When it comes to casino gambling, no game can rival slot machines for sheer popularity. They form the backbone of any online or brick-and-mortar operation, and most casinos derive well over half of their revenue from these colorful machines.
So how do we explain the public fascination with slots?
A few ideas come to mind:
Whether you're about to play online for the first time or have been spinning the reels for years, my list of 12 slots tips for winning more often is designed to help you become more successful. The items on this list range from interesting to unusual, and I suggest giving each of them a try in order to see which ones best meet your needs.
Land-based games are notorious for concealing the payout percentage of their slots, but that's not always the case online. Some software designers are quite forthcoming with the payback percentage of their games, and you should always seek out the best available options (even if you don't find the theme especially appealing).
Before you begin playing an online session, figure up how much you're willing to lose. If you reach that number, you should immediately log out of the casino. The same goes for winning, as I suggest setting a target number and then quitting if you're fortunate enough to accumulate that amount.
In order to learn the various payouts, jackpots, and bonus rounds offered by a slot, all you have to do is check out the pay table. This should be the first thing you do before playing a game, and there's no shame in walking away from one with a subpar offering.
Larger jackpots are often harder to hit, which is why I recommend playing games with smaller top payouts. Sure, you might not get rich by doing so, but your overall winnings should be more impressive in the long run.
Machines with a higher denomination tend to pay back at a greater percentage, so I suggest playing the most expensive denomination that you can comfortably afford. Be honest about your financial limitations, though, as doing otherwise can cause you to blow through your bankroll in record time.
Online casinos offer sign-up bonuses to new customers, and hardcore slots players should search around to find the best deal. You'll have to meet a wagering requirement in order to withdraw the bonus money, and this can often be anywhere from 20 to 40 times the amount your received. Luckily, slots count 100% towards meeting these requirements, while other games may count at a diminished rate (or not at all).
I suggest staying away from games with video clips, even if they involve your favorite TV or movie characters. These games move at a slower pace, and they therefore make less money for the casino. In order to make up the difference, the house edge tends to be higher.
Since your main goal should be to have an enjoyable time, it's best to maintain a leisurely pace when you play slots. Sure, you can blaze through screen after screen in an effort to increase the number of games per hour, but this is a good way to rapidly deplete your bankroll.
To be eligible for progressive jackpots and bonus rounds in certain slots, you'll need to wager the maximum number of credits. I suggest making this a habit, although checking the pay table helps verify whether or not it's necessary. If you can't afford the max bet on a game, drop down to a slot that's more in keeping with your budget.
Most modern slots feature multiple paylines, and it's always a wise idea to activate all of them for a spin. Sure, it raises the overall cost of the game, but it's also heartbreaking to miss out on a big win because you were trying to save a few coins.
There are a lot of ignorant myths floating around about slots. One of the worst involves a machine going on a cold streak after delivering a big payout. This is absolutely false, as the random number generator ensures that each spin is entirely independent of the next. Whatever you do, don't fall for superstitious nonsense involving your casino game of choice.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but slot machines are among the worst bets at the casino. This is part of the reason why establishments push them so hard, and it's also why they generate such a high rate of profit for the house. If you really want to make money via gambling, you're better off looking for another game to play (I suggest video poker).
That concludes my 12 slots tips for winning more often. I hope you found this article useful, despite the revelation that slots are one of the worst bets in the casino. Even though the house edge is terrible compared to other games, you can still enjoy yourself by managing your money correctly, maintaining a slow rate of play, and generally viewing the experience as a path to fun (instead of immediate wealth).