Online slots are among the most popular web-based casino games around, and there are literally thousands of digital machines available to play at the many reputable sites that host them.
While you might pick up online slots for a spot of casual fun, at the back of your mind the idea of securing a big win will stir with every spin.
There is no way of guaranteeing that the games you play will pay out, there are a few strategies to consider implementing to increase your chances of success, so here are just a few to keep in mind.
Choose good sites to play on
Perhaps the most important thing to do when aiming to win in a session of online slot action is to make sure that the service you are using is reputable, because there would be nothing worse than hitting a jackpot only to find out that you cannot withdraw the cash.
This is where checking out the best online casino sites in the USA listed here makes sense. Fully licensed and authenticated sites, operated by well-known land based brands, are your best bet for a fun and rewarding slot machine experience.
Pick games with higher RTP percentages
The RTP (return to player) percentage of an online slot is a figure which lets you know how much money that the game pays out compared with how much it takes in.
It is, in effect, a way of seeing what kind of profit an operator makes from a game. The more cash that the game retains, the less is passed on in the form of jackpots.
So in the case of a game with a 92% RTP, just 8% of what it earns will be taken by the operator. Games with an RTP of less than 90% do exist, but in general it makes sense to select those with at least this level of payout available.
It is worth pointing out that the RTP does not apply to each and every player, but rather is an average of the payouts over a fixed period. So you could still play for quite a while and end up making back far less than the stated RTP of the game in question, which is an important factor to remember.
Select low volatility slots where possible
Another aspect of slot selection which will influence whether you win, or rather how frequently you are likely to win, is the volatility.
Most slots are ranked as low, medium or high volatility, with the lower end of the spectrum being preferable from the average players perspective.
This is a fairly complex topic, but the simplest explanation is that low volatility slots pay out small amounts on a regular basis, while high volatility slots may have a huge jackpot available which will be won very rarely.
At this point we need to dispel the myth that online slots, or slot games of any kind, are rigged to pay out at specific intervals. This is not only illegal, but also entirely unnecessary.
Instead, the games have carefully controlled odds, which can be altered by all sorts of things, such as the number of reels used, the number of paylines available and the requirements which have to be met for the jackpot to be won.
Low volatility games tend to have more favorable odds, so even though they might not have mouth watering jackpots, your wins should occur more often.
Always stick to a budget
When you are gambling and you are losing again and again, it can be tempting to keep pumping money into the game until a win occurs. This is the wrong mentality to have, both because of the way the machines are designed, and from a personal finance perspective.
If you really want to win at online slots, you should treat them as a fun pastime like any other, equivalent to buying a video game or taking a trip to the movies. Set a budget for your hobby and adhere to it rigorously, rather than playing until you win, even if this stretches your bank balance too far.
If you see slots as pure entertainment, then even if you lose, you win, because you will have enjoyed yourself while spinning the reels. Winning any kind of cash back should really just be the icing on the cake, and this is all part of adopting a healthy attitude to gambling, as knowing when to stop is just as necessary as playing strategically.
Disclaimer:
- As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman and Sikkim, prohibit gambling
- Land-based casinos are legalized, with certain guidelines, in Goa and Daman, as per the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976
- Land-based casinos, Online gambling and E-gaming (games of chance) are legalized in Sikkim under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009
- Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries as per and subject to the conditions laid down by state laws. Kindly refer to the same here
- Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in a licensed premise in select states. Kindly refer to the 1996 Judgement by the Supreme Court Of India here and for more information
- This article does not endorse or express the views of Qrius and/or any of its staff.