Learning how to win at slots is no easy task. Online slot machines are renowned for being completely random, so no amount of skill will give you the edge. However, you can do some things to improve your chances of winning, and ultimately learn how to win jackpots on slot machines more often. On this page, you’ll discover slot machine tips, strategies, and much more.
To learn how to beat slot machines, you need to first know how they work. Slots are amongst the most popular casino games in the world, both in land-based and online casinos. Slots are almost entirely down to chance, meaning there is very little strategy involved, and every player has the same odds of winning. You simply spin the reels and hope to match symbols along the various paylines. For a more detailed breakdown of the rules, check out our page on how to play slots.
When it comes to making a success of your online slot gaming, knowledge is power. You'll never be able to improve your luck playing games which are completely random and dependent on chance, but you will be able to give yourself the best chance of winning if you follow our experts' five top tips on how to win at slots:
The first thing to understand is that no two slot machines are ever the same. Not only do different machines come with different themes, soundtracks, additional features, and symbols, but they also all have different Return to Player (RTP) rates. It pays to go for a game with a high RTP rate, so check the RTP percentage at the online casino before you start playing.
Before you begin playing slots for real money, you have the option to try free slot machines. Not only is this great fun, but it also gives you the opportunity to get to know your game and all of its secret quirks. Play a slot with bonus rounds, as this is a great way to hone your skills. Don’t start playing with the idea that you’ll soon know how to win at slots in Vegas – always start with free games.
Every slot machine comes with its own unique pay table. The pay table shows what each symbol is worth and which ones are the most lucrative. It'll also tell you whether the game has wild symbols and scatters.
One of our most important pieces of advice is this: set your budget before you begin. Don't start spinning those reels until you've decided on a maximum sum that you are prepared to spend. If you reach that sum, stop playing. Never bet money you can't afford to lose.
Games with smaller jackpots tend to pay out more frequently, so if you're after a win but you're not concerned about chasing the big bucks, games with smaller jackpots are ideal. We know those huge progressive jackpots are enticing, but your chances of claiming one aren't very favorable!
RTP stands for the 'Return to Player' rate. This number is a percentage that indicates the average returns for a specific slot game. An RTP percentage is typically calculated over a minimum of 10,000 spins and is a rough returns average. For example, if an online slot machine has a 95% RTP, you might expect to win $95 for every $100 wagered.
| No. | Game | RTP |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 Masks of Fire HyperSpins | 96.74% |
| 2 | Big Bass Splash | 96.71% |
| 3 | Big Bass Bonanza | 96.71% |
| 4 | Sweet Bonanza 1000 | 96.53% |
| 5 | Sugar Rush | 96.5% |
| 6 | Wanted Dead or a Wild | 96.38% |
| 7 | 9 Coins | 96.06% |
| 8 | Cash Eruption | 96% |
| 9 | 88 Fortunes | 96% |
| 10 | Gold Blitz Extreme | 96% |
| 11 | Buffalo | 95.96% |
| 12 | Cleopatra | 95.7% |
| 13 | Gates Of Olympus | 95.51% |
| 14 | Double Diamond | 95.44% |
| 15 | Da Vinci Diamonds | 94.94% |
| 16 | Siberian Storm | 94.91% |
| 17 | Pixies of the Forest | 94.9% |
| 18 | Mega Jackpots Wheel of Fortune on Air | 92.55% |
If you’re hoping to walk away with a really huge win, progressive jackpot slots are your best option. Every so often, a few lucky players walk away with life-changing sums of money, with many jackpots reaching the millions. Popular games include the Mega Moolah series, Hall of Gods, and Loot’enkhamun. It is, however, important to bear in mind that if you’re looking for smaller but more frequent wins, progressive jackpots may not be the best way to go.
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While it may not be possible to use strategies to improve your chances of making a profit, your odds of winning can vary a lot with the games you choose to play. If you’re looking to increase your chances of a payout, you’re best playing low volatility slots. Low volatility simply means that the slot pays out less significant sums, but reasonably frequently. The opposite to this is high volatility slots, which can pay out some huge sums, but far less frequently. However, this doesn’t mean that when playing a low volatility slot, it’s completely impossible to hit a big win. Below, we’ve listed our top five:
Before you start playing any slot machine, it's a good idea to take a look at the pay table. That’s because if you’re trying to win big on slot machines, it’s worth understanding how the features of your chosen game work. The pay table will show you a list of all the symbols used in the game and what they're worth if you're lucky enough to line them up.
The pay table will also tell you whether the game uses special features such as multiplier symbols, wild symbols, scatter symbols or bonus symbols. If bonus symbols are noted, you can expect a bonus round in the game, where you might be able to claim added extras like cash prizes and free spins.
Use the symbol guide for an overview of all the icons in the game.
Remember to find out if the game includes wild symbols or multipliers.
Discover which are scatter symbols and if any are lurking in the game.
Find out how to win the biggest jackpot on the slot machine.
See whether or not the game includes bonus rounds or other special features.
At land-based casinos you’ll often find rooms filled with slot machines from various game developers. The games are played in a very similar way to their online counterparts, although due to space limitations you’ll find that the selection is perhaps not as great.
When players say they know how to beat slot machines at a casino, it really means increasing their chances of winning at slots. As usual, you’ll be relying largely on pure chance. There are plenty of theories out there, for example that machines can be ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ depending on when they last paid out, or that those closest to the walkways are ‘looser’ in order to entice customers. However, this is very unlikely to be the case - casinos are, after all, in the business of making money and don’t want to make it too easy to win.
One type of casino slot you’ll find pretty much everywhere, from your local casino to the Las Vegas Strip, is penny slots. By betting such a small amount of money, you might think the payouts won’t be so big. However, by playing the max number of paylines and credits, some players have been known to walk away with hundreds of dollars from a penny slot machine. They’re certainly worth a try if you’re on a smaller budget.
One of the biggest perks of modern online slot gambling is the addition of casino bonuses. There are a wide range of different bonuses which players can take advantage of when playing slots online. Let's take a closer look at some of the most popular ones.
Most online casinos offer lucrative welcome bonuses to entice new players. Often these come with significant playthrough requirements, so you will need to wager this money several times before you can withdraw. The good news is, slots often contribute highly towards these requirements.
Free spins bonuses are triggered within games, and enable you to spin the reels again for free. These can appear during bonus games or regular play. It's common to win several free spins at once when playing online slots.
Regain a proportion of your losses with a handy cashback bonus. This type of bonus is often not subject to any wagering requirements, making it a lot easier to claim than many other bonus offers.
Like all casino games, slot machines are available in a wide range of denominations. It's possible to wager pennies or one hundred dollars per spin if you prefer, but if there’s one thing you want to avoid doing, it’s running out of money too early! There’s no technique for how to win on slot machines every time – don’t forget you’re dealing with pure luck.
While it might be tempting to put all your money into a single spin, we highly recommend exercising what the pros call bankroll management. By placing bets in line with your budget, you'll be able to keep playing longer even when you don't win any large amounts.
Your exact recommended bet size depends on the size of your bankroll and how fast you play. You can calculate your bet size by seeing how much money you're willing to bet and how much you're not willing to lose. This is a good way to stay on track with bankroll management.
| Your bankroll | Slot coin value | Amount of spins |
|---|---|---|
| $100 | $0.5 | 200 if only 1 payline |
| Amount of spins | Paylines | Amount of spins |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | 5 | 40 with milti-paylines |
| Amount of spins | Sessions | Amount of spins |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 4 | 40 with multi-sessions |
Bearing all of this in mind, you should now have a firm understanding of how to win at slots at your favorite casinos. Remember that although you’re unable to influence your odds, you can still take a number of steps to minimize your losses and give yourself the best chance of winning. Simply choose the game that’s right for you and your budget and start spinning!
Playing online slots is supposed to be fun, but sometimes it can become a problem. If at any point you find yourself becoming overwhelmed and are no longer enjoying the game, this is the time to stop. Take a step back from the screen, relax, and even talk to a friend. For more support visit our responsible gambling page or check out our slots reality check guide.
Alexander Korsager has been immersed in online casinos and iGaming for over 10 years, making him a dynamic Chief Gaming Officer at Casino.org. He uses his vast knowledge of the industry to create content across key global markets.
Semi professional athlete turned online casino enthusiast, Hannah Cutajar is no newcomer to the gaming industry. With over 5 years of experience, she now leads our team of casino experts at Casino.org and is considered the go-to gaming specialist across several markets including the USA, Canada and New Zealand. Her number one goal is to ensure players get the best experience online through world class content.
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