Players often make the mistake of thinking that playing slots is all about pure luck. While it is true that luck is an essential part of playing slots success, there are several strategies that can maximize your bankroll and increase your chances of a big win.
First, it is important to understand the type of slot you are playing with, whether it is a simple three-reel or five-reel, a slot machine with progressive jackpot or one of the latest bonus slots, with which certain combinations trigger a bonus spin or some free spins. Despite the fact that every slot may have similar chances of winning, when you look at the casino’s verification reports, the way they play is very different and you need to adjust your game accordingly.
With progressive jackpot slots, the golden rule is certainly always to play the maximum coins. For example, never wager only two credits when the jackpot can only be paid out if three credits are played. Sounds like child’s play? Well believe me, the history of the game is full of players who have said “I only played one credit because I wanted to maximize my bankroll. I never thought I would hit the jackpot ”. Imagine giving up a million dollars just because you are missing an extra coin!
With basic slots, without a progressive jackpot, it is not that essential to play the maximum bet, especially when playing with a limited bankroll, but even then it is better to apply a strategy. If you take a closer look at the pay tables on most slots, you will see that the pay table is loaded in order to give the game an edge with maximum coins.
For example, on a three coin slot you might find that the payout for 2 coins is 20 credits, but the payout for 3 coins is not 30 credits as you would expect, but 40 credits – which after only a few spins it will give you a much higher potential return on your investment.
If your bankroll is tight, a general rule of thumb is that it would be much better to bet on a lower denomination machine, roughly one coin, than a higher denomination machine. Over time, betting the maximum will always give a higher percentage return on your money, rather than just playing a minimum bet.
Over the past few years, a new type of slot has appeared in online casinos – bonus slots, which offer free spins, multipliers, bonus games and even the choice of how many free spins you want and with which multiplier. Bonus slots certainly have great entertainment value, but in terms of strategy they are notoriously unpredictable. A good bonus round can earn you several hundred – even several thousand dollars in a matter of seconds, but at the same time there can be a very long time between winning streaks.
Players often complain that bonus slots drain their bankroll very quickly and this may be true – but like a good win on a bonus round you can earn several hundred times your stake; it is a risky but attractive proposition. A good strategy in bonus slots is to err on the side of caution. Don’t make the mistake of placing medium to large bets in hopes of hitting a large bonus, unless your bankroll can truly afford it – you will need a large bankroll to embark on such a difficult undertaking – and even then you won’t be able to. is no guarantee of success.
Of course, you can hit a bonus round on the first try – but that’s more likely not to happen. One thing I have learned over the years of playing slots online is that there is an inverse relationship between the size of the bet and the generosity of the bonus round. Small-denomination bonus rounds have earned me several wins of thousands of dollars, while large-denomination bonus rounds tend to be worse, guaranteeing very little in the way of wins.
Finally, the most important rule of slots strategy, which applies to all forms of slots play, whether online or in a casino – is to set a clear limit. It’s very easy to get carried away by chasing the progressive jackpot or chasing a bonus round, but good slots players are always aware that luck is fickle. If a car just doesn’t pay, it’s better to change. When a car that has paid well stops paying, it is better to change. Don’t chase your losses by continuing to squeeze a machine you’ve invested heavily in, in the hope that it will pay back your investment. He will not. Trust me, I’ve done this a ton of times in my gaming career.
By sticking to these basic rules, you will minimize your risk and maximize your potential winnings, which is the key to successful gambling – whatever the game.