Most people probably assume that winning money from slot machines is based on random chance. If you’re playing at an online casino, conventional wisdom is that you have to be lucky rather than good to win money from slots. However, that’s not necessarily the case. Granted, slots aren’t exactly games of skill compared to poker, blackjack, or other games you might find at a casino. But there are some things you can do to improve your chances of earning a profit while playing online slot games. Here are some things to keep in mind the next time you play online slots.
Pick the Right Game
The best lesson you can learn about slot games before you start to play is that no two games are alike. Each machine offers unique themes, soundtracks, bonus features, and symbols, which is why some are more appealing to players than others. More importantly, every slot game has a Return to Player (RTP) rate. The RTP rate refers to the percentage of funds that get returned to players over an extended period of time. For example, if a game has an RTP of 90%, it means that if you put $100 into the game, you should get $90 back.
Obviously, that amounts to a loss of $10. But keep in mind that the RTP is calculated through millions of spins. There will be times when the RTP is in your favor during a short period. For the slots with a higher RTP, you are more likely to play the game during a favorable stretch for the player and end up ahead. The key is only playing games with a high RTP to increase your chances of winning money from a slot.
Know When to Walk Away
This is typically the first rule of betting no matter the game. Naturally, it’s a good rule when you’re playing slot games.
The longer you play a game, the more likely you will be to end up at the RTP rate. If you’ve turned a profit on a slot with a 90% RTP, you will eventually get back to a point where you’ve returned 90% of your stake. In other words, if you’ve had a little success, once the losses start coming, they’re likely to continue. With slots, you should be happy with any profit, so don’t get greedy thinking that a game that’s been good to you will keep being good to you. Instead, walk away while you’re still ahead of the game.
Practice a Little First
Even with slot games, a little practice doesn’t hurt. Before diving into real-money slot play, consider playing free slots first. Most casinos offer free play or a practice option while many will give players free spins when they sign up, giving them a chance to make money without spending money. Either way, free slots provide some entertainment while also allowing you to familiarize yourself with the game and its unique features. As mentioned, every slot game is a little different, so it’s a good idea to learn more about a particular game before you start playing it for money.
Play With a Budget
No matter what type of betting you’re doing, you should always have a budget. Equally important, you should stick to that budget.
Slot games are usually fun and easy, which sometimes leads to someone playing one for a long time. Regardless of how much time you have to play online slots, know how much you can afford to lose. Don’t continue to play a slot after losing your entire stake with the expectation that one spin can earn it all back. That’s just going to dig a deeper hole, causing you to lose more instead of making a small profit.
Focus on Smaller Jackpots
If you hope to make a little money from online slots, stay away from games that have big jackpots. Those games might be more enticing, but they rarely pay off. Similar to choosing games with high RTP rates, games with smaller jackpots won’t pay as much but will pay more frequently. This will increase your chances of the odds being as favorable as possible and being able to walk away from a slot game as a winner.