It’s easy to see why beginner players are often drawn to online slots on their first foray into the world of online casino. They are visually attractive and for the most part, easy to understand. Most people incorrectly believe that having a strategy for slots play is pointless, that it’s all down to luck.
It is true that a lot of emphasis is placed on the randomness of all casino games. Indeed, many game developers go to a lot of trouble to prove that their games are 100% random and cannot be manipulated. Casinos will regularly pay for audits of the games they host on their sites to ensure that all is fair and random.
However, that doesn’t mean that players cannot improve their chances. There is no point in trying to outwit slot games – that is simply not possible. But you can play smart with a series of techniques aimed at boosting your bank roll and giving you the best chance at winning.
Play for free
Most slot developers understand how helpful it is to players to be able to play their games without putting money down first.
Demo mode or free play mode, as it is sometimes known, lets players spin a slot game as many times as they like, using only a virtual bankroll. You can’t win any money but you also don’t have to deposit any money to play – it is purely an entertaining experience, but one that can be informative as well.
Demo mode also gives you the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the game in question, which brings us to our next strategy.
Learn about the game
You wouldn’t sit down to a high-stakes blackjack game without knowing the rules would you? In the same vein, you should be fully aware of what a slot game entails and how its different features work before spending your money on it.
Spin the reels on demo mode and keep an eye on what features are available and how they are triggered. Note the paylines available. Take a look at the paytable. Remember, demo mode is 100% free so take your time, spin as many times as you want and learn as much as you can.
Though not often presented on the slot itself, it is worth doing a little bit of research into the game’s RTP (Return to Player) or volatility, as it is also known. This will give you an idea of what you can expect in terms of wins – will they be small and frequent? Or rare and generous?
Pay attention to paylines
Paylines are a useful indicator of what kind of gambling experience you can expect from a slot. Inexperienced players should look out for slots that offer 9 or more paylines, for the best chance at success, albeit in lower amounts.
Another good piece of advice is to play progressive jackpot slots. The winning pot in this type of game is constantly growing and there’s good reason the big jackpots are so popular.
Claim an online bonus
Bonus rounds can be extremely helpful to players, whether they’re experienced or not. UK casinos will often make promotions available to new and returning players, offering different types of deposit and no deposit bonuses.
Read up about the range of bonuses online casinos offer to help you identify which ones suit your style of play the best. Remember, always read the associated terms and conditions so you have a clear picture of what you can get out of your casino bonus as well as the wagering requirements.
Keep an eye on the jackpots
It’s a good idea to make a list of your favourite progressive jackpot games. Anywhere between 5 and 10 would be helpful.
This list will help to guide you when deciding which jackpot to play next. Keep an eye on the current size of the prize pot of each of these games. There are plenty of online jackpot trackers to help with this – check the size of your 5-10 jackpots listed before you play and find out which is the biggest at the time.
Focus your efforts on the jackpot that is most likely to drop soon and has a sizeable prize pot.
Manage your bankroll
This is good advice for any casino players, not just the slots fans. Bankroll management is a key element of any casino strategy and will determine how long you can afford to play.
Keeping a casino budget will ensure that you are not spending more than you should and that you are getting the most out of the money you have already deposited.
There are numerous strategies you can employ in this regard. Split your bankroll into sessions or determine limits based on time, number of games, amount of wins or amount of losses. Whichever strategy you choose, make sure you stick to it in order to stay in control of your money.
Know when to stop
This ties in with our previous advice on bankroll management. Most casinos host hundreds of games, some even more (we’re looking at you, Slotsmillion). If you are not enjoying your play on a particular slot or haven’t hit a win in a long time, it is OK to call it quits and try a different slot, or simply log off and return to play another day.
This also goes for winning streaks. If you’re doing particularly well on one slot, don’t wait until things start going downhill before you call a stop. Take your winnings while the going is good and you won’t risk losing it all when the streak ends.
Practice, practice, practice
Like in any other game, becoming a good slots player takes time. There will be wins and there will be losses. There will be moments when you wonder why you ever bothered in the first place.
Keep playing as long as it remains fun. Don’t let gambling become a problem. There might be highs and lows ahead but mastering a successful slots strategy takes time. Practice makes perfect and you’ll find that honing your own strategy is a source of great pride.
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