SLOT TIPS

Playing online slot machines for entertainment is absolutely valid, but while you’re at it, why not play slots efficiently? There are many ways to achieve this without relinquishing the entertainment factor, and in this post, we’ll explain how this can be done.

First and foremost, our advice is not based on a particular slot machine strategy; rather, each of the slot tips detailed below is based on the preservation of a player’s bankroll. Seeing as there is no way to ‘beat’ slot machines or effectively ‘win’ slots whatsoever, slot players can only tailor their decisions to avoid committing common mistakes.

At the end of this list, we’ll also unveil one of the best casino sites where you can play slot machines — even with a superb casino bonus.

1. CONSULT SLOT GAME REVIEWS

There are many writers out there who cover various aspects of online gambling, and slot machines are no exception. Before playing slots, it’s imperative to consult at least one or two reviews about the slot machine you intend to play.

Online casino games — especially slot machines — might be somewhat complicated for players to understand, which is why studying a slot machine review is always a good idea.

Professional game reviews make sure to describe each and every slot mechanic, bonus feature and pay table — sometimes even going so far as to explain the purpose of each symbol. These are the reviews you should look out for, since they will greatly help your understanding of the slot machine before you’ve even placed a single spin.

2. DISREGARD MISLEADING ADVICE

Illegitimate online casinos are in no short supply, but so are illegitimate tips and tricks ostensibly meant to help slot players achieve the unachievable, that is, 100% win rates or any form of a guaranteed win at slots.

Following this crooked advice will invariably lead to disappointment, since there is no known way to effectively win at slots. Were this to be the case, all brick-and-mortar casinos and online casinos would run out of business.

Most online casinos are fully licensed and certified by esteemed gaming authorities, which means that all their casino games — be it slot machines or other casino games — cannot be ‘beaten’.

3. PLAY SLOTS FOR FREE

This advice holds true for both new players and veterans. Playing slot machines for free through their demo version is a big must, especially if the slot machine you intend on playing is fairly complex.

Demos allow you to play slot machines for free through the use of a virtual balance that is predetermined by their provider. You’ll have access to all the bonus games, features and game mechanics that the slot machine offers, which allows you to learn about the game and practise for as long as you like. What happens if the balance dries up? Simply reload the slot machine!

There are a few things you have to keep in mind about free slot machines, however. Registration may be necessary before access to the demos can be granted, so be ready to create an account beforehand.

Secondly, demo versions aren’t available for all the slot machines out there, so make sure to research that before getting your hopes up. And more importantly, you won’t be able to take home any big win when playing free slots, nor will you be able to qualify for tournaments this way.

Remember, demos only serve to teach you about the slot machine without compelling you to tap into your own cash funds. Once you feel that you’ve understood what the slot machine is all about, feel free to have a shot at some real-money slots!

4. PLAY SLOTS WITH A HIGH RETURN TO PLAYER (RTP)

One of the most important aspects of online slots is their RTP — which is also referred to as the payout percentage or inverted house edge. This figure, which is written as a percentage, refers to the average amount of money the online slot is expected to pay you back over time.

An RTP of 96% or over is usually a good option, whereas anything below that is not considered worth playing. Two slot machines with a great RTP are Blood Suckers by NetEnt and White Rabbit Megaways™ by Big Time Gaming.

Having said that, slot games with a low RTP might still pay back significantly. This is because there are other factors in play when it comes to calculating the money return: the game variance and the number of spins attempted. Nevertheless, one should generally opt for high-RTP slot machines, since they can stretch your bankroll for longer compared to low-RTP slots.

We recommend against pursuing slot machines with a low RTP — around the 93% mark is usually deemed very unappealing by the slot community. Although such an RTP might not appear unattractive at first glance, it will have a very considerable effect on your bankroll in the long run.

5. GO FOR SUITABLE DENOMINATIONS

Evaluating the betting limits and ranges of the slot machine you want to play is rarely a bad idea. Higher denomination slots are those that offer very high maximum bets, whereas the opposite is valid for lower denomination slots.

Advice that encourages placing the maximum bet should be disregarded, since, in doing so, you will have lost more money than you’ll have won. Although striking a big win is somewhat attainable by placing large bets, your bankroll will suffer greatly in the long run.

If you’re looking to stretch your enjoyment of a slot machine, it is advised to bet small. Although small bets won’t net you the big bucks, they will provide longer entertainment than large bets will.

Generally speaking, it’s important to identify exactly what you’re looking for when playing slots online and choose your bet size once you’ve figured that out.

6. PAY ATTENTION TO THE SUNK COST FALLACY

With the Random Number Generator (RNG) in play, each spin is programmed to be entirely random, which means that the slot machine will not take into account any prior wins or losses.

This is a very important concept in online slot games or any other casino game that is based on raw luck. Assuming that a slot machine will pay you back after a losing streak is very flawed, and you’re set for disappointment if you expect such an outcome.

The same can be said for chasing winning streaks. Expecting the Random Number Generator to eventually start favouring you is not wise, precisely because of the way it is programmed.

If any fellow slot players suggest anything as we’ve described above, an appropriate response would be to suggest taking a break from online gambling. The RNG works independently of what players expect will happen, so there’s no point in expecting one outcome or the other. The unpredictability of slot machines is precisely what makes them entertaining!

7. CHOOSE YOUR IDEAL VOLATILITY

There is a slew of categories that set slot machines apart from one another, and one of them is volatility — also known as variance. The three categories of volatility are high, medium and low volatility.

Low-volatility slots deliver small payouts frequently, whereas high-volatility slots pay less frequently but in higher amounts. Medium-volatility slots fall somewhere in between.

Before playing online slots, it’s important to choose your preferred volatility: low volatility that pays frequently but poorly, or high volatility that pays less frequently but more generously? In either case, the amount and frequency of your wins all boil down to luck, so it might be worth striking a deal with Lady Luck before playing slots.

8. HAVE A CLOSER LOOK AT PAY TABLES

Combing through the pay table is one of the most useful things you can do before taking a slot machine for a spin; primarily, because it reveals the value of in-game symbols.

Knowing which symbols you should be looking out for doesn’t change anything in the grand scheme of things, since players don’t have an iota of control on the result of a spin. Nevertheless, learning about different symbols and their purpose in a slot can help you understand the slot machine better.

Some of the most high-value symbols in slot machines are Wilds, Scatters and multipliers.

• Wilds: symbols that substitute for all the other symbols except for Scatters.
• Scatters: special symbols that usually serve to unlock a bonus feature.
• Multipliers: symbols that multiply the potential win. When combined, multipliers can make for some very significant cash prizes.

Keep in mind that different slot machines might have different uses for the above symbols, so don’t hesitate to skim through the game information to find their exact purpose in a particular slot.

9. BET ON MORE PAYLINES

In some cases, slot machines allow you to adjust the number of paylines to bet on. Placing bets on as many paylines as possible is almost always recommended, since it is easier to land winning combinations the more paylines are available.

If you’re nearing the end of your bankroll, you might want to consider lowering the number of coins you bet per payline on each spin. This will allow you to squeeze some more spins from your gambling budget, and the payouts will still be proportional to your bet size.

With this said, it is advisable to stop playing games if your budget has dwindled to this extent.

10. NOT IN THE MOOD? DON’T PLAY GAMES

Although it isn’t frequently talked about, one must be in a very particular frame of mind when playing online games. Letting your emotions get the better of you is an easy way of losing control of your gambling behaviour, which can include anything from constantly raising your bets to trying to win back your lost money.

It must be highlighted that all slot machines are meant to be fun and entertaining, and mismanaging tilt can often pry those factors away from video slots. To a more preoccupying extent, this can lead to very serious life issues including but not limited to financial hardship and emotional instability.

Playing video slots should never get to that. Instead of playing slots when not in the mood, try taking a break and pursuing another activity for a while. Video slots aren’t going anywhere, so why shouldn’t you spend a few hours having a well-deserved break?

11. DON’T PLAY WITHOUT A STRICT GAMBLING BUDGET

Allocating a specific number of funds to gambling is one of the best ways to curtail excessive spending. In fact, it is often regarded as the golden rule of Responsible Gaming.

Before looking to wager on a slot machine, establishing a budget beforehand is extremely important. The only thing more important than that is to stick to it no matter what the result of your wagering is.

Instead of constantly looking to make a profit, you are better off aiming to stretch your bankroll as much as possible. This includes making a breakdown of how many spins your budget allows and even adjusting the number of paylines to thin out your bets.

Each and every legitimate slot machine strategy out there looks to achieve just that. After all, stretching your gambling budget will stretch your enjoyment of video slots along with it.

12. AVOID BETTING THE MAXIMUM

The way slot machines work is that payouts are granted proportional to the bet amount placed. This means that winning symbol combinations pay a multiplier on the amount you wager. For example, if you bet €1 and win 5x your bet, you will receive €5. If you bet €10, you will receive €50.

In an attempt to capitalise on that mechanic, players assume that placing maximum bets will carry the best odds of paying large sums.

Although it is true that wins will be larger if the bet placed is high, this method of betting carries a significant risk of eating up your bankroll. By the time the slot pays the win a player desires, the chances are that the lost bets will outweigh the win.

In most cases, you are better off placing a bet that is mindful of your bankroll. If your gambling budget is on the lower end, we wouldn’t advise betting anywhere near the maximum amount available.

One of the only instances where it is advisable to bet the maximum amount is in tournaments where players go after the highest possible win. For example, such tournaments would award 1 point for every €1 wagered and 200 points for €100 wagered.

13. TRY CLAIMING A CASINO BONUS

Slot bonuses provide a player more attempts to play than their money is worth. This is why casino bonuses are seen as an attractive option by most players — especially when it comes to Free Spins Bonuses.

Two of the most common online casino promotions are the Welcome Bonus and the Deposit Bonus. The Welcome Bonus is only available to the new players of an online casino, whereas the Deposit Bonus is available to everyone, depending on the players’ jurisdiction.

The way how most Deposit Bonuses work is this: you will be given a number of bonus funds proportional to the amount you deposit. For instance, a Deposit Bonus of 100% up to €200 will give you 100% of your deposit amount as extra funds.

The Free Spins Bonus is incredibly popular among the slot machine community because it awards you a number of free spins to use on a list of selected games predetermined by the online casino. This means that you could spin each and every casino slot listed in the Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) for free!

Having said that, the T&Cs will also contain information about the wagering requirements tied to the bonus. To find out more about that, check out the following tip.

14. DON’T GO FOR STRICT WAGERING REQUIREMENTS

The wagering requirements refer to the number of times you must re-wager your free spins winnings. As you can imagine, this can really make or break a bonus. Strict requirements will compel you to wager a large portion of your winnings, which means that all the money you might have won from a Free Spins Bonus could end up disappearing before having a chance to withdraw it!

The way wagering requirements work is this: upon placing a deposit and claiming the free spins or bonus funds, you would then go on to use them up and bag a certain amount of money. At this point, you’ll have to re-wager your bonus funds a specific number of times before being able to withdraw them.

Thankfully, strict requirements are quite rare at online casinos of the calibre of HotSlots. Verifying a casino’s integrity before claiming a bonus is extremely recommended for the reason we’ve described above.

15. NEW TO ONLINE SLOTS? START OFF WITH CLASSIC SLOT MACHINES

Classic slot games tend to be the simplest slot machines — with a low number of symbols and an equally low number of reels (usually three). In such slot games, bonus features are usually non-existent, and this is a big plus for players who are new to the world of slot games.

Playing classic slots can be the perfect foray into online gambling. Although winning combinations are limited, classic slots include all the main components to be able to understand more advanced slots: paylines, minimum bets, maximum bets and even pay tables.

Having said that, classic online slots do have the potential to deliver a big payout. Their only real drawback is that they are usually considered too simplistic for veterans or other experienced slot fans.

Is it possible to enjoy classic slots as a veteran? If the expectation to unlock special features is thrown out of the window, the answer is ‘perhaps’.

16. GO FOR SLOTS THAT OFFER BONUS ROUNDS

Almost every modern slot game offers at least one type of bonus round, which is why you shouldn’t have much of an issue finding one in most slot game portfolios out there. Most branded slots also tend to offer bonus games, so keep an eye out for those too!

Bonus features are a staple in modern slot machines since they have the potential of stepping up the entertainment factor considerably. The usual reward for unlocking a bonus feature is free spins, but some casino slot providers can get very creative.

The method to unlock a bonus feature can vary, but the most popular way of doing so is by landing a specific number of special symbols on the reels. In order to find out how this is done, you can either consult some slot game reviews or, better yet, check out the game information within the slot machine itself. Any slot provider worth its salt will take the time to accurately describe how a particular bonus feature can be unlocked.

Do keep in mind that there is such as thing as a complicated bonus feature. If you feel that a slot machine takes way too long to come to grips with, you’re better off looking for the right slot machine elsewhere.

17. STAY AWAY FROM FEATURE-HEAVY SLOTS

There is an inflection point when playing a slot game, where the enjoyment factor can begin to take a dive as a result of extremely complicated bonus features. Unfortunately, convoluted bonus features do exist, and it is up to you to sniff them out and avoid them if you cannot get the hang of them.

A good example is the Masters of Valhalla slot. It contains several complicated bonus features that work simultaneously, which means that there’s too much going on for most players to keep track of.

Slot machines that offer multiple features at a time tend to have a wider range of symbols, thus potentially making it all that harder for you to land a winning combination. In most cases, keeping things simple will benefit your enjoyment of the game, and that’s precisely what we’re after.

18. CHECK OUT NEW VIDEO SLOTS

Casinos of the calibre of HotSlots are very careful when it comes to adding new slots to their game portfolio. Each and every new entry must be deemed excellent and on par with the rest of the casino’s slots.

Seeing as royalty fees are rarely cheap, choosing the right slot machine that players will frequently play becomes the number one priority for a casino. With that in mind, some casinos might offer better payout percentages, slot machine odds or even exclusive bonuses on their new slots. In fact, the best slot machine odds can sometimes be found on the newest entries to the casino’s portfolio.

If you want to keep an eye out for the newest slots to hit the market, you could either visit one of the many slot news websites out there, or you could subscribe to the ‘Promotions’ page of your preferred casino.

19. DON’T BE TOO IMPRESSED BY THE CONCEPT OF PENNY SLOTS

In case you’re unfamiliar with the concept of a penny slot machine, the phrase refers to slots that are said to be playable with as little as one cent (or penny) per spin. In actuality, this is very rarely the case.

Most penny slots force players to bet on a specific number of paylines. For instance, a penny slot can force a player to bet on a minimum of 20 paylines, which would place the minimum bet at €0.20 — a far cry from the €0.01 per bet that the idea of penny slot machines alludes to.

If you start playing such slots without knowing this crucial piece of information, you will start wondering where all your gambling budget went.

20. TRY PROGRESSIVE JACKPOTS

Progressive slots are a very worthy contender to the rest of the slots out there — the reason for that is their potential to deliver a very significant payout to one lucky player.

When it comes to progressive slots, there isn’t a fixed amount to be won; rather, the jackpot prize will increase the more players hit the spin button (hence the name ‘progressive jackpot’). What this means is that the progressive jackpot will keep inflating in size until a lucky player hits the big win. After that, the progressive jackpot will be reset to a predetermined amount.

As you can imagine, progressive jackpots are in no short supply. These kinds of slots are extremely popular within the gaming community, so you won’t have a hard time finding one at most casinos. Should you want to view some of the best progressive slots in circulation, head toHotSlots’s game portfolio.

21. AVOID GETTING ATTACHED TO A PARTICULAR SLOT

Playing the same few slot machines is something that everyone is most likely guilty of, especially if we think that a particular slot is more enjoyable than the rest. Although there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, do know that there are many other casino games worth playing.

When playing the same slot over and over again, the entertainment factor will inevitably decline. To a more preoccupying extent, burnout could also be on the horizon if a player sticks to the same slot for too long.

Should you ever be feeling tired of playing slots, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to either take a break from gaming, or perhaps try some other games — including table games or Live casino releases.

Live casinos offer a completely new dimension to online gaming. The featuring of a live dealer to conduct the game is a very innovative creation that has been put to good use by several live casino game providers — including Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play and BetGames.

22. HAVE A LOOK AT THE GAME PROVIDER’S HISTORY

On the topic of game providers, it is always a good idea to research the game provider and its past releases before taking any of its slots for a spin.

The most popular providers have a long list of spectacular slot games backing up their esteem within the gaming industry, whereas lesser-known providers tend to be lesser-known for a valid reason.

Having said that, there definitely are up-and-coming providers that are more than capable of releasing a good slot. It is possible to win at slots even if they have been developed by a smaller game provider, after all.

In general, we recommend sticking with the big names of the industry, since they tend to have a fully certified track record of releasing some of the best chart-toppers of our time.

23. AVOID SHADY ONLINE CASINOS

Casinos that claim to offer the best slot machine odds and guaranteed ways to win at slots can always be dismissed as scams. The chances are that such a casino is offering slot machines rigged to make you lose as much money as possible.

When browsing for casinos to play at, the licences — if any — that the casino holds. Licences from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) or Curacao are three of the most esteemed gaming authorities out there, which usually means that they are safe and legitimate.

PLAY SLOTS ONLINE AT HOTSLOTS!

One of the most useful slot tips you can find on the internet is to check out the online slots on offer at HotSlots. After all, where better to put your slot machine strategy to good use than at the best casino on the web?

At HotSlots, you can play online slots of the highest quality in the industry. You can find over 3,000 different slot machines, including branded slots, Megaways™ games and jackpot slots. We’ll also make sure that you’ll be the first in line to try each and every exciting game in the pipeline, so check out our portfolio periodically if you’re on the hunt for some fiery spins on new slots.

If you’re looking to shift gears and try other games, we’ve got you covered. Whenever you’re tired of the same old spins, head to our portfolio to explore hundreds of table games and Live Casino games. You’ll find classics like live roulette, live blackjack, live baccarat and live poker games, on top of all-new variants with unique side bets and extraordinary rewards.

Want more out of live gaming without having to switch casinos? Have a look at our live game shows, where you can enjoy dynamic gameplay with explosive spins and minigames. We’ve partnered up with some industry giants to bring you many top-notch live shows, such as Crazy Time and Monopoly Live, both of which are well worth a try!

If you’re interested in claiming a good bonus offer prior to playing, how about checking out our ‘Promotions’ page? We’ve got many bonuses worth checking out, including a generous Welcome Bonus to get things rolling as well as the occasional Free Spins Bonus. Do note that the availability of the Welcome Bonus, as well as any other casino bonus, is subject to the player’s jurisdiction — the rewards might vary as well.

Our minimum deposit is only €10, or currency equivalent, which means that you don’t have to start off big if you’re not comfortable doing so.

We are licensed by Curacao, and we pride ourselves in adhering to the highest Responsible Gaming regulations in the industry. At HotSlots, you are guaranteed a very safe and reliable game experience.