Slots are the most popular casino games, both online and offline. Players love these games because they offer the fastest action and most significant payouts.
However, not all slots are created equal. Some offer better payouts than others, some are more fun to play, and some come packed with many features. There are thousands of video slots to choose from, so how to know which slot is the best to play?
This article will share all the essential information about slots, how they function, and how to win at them more frequently. First, you need to learn how slot machines work, their payout percentage, and how they work in terms of variance and volatility.
In the end, you will know better which online casino slots you should play, how to bet on them, and how to avoid the least profitable ones.
How Slot Machines Operate
Before learning how to win, you first should understand how slot machines work. One common misconception is that slot machines take money from losing players and eventually pay it out to another winning player. That is not true.
The fact is that all slots, both older and new ones, are coming with a Random Number Generator (RNG) software installed in them. The RNG decides the outcome of each spin, and all slots are regularly checked for their randomness and fairness by independent regulatory bodies.
Slots players should not worry about the fairness of games, especially if playing in online casinos that provide games from reputable iGaming providers such as Microgaming, NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, Play’n GO, Red Tiger Gaming, Playtech, Yggdrasil, Quickspin, and others.
Slot Percentages and Volatility
Although slots are random and unpredictable, people still lose more than they win on them. Those wondering why should know that is because all casino slots have their specific payout percentages and volatilities.
Look at the RTP (return-to-player) percentage of slots and compare them to other popular casino games like roulette, baccarat, or blackjack, and you will see that slot games always have a worse RTP percentage.
The average slot percentage in online casinos is between 94% and 96%. Those are decent RTP percentages as some online casinos offer slot games with an RTP of around 90%.
Table games like blackjack, which has an RTP above 99%, or roulette with around 97%, show a big difference between slots and other games.
If you wonder what a 96% payout percentage means, it means that, on average, you will lose $4 on every $100 wagered on the game. Of course, this is a long-term average estimate, and big short-term wins are possible as well.
As you already know, slots offer fast action and gameplay. Players should stay in control of their bet sizing. Otherwise, they will burn their bankroll very quickly.
If you want to make more money by playing slots, you also need to consider slots volatility. There are slots with low volatility, medium volatility, and high volatility. Low-volatility slots pay out more frequently but smaller amounts. High-volatility slots do not pay out often, but they pay higher amounts when players hit a winning combination.
If you are a casual casino player with a limited bankroll, you should go for low-volatility slots. That way, gameplay will last longer, and you could build a bankroll and move up the stakes when you feel comfortable doing so.
How to Find and Play the Right Slot Machines
To win frequently at slots, you need to find suitable games to play first. There are thousands of casino slots to choose from online, with new titles coming out almost daily.
Each casino slot comes with a different RTP percentage, which you can quickly check if you visit the website of the slot developers. Also, keep in mind that different slots coming from the same developer will also have a different RTP.
Some slot players ignore the RTP and play whichever slot, which is excellent for entertainment but not for building a bankroll. If you want to win at slots, the first step is to pick a high RTP percentage slot. Such a slot will help you get as closest to being break-even theoretically and realistically increase your winning chances.
After that, it all comes down to pure luck. The fact is that slots are a game of chance. There is no playing strategy you can apply that will change the RTP or help you win more. The primary reason for playing slots should be having fun and enjoying occasional winnings. They are not sources for a regular income.
However, choosing the correct slots will help you have more winning sessions on average, which will undoubtedly increase your gambling entertainment.
Types of Slots to Play
In the early days of online casinos, casino players could play just a couple of types of slot machines. They were nice to play at that time but had very few features, and players did not hold on to them playing for very long.
Those times are long gone now, as the online casino industry has modernized and revolutionized the development of casino slots. Nowadays, you will find many types of thrilling casino slots to play, all coming with exciting features, great options, and impressive payouts. The following are a few of the trendy kinds of slots you can play in online casinos.
- Classic Slots are the most straightforward casino slots to play, with up to five pay lines and a simple pay table. Classic slots are old-school slots, and they do not offer huge payouts. These slots usually have low volatility and pay out smaller amounts.
- Video Slots are prevalent casino slots, coming with dozens, even hundreds of pay lines. Video slots also have lots of attractive features, such as free spins rounds, different bonus games, side jackpots, and other things. Many of the video slots are medium to high-volatility slots.
- Progressive Jackpot Slots are not very different from standard video slots, apart from the fact they often come with massive jackpot prizes. The RTP range of these slots is around 94-95%. However, the jackpots attached to these slots are life-changing, with lucky people becoming millionaires by playing them.
- Megaways Slots are the most modern casino slots, with various fun themes and impressive action. Again, Megaways slots are highly volatile slots with huge payouts. Playing these can lead to enormous wins, so you should try these if you have a good bankroll and wish to chase impressive prizes.
Apart from these types of slots, there are many hybrids on the market as well. Some of them are unique and cannot fully fit into any casino game category.
Main Features to Look for In Video Slots
To win more on slots, you should find more details about each slot’s specific features and options. The extra features, bonus rounds, and side games can help players win money without investing much. In theory, you can play slots without knowing or looking for specific features, but extra features can benefit players. The following are some of the most standard features players can find in slot games, each having its distinct set of characteristics.
- Free spins are the most popular features in high-paying video slots. All players love free spins, and this feature can help players achieve some astonishing wins. During free spins rounds, players do not have to pay anything. They only need to wait for the specific amount of free spins to be over to collect their real money winnings. A great thing about free spins rounds is that special symbols are added on the reels, plus wilds and multipliers that create impressive wins.
- Multipliers come in different sorts in video slots. They multiply the wins on the pay line or the spin, also helping in achieving higher payouts.
- Scatter Wins offer extra payouts when they land on the reels. Usually, two or more scatter symbols need to land before players get awarded a bonus payout.
- Wild Symbols are a standard feature in almost all video slots. These symbols substitute for regular symbols and help in the creation of more winning combinations. Wilds can move from one slot reel to another in modern casino slots or remain locked during spins.
- Expanding Reels is a feature that is common for high-paying Megaways slots. This feature allows the reels to expand and have more special symbols in the following spins, helping achieve big wins.
- Pick and Win feature is activated when at least three bonus symbols land on the reels. Then a mini-game will start where players will have to puck among different objects, revealing a cash prize.
- Pay Both Ways means that the particular slot pays both from left to right and right to left. That is very helpful because typical video slots only pay from left to right. If you play slots that pay both ways, you will increase the likelihood of realizing some nice wins.
- All Pays is an excellent feature because a multitude of ways to win will be activated when playing such slots. All symbols pay from left to right, regardless of where they land on the reels. That can also help create lots of winning lines and excellent payouts.
Today’s modern slots come with many of these features combined, making them very thrilling to play. The max win potential is significant in such slots, so search for these types of slots, and you may enjoy some great payouts.
Top Advice for Beating the Slots
Now, when you know the basics of video slots and how they work, it is time to go deeper and learn how you can win more often and have fun when playing in online casinos. The following are a few of the best tips to follow to win more frequently on slots in online casinos.
- Play slot machines with a higher RTP
Slots with a higher RTP can bring higher wins than others. Not all slots are created in the same way, so make sure you always check the specific RTP of a particular slot. Finding high RTP slot machines is easy. Every casino website has this stated in the game’s rules, but if you cannot find it, you can go to the game manufacturer’s website and check the info on their site. By playing high RTP slots, you will enjoy increased wins.
- Choose a slot you enjoy playing
Besides looking at the RTP, players also need to entertain themselves when playing. That is very important for having a satisfying gambling experience. The truth is that players tend to quit faster if they get bored on the slot. Boring slots may lead to increased bets to spice things up, which can devastate your bankroll. To avoid that, find a slot you really enjoy as you can play it slowly without rushing. Remember that sometimes it takes time to achieve big wins, so you need to be patient and have fun before the big success comes.
- Run your small wins up
Run it up means using your smaller wins and trying to run them up to a big win. Also, you can use a smaller deposit to test the slot and gradually increase the bets as you feel more comfortable. With a little bit of luck, your smaller deposit or smaller wins may turn into significant payouts. You never know when the fortune will strike, so play and enjoy. Start small, go easy, and gradually bet more as you win. That can be very exciting, and there are examples of many winning slot players that have done just that – winning massive amounts after starting with a few pennies.
- Set yourself a limit of how long you play
Knowing when to quit playing is a skill you need to learn. Slots are enjoyable to play, they offer fast gameplay and attractive payouts, but you should not get carried away. They may be dangerous if you play a lot, and you can quickly lose your bankroll if you constantly push your luck. The good idea is to set a stop-loss limit to which you will stick every time you play. Never exceed the playing time, regardless of whether you are winning or losing. Practicing good discipline will help you in the long run and will keep you focused when playing. If you are losing and you start chasing losses, the chances are high that you will get angry, increase your bets, and lose your entire bankroll within a short time.
- Make reasonable bets
Your bankroll is all you have in online casinos. If you want to build it up, you should make reasonable bets that you feel most comfortable with. Always sit with a pre-determined bankroll, so you will feel relaxed when playing. Video slots today offer plenty of betting options, and each player can find something suitable for themselves. If your bankroll is $100, you should not pay $1, $2, or $5 per spin. Instead, start from the lowest level possible and see how that works for you. If you notice an increase in your bankroll, then slightly adjust your bets to a higher amount.
- Use casino bonuses to boost your starting bankroll
Casino bonuses are great for getting extra money to play on slots. That way, you can bet more without risks, and the winning potential is higher. Bonuses may bring you a great advantage, so always look for good bonuses to use. Apart from the standard Welcome Bonus, many online casinos also offer a Reload Bonus, Free Spins, or other types of bonuses to loyal players. Some of these bonuses come with specific wagering requirements, but all of them are helpful, and you can achieve some nice wins by using extra money. In some slot games, casino bonuses may even give you an edge, leading to big payouts.
Summary – Frequent Play Leads to Frequent Wins on Slots
We can conclude that players nowadays have a vast choice for choosing games to achieve more frequent wins in online casinos. Video slots packed with multiple features are the way to go, so make sure you explore game libraries and play some of these. We recommend choosing low volatility slots when you want to receive frequent wins on a tight budget; on the contrary, play high volatility slots if you have enough time, sufficient funds, and want to get a huge win. If you manage to build a bankroll, test your luck at progressive jackpot slots and Megaways slots, and with a little bit of luck, you can achieve massive wins.
FAQ
Can I win real money on slots?
Yes, absolutely you can! If you are playing real money slots, then you can win real prizes as well. Each slot has a different payout depending on its specific payout table. You can check the payouts in the paytable section or the rules of the slot.
How to select a winning slot?
You can select a winning slot quite easily by first checking the RTP of the slot machine. An RTP of over 95% indicates a good-paying slot, so explore and play these for more frequent wins.
Is there any advice for winning consistently on slots?
Slots are a game of chance, so, unfortunately, no advice can help you win consistently. Slot machines have random outcomes, which is what makes them very thrilling to play. However, by following some good advice regarding choosing the right slots, having a proper bankroll, and paying attention to extra features – you can surely increase your winning chances.
Which slots offer the best payouts?
Classic slots with one to five payouts pay well, but they are no longer present in many online casinos. These do not come with bonus rounds and jackpots, which makes them low-volatility games. If you are searching for something extra that pays a lot but would request to wait a long time, go for video slots with high volatility.
Will I increase my chances of winning if I bet maximum per spin?
Some theories and experienced gamblers suggest using the max bet option for players to win big. That makes sense because the wins will be huge when they land on max bet spins. However, players need to have a pretty large bankroll for this. If you are a beginner slot player, the best thing to do is start with low bets and gradually increase as your bankroll rises.
How long should I play on a specific slot?
It is up to you how long you play, and the duration of play does not affect the outcome of spins. In any case, it is good to have a pre-determined time to how long you will play and stick to it. Do not play for too long in a single session because that can lead to boredom and poor judgment when betting.
Which slots have the best odds in online casinos?
Each slot comes with different odds for winning. Classic slots statistically have the highest RTP, but quality video slots with an RTP of above 94% guarantee frequent wins. All video slots with an RTP above this percentage are good to play in quality online casinos.
Is there a way to increase the chances of hitting the progressive jackpot in slots?
Unfortunately, no. Progressive jackpot slots are very attractive to play with their huge payouts, but you cannot increase your chances of hitting the jackpot no matter the strategy or advice. Each player has an equal, random chance to win it, so all you have to do is just play and hope to win it.