Slot Machine Tips & Tricks
Slot machines are some of the most popular games in casinos. People all around the world enjoy sitting back, pulling the lever (or clicking the button), and watching the reels spin. From the unique themes to the straightforward gameplay, it’s easy to see why slot games have taken over the casino industry. However, you shouldn’t just jump in with no plan – it’s important to understand the ins and outs of these machines before you play. With that in mind, we’ve pulled together our favourite slot machine tips to help you get started. From choosing the game to avoiding common pitfalls, we have you covered.
Understanding slot machines
Before we dive into our slot tips, let’s discuss how slot machines work and what you should expect when you sit down to play.
How slot machines work
Slot machines are simple to understand. Typically, all you need to do is set your bet and spin the reels. Most games require no further input from you, so you can just sit back and watch what happens. That’s because, unlike some other casino games, slots are completely random. They use a random number generator (RNG) to decide how each spin ends for the player. No spin is the same, and unlike live table games such as blackjack, there is no real skill involved, so players rarely need to do anything after spinning the reels.
Types of slot machines
There are a few different types of slot machines. In addition to physical slot machines located in brick-and-mortar casinos and video slots available for online play, there are also classic slots, slots with bonus features and slots with jackpots. Classic slots are typically three-reel slots with straightforward gameplay. Slots with bonus features typically have more reels and offer elements such as free spins. Slots with jackpots, as the name implies, have either progressive or fixed jackpots.
Paylines and paytables
In order to win, slot players must form matching combinations across the game’s reels. These typically pay out from left to right on ‘paylines’. To know exactly how much you stand to win, it’s important to understand not only how many paylines are in the game, but also how much each of them pays. This information can typically be found in the game’s settings. The paytable explains how much players stand to win depending on the number of symbols landed on the reels.
Essential slot machine tips
Now that we have the basics down, here are some essential slot machine tips to help maximise your budget.
1. Set a budget and stick to it
Before you even think about playing slots, you need to set a budget. This is one of our most important tips for playing slots, in fact. Decide how much money you can afford to lose and stick to that budget whether you win or lose.
2. Choose the right slot machine
Once your budget is set, you can start looking for the right slot machine for your playstyle. Do you like lots of bonuses, or do you prefer straightforward gameplay without lots of bells and whistles? Also, make sure to check each game’s RTP and volatility.
Highly volatile games are more unpredictable and typically result in bigger losses and wins than those with low volatility.
3. Bet max vs. minimum bets
Your bet size determines how quickly you move through your budget. The amount you decide to bet is ultimately up to you, but remember that bigger bets mean bigger wins and bigger losses. If you win, you’ll have more money to play with. However, if you lose, you’ll burn through your bankroll quickly. In general, start with smaller bets until you have a feel for the game, and then gradually increase as desired.
4. Take advantage of bonuses and promotions
Beyond bet size and budgets, bonuses and promotions are important factors to keep in mind when deciding how to play slots. Make sure to read through the game’s information (typically accessed via an ‘i’ symbol on-screen) before you start betting. That’s where you’ll find information about bonus features such as free spins.
In addition to in-game bonuses, we also offer players site-wide bonuses and promotions. At LeoVegas, we offer a variety of slot-based bonuses throughout the year, ranging from free spins to no-deposit bonuses and even bonus bets and loyalty programmes.
5. Avoid chasing losses
Some people think that the longer they play, the closer to a win they are. Please note that this is not true with slots. As we briefly mentioned earlier, slots use RNG to determine symbol placement and combinations. This process is completely random, and you have just as good of a chance of winning one minute in as you do one hour.
If you’re on a losing streak, don’t bet more to try to recoup your losses. Take a break to cool down and reset before you continue playing so that you don’t blow through your budget in one sitting.
6. Choose games with bonus features
Slots with free spins, multipliers and bonus rounds offer more chances to win than basic slot games. Make sure that the game you pick has plenty of features to keep things interesting and maximise your chances. In addition to the in-game information put together by the developers, you can also look up game reviews for additional details on the free spins, multipliers and bonus rounds that specific slots offer.
7. Watch for progressive jackpot slots
Progressive jackpot slots offer players life-changing jackpots that increase in value with every spin, but they often require maximum bets to qualify. Many slot providers indicate progressive jackpots clearly in their game libraries to make it easy for players to find the perfect title. LeoJackpots here at LeoVegas, for example, offers players great titles with impressive jackpots all organised in one place.
8. Knowing when to walk away
Losing is a fact of life for slot fans. If you end up on a losing streak, pay attention to how much money you’re burning through with each turn. When the losses rack up and your bankroll is disappearing fast, consider stepping away for a while to avoid significant losses. The game will always be there tomorrow, but your budget might not be.
9. Play at a licensed casino
Unfortunately, not all operators offer a fair gaming experience. Regulated and licensed providers not only ensure fair play, but also prevent players from falling victim to slot-based scams. Pick your online casino carefully!
10. Take breaks while playing
Uninterrupted playtime can lead to impulsive decisions. Make it a habit to pause every so often, take a break, and refresh your mind and betting strategy. At LeoVegas, we offer our players safer gambling tools designed to promote responsible gaming during every session.
Common myths and misconceptions
Avoiding common myths and misconceptions about the game is another of our most important slot game tips & tricks. First, there is no such thing as a ‘hot or cold’ machine. No machines are ‘due’ for a win, regardless of how many people have played in recent history. Additionally, there is no best time of day to play slots. Once again, slots use RNG to determine spin outcomes, so every spin has the same chances of winning as the one before it and the one after it.