsters and the consequences of cheating can be severe, even including jail time. You’re much better off simply playing by the rules and enjoying your favorite games!
Understanding Paytables
Although there are no slots strategies as such, it’s worth fully understanding how the features of your chosen game work and using them to your advantage. Before you start playing any slot machine, it's a good idea to take a look at the pay table. This is where you'll find 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 or not 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.
- See what each symbol is worth
- Find out if the game includes wild symbols or multipliers
- Discover scatter symbols which might be lurking in the game
- Find out how to win the game's biggest jackpots
- See whether or not the game includes bonus rounds or other special features
Getting to Grips with 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.
- 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 new is, slots often contribute highly towards these requirements.
- 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.
- Regain a proportion of your losses with a handy cash-back 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.
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!
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.
Start Winning Today
Bearing all of this in mind, you should now be prepared to play 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!