Online slots are games of pure chance. This means that, unlike games like blackjack and poker, no in-game skills will increase a player’s chances of winning a slot game payout. However, that doesn’t mean players can’t improve their odds of receiving a slot payout when they play. Even though a healthy dose of luck is still required, there are some factors that players should keep in mind if they want to improve their chances of winning.
1. High-RTP Online Slot Machines Offer Better Odds
The first factor to consider is the game’s return to player percentage (RTP). The RTP is the overall percentage of bets that are paid back (or returned) to the player when they play a particular online slot game over a long period or play a significant number of games.
The average RTP of online slots is around 96%, but this value can be higher or lower, depending on a variety of factors. For example, a slot’s RTP can be affected by the gambling regulations of a particular region or the online slot machine’s design.
The highest-RTP slot games provide players with the best long-term odds. While there’s no guarantee that players will receive rewards when they play, high-RTP games offer greater returns to players over a longer period compared to games with a lower RTP.
2. Consider Slot Volatility
Slot volatility (also known as variance) is the frequency and size of a payout when people play a particular online slot. Slot games generally have three levels of volatility: low, medium, and high. Slot developers also sometimes show slot volatility as a number between one and 10, but this metric isn’t as common.
Low-volatility slots pay out the most regularly of these three categories, but these payouts tend to be smaller. Medium-volatility slots pay out less frequently than low-volatility slots, and wins are usually a mix of smaller and larger payouts. Finally, high-volatility slots offer fewer payouts than low- and medium-volatility slots, but prizes will likely be larger if a player wins.
Players need to keep the variance of a slot in mind if they want to improve their odds of landing winning combinations and to optimize their strategy for online slots.
3. Learn the Game’s Rules
Each online slot has different gameplay rules and features that could affect how the game pays out. For example, the paytables might show that the value of the most common standard symbols is much lower than the game’s less common special symbols. Or, the best wins may be locked behind rare slot features, like pick ’em-style games, lottery wheels, or extra spins with bonus multipliers.
By learning how a specific slot game works, players can ensure they’re familiar with the different payout conditions before they spend any real money, which is an important step for players trying to manage their slot budgets.
4. Check if the Maximum Bet Size Offers Additional Benefits
Although this slot tip isn’t the norm, it could apply to specific online slots with maximum bet bonuses. This is most commonly found in games with fixed jackpot slots, where the jackpots increase as they wager more money. However, some games also unlock specific features or even increase a player’s odds of winning when they place larger bets (this latter mechanic is very rare and is often limited to specific features).
If players find a slot that offers bonuses for a max wager, they should also keep their bankroll in mind before spinning the reels. Even if a game has an RTP of 98%, if it costs $50 per spin and their bankroll is only $100, they’re not going to optimize their odds of winning or have a good time since they can only afford to spin the reels twice.
5. Online Casino Bonuses and Promotions Could Offer Benefits
Online casinos offer bonuses and promotions for new and existing players. However, players should note that these types of offers typically have conditions placed on them that they must meet to claim their winnings.
Here are a few examples of these bonuses and promotions.
Welcome or Sign-Up Bonuses
If a player is a new customer, an online casino will often reward them with extra casino credit that they can use to play when they first sign up for the online casino’s service. These can sometimes be flat bonuses or percentage matches, depending on the online casino.
Deposit Match or Percentage Match
When players make a deposit during a promotional period, the online casino might provide them with a matching amount or percentage of the amount that they added to their online casino account.
High Roller
If a player deposits more than a certain amount over a specific period, the online casino may consider them a high roller and offer them additional VIP benefits. These include online casino bonuses like extra casino credit, bonus games, and other special offers.
Loyalty Rewards
Many online casinos have loyalty rewards programs that offer the player incentives for regular play. For example, players could earn points for playing regularly, for taking part in time-limited promotions, and for every dollar that they deposit.
Seasonal Promotions
Whether it’s Halloween, Christmas, or any other major holiday, online casinos occasionally offer seasonal promotions that give a player more value for their money. For example, an online casino might offer the player extra casino credit for making a deposit and playing spooky slots during Halloween.