Understanding slot machines

I’ll start this guide by taking you through how slot machines work, including slot RTP and house edge which both affect your outcome.

How do slot machines work?

A slot consists of multiple reels and rows. Typically, there are five reels and three rows, but there can be more of each. Each reel has multiple symbols, all of which have an assigned payout value. 

To start the game, players place a bet on a spin and spin the reels. If the symbols land in a specific pattern when the reels stop, that’s a win. Those specific patterns are known as paylines. Some slots allow you to play specific paylines, other slots have fixed paylines.

With online slots, a Random Number Generator (RNG) determines whether a spin is a win or a loss. This software generates different numbers each second, which determines the spin’s outcome. At the same time, each spin is independent from the previous and future spins. RNGs are audited by regulatory authorities to guarantee fairness.

RTP and house edge – why they matter

Before starting any slot game, it’s important to consider the slot’s Return to Player (RTP). This is the percentage of the money wagered a player can theoretically expect to win back in the long term.

To give an example, if the RTP of the slot is 96%, then you can theoretically expect $96 to be returned for every $100.

Choosing a slot with a higher RTP can increase your chances of more long-term returns as it gives you better odds to play with. This is because a higher or lower RTP directly affects the house edge. If the house edge increases, the RTP decreases, increasing the odds against you. You should go for slots that have an average RTP of 96% or higher.

More modern video slots have an expanded bonus offering with a variety of bonus rounds. These could look like a free spins round but they could also be mini-games, offering innovative ways to potentially land more wins and boost RTP.

Keep in mind that an RTP is an estimate and with games of chance nothing is guaranteed.

Types of slot games and their impact on strategy

The basics might be similar, but with online slots, there’s a lot of versatility that you can use to work in your favor. This next section breaks down different types of slot games and the slot strategies you can use with each one.

Video slots

There’s a lot of room for game developers to get creative with video slots because there’s infinite room for bonus games, hundreds of paylines, and reel features. Video slots can have certain slot features too, like Megaways.

Since there’s such variety within video slots, it’s about finding the slot that has the combination that works best for you. You can do this by testing slots with minimum stake bets of $0.1, which will also help you understand the unique features of each slot without overspending. 

When you find a slot you like, go over the paytable and help section in depth, to get extra tips on how the slot works that you can use to your advantage. Look out for reel features too, like tumbling reels, as they create stacked wins that pay out better per spin.

Classic slots 

Classic slots are based on old-school land-based casinos. They typically work with the three-reels three-rows format and need a line of three on the middle row for a win. These slots don’t come with bonuses or mini-games that are designed to increase your chances of landing a win. 

Landing a win on a single payline across the middle does mean less frequent wins, but those wins can have higher payouts to make up for it. Because of their high volatility, classic slots might be more comfortable for high-risk players who prefer a long game with the potential for bigger payouts.

Progressive jackpot slots

Progressive jackpot slots offer big wins, but how do they work? The jackpot takes a percentage amount from each bet you wager and contributes it to the jackpot pool. The jackpot continues to grow and grow until it’s triggered. These slots tend to have a lower RTP than regular slots, but the payout can be much greater.

It’s very easy to get caught up in the excitement of a progressive jackpot, but you’ve got to know the facts. It’s not guaranteed you’ll win the jackpot, and as the RTP is lower your average payouts over time may be less than if you played a regular slot with a higher RTP. 

Due to the higher risk of jackpots it’s important to stick to a budget. I recommend cutting your budget into 5–10% increments, to spend it slowly on the jackpot over time. If you haven’t won the jackpot after the budget is finished, that’s your sign to walk away. Chasing losses never ends well.

If you’re not comfortable with the high-risk that comes with a progressive jackpot, you should go with a fixed jackpot slot game. These tend to be less risky as the prize money is a set value that won’t change and they don’t take cuts from everybody’s wagers.

High volatility vs low volatility slots

The volatility, or variance, is the slot’s risk level and will determine the slot’s payout rate over time, and how you should approach it.

If a slot has high volatility, that means there’s a higher risk. High volatility slots tend not to pay out very often but can award big payouts when they do. It does mean sometimes you can spin for ages before landing any wins, which will drain your bankroll. Generally, I recommend these slots for high-rollers who prefer a high-risk game.

A lower volatility slot will have a much lower risk. These slots tend to pay out much more consistently, but those wins will be a lot smaller in comparison. A low volatility slot game is a great choice for players who want to learn new features and get familiar with slot mechanics, while still having a chance to win something small.

The best slot strategies to improve your gameplay

It’s easy to lose track of spending, but these slot strategies focus on helping you remain in control of your gaming experience. 

1. Bankroll management – keep your finances in check

Before starting a new game, you need to understand how you’re going to manage your bankroll. Start with some boundaries and establish a slot budget that you can afford. As a general rule of thumb, never bet more than you can afford to lose.

I recommend setting a budget of 5–10% of your recreational cash, and further split that up into 5–10% chunks to use on individual game sessions. This will give you a clear plan so that your spins are intentional. Once your budget is set, stick to it. Set a loss limit too, no more than 50% of your total budget.

If you lose too much, it’s time to walk away. You can also leave the slot after hitting a satisfying win. If you’re on a winning streak, stop after you’ve gained 10% more than your original budget and enjoy the win.

If you have a small bankroll, avoid high-risk slots or slots with a low RTP as they won’t pay out often enough for you to stay in the game.

2. Choosing the right slot games

Before going into a slot game, you need to do your research. Familiarize yourself with the rules and the paytable so that you know what you’re up against.

Playing a demo version of the game is beneficial. You’re not playing for money, but to understand the slot and to get a feel for it. Casinos usually offer demos, however, if that’s not available most game providers have demo versions of their games available on their websites.

You should check out the slot’s reviews too. Our slot reviews analyze things like bonus features, payouts, and if the RTP and volatility match up, giving you the insight you need before starting out.

Play games from recognized licensed providers, such as Red Tiger, NetEnt, and Pragmatic Play, who work with well-known casino partners. These games have been tested and guarantee fairness. There are recognized authorities such as GLI that test slots and their RNGs, securing the fairness of a slot.

3. Betting strategies – when to bet max vs. min

Playing the minimum bet is a good way to get started. Use it to learn how the slot works, without eating away at your bankroll. Once you’ve got to grips with the slot, take your overall budget and divide it into 5–10% increments, and make your bets from there. This gives you a plan for long-term play, that will prevent you from spending beyond your means.

With progressive jackpots, it’s a little different since a percentage of your bet goes towards the jackpot. A higher bet can increase your chances of triggering the jackpot. Since progressive jackpots have a lower RTP, you need to weigh up that risk against your bankroll.

With high-volatility slots, you might need to play with a higher bet. The slot is designed to not pay out so frequently, meaning there’ll be many spins where you get zero payouts. This also means the slot is slowly chipping away at your bankroll. When you do land a win, since your bet is small, your resulting payout won’t be enough to refill what you’ve lost.

If you’re working with a smaller bankroll, look out for penny slots. These will allow you to play small bets that are more budget friendly, and still offer a chance of winning.

Leveraging casino bonuses for slots

Everybody loves a bonus and casinos know this. There are quite a few types of bonus available and you can use them to give yourself a boost.

🎁Understanding bonus types

One of the most popular bonus types is a free spins bonus. This bonus awards the player with a number of free spins to play on slots, which can range from 10 to 100 free spins. Look out for casino bonuses that allow their free spins to be played on all casino games, as this gives you more choice and control.

Deposit match bonuses are also popular. This is a cash bonus that’s awarded to the player based on how much is deposited into the account at the time. The casino will match a percentage of your deposit, a common amount is a 100% bonus up to $500.

Occasionally, a casino will offer a no-deposit bonus. This is a cash bonus that’s awarded without the need for you to make a deposit first. Sometimes you might be required to use the bonus on a certain slot.

All bonuses typically need to be used during a set period, usually between a week to a month and might come with a list of games that they can be used on.

💵Wagering requirements and bonus play

A wagering requirement is how many times you need to play your winnings in the casino before being allowed to withdraw them.

Once you’ve made some winnings on a game, that money can’t automatically be withdrawn from your casino account. It needs to be played in the casino a few more times. 

Say for example your cash bonus has a wagering requirement of 40x. That means you’d have to bet your bonus amount 40x over before being allowed to withdraw it and possibly any winnings you got from it. This can be applied to winnings from free spins too.

High wagering requirements can eat into your winnings, which you want to avoid. Wagering requirements under 25x, and even under 15x, will be much more manageable. Anything higher will take longer to wager and will take more from your winnings.

📈How to maximize bonus benefits

Bonuses can help you get more bang for your buck. With free spins, for example, you can use them to extend your gameplay, without losing anything from your bankroll. Make sure to check which slots have free spins available. If the free spins are available for all slots, use them on slots with the best RTP and volatility combination.

Don’t waste the free spins on testing the slots, instead use them to extend your gameplay. If you want to test the slots, look for demo versions on the provider’s website.

No deposit and match deposit bonuses similarly can extend your budget. They won’t increase your chances of winning, but extra cash always helps. With deposit match bonuses, check the deposit match limit and don’t deposit above that amount so you don’t waste money.

Pro-tip: Look for bonuses that are double or triple-tiered, meaning they come with a deposit match and free spins. This gives you much more value in one bonus.

Common myths and misconceptions about slots

Slots have been around for a while, and with that, a lot of myths and misconceptions are developed. These can be risky as you can end up focused on performing certain rituals to win and play for longer, but it can result in losing more money. 

1. Hot and cold machines

A popular myth is that slots get hot and cold, but this isn’t the case. To put it simple, the myth states that a hot slot machine has a higher chance of paying out, whereas a cold machine doesn’t and will continue taking your money.

A certain number of spins doesn’t make a slot hot and won’t increase your chances of a win. The same with winning or losing several times in a row. Your streak wasn’t a pre-determined result and it won’t affect your likelihood of landing a big win in future spins. All wins on a slot machine are random so there’s no way to predict an outcome.

2. Chasing losses

Whether you almost won, or have been on a losing streak, and so think your time for a win is coming, you can’t predict if you’re going to win. Since online slots work with an RNG, each play is independent from the previous one and isn’t influenced by them either.

Slot wins are random and there will always be the house edge that has the stronger odds. Playing for longer as you think you’re due a win could ultimately result in further losses and doesn’t increase your chances of having a win.

Responsible gambling and playing smart

With gambling, there’s always the risk of going too far or playing beyond your means. That’s why playing responsibly is so important. Fortunately, a lot of casinos offer tools and protections that can support you and help you set limits to remain in control of your gaming and your bankroll.

Available tools include setting limits on how much you win, loss limits, and even game duration. Others include alerting you when you’ve been playing for a certain amount of time and let you know it’s time to take a break, to check in with friends and family.

It’s also important to remember that gambling is not a source of income and should never be used as an escape from problems. Before going into a new game, you always need to manage your expectations as winning isn’t guaranteed. Keeping a clear head is critical and that’s why you should also never gamble when under the influence.

FAQs

Sources

• https://www.pokernews.com/casino/slots/what-are-megaways-slots.htm
• https://gamblersdailydigest.com/how-to-play-slot-machines-guide/
• https://www.gamesense.com/games/how-do-slot-machines-work.html
• https://www.gamesense.com/play-better/manage-your-play.html
• https://gaminglabs.com/services/igaming/random-number-generator-rng/