Online slots are almost ubiquitous these days, with each casino site boasting hundreds if not thousands of exciting titles. You can spin them anytime, anywhere, and on any device, including tablets, desktops, and mobile.
With flashy themes, easy gameplay, and rich graphics, you can’t help but fall in love with online slots.
The trouble is that there’s a ton of advice out there on how to beat online slots, but the vast majority can be wrong or downright confusing. To add insult to injury, online slots are, by design, games of chance, which means winning often comes down to luck.
But don’t let that bog you down. The good news is that online slots are easy to learn and play because you don’t need to master a strategy or have certain skills.
If the lady luck dances in your favor, you might hit a massive jackpot and turn your fortunes around. Remember, even a single spin of your favorite online slot game can make you a millionaire.
So let’s find out 10 quick tips you can leverage to play online slots better and increase your odds of winning.
(1) Scout out the most reputable online casinos
As a general rule, reputation comes before everything else in the world of online gambling. The last thing you want is to entrust your hard-earned dollars in the hands of thieves, scam sites, and fly-by-nights.
How can you tell if an online casino is a real deal?
Don’t be afraid to ask fellow players. Other gamblers will tell it as it is. If the games of a particular casino don’t payout as needed or seem to be rigged, you will definitely hear the truth from them.
Check the casino’s gambling license. It’s a no-brainer that you should only play at an established casino that operates under a gambling license from a trustworthy authority. Typically, UKGC, MGA, ADGCC, and e-Curacao are a sign of a reputable casino.
Trust your instincts. If your guts are telling you that something is fishy, take your money and play online slots elsewhere. Casinos with poorly designed websites that are full of clutter, hang, or load slowly are not to be trusted. The website’s architecture can tell you a lot.
What do casino experts say? Before you make your decision, be sure to read comprehensive online casino reviews. These are usually written by seasoned players, gambling experts, and other specialists. Be on the lookout for red flags like non-payouts, sinfully high withdrawal limits, and other unfairly restrictive terms & conditions.
(2) Pick the right slot
Like casinos, not all online slots are created equal. Choosing the right one can make a big difference whether you’ll lose all your money or walk away with your bank account richer.
The first thing to consider is the return to player percentage (RTP), which is directly correlated to the slot’s house edge. Ideally, you want to choose a game whose RTP is as close as possible to 100%.
Mega Joker slot by NetEnt, for instance, has an RTP of 98.9%, which means the house edge is a mere 1.1%. Any online slot with an RTP of 93% or less is a big no-no.
Next up is to check the variance or volatility of the slot. This tells you how frequently the slot pays out. A low variance online slot delivers more frequent wins, but they are usually small in size.
On the other hand, high variance slots mean that you will win less often, but the payouts are bigger. There’s nothing wrong with either because it all boils down to your bankroll. If you have a big bankroll and looking for large payouts, then you have to opt for a high volatility slot, and vice versa.
For example, one of the most popular slot games, due to the high percentage of wins per game is called Fruit Machine Slots. The highest odds of winning at Fruit Machines is when previous players lost money ahead of you. While definitely not a guarantee, the bad luck of previous players could turn in your favor.
Finally, consider bet coins, levels, and amount. For example, if you are a high roller, you must choose an online slot with a proportionally high max bet, coins per pay line, and max coin value.
(3) Learn about your slot
It pays to know your online slot inside out. You want to familiarize yourself with the symbols, pay lines, reels, bonus rounds, jackpots, and other special features.
For instance, you want to know which symbols are Wild, Scatters, multipliers, and so forth. Taking some time to understand the slot will help figure out max win per pay line/coin, as well as if the slot has high or low volatility.
Ultimately, this will allow you to know what not to do to boost your chances of winning. Make sure to check all the nooks and crannies of the slot.
(4) Practice every opportunity you can get
The cliche saying that “practice makes perfect” couldn’t be truer when it comes to tackling online slots. Good thing, almost all online casinos and software developers allow you to test the game in free-play mode.
You can check the instructions, help file, and paytable, but it’s only when you play the game that you will get to know it best. When practicing, adjust bet size, coins, pay lines, and everything in between.
(5) Take advantage of bonuses and free spins
Claiming free spins and bonuses is part of the fun of playing online slots. These are freebies that will help boost your bankroll and increase your odds of beating the casino.
There is a multitude of bonuses that you can use to play online slots. The most common include welcome bonuses (which usually come with free spins), deposit bonuses, reload bonuses, cashback bonuses, and much more.
There’s always a catch, so be sure to read the bonus terms and conditions carefully. Watch out for restrictions like wagering requirements, deposit minimums, weighted contribution, time limits, and so forth.
(6) Don’t be afraid to play progressive slots
As an online slot player, you will come across several types of jackpots. However, if you want to strike it rich by scooping the biggest jackpot win, then you have to go for progressive jackpot slots.
A progressive jackpot is the one that’s always increasing in size until it’s won. The jackpot is usually tied to the slot game, rather than the casino. For instance, the Mega Moolah jackpot is currently at a whopping $2,862,493.88 (and counting).
This jackpot is the same across all online casinos that offer Mega Moolah. Note, however, that progressive slots do have slightly lower return to player percentages. That’s because a small portion of your win usually goes to the prize pool.
(7) Don’t focus too much on the jackpots
Everyone wants to make bank when playing online slots. That’s why almost every slot player keeps an eye on the major jackpot. Unfortunately, big jackpots wins are rare and far between.
The good thing is that online slots that can be equally rewarding when played at the regular level. Many small wins can help stretch out your bankroll until you land a big win. So don’t hesitate to play low-coin slots.
(8) Have fun
Wins and losses are part of gambling, especially when playing online slots. Don’t let a losing streak kill your mojo. Instead, learn to keep bad emotions at bay and enjoy the fun and excitement that comes with the game.
(9) Keep an eye out on your money (bankroll)
In the world of online gambling, bankroll management is very crucial. Learn to keep a tab on your money, so that it can last long enough to hit a large payout. After all, the longer you keep your bankroll, the more fun and the higher your chances of winning at slots.
Even before you log into your casino account, you must decide how much money you want to use (which is your bankroll). The next sensible step is to decide your win and loss limits.
When you reach your loss limit, don’t let the emotions of losing cloud your judgment. Take a deep breath, close the game, and log off your device. The good news is that some resources and tools can help you manage, including sites like GambleAware.org.
The same goes for when you hit your win limit. Don’t let the excitement of winning overrun you. Most players often start losing when they make a big win. If possible set up withdrawal of your winnings and go let off steam somewhere else. In short, know when to call it quits. If it’s time to stop, stop.
Don’t dip your fingers into personal or family finances. As the adage goes, never gamble on credit or borrowed money. Consider your family’s money as credit. Your bankroll should be a very small portion of your disposable income.
(10) Always bet max coins
The fewer pay lines you cover, the lower your payout if you win. This is particularly the case if you hit the jackpot. You cannot activate the jackpot or bonus round in most online slots if you haven’t wagered max coins or covered all pay lines.
These are just but a few key tips that can help you maximize your opportunities when playing online slots. Don’t forget to manage your bankroll well, bet max, and choose the right slot game.
