This Photo is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
Slot machines are the liveliest and most exciting games – both in an online casino and in a land-based one. Since the online casino boom, there have been so many new functions, bonus rounds, etc in slot games that players can quickly lose track of them. Because slot machines have many more variations than any other casino game, it makes sense that you take a little time and develop a strategy. Whether you are a seasoned expert, advanced, or a complete newbie, these tips will teach you how to play and win at slot machines. Feel free to save this page so that you can read our tips again later.
Pick the right casino and game
First, if you have never played at an internet casino before, you should choose the right one for you. Do some research, read reviews of other players, and experts on which casino offers a great variety of games but also safe transactions. Not every online casino is trustworthy, so be sure to check if they have a valid gambling license. After finding a safe site, picking the right slot game may be tricky. On what base do you choose your slots? Do you prefer simple ones, seasonal or themed ones? No two slots are the same and by that, we mean not only the external design, the different themes, the sound, the symbols, and features, but also the pay-out ratio, also known as RTP. Every game has a fixed, predetermined pay-out rate, and the higher this is, the more of the money that goes back to the players. If you cannot find the odds right away, look at reputable online slot reviews.
Practice in free mode
It is always worthwhile to first test a slot machine in free mode without using real money. Many casinos offer you this option and have hundreds of free games too. Not only is it fun to play for free, but you also have the unique chance to get to know the slot completely risk-free and to discover all the features and probabilities. This is also a great way to find a slot game that is perfect for you,
Familiarize yourself with the paytable
Each slot has a detailed paytable that you should definitely check out. There you can find out which symbol has which value and what you need to hit the jackpot. You can also find out whether there are special wilds or scatter symbols and what features they open. Of course, we would advise against playing way too complicated games, unless you take your time to familiarize yourself with the rules.
Plan your betting limit
Probably the most important advice we can give you is to set a fixed bet limit before the game starts. Make sure you pay attention to this limit as soon as you have reached it and do not be tempted to play “just one more time”. Never wager money that you cannot afford to lose. You play to win, but there is never a guarantee that you will. If you get unlucky and lose a bigger amount of money, take a break. Do not try to make up for your losses. On the lucky side you do win and make a good profit, also stop playing. Especially with slot machines, someone cracks the jackpot or wins a bigger prize, and what do they do? They put all their money back into the machine. Let it be, or at least play another game.
Hunt for smaller jackpots
In contrast to classic card games such as poker, with slot machines, you have to rely completely on your luck. This has its own advantages and disadvantages. While your chances of hitting a progressive jackpot are generally very slim, no other player has better cards over you. Games with a smaller maximum jackpot are known to pay out significantly more often. So, if you are not after the millions in winnings, the games with small jackpots are more worthwhile. Of course, the huge progressive jackpots are very tempting, but unfortunately, your chances of winning are extremely slim.
Use the autoplay function carefully
Almost all online casinos offer an auto-play function. This feature allows you to play automatically without having to hit the spin button every time. It may be convenient if you want to save yourself time from having to click buttons all the time, but auto-play has its pitfalls: In some slots, you cannot use bonus functions at the end of a round. You can also run the risk of losing track of your current balance and losing sight of your bankroll. After all, you no longer place your bets yourself every time. Some manufacturers allow you to set certain limits such as loss and win limits for the auto-play function in addition to the stake. In principle, only select auto-play if you can afford it and there are no bonuses to be missed by doing so.
Do not drink and gamble
You may feel like having a few drinks before playing. However, we would advise against consuming alcoholic beverages while gambling. As you should know, alcoholic beverages influence the way you think and reduce your inhibitions. It is easy to make rushed decisions, gamble more money than you have, and make losses when you are not playing with a clear head.
As with any other type of casino game, online slots should be about fun first and foremost. If you find that a game is starting to stress you out and you can no longer enjoy it, you should stop immediately. Quit the game, relax, and maybe start again later.