If you came here seeking special tips and tricks for beating slot machines, then I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed. Such miraculous information doesn’t exist, and, even if it did, I doubt I would be giving it away for free.
No, what I’m offering focuses on maximizing your enjoyment level while playing online slots. It can also help save you money over the long haul, although it can’t influence where the individual reels stop.
Only Play at Reputable Casinos
I know it sounds like common sense, but you’d be amazed by the number of players who still fall for disreputable gambling websites. To avoid becoming part of this group, always perform some level of due diligence before depositing your money.
The best option is to consult with one of the leading watchdog sites for virtual gambling. These destinations should tell you everything you need to know, including any issues you might face at online casinos.
Set Time and Money Limits
To avoid problems later, always set time and money limits before beginning your session. For example, you might say to yourself, “I’m only going to play for two hours, and I’ll stop before that if I lose more than $150.”
Of course, the most difficult part is sticking to these limits, especially if you’re in the middle of a winning streak. If you find yourself consistently exceeding these self-imposed barriers, then you might consider looking for another hobby. Otherwise, you may be heading for trouble in the not-so-distant future.
Ignore the Casino Bonus (Most of the Time)
Some gambling “experts” urge you to perform an exhaustive search for the online casinos with the best sign-up bonuses. In most cases, however, you’ll only be wasting your time.
That’s because bonuses are almost never as simple as they appear to be. There’s a lot of fine print to wade through, and you’ll usually have to risk many times the amount of the bonus before you have a chance to withdraw it.
Of course, there’s no reason to entirely ignore bonus promotions, either. You may occasionally come across one that works to your advantage, and you’d be a fool to pass it up. Just don’t set your expectations too high.
Find the Payout Option That Meets Your Needs
Most internet casinos offer multiple payment options. However, not all options are well-suited to every gambler.
For example, transactions involving bank accounts or debit cards usually take at least three to five business days. And, depending on what part of the world you live in, those options may not be available at all.
Cryptocurrency users can often expect payment in less than an hour. Unfortunately, there are still plenty of virtual casinos that have been slow to adopt this method.
Whenever possible, I suggest using instant withdrawal casinos. Some forms of payment occur almost instantly, and even more traditional options are paid in under 24 hours.
Theme and Art Matter
If you find a slot that’s particularly appealing due to its theme or artwork, don’t be afraid to select it over a more profitable option. This is especially true if you’re a hardcore player who’s going to be staring at the same game for hours.
Admittedly, this piece of advice won’t make you any extra money, but it will increase your overall enjoyment. And even if you’re suffering through a cold streak, that’ll make everything seem a little bit better.
Ignore Betting Systems
Betting systems offer techniques that are supposed to increase your winning percentage and/or overall profit. Some of the more popular include level betting, fixed percentage and the Martingale.
Unfortunately, they’re all a bunch of nonsense. Even worse, there are still individuals out there with the gall to charge money for such “winning secrets” (when it’s all available online for free).
You’re not going to consistently beat the slots, and no magical system is going to change that. Better to just face reality and enjoy the moment.
Always Bet Maximum on Progressives
Progressive slots earned their name by offering a payout that would continue to grow with each subsequent wager. However, it’s important to pay attention to the details, or you could get the top symbol combo and still miss out on the jackpot.
Most progressives require the player to make the highest possible wager to have a chance at the top cash prize. You’ll still win an impressive amount if you risk less, but there’s a big difference between “impressive” and “life-changing.”
Progressive players should be prepared to risk it all to win it all. It’s just that simple.
Familiarize Yourself with Game Developers
Online slot machine designers such as Quickspin or Betsoft have a small team of developers who are responsible for creating each game. As such, many of their titles will have similar rules, RTP or volatility levels.
Since most online casinos will carry all the games offered by a specific developer, it can be a great help to learn the defining traits of these companies. For example, Quickspin normally creates their slots with three RTP levels. This means you’ll need to pay careful attention to avoid any slots where the casino decided to select the lowest possible option.
Seek Out Higher RTP Slots
Also known as “return to player,” the RTP indicates the long-term average payback of a slot machine. For example, a game with a 95% RTP would deliver an average return of $95 for every $100 wagered.
In many cases, online casinos are required to list the RTP for each of their slots. In those situations, you have no excuse for not playing the most potentially profitable options.
This advice won’t be of much help to casual players. However, truly dedicated gamblers should see a noticeable uptick in their year-to-year profits.
Focus on Having Fun
It’s obvious, but it still bears repeating: the main objective should be to have fun. If you’re playing online slots for any other reason, then, quite frankly, you’re doing it all wrong.