While some forms of casino gambling have been figured out down to the most minute details, slots are not among them. They are simply too diverse and random for anyone to give you exact predictions. However, does that mean that there is nothing that you can do to improve your experience? Nothing could be further from the truth. While slots are indeed random and diverse, there are plenty of actions that you can take to optimize your gameplay and have a great gaming session.
Research the Games
First and foremost, you need to know what you are getting into. Slots come in many shapes and sizes, so much so that you will not find two identical ones. As such, there are a lot of factors that you need to take into consideration when choosing the game. These can range anywhere between the specific features of a game to its statistical payout ratios in the long term. Right now, we will explore some aspects of a given title that you should account for.
Check the Paytable
The paytable is arguably one of the most important features of a slot game. After all, you need to know what profit you stand to make by forming winning combinations.
There is a lot of useful information that you can get simply by looking at the paytable. For example, you can see if the payout ratios are worth wagering your money. As one would expect, some games are more worthwhile than others in terms of potential profit and you need to be aware of that. Moreover, the paytable menu also contains all of the important rules for a game.
This is where you find out how bonus rounds and free spins are triggered, as well as any other extra features of the title. This is the first order of business once you start a game and you can decide how you will proceed from then on.
Go for more Paylines
When playing slots on the Internet, you want to go with as many paylines as your bankroll will allow. Playing at maximum paylines gives you the best chances of scoring winning combinations, as you will have more leeway as to what patterns are considered winning. In the event that you cannot afford more paylines, we recommend that you lower the coin size and select the maximum number of lines. In effect, each additional payline allows you to place one more bet on the next spin.
Of course, forming more than one winning combination will not limit your winnings. You will receive the typical payout for each winning line and for this reason, we recommend that you do not go below the maximum if the situation allows for it.
Take into Account the Number of Symbols
In terms of gameplay, there is something that not all slots players take into account and that is the number of unique symbols that can appear on the reels. It goes without saying that the more symbols there are the lower your odds are of forming winning combinations due to the increased number of outcomes that each symbol brings. There is no perfect number of symbols, however, and you should play what you think gives you the best odds of winning.
Look up the Casino Advantage and RTP Values
Before you even load up a game, you should check out its RTP and house edge values. The rule of thumb is the higher the RTP and the lower the house edge, the more worthwhile the games is.
These statistics are vital for the gambling industry and the also serve as a measure of how fair a casino game is. Games with higher house edge percentages are less viable in the long run and you should generally avoid them.
If you are not familiar with these concepts, then you would do well to check out our guides on the RTP and Casino Advantage in slots. Typically, you should gravitate towards slots with RTP values of 95% or over and house edge values of 5% or lower.
We also have an article of the best payout slots in the online gambling industry that will certainly intrigue you.
Maintain a Stable Bankroll
Another crucial aspect of casino gaming is being able to manage your bankroll in both winning and losing scenarios.
While not the most glamorous concept, bankroll management is vital for you if you wish to keep playing. This involves not betting over your head and keeping presence of mind even when things look bad. It requires discipline and dedication to implement and we recommend that you start immediately.
Bankroll management involves knowing how much to bet, when to change the size of your bet and when to change the game entirely. Of course, there is much more nuance in this and you should take a look into this.
Know When to Quit
Bankroll management also ties in with one ability that not all gamblers have mastered, unfortunately. This is the ability to walk away from a game no matter how much you have lost. Many are under the impression that they can win back their losses and not only is this dangerous but it is also a sign of problem gambling.
In the event that you lose a significant chunk of your balance, keep a level head and walk away. The reality of the situation is that you have already lost that money and it is probably not worth it to risk more at the mere chance to win it back.
Do Not Fall For Gambling Myths
One of the greatest mistakes new players make is to fall for long-established myths in the gambling world. These can concern any aspect of the industry and offer useless and even harmful advice, especially to those who do not know better.
Gambling myths can be anything as simple as conspiracy theories that the games are rigged or something more damning as telling you how to wrongly place bets. In all cases, however, myths do not provide anything of value and are frowned upon by experienced players. You should certainly avoid them at any opportunity and do not believe anyone, no matter how passionately they profess them.
The most common gambling misconception is the ‘gambler’s fallacy’ – the idea that chances mature over time. More specifically, that if something has not happened recently it is bound to happen or if it has happened recently then it will not happen again soon. There is no merit to this or any other similar tales and you should rely on hard-proven facts if you wish to have a worthwhile time. If you are interested in learning more about gambling misconceptions, check out our article on the most common slots myths in the industry.
Watch Video about Slot Myths
Try a Slot For Free
One of the best features of the online gambling industry is that you often have the opportunity to play slots free of cost before you commit real fund to the game. This is the best way to determine whether you like a game first hand and most, if not all, online casinos will allow you to do so. Playing slots in free mode also allows you to get a good grasp of the rules prior to using your actual fund. You can play in free mode for as long as you like.
Most games will give you a certain amount of free credits to fool around with and in the event that you run out, you can always reload the title to start again. Once again, there is no downside to loading games in free mode and you should use whenever you are considering getting into a new title. Moreover, you can also play for free should you run of real money if you just like to watch the reels spin.
Consider Taking Part in a Slots Tournament
If you are looking to extend your reward potential of playing slots and normal gameplay is not cutting it for you, consider taking part in a slot tournament. Slots tournaments are run on a regular basis at some online casinos. They are special events organized by the operator where the user base of the website come together and try to outdo each other in how much they can from playing slots.
Slots tournaments are either free with low rewards or require a buy-in, giving you the opportunity to win a lot. Regardless of the cost of entry, tournaments are organized in basically the same way. Once you are in, the tournament will start at a pre-set time. At this moment, you will be granted a certain amount of credits for the purposes of the tournament and then you start spinning the reels. The slot used for the purposes of the tournament is entirely subjective and it can be anything that the casino chooses. When the time runs out, the casino will determine which user scored to most credits and they will receive their prize. Overall, slot tournaments are easy to grasp and fun to take part in. The casinos that do offer them usually do so on a weekly basis and you can easily set aside a half hour to take part in one.
Watch Out for Special Slots Promotions
Another thing that you should take notice of is when your online casino of choice runs slots promotions. These can come in several different packages. One of the most common ones is a gift of free spins on a given title. The number of free spins will depend entirely on the nature of the promotion, though as a general rule, Welcome Bonuses which include free spins are the best. Free spins are not exactly free. There are rules which you have to follow to make the most out of them. For example, the winnings from these spins will come with a wagering requirement, where you have to place a certain amount in bets before you can cash in those winnings.
Alternatively, some gambling websites run promotions where they offer bonus funds by matching a deposit by a certain percentage. Some of these bonuses are specifically tailored to slots and the bonus funds can only be used on such games. Those are the perfect type for you if you are a fan of the genre and we recommend that you take advantage of them whenever you have the opportunity. Much like the free spins promotions, deposit bonuses also come with rules and condition, so make sure to read them carefully before proceeding.
Consider Implementing a Betting Strategy
Betting strategies are mostly hit or miss with the general gambling community but they certainly have their uses. Granted, they are better applicable to games which reward even money such as roulette or blackjack, but you can implement one in your gameplay if you think that it will give you an edge.
If you do so, we advise that you go with a positive progression system, where you increase the size of the bet every time you score a win. Again, we have to stress that betting systems are not designed for slots, so use them carefully. Moreover, they also require discipline and a cool head to pull off properly, so try to minimize the chance for impulsive betting.
Stay Away From Any Third-Party Software
If you have been in the online gambling industry for long enough, then you may come across offers for programs that promise to make your gambling sessions more profitable. This software is advertised to give you an advantage and earn you more money, with only a small fee to pay to get you started.
Not only is this deceptive, but it is also potentially dangerous. This type of software does nothing to improve your chances of winning and any ‘advanced strategies’ are nothing but a blatant lie. The ramifications of using such programs could be huge. To begin with, they are expressly forbidden by all online casinos everywhere. Using them will likely result in you getting banned from your gambling website.
Moreover, their function could be summed up to the Auto-Play feature which all slots offer anyway. This software will not make you a better gambler or provide you with a larger bankroll. At best it is a scam to cheat you out of your hard-earned money and at worst, it is malware designed to steal your personal information. It goes without saying that you should avoid such offers like the plague.
Remind Yourself That Gambling Is Always Risky
When playing any gambling game, slots include, you always need to keep in mind that this activity is by its nature risky. You always stand to lose money no matter how careful you are or what precautions you take. Though seemingly obvious, it is something often ignored by a substantial percentage of the gambling community. Casino gaming is supposed to be a pastime, for you to relax and enjoy your favorite games. It should never be a means for you to earn money and that is one of the most important tips that you can take away from this article.
Do Not Hesitate to Check Out Other Gambling Websites
The online gambling industry is reaching ever greater heights and this growth is projected to continue for years to come. What this means is that as the online gambling scene grows, so does the pool of slots that you can find on the Internet. However, it is not realistically feasible for a single online casino to offer all available titles. Due to this, we recommend that you always be on the lookout for other gambling websites. There are simply too many options at your disposal for you to limit yourself to one particular casino.
If a given gambling website does not fully satisfy your gaming needs, there are hundreds more out there that would gladly accept you. There is no penalty for playing at other casinos and you can even do so at the same time if you pleased.
Feel free to take a look at our review section, where we have more than two dozen online casinos ready for you to explore.