Perhaps one of the best things about slots is because they are random, they offer an equal playing field for anyone who wants to try them. But, just like blackjack and poker, there are ways that you can become more skilled at slot machine online gaming.
Before we jump into how you can become a better slot gamer, here is what you need to know about slots.
What you need to know about online slot games
There are a lot of myths about slots, and it can mean that people who might love the game shy away from it. So here are a couple of the facts:
- Slot machines aren’t rigged; in fact, they run on world-class RNG technology. There are literally billions of possible combinations on a slot machine.
- You don’t need to bet max to win big or increase your odds at scooping a jackpot.
- Online slots and land-based casino slots are equal in terms of how fair they are.
- Slots don’t have a more regular payout period; no matter what the day or the hour, the slot machine has the same RTP rate and the same volatility.
It is important to know that slots are one of the most played games online for a reason, and its randomness and the fact that anyone can win is a big factor.
But that begs the question – can you be more successful if you have specific tactics? Yes, you can – and none of it involves the online slot being rigged.
Choose the right slot.
There are two figures that can help you win more often. One is the return to player (RTP), in other words, how often the slot machine pays out. And the other is the volatility.
To see a more regular payout, what you want to look for is an RTP that is over 96%; the closer to 100%, the better. The volatility decides how the payout looks in terms of size and frequency.
A game with high volatility will not pay often, but it will pay bigger, and a game with low volatility will pay out lower amounts but more frequently.
So, think about how you’d prefer to win. For players who want to keep the bankroll topped up and aren’t looking for huge wins, the ideal combination is an RTP of about 98% and low volatility.
Your play style will determine the best option; always read the information about the slot before you start playing. And since there are some slots with great themes – you might just choose to go with a fun theme and ignore the RTP and volatility.
Freeplay and Demo
You wouldn’t expect to scoop a big win in a poker game without some experience. Make use of all of the demo options and the freeplay too! While slots aren’t complicated to learn, you might want to know the mechanics.
Slots all have pretty standard techniques for the play, but you will find variations in bonus game unlocks, speed of play, reels, wager amount, and a few other features.
In demo mode, you will get demo credits to play with, and you can keep track of the spend vs. the payouts and decide if that is the game that you want to play.
Promos and Bonuses
No matter what game you are playing at an online casino, you should always make sure that you read the fine print on the promotions and bonuses. When it comes to slots, you can often find free spins thrown into account sign-up packages.
While that is great, take a look at what loyalty and regular account holders get, too.
Almost all offers will have some minimums that you need to pay before you can withdraw your money – but it is usually not excessive.
Casino websites that are more geared toward catering for people who love slots will typically offer a much better set of promotions and bonuses.
Betting Strategy
Once you figure out the types of games that you like to play and an RTP and volatility that works for you, you might want to start trying out different strategies – because there are a few.
Martingale Betting System
This strategy is known as one of the best, but you’ll need to modify it for slots. You will add a maximum limit. You double each bet after each loss and reset when you win. This is only useful up to a maximum of 16 times the initial wager – which can be quite high.
Fixed Percentage Betting
With fixed percentage betting, you need to be a little more hands-on with what you are doing – aka, get a calculator or be good with numbers. You only change the size of the bet based on the available balance. So, if you have $50 to play with, only bet 3% (between 1-5% is fine based on your loss of appetite) of that. If you win, you increase the bet based on what is in the pot and reduce it if you don’t. There is no guaranteed way to win at slots, but by learning more about the slot strategies that people use and how the machines work, you can develop a strategy that works for you – and increases the your odds.