Prior to hitting the Spin button on any online slot, inexperienced players should consider incorporating specific strategies that will help them minimise the risks to their bankroll and maximise their playtime and, potentially, their profits.
Many inexperienced players share the false belief that it is quite easy to win at slots because they are the simplest type of game to play. The truth of the matter is that without adequate strategies and proper money management, spinning the reels is the quickest way to lose your money. This is especially true when one considers the dynamics inherent to the game and the rapid pace at which bets are made.
However, there is no reason to turn your back on online slots altogether, because they can indeed be profitable, at least when you make informed decisions with regard to money management and your choice of slots. Below, you will find some suitable strategies and advice on playing online slots that can tip the scales in your favour.
Determine Your Bankroll in Advance
Ask any slot fan out there and they will tell you that the most important thing you need to do before you start spinning the reels is to determine the size of your bankroll. The size varies from player to player, but you must decide what sum you are comfortable playing with, and potentially losing.
It is recommended that new slot players set a fixed amount of money for each betting session on the slots. Players should not only decide on this sum but stick to it no matter what happens. If you run your bankroll down to nothing, under no circumstances should you resort to using money reserved for rent, utility bills and food.
Also, if you plan on playing the slots several times per month, you can split the fixed bankroll into equal sums designated for each betting session. Many experienced slot players recommend that novices set up a separate bank account or use a separate credit/debit card reserved specifically for gambling purposes.
On that note, it is also worth mentioning that when you generate profits, it would be wise to set aside half of the sum and add it to your bankroll. Otherwise, you risk losing back to the casino what you have initially won.
Play Slots with Fixed Maximum Payouts
Most online slots have fixed maximum payouts or fixed jackpots, while others feature progressive jackpots that increase incrementally – the more players join the progressive slot with real-money bets, the faster the pot will accumulate.
Yet, prior to placing your bets on a progressive slot, you need to consider that such games typically come with higher volatility or variance, meaning they offer more substantial payouts which occur less frequently. Even smaller wins occur less frequently on such slots. Besides, common sense dictates that the jackpots would not have reached millions of credits if players were winning them on a regular basis.
That is why it would be wiser to settle for games with fixed maximum payouts where the wins, though smaller, occur more frequently. Join progressive slots only when you are prepared to wager the maximum bet amount to qualify for the huge prize, or when you are intent on chasing the life-changing pot. But remember that the odds of hitting the progressive jackpot are very similar to those of winning the lottery.
Choose “Loose” Online Slots
We have already broached the subject of being careful what type of slots you play. In that vein, experienced slot players recommend that novices stick to the so-called “loose” slots. This again has to do with variance, which reflects how much and how often players can expect to win.
“Loose” slots offer lower variance (and thus are less volatile, i.e. less risky), which means that players can expect smaller but more frequent returns. Such slots enable players to generate consistent, though more modest, profits and are suitable for those who engage in casino games for pure entertainment.
“Tight” slots are exactly the opposite of their “loose” cousins, which is why players should bet on them only when they have a larger bankroll to carry them through the losing spins until they hit a lucrative winning combination and recoup their losses.
One simple way to distinguish which slots are loose and which are tight is by opening their paytables. On some occasions the payout percentages are listed there. Then again, the paytable provides information about the maximum payouts that can be won in the game. The higher the maximum payout listed in the paytable, the lower the chances of players winning it are, because lucrative payouts typically occur less frequently than smaller wins.
Take Your Time and Play at a Slower Pace
One of the biggest slot myths is that playing at land-based casinos, where players pull a lever to spin the reels, is likely to result in more wins than playing machines where a button is pushed to set the reels in motion. Of course, this is not true, since whether you click a button or pull a lever does not affect your chances of winning. Either way, the outcome of the spins is determined by a Random Number Generator.
However, a lever-based machine might minimise players’ losses for the simple reason that it slows their play down a notch. For instance, you might be able to hit the Spin button 500 times per hour, but if you play in a brick-and-mortar casino, you may pull the lever fewer times – 450, for example. While the difference is negligible, if you play at a slower pace you will still end up losing less money.
Because of this, it is always a good idea to take your time when you are playing online slots from the comfort of your home and slow the pace down a little. If you spin the reels 200 times per hour, you will obviously lose only half the money you would have lost had you clicked the Spin button 400 times per hour. Besides, playing slowly will extend your gaming session and enable you to enjoy your favourite slots longer with the same amount of money.
Avoid the Autoplay Feature
It goes without saying you should steer clear of activating the Autoplay feature available at most modern online slots. If you do want to use it, adjust the settings so that Autoplay is deactivated after you have lost a specific amount of money. If you fail to do this, you can say “goodbye” to your bankroll in two minutes or so.
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Know When to Quit
It is always a good idea to set a limit for oneself. When it comes to slots, it is recommended that players set both a win and a loss limit. The latter will prevent you from exhausting your bankroll completely, while the former will help protect the profits you have generated and prevent you from losing what you have initially won to the house. If your winnings amount to 50% of your starting bankroll, you can call it quits and rejoice at generating such a great profit.
Besides, the time you spend playing online slots also matters. The longer you play, the greater the advantage the house will gain over you. That is why experienced slot players often recommend that a betting session on this particular type of game should not exceed two hours in length. This is not to say you should incessantly hit the Spin button for two hours on end. You can take short breaks every once in a while.
Always Check the Payout Percentage
Remember, there is nothing you can do to beat the house edge, as the casino will always win in the long run, thanks to the built-in advantage of the games it offers. The same applies to both land-based and online gambling providers. That is why players are advised always to check the payout percentages of their preferred slots in advance, as this might also indicate whether a slot is loose or tight.
In addition, you can calculate the house edge of a given slot just by taking a quick look at its payout percentage. The calculation is quite simple, actually. If a slot has a payout percentage of 97.80%, this means that out of every £100 players have wagered on this game, they can expect to receive £97.80 back. To calculate the house edge, you simply need to subtract the payout percentage from 100. In this example, the house edge for the slot will be 2.20%.
Bear in mind, however, that these percentages, while accurate, reflect the players’ expected return over extended periods of time and thousands of spins. You cannot expect to generate £97.80 in profits each and every time you play, let alone in a short period of time. Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to choose slots that have a higher payout percentage and a lower house edge. Your win frequency will be greater on a slot with a 97.80% payout percentage than on a game with an RTP of 88.00%.
Take Advantage of Bonuses and Comp Points
Most online casinos reward patrons for their loyalty by granting them various bonuses. It is therefore recommended that players register a real-money account at the online casinos offering the most lucrative Welcome and Reload bonuses. This way, you will be able to test the games by playing with free casino credits and decide which slots are less volatile and most suitable for you without actually risking any of your own money.
Also, all reputable online casino operators award their players Free Spins on selected slots, such as the popular Starburst, for instance. The number of bonus spins varies from one casino to another, but it is always a good idea to check the promotional section once in a while to keep track of the hottest slot offers. Another way to boost your bankroll is by converting the Comp Points you are granted on each real-money wager into bonus credits to play with.
Those who are new to online casinos should keep in mind that there are wagering requirements attached to bonus offers like the ones listed above. These requirements need to be met before the winnings you have accrued with the bonus credits become withdrawable. Players can also check these requirements prior to registering at a given online casino and make comparisons. This way, they will be able to sign up for an account at an online casino that has lower wagering requirements.
Choose a Legitimate Online Casino
Choosing a legitimate online casino operator should be the number one priority of all casino players, not just slot fans. Legitimate casino operators are easy to spot. They stand out with great transparency and openly publish the numbers of their licences as well as the names of the regulatory bodies that have issued those licences. So, if you happen to come across an online casino that bears the stamp of approval of the UK Gambling Commission, for example, you can rest assured it is fully legitimate and fair.
What is more, legitimate casino operators typically publish the payout percentages of all games available in their catalogues. The games are audited on a regular basis by independent, third-party testing agencies such as eCOGRA to ensure the games are not rigged and everything is fair and square.