Skip to main content

Slot Machines Tips

A. Antonova
Since 2017, Anisia has been sharing her iGaming expertise with readers of CasinoGamesPro.com. Her work covers comprehensive reviews of casino favourites like slots, roulette, blackjack, and video poker, along with thorough assessments of payment options, mobile casino platforms, and leading online casinos.
(editor) | Updated:

Tips on Getting the Most Out of Your Gaming Sessions While Playing Slots

Slot Machines TipsAdvances in technology in recent years have led to the emergence of hundreds of legitimate and secure online casinos, where enthusiastic players can enjoy some of their favorite games on the go or from the comfort of their own homes. Nowadays, gaining access to a vast array of casino products is simply a matter of having a computer, smartphone, or tablet.

Inexperienced players tend to favor slots due to their simplicity and seemingly huge winning potential, which is why online casinos have added hundreds of slot titles to their gaming collections to meet popular demand. There is such a wide diversity of themes and features that all players, regardless of their individual preferences and bankroll size, will be able to find options to suit their needs.

However, prior to committing to real-money play, you should definitely take a quick look at the tips we have listed below. In this comprehensive guide, we set out to teach you what you should look out for before you start playing, the role of RTP in showing which slots have great value, why sticking to your bankroll is crucial, and more. These tips may help you boost your profits and make your betting session all the more exciting.

1. Always Check the Paytable

Always Check the PaytableAs a matter of fact, checking the paytable is the first thing players should do, regardless of their level of experience. Each slot has different payouts for landing a specific number of identical symbols on the active paylines. By quickly examining the paytable in advance, you will be able to get a better grasp of whether this particular title is worth your time and money. A good idea would be to look for titles that offer payouts for landing two identical symbols on a line as well as for three, four, or five matching symbols. This would increase your chances of turning a profit. Such games are rare and hard to find, but they are well worth it.

The paytable contains important information on the high-paying and low-paying symbols featured in the game, as well as information on the slot’s additional features such as rounds of free spins, bonus games, bonus symbols, wilds, and scatters. Sometimes, the game’s average return-to-player percentage is also included.

Checking the paytable in advance will enable you to make a better-informed decision on which slots to play and which ones to avoid.

2. Choose Slots with Multiple Paylines

Fruit Shop Slot ScreenshotIt is impossible to overemphasize the importance of paylines—or, to be more precise, their number. Back in the day, the number of paylines on slot games was restricted to one, but nowadays, players get to choose from a wide range of titles with 10, 20, 50, and even 100 paylines. The greater the number of paylines, the higher your chances of hitting a winning combination. However, you should also make sure the paylines are adjustable and not fixed, as this would enable you to select which ones to play and bet on.

3. Consider the Number of Symbols

Consider the Number of SymbolsThe number of symbols a slot utilizes on each reel is also important. Before they start, players are advised to take a quick look at their preferred slot’s paytable to see how many symbols can appear on the reels. Common sense dictates that the greater the number of symbols on the reels, the harder it would be for players to hit winning combinations.

4. Check the Coin Denominations

Check the Coin DenominationsThe coin denominations a specific slot uses are of essential importance because they may serve as indicators of the game’s payback percentage. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the available denominations, the bigger the slot’s payback percentage. That is why games with smaller coin denominations are considered to be on the lower end when it comes to return percentages and are best avoided. Thus, slots with higher denominations of $1, for instance, may have a payback that exceeds 96%, while games with denominations of $0.25 usually offer no more than a 92% average payback.

5. Limit Your Maximum-Coin Play

Limit Your Maximum-Coin PlayAnother piece of advice experienced slot players often give is to limit your maximum coin bets, unless you are playing a slot with a progressive jackpot. With progressive games, you usually need to bet the maximum amount to qualify for the accumulated prize. If winning the jackpot is not your objective, you should probably steer clear of progressive slots altogether, as they tend to pay out regular wins less frequently.

6. Look for Slots with Higher RTPs

Look for Slots with Higher RTPThe abbreviation RTP stands for the term Return to Player, which gambling establishments use to refer to the average long-term payback on all bets players have made on a given game, be it a slot, blackjack, or roulette. The RTP, similarly to the house edge, is commonly expressed as a percentage. For example, if a slot is said to have a 97.10% RTP, this means that, in the long run, players are expected to get back an average of $97.10 for every $100 they wager on this game.

Pay attention to the words “average” and “long-term”. While accurate, the RTP evens out to the specified percentage over prolonged periods of time during which thousands upon thousands of spins are involved. If we have to be realistic, you cannot expect to pocket $97 for every $100 you wager on a slot, at least not every time. The RTP percentages do matter, however, so you should always look for slots where the RTP exceeds 95% or even 96%.

7. Add Value to Your Game with Bonuses and Free Spins

Add Value to Your Game with Bonuses and Free SpinsThis is always a good idea, even more so if one lacks experience with slots. This is also the reason why so many people opt for spinning the reels online instead of at land-based venues – there are plenty of bonuses to claim on a regular basis.

Moreover, some of the promotional incentives target specifically slot fans. Taking advantage of these offers will extend your betting session without you risking your own funds and will add greater value to your gameplay. For instance, some of the most reputable casinos in the industry offer free spins on selected slot games from their catalogs. A good way to boost your slot bankroll is to claim the casino’s welcome bonus if you have just registered an account.

Most online casinos reward their patrons with comp points for every wager they place. After the player has collected a specific number of points, they can choose to exchange them for bonus credits or, occasionally, cash. The exchange rates vary from one online gambling operator to another, however.

8. Slow Down Your Gameplay

Slow Down Your GameplaySlots are among the most dynamic games one can engage in at a casino, which means that you can win quickly but say goodbye to your entire bankroll just as fast. Because of this, players are recommended to play at a slower pace and take their time. There is no need for you to hit the Spin button each and every second.

According to seasoned slot players, no betting session should exceed two hours in length. It is usually within this timeframe that one becomes fatigued both mentally and physically, which, needless to say, causes them to make rash decisions. After you have played for a while, you should take at least a half-hour break.

Grab something to eat, rest for a while, and you will soon notice you are in control of your emotions and thoughts again.

9. Adopt Proper Bankroll Management

Adopt Proper Bankroll ManagementAdequate bankroll management is an absolute must, regardless of which casino game you prefer to place your bets on. The first thing any slot novice needs to do is determine the size of their overall bankroll, or the amount of money they are comfortable playing with and potentially losing. You can split the overall bankroll into smaller amounts depending on the number of your betting sessions for the month.

Once players have decided on the size of their overall bankroll, they need to ensure they stick to it. Knowing one’s limits is of crucial importance. Players should set a loss limit for themselves and quit spinning the reels as soon as they reach it. It is equally important to set a win goal for yourself and stick to it. Remember, it is wiser to settle for smaller but consistent wins rather than win a huge amount and lose it back to the casino out of greed.

If you succeed in doubling the size of your starting bankroll during your betting session, you can adopt the Guarantee and Excess strategy. You set aside half of your net profits and add them to your starting bankroll. This would be your “guarantee” – in other words, you are guaranteed to end the session in profit. You can use the remaining half of the net profits, or the “excess”, to spin the reels some more.

As a general rule, players should under no circumstances attempt to chase their losses, especially after a devastating losing streak. Some people falsely believe that after they have lost a given number of spins, they are due to win on the next one. However, there is absolutely no guarantee that this will happen. With slots, the outcome of each spin is completely random and is affected by neither previous nor subsequent spins. Because of this, each bet should be treated separately, with no thoughts on what had happened on preceding spins.

FAQ

Boost your chances by choosing slots with a high Return to Player (RTP) percentage, betting on slots with multiple paylines, and taking advantage of slots that offer bonus rounds, free spins, and multipliers. Even if you follow these steps, however, you still cannot guarantee yourself big slot wins. Remember, slots are about luck, so always play for fun and within your budget.

The paytable provides crucial information about the slot, including the value of each symbol, winning combinations, and details on bonus features. It helps you understand the game’s mechanics and potential payouts, guiding you in making informed betting decisions.

Slots with more symbols often mean more paylines and winning combinations, which can increase your chances of winning. However, more symbols might also make it harder to hit winning combos, increasing the volatility of the slot. Some slots allow players to choose the number of active paylines. That said, adjusting the number of active paylines can affect your bet size but also the winning potential.

Betting max can qualify you for the highest payouts and jackpots, especially on progressive slots. However, it’s crucial to balance this with your overall budget. Betting max isn’t necessary for enjoying slots or winning smaller, more frequent prizes. What is more, not all jackpot slots require a max bet to qualify for the jackpot prize.

The RTP (Return to Player) is a crucial indicator of a slot’s payout potential over time. Slots with higher RTP percentages offer better long-term returns. While it doesn’t guarantee wins, choosing slots with an RTP of 95% or higher can improve your chances of enjoying fruitful gaming sessions.

Absolutely! Bonuses and free spins extend your playtime without extra cost, increasing your chances of hitting a win. Welcome bonuses, free spins, and comp points can significantly enhance your gaming experience and boost your bankroll. Keep in mind, however, that these types of incentives often come with wagering requirements that can quickly exhaust whatever you have won during your slot sessions.

Effective bankroll management involves setting a budget for your gaming sessions, sticking to loss limits, and knowing when to take a break. Consider dividing your bankroll across multiple gaming sessions to extend your playtime and avoid chasing losses. Always play with money you can afford to lose.

»