If you’re interested in getting the most from playing online video slots, you’re on the right page.
In this article, we’ll cover some of the top strategies, tips, and tricks, to help you become an online slot master. Read on.
What Is the Best Slot Strategy?
Slots are a game of chance. Therefore, there aren’t any strategies to help you improve your luck, as you either have it or don’t. However, there are some things you can consider to improve your overall experience.
Slots may seem easy on the surface — you just need to click the spin button and set reels into motion, hoping to make a valid combo that will bring you a big win. However, things get a bit more complicated once you scratch under the surface, as each slot has different features that define it and can ultimately affect your decision whether the game is worth playing.
Some elements of playing slots you should carefully consider include:
- RTP (Return to Player)
- Volatility (also called variance)
- Bonus features
- Minimum and maximum betting limits
- Slot developer
- Slot theme
- Jackpots
Let’s explore these in detail while we provide useful advice on how to master online video slots.
Determine What Kind of a Slot Player You Are
If you’re not sure which slot is the best for you, that’s because you probably haven’t determined the type of slot player you are.
First of all, question whether you’re patient or impatient.
- Patient slot players — A patient player is reserved, as they carefully calculate which slot to play, how much money to invest, which online casino to choose, and more. They take their time with slots to get to know them before committing to them. Generally speaking, it’s much better to be a patient slot player, but there is always an end of the spectrum when players become so reserved that they actually forget about the fun part of playing slots.
- Impatient slot players — These gamblers want big wins right away. That’s why they’ll often spend money to buy bonus features (if possible). Overall, being an impatient player isn’t bad, although knowing when to stop is necessary.
Players are also divided depending on their gambling budget.
- Low rollers — Low rollers are sometimes referred to as casual players, meaning they aren’t ready to spend a lot of money on playing slots. Instead, they play with small amounts.
- High rollers — High rollers are ready to invest more money and, as a result, they may win more money. They are usually more experienced gamblers or wealthy individuals who can afford to gamble with more cash.
Select High-RTP Slots to Win Money
If there’s one stat that makes some slots better than others, it’s RTP. It stands for Return to Player and determines how much of the invested money is given back to lucky players via prizes.
For instance, let’s say that an RTP of an online slot is 95%. It means that for every £100, the house (casino and slot providers in the case of online slot) will take £5 as a fee. The remaining £95 will be distributed via prizes.
The rule here is relatively simple: select a slot with higher RTP to increase your chances of winning money. The good news is that most online slots have an average RTP of 96%. That is if you are playing at an online casino that offers slots in the highest RTP setting. Sadly, some online casinos have chosen to offer players low RTP versions of the same game.
Take the popular slot Book of Dead. This slot comes in five RTP settings: 84.18%, 87.25%, 91.25%, 94.25%, and 96.21%. Obviously, you want to play this game in the highest RTP configuration.
If you are not careful, you could be playing the 91.25% or 94.25% version (or worse) instead of the highest Book of Dead RTP version.
Spread Risk and Check the Volatility of Your Slot
Volatility or variance determines how often you’ll receive prizes when playing online slots. Slots with high volatility will make it harder to make a winning combination. However, you’ll likely receive a hefty reward if you manage to do so. On the other hand, low-volatility slots will often reward you, but the prizes won’t be as lucrative.
So, should you play high- or low-volatility online slots? The truth is that it only depends on how ready you are to risk it. If you consider yourself a risk-taker, you should opt for a high-volatility slot.
Otherwise, aim for lower volatility.
Also, volatility should be related to your budget. If you’re a low roller, it’s wiser to start with the safer option, and that’s playing low-variance games. High rollers, however, have more freedom to choose.
The good news is that volatility is a spectrum — it’s not binary. Therefore, you can also play low-medium, medium, and medium-high slots in terms of variance.
Select Slots with Various Bonus Features
Once upon a time, slots were very simple, as you only had to spin the reels and see if your symbols make a paying combo. However, with the introduction of online slots, many developers started experimenting and adding various features to games, enriching them further and making them more entertaining.
Nowadays, slots have many features, including free spins, bonus rounds, multipliers, and more. They won’t affect the overall RTP, but having bonus features is better than not having them. If triggered, they are more likely to bring you a big win.
Since many online slots are available for free, you can always test how their bonus features work using fake money.
Once you’re comfortable enough, you can switch to real money and earn real prizes.
As we mentioned in the intro, some slots have a buy bonus feature option, which basically means you can purchase a bonus in the upcoming spin by betting more money. This feature is great if you’re an impatient player, but remember that you’ll risk more money when doing so.
Make Sure You Play According to Your Budget
Whether you’re a casual player or a high roller, you need to have a pre-determined budget when playing online slots. Thanks to the fantastic technology surrounding online casino gaming, it’s now easier than ever to deposit and spend your funds. If you’re not careful enough, you’ll spend your entire savings, which can cause serious problems for you and the people around you.
Budget planning for slots isn’t rocket science. However, you still need to sit and determine how much you can afford to lose on playing online slots without being affected by the losses in any aspect of your life.
Of course, many gamblers have detailed strategies for determining the budget, but it all comes down to this. If you cross that line and start spending money you didn’t initially plan to spend on slots, you can consider yourself a loser.
Learn to Stop Once You’re Winning
Slots are exciting. Once you start playing an online video slot you really like, you’ll feel great, especially if you’re on a winning streak. The problem with emotions is that we often cannot recognize them when they appear, so we tend to let them dictate our actions. If you start winning, it’s really easy to ride the wave of excitement and lose all your winnings in the process.
Therefore, one of the essential strategies for playing slots on the web is to know when to stop, even if you’re winning. The ability to stop also applies to losing. We tend to start feeling blue if we lose our money on slots, and the worst thing you can do is start chasing losses.
The solution to this is setting winning and losing limits.
For example, if you set your winning limit to £100 and win that much in a session, your best bet is to quit the session and be happy with reaching your goal. If you set your losing limit to £100, it means you should quit if you lose that budget after an unlucky session. Everything after that would be considered loss-chasing
Play Online Slots in Free Demo Mode
Before the internet age, you had to spend money to see what it feels like to play a slot machine. This is no longer the case, as most online slots are now available free of charge, meaning you can load them in your browser and start playing right away.
The free play option is essential, especially if you’re new because you can learn a lot about the game before betting with real money. Technically speaking, you cannot increase your luck when playing for free, but you can determine whether the slot is the right choice for you to start with. After all, there are literally thousands of online slots out there, so playing for free means you can narrow down your selection.
Moreover, free play allows you to explore the bonus features and see how they work. You won’t earn any money, but you’ll be able to witness it and ultimately decide whether you like them.
Select Bonus Spins in Various Online Casinos
Almost all online casinos offer bonuses for new and regular customers, which are usually essential for players when choosing a casino, especially welcome bonuses.
Now, bonuses come in many shapes and sizes, but most offer bonus money, which you can use to play all games, including online slots.
However, some online casinos offer extra spins, which is even better if you’re a slots fan, as they often have better terms than bonus money. The only downside is that they are usually available just for one game (which is specified in the bonus terms), meaning you cannot use the free spins to play any slot you like.
Still, a bonus is a bonus, and it’s always better to have one than to play without it.
Please make sure to read the Terms and Conditions section before claiming this offer to ensure that you have a better understanding of its true value.
We have also devoted an entire article to the art of making the most of online casino bonuses.
Conclusion
Slots have been around for almost a century and have come a long way from a simple fruit machine to immersive experiences powered by the latest technologies. They now have many symbols, dozens of paylines, various grid structures, many different bonus rounds, and more.
The online slots community is also vast, as there are millions of players actively spinning the reels of their favourite virtual one-armed bandits. However, some are more successful than others simply because they can apply great slot strategies to avoid possible pitfalls.
Hopefully, the tips and tricks in this article provided insight into how slots work and how to improve your slots strategy to get the most when playing them.