Slot machines are more popular than table games for a reason: they’re fast, easy, and offer some of the biggest jackpots in the casino. They also appeal to newcomers, who might find the interaction with dealers intimidating at a table game.
Identifying the best slots for you
When it comes to choosing a slot, look at how much it pays out over time. A good slot will combine all the key elements – volatility, RTP, betting limits and bonus game features – to reward players in the long term.
The Random Number Generator
All slots use a Random Number Generator (RNG) to generate random numbers that determine the symbols on the reels, and how those symbols are paid out. Without the RNG, a designer of a slot machine cannot demonstrate that the machine is fair.
The paytable
When you start playing a slot, the paytable will show the symbols on the reels and how much you can win from them. Often, it will also tell you what special symbols are – such as the Wild symbol or Scatter symbol – and explain how they work.
The paytable will also include details of any bonus rounds and free spins that may be triggered. These usually involve a mystery pick game, or a random win multiplier sequence, where you can win extra spins or a prize.
Feature Rounds
Many online slot games offer bonus events that are unique, imaginative and immersive. These can include a mystery chase through the Crime Zone in NetEnt’s Cash Noire or outer-space cluster payoffs in ReelPlay’s Cosmic Convoy.
Bonus rounds are a great way to increase your winning chances. They’re also an excellent way to break up the action of a regular spin. They can be triggered by scatter symbols, or by specific combinations of reels that don’t belong to a payline.
The best slot strategy is to play only the machines you know you can win on, and that fit into your budget. That means $1 machines if you can’t play a lot of dollars at once, and two-quarter machines if you can’t afford to play more than a few credits.
Slots can be fun, but you should treat them like any other entertainment you’re paying for: Don’t spend money you’d otherwise save to go on a night out, and don’t let them become a part of your lifestyle. Decide how much you want to spend and set a goal for when it’s time to walk away.
Streaks
One of the most common misconceptions about slot machines is that they are “due” to hit. This belief stems from the fact that slot machines at the end of aisles get a lot of play. However, that’s not always the case: if you play an aisle-end machine that’s been losing a long time, it’s possible that it is programmed with a lower payback percentage than machines closer to the entrance.
The only way to make sure a machine is “due” to pay is to play it regularly, and change your betting pattern to reflect if you’re getting better or worse at the game. If you’re going through a streak, it’s usually not worth your while to switch machines.