Let’s face it, being dealt in at a fast-paced and high stakes poker table can be pretty intimidating, especially for those without the gambling knowledge to back it up. And sometimes it’s just nice to sit back and relax at the slot machines, where the bets are what you make them and the odds are clear-cut. Sure, you can’t change the likelihood of big wins at the slots through mathematical means like card counting, but there are still ways to increase the probability of winning while playing slots. With almost 80% of the money casinos make coming from slot machines, it’s clear that these games are for every type of player. They also have so much artistic and gameplay variety to them as well, which allows them to be fun while also offering up a chance to win big. So no matter if you are a slots rookie, or have spent many an hour on slot machines before, here are 6 tips you can use to get better at playing and increase your winnings.
Scout Wisely
Choosing your machine should not be taken lightly. There are some superstitions and serious truths out there to help you pick your machine. It is common to think that a slot machine that hasn’t won in a few rounds is destined to hit it big, and vice versa with machines already on a hot streak. There may sometimes be an ounce of truth to this, however, the slot has its set odds which are measured over days and weeks, and a hot streak now doesn’t have to result in going cold immediately. Other hot tips include choosing a machine close to the entrance or at the end of an aisle, as these are the slots that are going to be seen the most. The thinking follows that the more these machines win big, the more people will see and try their luck at adjacent machines. There doesn’t appear to be much truth to these claims, but proponents say it’s based on the fact that casinos’ biggest advertisers are themselves. Choosing a winning slot can be based on more mathematical qualities, such as RTP and variances, but more on those in a second.
Bet Bigger
Slot players who’ve seen a thing or two will often cite the rookie “Prime the Pump” strategy to begin with small bets and work their way larger and larger. This strategy suggests that games offer up a winning round only after being warmed up for several losing rounds. However, as just discussed, the game’s probability doesn’t always work that way; using the Prime the Pump strategy has yielded successful results only about 20% of the time, which isn’t much better than regular odds. Despite its flawed logic, Prime the Pump does have a nugget of truth: larger bets make bigger wins. Penny slots can be fun if you just want to play quick rounds but go for the bigger denomination slots like quarter and dollar machines to make more money back.
Know Your Risk Level
Every machine has its unique odds, sometimes called a game’s volatility or variance. The lower the game’s volatility, the higher the chances are for winnings, and of course, vice versa. However, a game with a better chance of winning will typically offer smaller jackpots. That’s okay, just keep that in mind as you play, as your winnings on these sorts of games might not be as big as you want them to be. Of course, if you have the cash and patience, higher volatility slots with their lower chance of winning in most cases will result in the larger jackpots. These slots can be mentally and financially draining, but if you hit a lucky spin they can be equally rewarding. You can find a game’s risk variance online by searching the machine name and volatility.
Follow the RTP
Return to Player, abbreviated as RTP, is the per cent of all money bet that is given back to the player in winnings. For example, a game with an RTP of 98.2% will give back $9.82 for every $10 that is bet. Not all slots have the same odds, games with the higher RTP are those that will give the best chances to winning big. Typical machines have RTP’s between 92-97% and the specific number for any machine can be found online through searching, or also through the help menu of the machine itself, sometimes labelled as the “house edge” or payback. Remember, these numbers are based on average wins per round and session over the games entire history.
Steer Clear of the Branded Slots xe88
Sometimes you have to go against your gut. When you walk into any casino, you will find plenty of familiar sights, from Game of Thrones to Guns n Roses, there seems to be a slot machine for everything. But don’t be fooled: if you watch a substantial amount of NBC’s Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, for example, then you are more likely to head towards the logo, music, and design you recognize. This makes sense, as we are creatures of habit and are more likely to head towards what we’re already familiar. Slot machine developers paid quite a bit of money to license and use that brand to hook you in to play, this may not be your best bet. Not always to be trusted, these branded games often have lower than average RTPs, as well as high minimum bets and are only there to capitalize on brand recognition.
Know When to Walk Away
This goes for all gambling: set a limit and don’t break it! Yes, this article is about winning, but sometimes the biggest win you can get is walking away while you still have money to walk away with. Slot machines are not meant to be won 100% of the time, and lucky superstitions can only get you so far. Before you start betting, ensure you have a clear limit in place to stop at. Remember, these games are designed to make money for the casinos and only give just enough money back to make it worth it for the players to keep going. For every player that hits the big jackpot, there are hundreds, if not thousands, more that are cleaned out. Stay smart and don’t bet money that you can’t afford to lose. Slot Machines are a fun and easy way to play against the odds for the chance to turn some spare money into big bills. And while there are hundreds of myths and fantasies out there that claim to give you the ability to turn the odds in your favour, there aren’t any secret tips to win big every time. Don’t fall for any quick rich schemes or false advertisements promising tricks and cheats that are too good to be true, as these games aren’t meant to be won every time. Research your machines before you place your bets, as this will allow you the time and knowledge to make an educated choice concerning both risk and reward. So while these tips may not grant you the big and unlikely jackpots, it will help you win more and multiply your money in the long run, and of course, enjoy playing slots. Be smart and realistic about choosing your slots and bets, and following these tips you can get a good handle on your chances against the machines.