Learn how to get the most out of online slot machines
Whether you're an experienced gambler or a total newcomer, it's a good idea to be clued up on how you can maximize your time playing slots. Our team has years of experience in the industry, which is why we've been able to put together this list of top tips for the best slot gaming experience. They will point you in the right direction and get you up and running in no time. All you need to do is pick your favorite casino and start loading your bankroll.
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PLAY NOWThere are thousands of online slots available in 2024. Some offer simple thrills and lots of regular wins, while others are more volatile and are better suited to high rollers. It's all down to personal preference.
It's important to pick a theme first: sports, fantasy, realistic, cartoon-like and more. Then you need to make sure you're going to like the slot title, which is why we suggest getting a feel for the gameplay with a free play option. Once you're used to sizing bets, picking paylines, and understanding bonus rounds, you should then make your first deposit.
Every slot has a paytable included. This is a handy list of symbol payouts and bonus descriptions. Here, players can find the various jackpots, how the paylines are designed, and how the free spins are triggered. By analyzing paytable prizes, you'll also get a feel for whether a slot is a good or bad payer.
Many paytables also list the 'RTP'. This is the return to player percentage. It's the theoretical return made to players over the long term. Some slots have a higher RTP than others, and obviously you want to hunt out the best ones around.
A slots paytable lists all possible payouts, and the layout of the game's paylines. In the paytable you can also read how a bonus works, and how it can be triggered.
Paytables are great for finding out the variance, or volatility, of a slot game. Lots of high jackpots might mean the slot pays out rarely. Plenty of low prizes marks out a game that pays out frequently.
All casinos offer online slots. Some offer more than others, and some will deal exclusively with one software provider. Some casinos have well-stocked mobile clients that feature the same number of slots as the online version. Your choice will come down to what you prefer, but it's important that you pick a reputable casino.
If you're a keen slots player, choosing the right casino is essential. Always play at a legitimate site with a good reputation, like the ones in our recommended list, and look out for licenses, SSL certificates and RNGs (random number generators) in place.
Most casinos offer a welcome bonus. These are reserved exclusively for new players who join. It's a good idea to check out the different bonuses being offered by casinos to make sure you get the best possible deal.
When you see a casino offering a huge sum of cash it can often be too good to be true. Each bonus comes with its own set of wagering requirements, where you will need to play through a certain amount of money before you can cashout, and often with very large bonuses this can be very high. That's why it's important to look at the whole package, plus and terms and conditions before you get stuck in. If you were to look through all the different bonuses, though, that would take forever. Why not save time and look through our page on the best bonuses instead?
Some welcome bonuses offer free spins when you deposit and play on a selection of popular slots. The player will usually have to wager any free spins winnings 10-20 times on the casino site to get them released.
Good casinos offer regular bonus spins on big name slots throughout the year. These might be to celebrate new releases or a big seasonal promotion. Bonus spins work in the same way as welcome bonus free spins: any winnings are gambled through the site again to get them released. It's always best to keep your eye on a casino's promotions page to make sure you never miss out.
Each online slot has a different set of payouts. But the layout of the symbols means some slots are more generous than others.
Less volatile slots pay out small prizes often but might be lacking in big jackpots. High volatility slots work the other way: players may get nothing for a lot of spins, then suddenly trigger a large bonus. Working out volatility can be tricky, and usually comes down to practice. The more you play, the more you'll get to grips with it and work out what type of slot games you enjoy playing the most.
Good bankroll management is something that every gambler needs to have. It doesn't matter if you're a beginner a high roller with years of experience, it's the best way to stop you betting beyond your means and will stop you over spending.
It may not be the most exciting part of online gambling, but it sure is important. It doesn't take long to organize and once you've decided how much you want to set aside for gambling each month you'll be able to enjoy it 100% responsibly.
Whatever your stakes, free play games are invaluable for gamblers. They give players the chance to test out gameplay or a bonus feature first. Free play is also good for working out if a slot is too volatile or not, before having to use your bankroll.
Most casinos offer free play slots. In some cases, you can even test out some games without registering an account first. Remember, you can't win any real money with free play games, but the mechanics of an online slot work the same way.
Progressive jackpot slots have special prizes that can be triggered at random or by playing a bonus game. They are sometimes reserved for players betting the maximum stakes. However, this isn't always the case and many jackpots can be won even at penny stakes.
Most of the time, the more you bet, the more chances you'll have in winning the lottery and triggering the jackpot. It's good to take a shot, as progressives tend to rise faster when they go unclaimed. So long as you're playing at a reputable casino you can be sure they're going to pay out.
All slots players will have a losing streak. The key is in knowing how to handle it. By their nature, slots make players lose money over the long term. The question is: when do you stop?
Consider banking all your winnings regularly and put in place a 'stop loss' or 'stop win' limit. If you manage to lose a bankroll, start at the low stakes games and build your budget back up again. It's important to take a step back when you need to.
Online gambling should be fun and safe. But if you're losing more than you can afford, you need to get help. All reputable casinos promote responsible gambling, and most let you self-exclude. You can opt to be excluded for a day, a week, or a year. You can also impose limits on what you deposit and gamble with.
You'll find decent links to responsible gambling charities on the casino page. Regulated casinos are obliged to provide you with up-to-date links and helpline numbers too. If you'd like to know more about the signs of being addicted to gambling or how to get help, visit our problem gambling page here. The most important thing is to know your limits and enjoy yourself!
