Slot machines are an exciting and entertaining way to try and earn quick wins without having to learn complex skills. As with most casino games, slot machines are based on pure luck. The element of chance makes slots fun and easy to play at both land-based & online casinos.
Be that as it may, there are actually ways you can increase your winning odds on slot machines. We might not be able to tell you how to win on slot games every time you play, but the following tips will undoubtedly help increase your odds.
10 Tips for Boosting your Winning Odds on Slot Machines
(1) Study the pay table
The first step toward beating a slot machine is to understand how it works. Slot machines are among the most widely played casino games worldwide, both online and brick-and-mortar casinos. They are almost 100% based on chance, which means there is little in the way of strategy you can use, plus every player has the same winning odds.
With slot machines, all you have to do is spin the reels and hope to land a winning combination on the various paylines. However, it helps to learn the inner workings of a slot machine because it usually has many symbols and ways to win, as well as special features and bonus games. That is why it is essential to read the pay table.
The pay table provides information on the slot machine’s unique features, paylines, and symbols. Knowing what these features are and how they are activated can be helpful when you play slot machines. The good thing is that pay tables for online slot games are typically interactive and well-illustrated, allowing you to refer to them whenever you need information.
At its core, the pay table gives you basic information about the symbols – what they are, how much each is worth, and what you should be looking out for. It may include minimum betting requirements to be eligible for bonus games or highlight special instructions.
Symbols, bonus games, and special features typically vary from one slot machine to the next. More often than not, however, they include the following common symbols:
Card symbols
Most online slot pay tables feature standard playing card symbols, such as 1-10, J, Q, K, and A. The number cards are usually low-value symbols.
Wild symbols
Wild symbols (or simply Wilds) are special symbols. When they appear anywhere on the screen, they can substitute for other symbols on the reels.
As such, they help make it easier to form a winning combination on a payline.
Scatter symbols
Also known simply as Scatters, these can land across the reels, triggering special features, such as free spins or bonus games.
Multipliers
A multiplier is exactly what the name says – when you land a multiplier on the reels, your original stake will be multiplied by a specified number. For instance, if you land a 3x multiplier, your original stake will increase thrice.
Stacked symbols
As the name clearly suggests, these symbols stack upon one another on the rows across the reels. They help trigger bonus games and other special features on the online slot game. Wilds, scatters, and ordinary symbols can be stacked.
Sticky symbols
Again, the name should give you a clue about these symbols. When sticky symbols appear on the reels, they will stick or remain there for a specific number of spins. That way, they make it possible to form winning combinations or win a jackpot.
The pay table will also show you the number of free spins you earn during the bonus rounds. It will also include the available jackpots and instructions on winning them.
(2) Choose slot machines with the highest RTP
Finding the best games to play is the single most crucial trick to winning on slot machines. That is because, even though you cannot win each and every time, choosing a good slot game is the most crucial step toward increasing your winning odds. That is where RTP comes into the picture.
What is RTP?
RTP is short for return-to-player percentage. In theory, it is the expected return from all the amount of money you bet on a slot machine over time. Therefore, it’s a percentage of all wagers you can expect the slot machine to pay back.
If you want to improve your winning chances, you must choose a machine that pays back more money than the rest. And to know this, you need to consider the RTP.
The higher the slot game’s RTP, the better your chances of winning on that slot machine.
In other words, a slot machine with the highest RTP has the best odds of winning. Although you cannot be guaranteed to win on this slot machine on every spin, and you cannot tell when it is about to hit, the game still has the best slot machine odds of winning overall.
How do I find the slot machine RTP?
Most slot developers make it easy to find or locate the RTP of their machines. Here are top ways of finding out the RTP of a slot machine:
- Check under the paytable – Most software providers include vital info like the RTP of a slot game in the pay table. At land-based casinos, the RTP is usually indicated on top of the slot machine, along with other pay table details.
- Use search engines – The best way to find information today is to Google. The same is true when you want to see the RTP of a particular slot machine. Simply search “slot machine name + RTP” or “what is the RTP of [slot game].”
- Read slot machine reviews – A good review of a particular slot game should have a dedicated section for the odds and RTP.
- Casino news websites – The first places to break the news of new releases and what to expect are casino news websites.
- Software developer website – Most slot game developers want to portray their titles fairly and transparently. If you check their websites, providers usually have a detailed description of a slot machine, including its estimated payback percentage.
- Click the info button – Most online slots have a whole page dedicated to descriptive information about the title. Click the (i) button to unleash the information or open the link to the page.
10 Best Slot Machines with High RTP
RTP is expressed as a percentage. Most slot machines have a payback percentage of between 92% and 97%. Some types, like penny slots, have very low RTPs, at around 75-88%. It would be best if you always opted for a slot game with an RTP of over 96%.
Here are our top picks for the best slot games with a reasonably high RTP…
- Book of Dead by Play’n GO – Book of Dead is one of the best online slot machines from Play’n GO. It is an Egyptian-theme video slot with ten paylines on five reels. The maximum payout is $250 000, which is a jackpot amount, making it a good choice for casual players. With a decent RTP of 96.21%, free spins, bonus rounds, and other special features, Play’n GO’s Book of Dead is worth checking out.
- Cleopatra by IGT – If you are after one of the most popular slot machines to play in a casino, opt for IGT’s flagship title Cleopatra. It’s found in almost every casino worldwide, and it’s easy to see why. It has free spins, multipliers, a simple bonus round, and an Egyptian theme. The standard version has an RTP of 95.02%
- Mega Joker by NetEnt – The NetEnt classic slot machine has been around since the early days of casino gambling. Mega Joker is a simple slot machine with three reels, a progressive jackpot, and bonus rounds. Best of all, it has a high RTP of 99%.
- Ooh Aah Dracula by Barcrest – With a 99% RTP, Ooh Aah Dracula is one of Barcrest’s best-paying slot machines. The gothic-themed is fun to play, too.
- Party Island by Microgaming – Another impressive production of Microgaming, Party Island is a low-variance slot machine with nine paylines, a 3,333x max-win, and five reels. It is accessible on the pocket, mobile-friendly, and packs outstanding extra features, including bonus games and free spins. The stylish slot title has a healthy RTP of 96.12%.
- Rainbow Riches by Barcrest – While the base RTP of Rainbow Riches may vary depending on the casino, the slot machine has plenty of special features, free spins, and jackpots. It has a hit frequency and RTP of 27.02% and 96%, respectively.
- Starburst by NetEnt – Starburst is an unbeatable classic video slot that puts NetEnt on the casino gambling map. It is effortless to learn, master, and play. After all, NetEnt and most online casinos have the slot game available in a demo version or free-play mode. As far as slot machines are concerned, Starburst is pretty basic. Yet, it provides you with plenty of winning opportunities and high payouts. If you’re lucky to get five wilds in the bonus round, you will land an insane fixed maximum jackpot payout. The payback percentage is 96.1%, which isn’t too shabby, either.
- Starmania by NextGen – With NextGen’s Starmania, you can explore the far-away corners of the galaxy, accompanied by thumping sound effects. The video slot features ten paylines that pay handsomely from right to left and left to right. Add free spins bonus feature and stacked wilds; this is one of the best online slot machines you can play at a casino. The title’s RTP of 97.87% is the icing on the cake.
- The Catfather by Pragmatic Play – If you are looking for something like Godfather by Pragmatic Play, The Catfather will be the perfect fix. You’ll just be trading guts and blood for cuddly and cute cats. The slot has five reels, with kitties lining up in any direction to create winning combinations. When you activate the bonus round, you will get free spins and multiply your payout by 4. And don’t forget the insane fixed maximum amount jackpot and a healthy RTP of 98.1%.
- Zeus by WMS Gaming – Zeus is a classic slot machine with five reels and 30 pay lines. Slot players can win up to 100 free spins, which is unheard of in the slot world. Try Zeus: God of Thunder, Zeus III, or Zeus II if you are craving the latest releases.
(3) Consider the volatility of the slot machine
It’s important to understand that no two slot games are ever similar. They are not only different regarding symbols, sound effects, graphics, themes, and special features, but slot machines also have different variances and RTP. It pays to play a slot machine with a volatility level that matches your budget and play style.
You have a better chance of winning when you play a game that you can afford and are comfortable with. With that in mind, slot machines are rated at three volatility levels: low, medium, and high.
Low Variance Slot Machines
Low variance or low volatility slots pay more frequently. Most have medium to high RTP to ensure the player’s overall return is solid. But the payouts are lower than those of high-variance slots. You can expect a win after every few spins.
Low volatility slots come with low risk but offer an equally low reward. As such, they are ideal for casual or budget players with small bankrolls. Your bankroll will remain steady, but don’t expect to land massive wins.
Examples: the best low-variance slot machines include NetEnt’s Jimi Hendrix, Play’n Go’s Star Joker, and Microgaming’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, as well as NetEnt’s Dazzle Me and Thunderkick’s Esqueleto Explosivo.
High Variance Slot Machines
High volatility slot games have a high variance. They come with high risk and deliver big payouts. The wins are usually far apart but large.
Most progressive slot machines belong to this category. The majority of progressive jackpots occur on highly volatile slot machines. As you can see, high-volatility slots can not only change your fortunes but also quickly wipe out your bankroll. These slot games are great for high rollers looking to land big payouts and jackpots.
Examples: The best highly volatile slot machines for RTP include Yggdrasil Gaming’s Ice and Fire, Microgaming’s Immortal Romance, Play’n Go’s Book of Dead, WMS’s Montezuma, NextGen Gaming’s 300 Shields, and Scientific Games’ Medusa Megaways.
Medium Variance Slot Machines
Expectedly, medium volatility slot games sit between low and high variance slots. They offer a nice balance between each spin’s payout size and the hit frequency. If you have a modest bankroll, medium-variance slot machines should be your go-to.
From our experience, a slot machine with medium variance provides a much better and more balanced gaming experience than either low volatility or high volatility slots. They tend to be plenty consistent and predictable. If you land a decent winning streak, you can expect to trip your bankroll at the end of your play session.
Medium variance slots are great for everyone. In fact, if you don’t know where to start or you’re new to slot machines, you’d be better off playing one.
Examples: The best medium-variance slot machines with decent RTPs include NetEnt’s Guns N’ Roses, Pragmatic Play’s Diamond Strike, Blueprint Gaming’s Count Duckula, Endorphina’s Satoshi’s Secret, NetEnt’s Reel Rush 2, Play’n Go’s Mystery Joker, NetEnt’s Koi Princess, and Stake Logic’s Twin Joker.
(4) Consider slot games with smaller jackpots
This point goes hand in hand with the concept of volatility. As mentioned above, slot machines with large payouts are highly volatile, meaning you will win less frequently. Meanwhile, slot games with smaller payouts tend to pay often.
Jackpot is typically the maximum payout you can expect to win on slot machines. Therefore, the larger the jackpot size, the more difficult it is to win. So, you would want to choose a slot title with a smaller jackpot in order to reduce the variance and improve your odds of winning.
You should always double-check the max win or the jackpot before you start playing a slot machine. Two slots may have the same gameplay, features, and controls, but one might offer a 1000-coin jackpot while the other may pay out a 5,000-coin jackpot.
If you are looking to win but don’t necessarily care about the big wins, small-jackpot slot machines are a good fit for you. We know progressive jackpot slots can be enticing, but your odds of landing the big payout are slim. Opt for a slot with a small jackpot – typical examples include Dragon’s Myth by Microgaming, 20 Golden Coins by EGT, and Classic 243 by Microgaming.
(5) Take advantage of unique features and bonus games
You should always choose and play slot machines with bonus games and special features. If you can trigger these bonus games, they can dramatically boost your odds of winning. Free Spins are the most commonly sought-after feature. But you should also keep an eye out for wager multipliers, bonus rounds, and jackpots.
With a good betting strategy, these bonus features can increase your chance of winning a large payout by giving free play, topping up your credits, or extending gameplay.
It pays to read the pay table, which includes information about the special features and bonus games, along with instructions on how to trigger them and meet their requirements.
Slots machines with great bonus games and excellent special features include Family Guy, Jackpot Raiders, Avalon II, Jurassic Park, Game of Thrones, Mega Moolah, Fortunium, Gladiator, and the Invisible Man.
(6) Claim and use low/no wagering slot bonuses
Casino bonuses can help you build out your bankroll right from the get-go. You can use these free credits to play slot machines and potentially win on the house. They can also provide you with an opportunity to test slot games at an online casino without risking your real money.
The good news is that most gambling sites offer an array of bonuses. They usually include the top three…
Types of Slot Bonuses
Welcome bonuses – The majority of online casinos offer large welcome bonuses to attract new customers. They usually come with substantial wagering requirements, so you need to play through the bonus cash multiple times before you can cash out. Thankfully, play on slot machines usually contributes 100% towards the playthrough.
Free Spins – The casino can offer free spins as part of the welcome bonus or on an ongoing basis. Free spins can appear during regular slot play or bonus games. Bonus spins can be triggered within slot games, as well, enabling you to spin the reels and perhaps win some money for free.
Cashback Bonuses – These bonuses allow you to recoup part of your losses as a cash bonus. That makes them much easier to claim and use to play slot machines. The good news is that this kind of bonus isn’t usually subject to wagering requirements.
Read the fine print for bonus terms and conditions at online casinos
When playing online slots, it is vital to check the fine print, especially before claiming a bonus or making a deposit. That’s because some gambling sites offer bonuses with very high wagering requirements. For instance, if you claim a $200 bonus with a 50x wagering requirement, you will have to bet at least $10,000 before withdrawing your winnings.
As a general rule in online gambling, you should sign up with an online casino that offers bonuses and promotions with low or no wagering requirements. This will help increase your bankroll and odds of winning on a slot machine.
(7) Check online slot reviews
Reading reviews is one of the most vital things you can do as an emerging slot player. High-quality and honest reviews will help you learn about and choose the best online casinos and slot games. They will also provide advice, tips, and hacks for a particular slot machine, helping bolster your winning odds.
For instance, the most comprehensive slot reviews will show you how to trigger bonus games and any special features the game might have. More importantly, you will learn from someone who has tried and tested the slot whether it is worth your time and money.
(8) Practice slot machines in demo or free-play mode
Most online slot machines have a free-play option. It is basically similar to the real money game but you don’t have to spend your bankroll. If you are a newbie to the world of slots or a new release, playing the game in demo mode is a great way to get a feel for it, including its gameplay, special features, and bonus games.
The free-play option is usually available without requiring any download or sign-up at the best online casinos. You should try special features, such as Fast play and Auto Play, before you can put your money on the line. It is also an excellent way to test your new betting strategies, such as Fibonacci, Martingale, and Paroli systems.
(9) Bankroll management can go a very long way
As with most casino games, slot machines can be played with a wide range of denominations, from 1¢ on penny slots up to $250 per spin on high-limit machines. If you are not too careful, you can exhaust your bankroll in just a few spins.
Stick to these crucial steps to manage your bankroll correctly:
Don’t go all-in on a single spin
You should never bet your entire bankroll on a single spin. You should bet around 10% of your bankroll at one time and progressively increase your stake as you grow your bankroll.
Set a budget
Setting and sticking to a budget is key to responsible slot gambling and good bankroll management. You should never play a slot machine with money you cannot afford to lose.
Create win and loss limits
Playing slots at a land-based or online casino can be pretty exciting. But you don’t want to get carried away with excitement and lose more than you can afford. For this reason, you should set both a win limit and a loss limit. These will help you know when to quit.
Choose and play slot machines that match the size of your bankroll
As a rule of thumb, you should select a slot machine that provides you with the most prolonged and pleasant gaming experience for your bankroll. If you have a small bankroll, stick with low to medium variance slot games. However, if you have a nearly bottomless slot budget, go for highly volatile slot machines to stake out for jackpots and massive payouts.
Never Your chase losses
This goes for everything to do with gambling. You should not use more of your bankroll simply to chase a loss. You will be digging yourself into a deeper and deeper hole.
(10) Bet on the maximum number of paylines
Your odds of winning a jackpot or large payouts depend on the number of paylines you have covered. In fact, you should always cover all payline, if not as many as you can. Even if your bankroll is small, simply reduce your bet amount per payline to cover all.
Are slots beatable?
Slots are not beatable in the long term, except for a small group of slot machines with banked bonuses. As with most casino games, slots have a house edge, giving the casino some mathematical advantage. In fact, all land-based and online casinos make money off slot games by paying winners at lower than true odds.
How can I increase my odds of winning on slot machines?
There’s no easy or perfect way to increase your odds of winning on slot machines. Proper bankroll management, choosing games with high RTP, matching your bankroll with the game’s volatility, taking advantage of casino bonuses, and avoiding branded titles can help improve your winning odds. Don’t forget to set and stick to your slot budget.
Can you improve your odds at slot machines?
Yes, you can improve your odds at slot machines. First, you must cover as many paylines as possible and play high RTP games.
What triggers a jackpot on a slot machine?
What triggers a jackpot often varies from slot machine to slot machine. But most slot games have a special bonus game triggered by landing special symbols like Wilds and Scatters. It is during the bonus game that your jackpot win will be shown.
Is it possible to beat slots?
It is not possible to beat slots every time. That is because all slots have a house edge built into the pay table, meaning that the casino will take a small percentage of all bets wagered over time.
That is not to say it is impossible to beat slots in the short term. In fact, the only sure way to beat a slot machine is to quit while you are still ahead.
What percentage of people wins at slots?
Around 92% to 93% of slot players win at slots. This percentage can vary from year to year.
Is it better to stop a slot machine or let it spin?
It makes no difference. You cannot alter the odds of winning whether you stop the slot machine or let the reels spin.
Is there a strategy to winning on slot machines?
Yes, there are multiple strategies you can adopt to increase your chances of winning on slot machines. First, you should play a slot game whose variance suits your play style and budget. Good bankroll management skills, playing a game with high RTP, and using bonuses can significantly impact your winning odds.
What triggers a jackpot on online slots?
There is nothing in particular that triggers a jackpot on a slot machine. All outcomes are random, and every player has an equal chance of triggering the jackpot in any given spin. That’s all thanks to random number generators.