At best, playing slots is a fun yet totally uncontrollable experience. Thanks to the random number generator installed in all modern video slots, each spin has the same chance of winning (or losing) as every spin before it. The best slots strategy is to admit that the game is a crapshoot. How Slots Work: Random Number Generators. Before you can begin conquering the one-armed bandits with your super slot machine strategy, there are a few things you need to know about how slot machines work. The best way to win at slots is to first understand how they are made, how they run, and how (and when) they are liable to drop a payout.
Everybody wants to know how to win on slot machines. If only there was a secret formula or cheat code that could allow you to win slots every time, your bank account would swell and your dreams would come true.
Alas, no such secret formula exists. However, that doesn’t mean there’s no way to win slots more often.
I’ve been playing slot machines since as long as I can remember. In the past decade or so, I’ve come to learn a thing or two about them. I’m going to share real, practical, and actionable steps on how to win at slots.
I’m not promising you’ll win a progressive jackpot and retire to live the high life.
All I’m offering is hard-won insights and some useful information which can help you avoid common mistakes and maximize your chances of winning.
A Word About Slot Cheat Codes
Before we go deeper into slot machine secrets and winning tips, I need to tell you what this article is not about.
I am what you’d call a natural skeptic. I don’t believe in things like lady luck and good fortune, I believe in probability and verifiable facts. That’s why I don’t put any stock—none whatsoever—in slot cheat machine codes and systems designed to help you win every time.
I recently read a short e-book called How to Win Gas Station Slot Machines Every Time. I was curious to see what the author had to offer. It turns out, it was full of clichés and empty platitudes.
- Waiting until someone had played for a while because the slot machine would be due.
- Finding specific games and tapping the buttons in specific sequences to unlock hidden features.
- Outright cheating by using mobile phone apps to read machine patterns and tricking the machine into paying out.
I chuckled to myself as I scanned the pages, knowing deep down that the author was a huckster and that nobody who used these slot machine cheats would gain anything.
Let me spell it out for you once, and once only: The companies which make slot machines, like Microgaming, are very rich indeed. They didn’t get that way by building games you can exploit.
In the next section, I’m going to teach you how slot machines really work. Understanding this vital information is the only way to win at slots more often.
How Slot Machines Work
There are still a few slot machines in Vegas and other casinos around the world which operate mechanically. But, these days, the majority of them are electronic. Trying to interfere with them physically won’t give you any advantage whatsoever.
Computer chips and algorithms known as “random number generators” (or RNGs) power modern video slots.
Without getting into complex technical details, these are algorithms which generate millions, and even billions, of numbers per second. When you hit the spin button, one of these numbers is selected, and if it’s associated with a payout, you win.
That’s pretty simple, right? There’s nothing overly complicated about it from a player’s perspective. Yet, if you think about it, you’ll realize that it means you can’t manipulate slot machines.
Setting aside philosophical arguments about whether true randomness really exists or not, you’re at the mercy of the algorithm. It could take a million spins before it pays out the jackpot, or it could happen three times in a row. It’s all based on the RNG.
Random number generators control both land-based and online slot machines. Gaming commissions check them to make sure they are random and fair. For online slot games, organizations like eCogra test the games while, in Vegas, it’s the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
If you understand the concept of random number generators, you understand the gist of slot machines. Let’s now move onto how to win on slot machines.
How to Win on Slot Machines — Tips and Tricks
I’ve created some general rules of thumb for playing slot machines. These aren’t 100% foolproof, but they do tend to be true. You should jot them down or remember them when you’re playing. You could think of this as slots wisdom won over many years of spinning the reels of fortune.
The Bigger the Jackpot, the Lower the Payback Rate
Every slot machine has what’s called an “RTP.” This is a percentage which tells you how much money the slot returns to players.
For example, if a slot machine has an RTP of 97%, which is high, then it will pay back $97 out of every $100 which players feed into it.
It’s important to remember that RTP is a theoretical number which explains the payback rate over the long run. It does not mean you will win back $97 out of every $100 that you play. It means that the machine returns this amount to all who play that slot. This includes all of the small wins as well as the jackpots.
Well, in my experience, slots with bigger jackpots, and particularly progressive jackpot slots, have a lower payback rate. I’ve seen jackpot slots with an RTP of 91%. That’s low compared to a game like Jack Hammer II by NetEnt which has an RTP of 97.07%.
Sometimes, you’re better off playing high RTP slots, even if they have a smaller jackpot. The chances of winning a progressive jackpot are slim, so you have to be realistic about the possibilities.
Yes, you could strike it lucky, but for every multimillion-dollar winner, thousands of players lost. If you want to win at casino slots, you’re better off with high RTP slots for this reason, you get more back in the long game.
Tip:One of the highest RTP slot machines is Mega Joker by NetEnt. It has an RTP of 99%. It’s a classic slot, and many people play it religiously because of the high payback percentage.
Don’t Forget the Bonus Features
Almost every slots player I know is blinded by huge jackpots. There’s a reason why casinos plaster the largest progressive jackpots all over banners across the web. They attract slots players like moths to a flame!
I’m not. The odds of winning the jackpot on any slot are low. Instead, I focus on lucrative bonus features. Some of the biggest wins I have ever had came from slot machine bonus rounds.
Here are a few which I feel are particularly worth looking out for. If a slot machine has one or more of these features, I give it serious consideration.
Free Spins
- Free spins are one of the best slot machine bonus rounds. When you enter them, you’ll automatically bet at the value you were betting in the base game. If I haven’t triggered the free spins feature after 20 spins, I usually increase my bet size in anticipation. It has to trigger eventually, and I want to reap the rewards to the maximum extent when it does.
Multipliers
- Multipliers can be part of the base game, or they can be part of bonus features. For example, a free spins feature can have a multiplier. I always look for slots with multipliers of up to 3x or higher. I then play with larger bets than I usually would. One big win with a 3x multiplier can be as good as a jackpot.
Cascading Reels
- This is probably my favorite feature in slot machines. When you create a win, the symbols disappear, and new ones take their place. If you win once more, the same happens again. Some slot machines mix cascading reels and multipliers together. Sometimes, the multiplier gets bigger every time you create a new cascade. An example of such a slot is Gonzo’s Quest.
There are lots of other great slot bonus features. Bonus wheels, picking games, and progressive jackpot bonus rounds also offer a chance to win big. The point is, you should always study the paytable of a slot machine, play it for free, and try to figure out its bonus rounds.
Of course, if you can find a slot machine offering lots of great features and a big jackpot, that’s the golden ticket. I’d always double-check the RTP on such a game, though. Usually, the greater the risk to the casino, the lower the RTP is.
Manage Your Bankroll by Leveraging Slot Volatility
Want to know the first game I play every time I log into the casino? It’s almost always Starburst.
Why so? Because Starburst is a high volatility slot. I rarely, if ever, experience long dry spells on this game. The wins are frequent, even if they aren’t life-changing. And I find that Starburst often helps me boost my balance. Once it’s suitably boosted, I move across to a higher volatility slot for a shot at bigger wins.
You can read an in-depth article on slot machine variance and volatility here. I’ve created a short and easy version for you below:
- Low volatility slot machines pay little wins frequently.
- Medium volatility slots pay mid-range amounts semi-frequently.
- High volatility slots pay bigger wins less frequently.
For example, I never play high volatility slot machines when using free spins bonuses which offer only 10 or 20 spins. Experience tells me that on a high volatility game, I could easily experience 10 or 20 spins without a single win. I know that when the win does come, it will be explosive. But those slots aren’t best suited for this kind of bonus.
To leverage slots volatility, play low volatility slots when you’re down on your luck and only have a small bankroll.
They can also be extremely useful when trying to meet wagering or rollover requirements on a bonus offer. However, when you have a suitable amount of house money, switch over to higher volatility games with bigger potential wins.
Please remember that this is not a foolproof plan. Sometimes, the RNG just doesn’t spit out the right number, and no wins occur. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes, and you’ve got to accept that before you start playing a slot machine or expecting to win on slot machines.
Conclusion
I promised you logical, sensible tips for winning slot machines, and I hope you feel that I’ve delivered. All of what I’ve written above is fact-based, and none of it requires you to believe in hocus-pocus or to resort to cheating.
Winning slot machines is all about reducing the house advantage, knowing how to give yourself the best shot at the biggest payouts, and avoiding the common mistakes that too many players make.
That’s all I can offer you, and no matter what they say, it’s all anybody else can offer you, too.
Now that you know how to win more often, check out some of the best slot machines online.
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.If you walk into any brick and motor casino, one of the most games you will find people playing are classic fruit machines popularly known as slots. The internet has made work easier for gamblers because using a smartphone, tablet or PC, slot machines can be played at the comfort of one’s home or office. Quite frankly, the online versions of slot machines are a great activity for people who love the indoors but do not mind the occasional thrill of waiting upon a bet. Compared to classic slots, online slots are more exciting because they have wild and scatter symbols plus an interactive gameplay of bonus rounds.
If you use Google to dig up knowledge on various subjects, you must have come across websites that promise to make you loads of money from their secret slot winning strategy. Did you go along with the advice given? The truth about slots is that they are based on pure luck which cannot be influenced. While slots are undefeatable in the long run, there are tips that can turn even an average gambler into a pro. Here is the step by step guide you can use to maximize your chances of winning at slots:
1. Know the ins and outs of slots machines
You have likely heard this before; find a game whose winning event is due. While some people will interpret this to mean that slot games are self-correcting, the truth is that mathematical probability is the greatest determinant for winning in slots. Ever spin that is made on a slot machine is independent of any other but they are collaborating to prove mathematical accuracy of the games. Assuming that a game pays out a win when 3 identical symbols appear on separate reels, for a game that has 3 reels, this would mean that players have a 1:1000 probability of winning. Does this mean that you have to make 1000 spin to land one that pays out? The truth is that the longer a slot has been played without a paying out, the more likely that a win is coming and it could be you spinning.
2. Understand that there is more to slots than just RTP percentage
Many people will consider the RTP of a slot game before making the decision to play that game. Well, it is an important factor but not the only one especially because the concept of volatility comes into play. In a game like we mentioned above where the probability of winning is 1:1000, the nature of play is highly volatile. If this is the only gain you are going to be anticipating the entire game, it might take you a minimum of 2 hours to get a win.
What if we had a game where there were smaller wins throughout the game? It will take you the same amount of time as above to win big but the smaller wins will keep you interested in the game and cause you to play longer. This increases your chances of winning.
3. You cannot tell a game’s payback percentage by looking
For slot machines with mechanical reels, the payback percentage is a factor of the number of symbols and various possible combination payoffs. If for instance, you aim at a certain result, you can obtain the odds of hitting it. Compare what you get to the amount expected as payback then add together the respective returns. Modern slots played over the internet haverandom number generators that come up with outcomes. Upon pressing the spin button, the reels spin and stop on a random number which is tied to certain reel combinations. If the game developers adjust the odds for certain symbols, it could be impossible for a player to calculate the payback percentage accurately. Whether you manage to self-calculate or rely on what has been given by the developers, a game with a higher payback is better than the opposite.
4. Apply slots generalities based on jackpot size to win
Did you know that a small jackpot is easier to win than a huge one? According to Michael Bluejay, a slots machine blogger, smaller jackpots in slots means better payback percentages. A small jackpot is easy to beat. On the contrary, play slots with large progressive jackpots for the fun, not for the money. The bigger the jackpot size, the lower the probability of hitting a win. This would mean spending more time on the slot not to mention the amount of money you need to have spent before hitting the jackpot. It is alright to try gaming luck on progressive jackpots but take care not to get used to it – they will kill your morale as well as bankroll pretty fast.
5. Apply slot generalities based on location
Manyslot reviewers and analysts are of the opinion that the slot machines that are placed on the edges have higher payouts. This theory rides on the assumption that players start choosing slots from the outside and edges are a strategic place to have higher-paying games. Well, this might have worked in the past but not anymore. Actually, it depends on where you are because theslot machines in Las Vegas airport have a payback percentage of around 80%. If you love gambling and are stuck at the airport, you will just play, right? If you’re interested in checking out the most popular and legal casinos accepting online players, check out this website: https://www.onlinecasinos.co.uk.
6. Go for slot machines that have guaranteed payback percentages
While not all games post guaranteed RTP percentages, this is a common trend especially for games from Net Entertainment and a few other gaming providers. This, unfortunately, is the exception when it comes to land-based casinos. If you come across a slot machine which has the payback percentage advertised, take it. The minimum stake per spin is most likely to be a dollar or more but the outcome will make you glad that you did. Such machines have the return to player (RTP) percentage of above 97% so play on.
7.Ignore the slots club myths
If you are in a slots club or someone who is, you have probably heard the myth that your chances of winning are reduced if you have a slots club card in the machine when playing. Total lie! The role of the slots club card is to track the amount of action that originates from your account. This makes it easy to calculate rewards and rebates as a way to give players incentives at their level. Slots make money from casinos so it is standard business practice for a casino to want to see how much traffic is generated from them. Do not be fooled into thinking that the random number generation and RTP will be influenced by the absence or present of the slots club card. Slots writers who imply that playing with your card inserted is beneficial to your account are somehow right. These regular rebates mean that you lose less overall.
8. Play multiple games to get paid entertainment
Best Strategy To Win On Slot Machines Jackpots
In a casino setting, slots appear to be the easiest to tackle as far as winning is concerned. For some players, the visual appeal, captivating soundtracks, and thrill of reels spinning is simply addictive. Have you ever considered that playing slots is more expensive than playing any of the other games in a casino? Well, if you are an average player, you are likely to make 600 bets in an hour on slots, thanks toIoT in gambling. This translates to more money spent on slots if gaming was to continue throughout. Taking breaks in between slots betting is a good way to unwind, earn money from other games and spend less on slots.
Log in atSlots.lv for instance, and there is a huge range of games to pick from and play (over 400 to be precise). Here, as in very many other online casinos are a diverse selection of games designed to appeal to various personalities.
9. Enjoy better winning odds with video poker
Best Strategy To Win On Slot Machines Free
If you are new to the gambling space, it might take you a long while before you can tell the difference between video poker and slots. In the real sense, there are huge differences between these two. Using the same probabilities you would apply when playing with a deck of cards; it is possible for players to effectively calculate the RTP percentage on a game of video poker. The average RTP is 93% for video poker games which gets better with enhanced skills and a better choice of games to up to 99%. If you are going to balance your time between video poker and slots, you will obviously have different fun levels with each. Addicted to the slots? It is perfectly fine because the wins you gain from video poker can fund the slots, keeping you playing longer.
10.Understand and stick to your goals
The most important goal for any casino player is to be entertained. Entertainment costs money and rarely do people pay for a movie expecting that they will win money that is enough to buy more movies – It should be the same with gambling. The most reasonable long term goal for those who play on slot machines is to receive entertainment that is equivalent to the amount of money they have paid in as stake. Any form of benefit that you will receive during play is just a bonus. Think of the free drinks you receive in a land-based casino or the loyalty points you earn on online casinos to be just that – free gifts courtesy of the casino for choosing to give them business.
Clearly, there is no secret formula on how to win at slots but everyone who plans to try should do it from an informed perspective. Enjoy the game and stay free of the addiction and winning will be the only event that turns your life around. So, how do you deliberately have fun at the slots? Since all casino games are programmed to the house’s advantage, none can have an RTP that is 100%. You, therefore, need luck to win at a slot game and that is why games with higher volatility are better.
Assuming that you opt to play a game that has low volatility, the results you will obtain over time will be as close as possible to the anticipated payout which is obviously less than 100%. In the high volatile game, on the other hand, the player still places bets and loses some but they stand a chance of reaping huge payouts because of the volatility being high. In simple terms, try playing slots with smaller but frequent bets; you tend to lose less money over time and when you hit the big win it is likely to repay all that you have lost. There it is: the secret to winning on slots is keeping track of the game’s volatility in line with the RTP. Some practical tricks below:-
- Stay away from bet types that decrease the RTP significantly – you might have noticed that many, actually the majority, will post a uniform RTP regardless of the bet size. For some online slots that have been adapted from land-based slots, there is a slight disadvantage when some bets are placed. If this is the case in the game you have chosen to play, always go for bets where this disadvantage does not apply. For instance, if a bet on 3 win lines costs 2 cents and a bet on a single win line costs 1 cent, it is clear that you save more if you bet on more win lines. In this case, it is always best to go for multiple win lines because of the disadvantage posed by betting on a single win line.
- Take advantage of the double up feature – this is a clever way to keep the volatility of a slot machine in check. Once the double up feature has been activated, the player stands a chance to win double the amount of money they have won in a game as the payout. Some games give you the opportunity to double up several times in a row and this is a chance to walking away richer than you were when starting the game. Actually, you will be twice as loaded than when you received the payout. Interestingly, this feature shoots the volatility of a game upwards. In the long haul, playing in such a slot game will offer you the opportunity to get less wins but of high value. For instance, imagine that you get your bet’s payout and walk away. You have probably been winning $1 for the last 40 wins – that is good. If you activated the double-up feature on your winnings and won $8 on 5 rounds, the outcome would still be the same as the first round but happening over fewer instances.
What aboutpenny slots? This trick will work for these types of slot machines because they are designed to accept a 1 cent per pay line. The catch is that multiple lines have to be played in a single spin. Instead of counting from the perspective of how much you expect to win, how about you bet the amount of money you are willing to lose on around. The reality in most land-based casinos is however from what really happens. Instead of betting with actual money, credits apply. Sounds sneaky, right?
Well, there might be special regulations for using the double up feature on money won from bonus rounds so it is important to check the terms and conditions before starting.
- Play with few pay lines – this is another trick for increasing the volatility of a game. Are you aware that a game with 10 pay lines can be played using a single one? This has the effect of multiplying the volatility by 5 to 10 times. For instance, if you have $2 which you bet on a single pay line, the expected win will be much higher than if you distributed the money over 10 pay lines to bet as $0.20 on each line. The mote pay lines are on an active bet, the less the amount of money is to be received in the way of winnings. The only downside to this trick is that it will not apply to high roller players since the maximum amount that can be placed as a bet on a pay line is capped. Lucky you if you have discovered a casino where you can play the Cleopatra slot from IGT because these regulations do not apply.
Conclusion
The greatest strategy of playing the slots that every gambler should bear in mind is that addiction is the door that leads down the road of self-destruction. If you must make gambling at the slots a habit, make sure it is on your own terms. The analogy is pretty simple; you cannot become an alcoholic from taking a beer in the same way that you cannot become a gambling addict just because you have pulled the slots lever. Do you know when you are losing control on the slots? That should signal you to stop!