Introduction to slots
Slots have undoubtedly become one of the most popular casino games and are found in land-based and online casinos all around the world. They have become popular for many reasons – they are simple to play, exciting, entertaining and can generate big returns. And anyone, regardless of experience, can be lucky enough to win some life-changing cash. Slots operate on Random Number Generators. So, yes, the outcome of every spin is completely random and purely down to luck.
Whether you’re winning or losing on a slot, there’s no doubt that you are entertained. There are now more varieties of the game than ever before and more are being created every day. Each with unique game designs, themes, features and jackpots. In fact, it’s almost impossible for you not to find a slot game that suits your personal gaming preferences. There’s a game out there for every type of player! There are a limited number of slots at all land-based casinos, needless to say, there isn’t enough room for thousands of machines in every casino. However, if you’re playing online, you will have access to thousands of different slots. With the huge increase in popularity over the years, it’s no surprise that casino operators are opting to add as many slots to their portfolio as possible.
Why learn strategies if winning is based on luck?
You’re probably thinking if winning is all down to luck, why should I bother learning strategies? Well, you don’t need any experience to spin the reels, but of course, learning about slots first (and reading our strategies) will help you cut your losses. It’s never a sensible idea to go into any game without fully understanding how it operates, what to look for/avoid and how to be the best player you can be. So, Casinos Jungle have created a list of the top 10 strategies & tips to learn before playing slots. Check them out…
1. Choose the right slot game for you
First of all, it’s important to choose the right slot game for you – do your research first! You should consider many factors. Such as RTP, jackpot, minimum/maximum bet, theme, features, volatility level, bonuses, wagering requirements and any other factors that are important to you. Whether you prefer the classic 3 reel traditional slots or ultra-modern ones with the latest technology installed, there’s a slot for you. There are thousands to choose from! Looking for the release date can also be important. Needless to say, the most recent the release, the more modern and high-tech the game is likely to be. Also, check out which gaming software provider created the slot. It’s not the be-all and end-all, but it can certainly indicate the game quality. For instance, leading gaming software providers, such as NetEnt, Microgaming and Playtech are almost guaranteed to deliver the best possible gaming experience with their latest releases. But that’s not to say smaller providers can’t too!
2. Read the reviews
Another great way to find out information and an indication of a slot performance is by reading online reviews. It’s one thing researching all of the factors of a game that the gaming software provider has specified, but you need to ensure it matches up with its performance. And what better way to find out than from real players that have played the game? They can offer valuable, trustworthy and reliable guides which will make it much easier to decide what slot game to play. You can find reviews on pretty much all slot games by a simple search in google. Casino websites, forums or Reddit usually have thousands of reliable slot reviews. The best place to read reviews is of course, Casinos Jungle.
3. Try demos first
One of the biggest mistakes that new slot gamers make is not taking advantage of the demo mode. Demo mode is available for almost every slot game. There are so many benefits to playing in demo mode before depositing your hard-earned cash. Such as the opportunity to check its performance matches up to its description (volatility etc), no financial risk, becoming accustomed to the gameplay and so much more. Also, typically, you won’t have to register at a casino to play in demo mode, so it’s a great way of testing out which slots suit your preference before signing up. Keep in mind that there are thousands of slots on offer online, so there will be a slot perfect for you! Plus if you’re playing purely for entertainment and fun, you will get just as much by playing demo mode.
4. Always plan a budget before playing
Setting a budget before you play a slot will cut your losses because you will always be in complete control of the maximum amount of money you can lose. Never spend more than you can afford and make sure you’re using disposable income that you don’t need for important things, e.g. bills. It can be extremely easy to get caught up in the gameplay and continue playing for hours without realising how much you’re spending. Deciding on a budget beforehand will save you from walking away, after playing, feeling frustrated and disappointed. It leaves no room for any nasty surprises (big financial losses) and puts you in control of your spending.
5. Set a time limit
Whether you’re going to a land-based casino or playing online, it can become an open-ended trip and consume you for hours if you’re not careful. And the more hours spent, the more potential money lost. It’s very easy to get distracted and so immersed into the gameplay to the point that you completely lose track of time. Also, it’s well-known fact that most land-based casinos do not have clocks on display in the hope their customers get ”lost in the moment” and don’t pay attention to the time spent there. Stay ahead of the game and set a timer/alarm on your phone to alert you. Be in control.
6. Higher denomination slots will usually have higher payback percentages
This is true for slots at land-based casinos and online. For example, dollar slots give a higher payback percentage than quarter slots and quarter slots give a higher payback percentage than penny slots. If you’re just playing for fun and smaller wins, then this won’t matter too much to you. However, if you’re aiming for some bigger wins, this is worth taking into consideration before choosing which slot to play. But don’t just rush to play the dollar slots, there are also many other factors to take into consideration. It all depends on what’s important to you in a slot, is its entertainment value, features, theme? Always remember that playing higher-denomination slots comes with more risk. Also, higher domination slots do NOT necessarily mean that you will win more on a bet.
7. If you’re playing progressive slots, make sure you bet enough to be eligible for the jackpot
Many slot players will see the huge continuously growing figure on a slot and are quick to make a bet and start playing. You’ll find that many progressive jackpot slot machines will require players to bet a certain amount before becoming eligible to win it. Some will even require you to bet the maximum amount to have a shot at winning it. For example, on a two-dollar slot machine, you will not be eligible to win the progressive jackpot if you bet just one dollar. If you are lucky enough to hit a jackpot combination on the one dollar, you will receive the progressive jackpot figure but rather a reduced amount. It will probably still be a great win but needless to say, check beforehand so you know what you’re capable of winning.
8. Do not automatically bet the max
This is a very common mistake that slot players make. Many will automatically assume that if they bet more money, they will win more money back or have a higher chance of winning. This is not true and is a complete myth! Whilst high-denomination slots tend to have higher payback percentages, this does not mean that the more money you bet, the more money you will win every time – it’s all down to luck!
9. Take advantage of bonuses and promotions
There are thousands of online casinos to choose from, each offering different bonuses and promotions. Make sure you find a good deal and take advantage of what’s on offer! However, it’s very important to check the requirements of all bonuses and promotions beforehand. Many players get drawn in by the big deposit matches and free spins on offer. But unfortunately, you’ll find that many of these bonuses are not as great as they seem and require significant wagering requirements to activate. Also, make sure the bonuses can be applied to the slot games that you want to play before spending your money. Most online casinos will offer a rewards programme once you’ve signed up – check your inbox regularly so you don’t miss out on special offers.
10. Scout for the machines that have a good track history of paying big and looking for near misses to win is a myth
It’s a very common myth that slot machines are ‘due’ payouts. This is a tough cookie to swallow for many players who like to think they are being tactical by ‘calculating’ when a slot is next ‘due’ a payout. The truth is, there is no calculating when the next payout will be and slot machines give payouts at complete random. Once players accept this, they can choose a slot game based on their preferences rather than the ones they think are due payouts. This will make playing slots a much more enjoyable experience. Don’t waste your time, money and enjoyment by chasing ‘due’ payouts that don’t exist. Always remember that ALL slots are controlled by the random number generator (RNG).
11. How many different slot games are available?
The list of different slot games that are available to players is forever expanding and can almost seem endless. With the constant increase in their popularity, it’s not surprising that casino operators have opted to add hundreds of slot variations to their gaming portfolios and are continuously adding new ones! Gaming providers are always working hard to produce new slots games every month to ensure players are kept intrigued and excited. This means that there are always brand new slots with the latest technology and innovative designs, features and themes to choose from. Along with the classics too! So it’s practically impossible to run out of options.
Needless to say, the number of slots available at land-based casinos will vary from casino to casino and is much more limited than online. If you want a huge variety to choose from, it’s much better to browse online. There are no reasons that you can’t find a slot game to align to your tastes with thousands on offer within a click of a button. There are so many different types of slots games – single-coin machines, multipliers, buy-your-pay machines, multiple payline machines, wild play machines, progressive machines and so many more! Do your research first so you can find out about each type and choose the one best suited to your preferences.
What are the most popular types of slots?
Classic slots
The ‘classic slots’ are usually the three-reel slots that are representative of the very first ones ever created. Many slot players prefer playing classic slots due to their simplicity. They usually have a smaller number of paylines and features, therefore they are much easier to understand. It’s a common misconception that just because slots are classified as ‘classic’ that they are ‘old’ too. However, gaming software providers continue to produce new classic slots so every type of player is satisfied.
Five-reel slots
Five-reel slots are also referred to as ‘video slots’. They are now the most popular type of slots at land-based casinos and online. And this is undoubtedly due to the vast amount of themes and exciting graphics and animations that are included in them. They are completely digital and require players to push a button to start them.
Progressive slots
Progressive slots are also a very popular type of slots because of the life-changing wins up for grabs. Usually, these types of slots will require players to play with the maximum bet to have a chance at winning. Nonetheless, it can be extremely thrilling watching the figure rise every time you play hoping to be the next lucky winner.
Conclusion
As you hopefully already know after reading this guide, slot games are purely based on luck and no strategy will guarantee a win. However, adopting the strategies and learning the tips above will give you more control and put you at an advantage. Which will in turn help cut your losses! Remember to always consider the risks of playing slot games and make sure you’re always having fun. After all, you should be playing for entertainment purposes above all else. Preparing yourself beforehand means you can walk away from your gaming experience feeling good regardless of the outcome. But don’t just take our word for it, but these strategies into practice and see for yourself.
Happy slot playing!