How to Win at Slots – Our Complete Guide on Slots Odds and More
Are you wondering how to win at slot machines? Or maybe you need some help to figure out slot odds? Look no further. The expert guide we’ve written on this page covers everything you’ll need to know on how slot machines work, and how you can pick the best slots to play online.
We’ll also provide you with slot machine tips, debunk popular myths, and answer all the burning questions related to these beloved games. Ready to dive into the world of slots? Let’s get started!
How Do Slot Machines Work?
To understand how to win at slot machines, we need to know how these games work. First thing you should be aware of is that slots outcomes are purely based on chance, which means there’s no real slot machine strategy you can use to change those outcomes. Every player has the same odds of winning with any given slots game, and they cannot change these odds. You just spin the reels and hope to match symbols along the several paylines.
So, how does a slot ensure the same odds of winning for everyone? Why are the results random and unchangeable? Let’s take a look at the answer below:
The Software Behind Slot Games
Every time you press the spin button, the slot will create a random sequence of numbers that determine the result. This process is in place because today’s slot machines and their online counterparts use random number generator (RNG) software.
RNG Slot Results Are Always Random
The RNG works independently every time you play. This complex system churns out millions of potential results per second for the slot, even when no one is playing. This makes slot machines truly random and fair, which is why most casinos, including online casinos, offer RNG slots nowadays.
Each Spin Outcome Is Independent
Even when the reels appear to be spinning in the slot, the game is selecting one of the many results created by the RNG software. And while the game seems to go on winning or losing streaks, this isn’t the case. Each spin is an independent event, so even if you hit “spin” a fraction of a second later, the RNG would have given a different outcome.
RNG Software and Fairness
You may wonder how one can be sure the RNG software is working as it should, and it isn’t rigged. This is where software auditing companies, such as iTech Labs and eCOGRA come in. These companies test the software to make sure the spins of a particular slot are truly random and that over the long run, the returns from each game match up with the published amount.
Is There a Slot Machine Strategy?
Unlike skill-based games such as blackjack and poker, there is no strategy that you can apply to slot machines that will improve your chances of winning and give you an edge over the house. Simply put, slots are a game of luck, and nothing can change the outcome of each spin. Choosing which slot to play, on the other hand, is entirely in your control. You can improve your chances of winning by opting for slot machines with the best odds of winning.
Slot Machine Odds Explained
So far, we’ve established that the results of modern slot machines are programmed to be random. However, as with other casino games, the odds of slots are set in a way that gives the house its edge. Casino games make money for the house by paying out less than the true odds of the winning bet. With table games, this can be quite simple. Let’s take European roulette as an example. With numbers 1 through 36, plus a single 0, the true odds against any particular number are 36 to 1, but the casino pays single-number winners only 35 to 1.
Slots odds work in a similar way to our roulette example, except there are several more possibilities on slots. Because of the RNG software, there are thousands, and often millions, of reel combinations. It’s also up to individual game designers to determine how much each winning combination pays. The number of winning combinations and the payouts per combination work together to determine an online slot’s odds. But the vast number of possibilities makes the math of slots odds more complex than table games odds.
The player also doesn’t know how the game was designed. Therefore, it’s hard to quantify the odds of modern slot machines, whereas it was easier to figure out the true odds of an old-school mechanical game. You could have calculated your odds based on the number of reels and symbols per game. For example, a slot with 3 reels that holds 20 symbols per reel would give you a 7,999 to 1 chance of winning.
So, is there any way we can choose slots which offer better returns than others? And how can we know the house edge of a specific slot game? This is where RTP comes in, which we’ll talk about next.
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What is The Return to Player (RTP)?
If you’ve been playing slots for a while, you’ve probably heard the term RTP thrown about a few times. This stands for Return to Player, and it describes the amount of cash a slot pays back to its players over a big number of spins. It’s usually stated as a percentage, and most slots have an RTP between 80% and 90%. For example, a slot with RTP of 95% will give back $95 for every $100 that’s paid into it. Basically, the RTP explains how much you can expect to lose when playing a specific slot machine.
It’s crucial to understand that this percentage is estimated on a huge number of spins, usually millions. So, over the short term, say a few hundred or a few thousand spins, anything can happen, and that is what makes slots so thrilling.
Bear in mind that the RTP is a theoretical statistical calculation, and that the rate at which a game pays out is still determined by random number generators. Two slot games can both have an RTP of 95% but can pay out at different rates.
RTP and Slot House Edge
One of the best things about the RTP is that it helps you figure out a slot’s house edge. The edge is the slot game’s RTP subtracted from 100%. So, if a slot machine has a 95% RTP, the house edge is 5%. It’s the house edge that provides casinos with the advantage required to make a profit. Many players choose games that have a high RTP, as they offer better returns. In the long run, however, the casino always wins.
Slot Machine Tips from Our Expert Team
Now that you’ve learnt about how slot machines work, RTP and slots odds, it’s time to read through our list of tips to get the most of your gameplay.
01
Always Check the Slot’s Paytable and Rules
All slot games come with their own unique paytable. The paytable states what each symbol is worth and which one’s pay out the most. It will also show you whether the game has wild symbols, scatters, or other special symbols. The rules section of a game will tell you how to unlock bonus features, such as free spins or a prize picking round. Knowing all this information is crucial to choosing a slot machine best suited for your tastes as a player. It also helps you decide whether a slot is worth your time and money.
02
Play Slot Machines Online for Free First
Has an online slot caught your interest? Don’t invest your cash in it first thing. Instead, try the game for free first to see whether it has the payouts and overall feel you expected from it. Playing slots for free is also a good way of acquainting yourself with the game’s rules. Nowadays, most casino sites offer demo versions of their slots, so you can try most games you’d like completely free. Alternatively, VegasSlotsOnline has the largest free slots library on the internet, so you can enjoy any slot for with no risk here too.
03
Take Note of a Slot Machine’s RTP
RTP may not be significant for the casual slots player whose after the aesthetics of the game, but it’s crucial for slots enthusiasts who are looking for the most optimal game to play. RTP is one of the best tools you can use to help you pick winning slots. It will tell you which slots have the highest odds of hitting a payout, and which games you should avoid. Online slots have an average RTP of 93-95% but search for games in the mid to high nineties if you want to the best chance of winning a payout.
04
Choose Between High or Low Volatility
How would you like to win at slots? Do you want to win more often, but don’t mind if the payouts are on the smaller side? Low volatility slots are your thing then. Would you rather have that massive, life-changing jackpot instead? Then you’ll want to play progressive jackpot games, whose payouts can rake up in the millions. Keep in mind that these slots are highly volatile and do not payout often, so you’ll need to be patient while spinning the reels. Some slots also require you to bet the maximum to active the jackpot in the game, so check the rules first thing to find out.
05
Play Higher Denomination Slots
The higher the denomination, the better the slot’s odds, and often, the higher the payouts. If you can afford to play these games, you might find that you have a better chance of winning bigger amounts, and more frequently, too. For this reason, it’s better to play one coin per line on a 5-cent slot, for instance, than it is to play five coins per line on a 1-cent slot game. Remember, you’ll have fewer chances of winning if you play fewer lines. Some slots also require you to play all paylines to qualify for a jackpot or bonus feature.
06
Set A Budget and Time Limit
It’s important to set aside a bankroll just for slots play, to avoid overspending while playing. A time limit on how long you play will also help you stick within your budget. If you’re struggling to figure out how long your bankroll will last, we have a simple solution. Before you put money in a slot machine, decide how many paylines you’d like to bet on and how much you want to bet on each one. Divide the total amount by your bankroll. For example, if you had a $200 bankroll, and you wanted to bet on 20 paylines at $1 per line, your bankroll would last for 10 spins.
07
Consider Trying Video Poker Machines
Some casino players prefer games that require some skills and decision making. If your hands are itching to play such games and truly get an edge over the house, try video poker machines instead of slot machines. Video poker games look a lot like slot machines, but instead of reels, they use a deck of playing cards. The advantage that video poker has over slots is that if you choose a game with a decent pay table and use strategy, you can play with a house edge that’s ten times lower than slot machines.
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Slot Machine Myths Debunked
There are a lot of slot myths circulating around the internet, and several gambler misconceptions that have been stretching back years, ever since the first years of slot machines. In this section, we plan to debunk these myths and give you the lowdown on how slot machines really work.
01
A Slot Is Never “Hot or “Cold”
You might hear some players hearing a slot is “hot” which means it’s on a winning streak, or “cold”, meaning it’s on a losing one. You could even hear some saying a slot is about to go “hot” after being “cold” for a while. None of this is true. Each spin of a slot machine is a random, unique event, independent of the previous spin.
02
You Can’t Tell When A Win is Due
Again, many players on the casino floor or on a chat forum will talk about slots that are due to pay any moment. The random number generator operating modern slots guarantees that each spin is independent of one another, so no one can predict when a game is about to pay out. Anyone who tries to do so will be talking nonsense.
03
Betting Strategies Don’t Work
Betting systems such as the Martingale are methods commonly found across several casino games such as roulette, and many players will swear by them for slots too. You may find that these methods help you manage your bankroll, or give you a solid wagering plan, but they do not change the outcome of the spins, or the odds of the game. In short, they won’t help you win more.
04
Don’t Fall for Slot Hacks
You’ll often hear about slot machine hacks, such as using magnets. Not only are these methods illegal, but they don’t work, especially on today’s video slots. On top of that, don’t trust anyone selling “lucrative” slot machine secrets on some shady site for $20. Do your research and only trust slot machine tips from legitimate resources.
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How to Win at Slots: The Bottom Line
There are no secrets to winning on slot machines or some grand strategies behind them. Slots are simple games that operate with random number generators, so there are no actual skills or tricks to winning. That doesn’t mean you can never win on slots, especially if you pick a game that suits your tastes and pays out well. The bottom line is that you cannot win at slots every time but enjoy the experience that comes with these widely popular games. After reading our guide and applying our tips, we’re confident that you can be a smart slots player and pick an entertaining game with the best payout potential.
How to Win at Slot Machines FAQ
How do I win at slot machines?
You win at a slot once you successfully match symbols across the reels from the various paylines available in the game. Unlike skill-based games, slot outcomes are completely random. There is no slot machine strategy or “system” to winning slots.
Which casinos have the best slots to play online?
The casino sites handpicked by our expert team stock the best slot games in the industry. These sites have lobbies packed with hundreds of games from leading software providers, so you’ll have plenty of titles to choose from.
Do casino bonuses help me win more at slots?
Casino bonuses do not help you win more at slot games, but they boost your bankroll and give you more opportunities to play slots and potentially win. Free spins or no deposit bonuses are perfect casino offers to try on slot machines.
Are online casino slot machines rigged?
This depends on whether the casino site stocking such games is trustworthy. To avoid rigged slots and stick with fair ones, sign up to licensed casinos that have been reviewed by experts for safety, security, and fairness.
How do I pick a winning slot machine?
This depends on what kind of payouts you’d like to get. To receive smaller yet more frequent wins, play a low volatility slot. If you’re after the big slot wins, choose progressive jackpot games like Mega Moolah, bearing in mind they pay out less often because of high volatility.
What is an RTP percentage in slots?
The RTP, abbreviated for “Return to Player”, is the cash players are expected to receive from a slot over time. It’s presented as a percentage, and it’s usually published by the software providers who develop the games. Online casinos also publish this information for slot games on their site.
Which slot machines pay the best?
The slots with the highest RTP percentage include the Ugga Bugga slot at 99.07%, the Goblin’s Cave slots game at 99.32%, and NetEnt’s Mega Joker slot at 99%. The RTP is calculated over millions of spins, so remember that you won’t receive this percentage of your money back in one playing session. Anything can happen in the short term with slot machines.
Is there a trick to slot machines?
No, there are no real tricks to winning on slot machines as they are not games of skill. Contrary to video poker or blackjack, slot machines are games of pure luck and are not designed to be beaten with “tricks” or a “strategy”.
What is slot volatility?
Slot volatility refers to the frequency of winning on any slot game. Low volatility slots are the kind that let you win more often, but as a result the payouts are smaller. High volatility slot machines are the kind that don’t let you win as often as low volatility ones, but winnings are on the higher side.
Should I choose local or progressive jackpots slots?
This depends on your preferences as a slots player. Local or fixed jackpots are smaller, yet there’s a slightly higher chance you can win them. Progressive jackpot slots have a higher volatility, and hence it’s harder to win this kind of jackpot. However, the amount is much bigger than that of a local jackpot.
