How to Play Slots and Win: The Ultimate Guide
Online slot machines are by far the most popular casino games, enjoyed by millions of players worldwide. There are very few casinos on the market that don’t include these games in their portfolio.
A large part of their popularity comes from their charming simplicity. You don’t have to have extensive knowledge to play them and win, making them the perfect game for both beginners and veterans, especially when used with bonus rounds.
The second reason for their popularity comes from the stunning diversity of themes, shapes, sizes, and bonus features. You can enjoy whatever you like, from old-school one-armed bandits with little to no features to the latest video slots with a jaw-dropping design and countless features.
Even if they are games of chance, involving very little skill, spinners all around the world, try even today to find ways to have a guaranteed win or at least improve their odds.
Because these games run based on complex mathematical algorithms to ensure the randomization of the result, it’s impossible to determine the result of a spin or control it.
That doesn’t mean you can’t incline the luck balance a little bit in your favor and that’s exactly what we are going to show you in this article. Just what tips and tricks you can use and what decisions you can make so you can master the slots.
Understanding the Mechanics Behind the Slot
To learn how to master online slot machines, it’s obvious that you first have to understand how they work. Old slots were pretty basic as they were fully mechanical. You only had to insert a coin and pull a handle. A complex series of metallic pins, disks, and reels would spin to display a combination of symbols.
Today slot machines follow the same principle even if now most money you use to bet is electronic and you have to press a button instead of pulling a handle.
However, “under the hood” of a modern slot, things are far more complicated. Video slots nowadays are a piece of software - a mathematical algorithm that calculates the results and you can interact with it through a graphical interface that displays the buttons and the symbols.
Slot Machines’ Random Number Generator
That mathematical algorithm responsible for the randomization of the result is called an RNG which stands for Random Number Generator. As long as the slot operates on the software provider’s server, the RNG generates values between 0 and a couple of billion each millisecond. Each of those values is correlated with certain symbols in the slot.
When you click on the spin button, the RNG will generate a value, determining which symbols will appear on the screen and in what combination. If the value will match identical symbols that land on a paying line in certain conditions, the spinner is declared a winner.
The RNG is the exact reason why a spin outcome can’t be controlled by absolutely no means. The algorithm is so complex and well designed that’s impossible for anyone to guess the outcome.
But that’s not all, because the RNG is far more complex than that and takes into consideration a couple of predefined variables which are set by the software provider at the moment of the slot’s creation.
Remember
Each of these slots has two elements called RTP and Volatility and determines the long and short-term potential rewards.
Volatility in Online Slot Machines
Volatility represents the measure of risk and the potential wins in the short term. You can classify slots by their volatility and divide them into three categories, each of them addressing a certain category of players.
- Low Volatility Slot Machines - They have assigned a rather limited top potential payout but wins occur quite frequently, leaving few dead periods between winning combinations. They are ideal for beginners and casual players who like to enjoy a couple of wins without risking too much.
- Medium Volatility Slot Machines - The top potential prizes can be considered average and so are the periods between the winning combination hit rate. If you would pick a word to define these slots that would be balanced.
- High Volatility Slot Machines - High volatility slots offer a staggering win potential and most Progressive Jackpot slots fall in this category. However, they are not recommended to beginners and casual spinners due to their high-risk/high reward potential. High volatility slots leave large gaps between winning combinations and are preferred by high rollers.
Pro tip
Want to discover a collection of slots filtered by their volatility? Check out our dedicated slots volatility page to find your favorite title today!
Online Slot Machines - RTP
RTP or the Return to Player is the opposite of Slot volatility. It represents the potential payback in the long run. RTP represents the total among of cash you can potentially expect to receive back after a certain number of spins, taking into consideration the house edge also.
Let’s say that you are playing a slot with an average RTP, somewhere around 96%. This means that the house edge will represent the remaining 4%.
Quick example:
If you play that specific slot for 1,000 spins, investing $1 on each spin, you will receive back in the long run only $960 out of the total of $1000 invested. What’s left, meaning $40, representing the 4% is the house edge.
Why does the RTP exist?
Surely, the RTP does not seem fair at first, as potentially, if you don’t win or lose too much to get out of the theoretical return, you are still losing or so it may look. Things are not that simple.
First of all, the online casino can live and offer bonuses and promotions only if it makes a profit and if the RTP would be 100% there would be no profit and no online casino on the market.
You can say that the tiny house edge is a necessary evil that keeps the market going and in the end, it all depends on the RNG that decides which symbols to show.
Be aware!
The RTP is purely theoretical since the potential prizes can be lower or bigger than the values predefined.
How to Beat Online Slot Machines
Technically, since online slot machines are games of chance, no matter what myth you hear or how much you strive to guess or influence the outcome of the spin, the RNG will always ensure that the result is random.
However, you don’t have to control the RNG to improve your odds. You can just go around and make better choices to improve your odds or have slightly more chances to win.
Choose a suitable online casino
It all starts with the selection of the right online casino. The gambling website you wish to play at has to be licensed and regulated and it should only provide a catalog of games from trustworthy software developer companies.
However, even here, there are some things you need to keep an eye out for:
- the terms and conditions
- the promotions offered
- other benefits you might enjoy at that particular operator.
For example, new online casinos tend to offer slightly better bonuses to attract new players or low-wagering casinos offer far lower playthrough requirements than the market’s average.
Recommendation
Whatever you do, always avoid blacklisted casinos or rogue operators that are not licensed and that offer slot machines from shady companies. Your gambling experience can quickly turn into a sure loss.
Pick the right slot for you
Picking the best new online slot is a controversial subject because it comes down to particular tastes and needs. This subject revolves generally around those two elements taken into consideration by the RNG which are the RTP and Volatility.
While the RTP is usually displayed on the software provider’s homepage, the volatility is not or only poorly at the casino operator.
When it comes to RTP, things are very simple. You should search for online slot machines that offer the biggest RTP possible. Some of these slots have a stunning RTP like Beat the Bank created by WGS with an RTP of 99.17% or, Ugga Bugga, a slot designed by Playtech with an RTP of 99.07%.
With volatility, things are more difficult, mainly because it’s not declared and the only option of finding out a slot’s volatility is to play it.
To the question of which one is better, a lower volatility slot or a higher volatility slot, the answer is simple: The one that fits your budget.
Don’t just rush for progressive jackpot slot machines just because they have a huge potential prize. Don’t forget that these titles have very high volatility and are not always equipped with the best RTP. If you are a low-roller, you should turn your sight to lower volatility slots.
Practice for Free
Back in the days when slots were forbidden, to continue to operate, they rewarded players with candies. However, for a long time players couldn’t test an online slot machine without actually having to invest real cash.
Luckily, nowadays, most slots come equipped with a demo version. You can test the game using the demo balance even without having to register an account.
If you are not sure what slot is right for you, you can pick a couple of titles and play them for free to see how they act and what bonus round they have to offer. This is also your chance to slightly determine the slot’s volatility.
There is no difference between the demo version of the slot and the real money version. The money version will act just like the demo version, but you will also be able to withdraw your winnings.
Claim a bonus
It’s always great to look out for a bonus whenever you are opening an account at a new gambling website. This way, you can start on the right foot because you will have more money to gamble or you can test more strategies.
Because online casinos have much lower operational costs compared to land-based establishments, they can afford to offer a wide variety of bonuses and promotions, ranging from the most basic match-up bonuses to complex VIP rewarding programs for veterans.
Here are the most widely encountered casino bonuses:
| Welcome Bonus |
| If you are a new player just opening an account, this will be the first bonus you encounter. Few online casinos on the market don’t offer a type of welcome bonus, either a no deposit bonus or a matching promotion. Keep in mind that a welcome bonus can only be claimed one time and only by new players. Veterans or those who have already claimed a welcome bonus at that online casino will have to search for a different offer. The welcome bonus can be claimed right away when opening an account with no form of investment if it’s a no deposit bonus or right after the first minimum deposit has been made if it’s a matching offer. |
| No deposit bonus |
| This is the offer that everyone is talking about. It’s the best type of bonus you can hope to get. It’s generally smaller than matching offers, however, it requires absolutely no investment. It’s just like playing a slot in demo mode but you can withdraw the prizes. Keep in mind that you will be required to register and confirm an account to be able to claim a no deposit bonus and that it also comes with playthrough requirements that need to be completed before you can withdraw the bonus and the potential prizes. |
| No wagering bonuses |
| Wagering requirements represent the number of times you have to gamble a bonus before you can make a withdrawal. Most bonuses on the market come with rollover requirements with very few exceptions. A no wagering bonus is even rarer than a no deposit bonus and just as the name suggests, it’s an offer that doesn’t need to be gambled multiple times. However, it may come with various other conditions for claiming. |
| Free Spins |
| This type of offer is dedicated exclusively to slot machines and can be offered as a stand-alone bonus by the casino to promote a certain new slot or in addition to another no deposit bonus or matching promotion. As it is offered exclusively for slots, no other game will count towards the wagering requirements’ completion. Free Spins are similar to no deposit bonuses because you can test a game while still having the potential to win real prizes. |
Read the terms and conditions
This advice is not only applied to specific bonuses terms and conditions but the casino’s overall rules. You will be prompted to read and accept them when you open an account and you should indeed read them carefully.
By doing so, you can make an idea of how a casino operates and what rules you need to follow.
Manage your budget
Being able to manage your budget wisely is a key element in the slot’s mastering process. Remember that gambling should be fun and should only be done responsibly. Here are a few ways to do that:
- Never gamble more than you can afford to lose because a big loss can keep you away from slots for a long period.
- When you are not playing, you can’t potentially win anything, that’s common sense. That’s why is better to spread your bankroll into multiple sessions. If you have a bad day just cut your losses and come back another time.
- Chasing a losing steak will bring you to losing more than you can afford. It’s better to enjoy multiple smaller wins than chasing the grand prize, especially if you are a new spinner or a low roller.
Final thoughts
There you have it - the beginner's guide on how to play slots and win!
We hope you enjoyed it. Now you can go out there and start spinning the reels like a real pro! Check out our best slots category to find the most popular games on the market.
Good luck!