Online slots are pure luck with no skill involved, and none of the tips for playing slot machines on this page will change the odds of winning when you play slots.
There are many people who claim to know how to win at slots, but their tips for playing slots will never help you make money, and I’ll explain why in a moment. There is no such thing as a winning slots strategy, but what I can give you is my do’s and don’ts for playing online slots that ensure you get the most value for money, and the most fun, next time you play. In a game that’s pure luck and extremely unpredictable, that is all anyone can ask for.
Tip #1: Play slots with the highest RTPs
Ever wondered how to pick a slot machine so you improve your chance of winning? Some say RTP is the answer.
A slot’s return to player is the percentage of all money staked that is paid back out to players over a very large amount of spins. In the UK, every slot has to display this percentage in the game rules. Although a slot with a 96% payout percentage does not guarantee you will get 96% of your stake back, nor does it give you any idea whatsoever about when a slot is about to pay out, it is one of the few useful statistics you can use to choose which slots to play.
Do slot odds matter?
Let’s see how our choice of slot RTP could affect the amount we win or lose. Let’s say we play 1,000 spins at 50p per spin on two slots, for a total stake of £500. Here’s the average theoretical return:
In around 1 hour of gameplay, you would spend £31.25 on Atlantis and £9.40 on Marching Legions. That’s why this matters to some players, though I should say that returns are calculated over thousands – even millions – of spins.
Tip #2: Play low volatility games
Why do you hit a slots win quicker on some games than others? The answer to that is volatility – and it’s a feature of every slot that decides the frequency and size of payouts. High volatility slots with big multipliers might sell you the dream of striking it rich, but it could be a long wait.
If you want to know how get a slots win a bit more quickly, low volatility slots could be the answer. These games have higher ‘hit rates’, which means they award winning spins more often. There’s a catch, of course. Low variance slots, as they are sometimes called, tend to have smaller prizes. But who said winning at slots would be easy?
Even though you can’t win mega money, low variance slots have become some of the most popular games at PlayOJO. Play any of the games above and you’ll have as good a chance of hitting a win during your session as any of the slots in an online casino. Just remember, we’re talking about hitting a win and getting a return from a single spin, not making a profit over the course of your session.
Tip #3: Play jackpot slots for the dream, not the value
Most of us would love to hit a huge progressive jackpot, but there’s not much you can do to improve your chances of winning one. A percentage of your bet goes towards the jackpot, and returns figures for jackpot slots are often lower than non-jackpot versions. If you’re wondering how to win big on slots, jackpot slots are the obvious candidate, but if winning more often or value for money are more important to you, progressive may not be for you.
What about the most common advice on how to win jackpots on slot machines? Is there anything in these slots tips and tricks?
Jackpot slot tips or myths?
Some players believe if a jackpot usually hits once a month and pays out £200,000 on average, you can use the timing and jackpot size to figure out when it is ‘hot’ and ready to drop. There is some logic to this tip for playing slots, but as jackpots get bigger, more players are trying to win, so your chances probably won’t improve.
Must-drop jackpots are a similar case – if a daily jackpot hasn’t paid out by 11pm, you may have more chance to win, but everyone else knows this too, so the competition will be fierce. It’s still a good slot machine strategy, even though it won’t boost your odds of winning.
One final word on the best way to win at slots with a progressive jackpot. Your odds of winning a jackpot can vary depending on your stake. With some slots, high rollers have more chance of winning than low rollers. This may be true, but the odds are still stacked against players who bet bigger, and playing responsibly is much more important. It makes no sense to bet £5 per spin rather than £1 per spin, just to improve your chance of hitting a jackpot from 1.5 million to 1 to 1 million to 1!
Tip #4: Choose your bet size wisely
Once you’ve chosen your slot game, the only decisions left are how many lines and coins to play, how much to bet in total and how long to play. None of these decisions will change your odds of winning, but they can all impact the state of your bankroll, and help with safer play.
There are many betting systems in casino gaming, but none are capable of turning a consistent profit. It’s far wiser to pick an amount you can afford to lose and stick to the same bet size per spin. Many slots ‘experts’ will tell you that by betting the maximum, you are ‘hacking’ the game into paying out more. But the only truth behind this strategy for slot machines is that by risking more, you are in a position to win more.
There is a caveat to this mostly flawed strategy, however. Some games have variable RTPs depending on your stake. Check the game rules to see if it applies, and how much you need to bet. The payout for Rainbow Riches Pick ‘n’ Mix is 94% to 98%, depending on your bet size. Don’t bet more just to get the better percentage though. If the higher tier is too rich for you, it may be smarter to accept the lower amount or find another game. There are plenty to choose from!
Tip #5: Play more lines for lower stakes
In literal terms, the number of paylines you play does affect how to win on slot machines. Playing more paylines gives you more chances to win on a single spin. But it doesn’t increase the odds of winning, and crucially, you are betting more too.
Here are 2 slot games, a 20-line and a 1-line. We bet 20p per spin on both slots, but we have 20 lines or “ways to win” in Slot 1, and only 1 way to win with Slot 2. Sure, our line bet is 20 times bigger on Slot 2 so if we do hit a win, our real terms return is bigger. This is mathematical variance and bankroll management at work!
If you want to increase your chances of getting a return, then play the maximum number of paylines and reduce your stake. That way, you’re not spending more, but you are giving yourself extra ways to win. Penny slots with lower minimum bets are a great way to test this slots tip out. This advice is one of my favourite slot machine tips, and although it doesn’t change the overall odds of winning at slots, it should make your sessions a bit more entertaining.
Tip #6: Know when to stop
Winning at slots is sometimes about knowing when to play, and when to end your session. In theory, if a slot has just paid out, it makes no difference to the chances of a win on future spins. But there is something to be said for banking a win once it happened, particularly if it’s a big one or you’ve been waiting a while.
Knowing how to play slots is the easy part. Having a plan for when you win or lose is what sets a smart gambler apart from the rest.
Tip #7: Make sure you get good rewards
Of all the tips to win at slots, this one may be the most reliable. Choosing slots with higher payouts may be biggest factor in your long-term chance of winning more at online slots, but choosing a casino with the most generous offers and fairest terms is the next best move.
Here are some of the added-value features to consider:
Welcome Bonus: Join a casino with a generous match bonus, but not too generous. Always read the small print, and avoid casinos that use wagering requirements, as they make it virtually impossible to win. At PlayOJO, we only offer bonuses with no wagering requirements, and we don’t cap what you can win.
Kickers, Rewards & Free Spins: Short of giving you cold hard cash, Free Spins are the currency of loyalty rewards. However often you play online slots, you should be rewarded with perks like Free Spins with no strings attached. Some of the time, they’ll be for a specific game, but if they can be used with a number of different qualifying slots, use the advice you’ve just learned to pick the slot that’s right for you.
Comp points: Comp points are a fundamental pillar of loyalty programmes, but at most casinos they are flawed, and heavily weighted towards players who stake more, or play more often. At PlayOJO, you get money back on every bet, win or lose, with no strings attached. The cash is instantly credited to your account, and you can play or withdraw it as you wish.
Slots tournaments: As well as bonuses and rewards, a fair casino should give you things like entries to slots tournaments, where you can play risk-free and win for real. At PlayOJO, you’ll get the chance to compete against your fellow OJOers in Reel Spinoffs with added prizes up for grabs.
Summary
No one can teach you how to win on slots, and although I’ve given you some useful online slots tips about finding good games and squeezing more value from your sessions, clearly the secrets to winning on slot machines will stay undiscovered for another day! The best way to win on slots – given the odds are always stacked in a casino’s favour – is to play safely and enjoy yourself, whatever happens on the reels.
