With an abundance of online slot games appearing almost daily, separating the wheat from the chaff has become quite challenging.
Since not all slot games are worth your time or money, I have decided to make the task of finding the perfect one easier for you.
Over time, I’ve noticed a few things avid slot players should pay attention to.
To improve your odds of winning and still have fun, take a look at my tips for picking the best slot games available online.
- Inquire About The Payouts
- Look For Low Volatility
- Explore Online Rewards
- Try Before You Pay
- Placing Higher Bets
- Watch Out For Shady Casinos
- Fellow Player Reviews
Inquire About the Payouts
Experienced slot players will confirm that inquiring about the house edge is a must. Even though gambling is fun, you shouldn’t go into it headfirst.
- Note: Knowing a bit about payout percentages will lead you a step closer to winning.
If you are not sure what the house edge is, allow us to break it down for you — it is a mathematical advantage that both online and land-based casinos have over a player. After a long stretch of time, the house edge manifests itself as a guaranteed percentage the casino will get back. The casino almost always wins, but there is hope.
Namely, although the odds are stacked against you, you can still leave with the house money, thanks to the RTP (return to player) percentage.
- Note: RTP or Return to player is a percentage of all the wagered money that a particular slot pays back to the player.
The RTP percentage scale ranges from 1 to 100. Most online casino games have an RTP percentage of 92–97%.
You should pick online slots with at least 96% RTP or higher. That means you’ll have higher chances of winning with every spin. If you think one or half a percent doesn’t mean a lot, test different slots yourself, and you’ll notice a big difference.
Look for the Slots With Low Volatility
By combining high RTP with low volatility, you’ll get the winning combination. Naturally, this isn’t an easy find, but it’s possible. If you manage to do this, you will receive more frequent payouts at a low value, meaning your credits will last longer.
However, bear in mind that this does not necessarily mean a win is guaranteed. Nevertheless, you’ll experience a smoother ride than you usually would. On top of that, you will still have a chance to win big on:
- Bonuses
- Promotions
- Free spins
- Jackpots
Take a look at my volatility and RTP guide below. Note that I’ve ranked them from the best scenario to the worst.
- High RTP + Low volatility
- Medium RTP + Low volatility
- High RTP + High volatility
- Low RTP + Low volatility
- Medium RTP + High volatility
- Low RTP + High volatility
For example, the combination of a high RTP and low volatility means regular smaller wins with less frequent bonus rounds and jackpot chances.
On the other hand, a low RTP and high volatility lead to infrequent larger wins with infrequent big wins on bonus rounds and jackpot chances.
Of course, there are no guarantees, but these scenarios have turned out to be correct on multiple occasions.
Explore Online Rewards
Online casino rewards refer to:
- Welcome bonuses
- Promotions
- Regular bonus packages
- Free spins
- Wilds and other slot-related features
These rewards are extremely important to any player looking to maximize their winnings.
Similarly, these offers can even help you extend your bankroll until the odds have turned in your favor. Top online casinos usually provide some type of incentive once you sign up, but note that not many continue with such offers after the initial one has dried up.
If you find a platform that does, make sure to read the terms and conditions of its incentives. That’s how you can protect yourself from scams and unwanted outcomes.
Test Before You Play
Now, this is not an option that you can rely on at all times. However, when you come across this opportunity, don’t let it go easily.
Play the free version of the slots game you’re interested in before depositing any money. Most top online casinos offer this option, so you should take advantage of it.
By trying out a slot before placing a wager on it, you can practice and develop a strategy beforehand. That means you should be fully prepared once it’s time to play with real money.
- Tip: It will also stop you from wasting your time and money on a slot that doesn’t suit your preferences.
Place Higher Bets
Although this tip might sound strange, it makes sense if you like to play penny slots. These are the most inexpensive slot games out there, so placing higher bets shouldn’t be a problem. This tip works best for penny slots with progressive jackpots.
- Making $0.01 bets won’t bring you closer to the jackpot you’ve been keeping an eye on, and neither will it unlock bonus rounds.
For that reason, you will need to place higher bets on every payline, which will make your total betting amount larger than a penny.
Even though some online operators claim that the amount of your bet does not determine how much you win on slots, it actually does. Bear in mind that slot machine winnings are proportional to what you bet in the game.
Still, if you’re determined to place small bets, don’t stray away from your plan — just don’t expect huge payouts.
However, higher betting also means higher risks. With such bets, you could end up losing your bankroll a lot faster, so be careful and learn how to manage it.
Stay Away From Shady Casinos
In the sea of online casinos, you are bound to come across some shady ones.
Many of them promote highly attractive bonus offers in order to lure new clients. However, regardless of how good a casino looks, don’t deposit any money before checking it thoroughly.
For instance, make sure to register only in regulated casinos. Regulators like:
- The United Kingdom Gambling Commission
- Malta Gaming Authority
- Curacao
- Gibraltar
These are just a few highly respected and trustworthy commissions that you can rely on. A casino with a license is your best ally.
Trust Fellow Players
Trusting other players is not a tip I often share — especially not for card games. Still, it’s something you should rely on when it comes to slots.
- Tip: Go through some online reviews before you get hooked on a slot game.
In most cases, real players leave honest reviews and comments that will help you decide whether a particular game is a good option for you.
Research casino blogs, forums, and even Reddit posts, as they might contain useful information regarding your future endeavors. Since you’re already online, you don’t have a lot to lose by doing this.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this short guide has shown you how online slots work. These tips have helped me stay away from suspicious games and casino sites numerous times, so there’s no doubt they will help you too.
If you need to find out more or you have some questions, feel free to comment below.
Interested in the best 5 online slot games currently available? We’ve covered them over on this blog post.
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