How to Pick a Winning Slot Machine and Win (Almost) Every Time!
In this article I am going to show you how to win at slots. I will start from a series of practical tips on how to choose a winning slot machine to then move onto the loosest slots you should play online.
It’s not going to be super-easy (winning at slots never is!) but I promise it’s going to be fun.
So, are you ready to learn how to win at slots?
Let’s get to it.
If you play slots for fun, there are no rules to follow. If you want to win at online slots in freeplay or demo mode, simply choose any slot machine game that suits your taste and play, play, play.
It’s a more tricky choice to make if you want to win real money at slots when you play online. A lot. If that is the case, then read this article and you’ll find out how to pick a winning slot machine!
1. Choose Winning Slots with the Highest Payouts
This might seem an obvious point for some, but it’s also one of the most common mistakes beginners make when they go online to win money at slots…to then realise they don’t even know from where to begin.
If you want to know how to win at slots, you need a machine that pays out more than the other ones. And the Return to player (RTP) percentage is here to help you out.
The RTP is a percentage of all the wagered money that a slot pays back to its players.
It doesn't mean that it's how much money you’ll get back.
You can win a lot more. But that means other players are, have been, and will be less lucky than you on that particular slot game.
Also, you can have your downs while someone else is having ups.
Where to Find RTP
The quickest option is to search for it online.
Google it. Bing or Yandex it. Whichever search engine you prefer.
Many websites that are reviewing casino games let you know RTP percentage of particular slots.
If you are the shortcuts kind of player - you can use our slots reviews here on PokerNews.. Need any examples? Go check out the RPT of the following slots games:
Another more trustworthy option is checking the slot itself. The RTP number is bound to be mentioned somewhere. Usually in the settings or ‘help’ section of a particular slot machine.
So, how to pick a winning slot machine?
The RTP usually varies between 92-97 percent.
Pro tip to win cash at slots: choosing the online slot machine game with an RTP of 96 percent or above is always a good option.
High RTP Slot to Try: Devil’s Delight
Devil’s Delight is a slot by NetEnt that’s set in the underworld.
It features everything you’d associate with hell. Devils, soul reapers, graves, number 666, pitchforks, skeletons, fires - anything missing?
The slot also features separate Soul Reaper Bonus Game. There you can guess the sins of the characters you can see on your screen. You’ll get their souls and bonus points in exchange!
This loose video slot has five reels and 20 paylines. And despite the sinful name, Devil’s Delight is generous – RTP in this game reaches 97,6 percent!
Play Devil’s Delight now for free or for real money.
2. Determine the Volatility of Slots
Another important factor to know when you try to pick a winning slot machine is volatility.
Oftentimes, you can find this referred to as variance - and you can also call it a risk level if you like.
The volatility of a slot machine game measures the risk involved in playing a particular slot for the real money. And it determines how you win at slots.
If a slot has low volatility, it means the wins are more frequent. But they’re smaller, too.
High volatility slots have rarer wins, but they are bigger.
You choose which one you prefer. If you’re not patient enough to risk your money and to wait for the big wins, low volatility slots may be a better option.
The high volatility slots are a bit riskier. You never know how much time and money you need to invest to hit that lucky spin and win money on slots.
But when you do…
How to Figure Out the Volatility of a Slot Machine Game
Again, you can search for it. But this factor is a lot less often publicized by the providers, thus, also less often found by reviewers.
But you can try the slot and figure it out yourself.
It’s simple and the results are accurate.
If you play the slot long enough, you can see how often and what kind of winnings you get.
If it’s a rare success but a big one – the slot has a high volatility. If you win often but not much – the volatility is low.
Free spins bonuses are a good way to test slots and figure out their volatility.
It’s risk-free and results can teach you how to win at slots in a long run.
Want to see what I am talking about? Activate this bonus and you’ll be playing slots with 50 free spins (or more *wink*) in NO time.
High Volatility Slot to Try: King of Atlantis
King of Atlantis is a high volatility slot by IGT. It has five reels and 40 paylines.
The slot promises an adventure in the underworld.
The symbols include seashells, gold rings, gem-encrusted crowns, mermaids, dolphins, and the almighty god of the sea – Poseidon.
As the slot is a high volatility one, it doesn’t have many bonus games or features. Though, seeing a trident next to the Poseidon will trigger a bonus of eight free spins.
Play King of Atlantis and join the underwater adventure!
Low Volatility Slot to Try: Hotline
Hotline is a new slot from NetEnt.
It takes you back to the 80s and makes you a detective in a way. Because in the Hotline you are helping two detectives to catch a jewelry thief.
The slot has all the classic features the guys at NetEnt love so much. Wilds, Expanding Wilds, Re-Spins, Free Spins - you name it. Also, there is a special bonus bet where you can choose one, two, or all three reels. It increases your chances for Expanding Wilds.
As the slot is a low volatility one, wins are more frequent, so you can enjoy the game and relax.
Try Hotline Now at this online Casino.
3. Don’t Go with the Obvious Option
No matter how awesome an online casino is. After all, they still want your money.
Regulations and licenses keep casinos legal and reliable. But there are more factors to keep in mind if you really want to know how to pick a winning slot machine.
And like the payout and volatility, some things are not easy to find.
Because if it was – a lot more players would know how to beat slot machines. And a lot fewer players would play (and loose) on some less generous slots.
For the same reason, you ALWAYS need to look for something that’s not simple to find.
Including slots.
If the slot is on the front page, has separate banners, and the same game is being pushed to your face at all costs ... it might be a sign the payout of this slot is not in your favor.
Dig deeper. Look up the slots that are not being broadly promoted.
Check the ones hidden on the second or the third page of the casino. They might be paying a lot more and help you win a lot more cash.
And the place a casino puts a slot in doesn’t determine that a certain slot will be less exciting. If It was, it wouldn’t be at the casino at all.
The Slot (Not) on the Spotlight: Himalayas: Roof of the World
How did I find this slot? I scrolled down to the bottom of the slots page at one of my favorite casino rooms. And I opened the slot I had never seen before.
Considering the fact that I review games daily, that rarely happens.
Himalayas: Roof of the World has a provider which is not very 'spotlight-ish' – Barcrest.
Even being a very new slot – released at the end of May 2018 - it was hidden between all the other less advertised slots.
Why? Maybe because it has good odds. The RTP is 97,75 percent, which is high compared to some other games. And the volatility is medium.
This five-reel, 10-row, and 100-betline slot has bonus games, free spins, a multiplier, and wilds.
Nothing is missing to make this slot a hit. But it's not good for casinos to do so.
Play Himalayas Roof of the World here.
4. Make Higher Bets
Why would a slot machine award you with a badass jackpot if all you betted was $0.1?
It wouldn’t.
Even if a jackpot hits you, your wager amount might be the main reason why you can’t cash your winnings out.
Your bet can determine how to win at slots.
Slot machine payouts are proportional to what you wager in the game. If it’s not much, you will have a peace of mind but don’t expect huge wins.
Meanwhile, betting more can destroy your bankroll faster but it also helps to win more.
That’s why higher denomination slots are also riskier but work the same way – they have higher paying.
You should keep in mind this especially if you love playing slots with progressive jackpots. On many occasions, the max bet is needed to have a possibility to win the jackpot.
Yes, this advice adds more risk to the game.
But the risk is always an important factor in gambling. And you decide how risky you want to play yourself. Don’t blame the outcomes after.
Slot to Try with Bigger Bets: Space Wars
Space Wars is a slot by NetEnt and its bet sizes vary from coin value of 0.01 to 0.5. If you play for real money, it equals €0.4 to €20.
As the game doesn’t have a progressive jackpot, there's no need to bet max every time you spin. Start with smaller bets and go up. You’ll see the difference in payouts.
This video slot is fast-paced and has five reels, four rows, and 40 paylines. The RTP is not bad either – 96,8 percent. Plus, it features cute space monsters!
Get to know this extra-terrestrial species now – play Space Wars.
5. Trust Other Players
I wouldn’t tell you to trust other players when you play poker. But it comes in handy when playing slots.
If a slot pays like a sh*t, the players will call it out. Fast.
That’s why you should always check the reviews and ratings. Read comments by other players. Ask for advice on Facebook groups for all it matters. Take advantage of your internet connection before the casino takes advantage of you.
Players Love This Slot: Gonzo’s Quest
This didn’t come as a surprise, did it?
Released in 2010, Gonzo’s Quest still didn’t let go of its place as one of the top slot machines online. That’s quite an achievement, I’d say.
The slot has five reels, 20 paylines, and features an adventurer Gonzo looking for a fictional lost city of gold.
Players love this little guy and follow his adventures. The slot is rated high by players, casinos, and casino critics alike.
Plus, did you know that NetEnt is planning to release a virtual reality version of Gonzo’s Quest? That will be the event of the year!
But for now, play Gonzo’s Quest in its original setting.
6. Avoid Branded Slots
This might seem misleading. Branded slots are awesome. They feature our favorite bands, movies, TV series, or shows. Plus, the bets are high. Payouts should be too, right?
Wrong.
Branded slots are here to attract you with their names.
Remember the point about not going for the obvious choice? If you are a huge Game of Thrones fan, how likely is it that you would go straight for the Game of Thrones slot when you see it on the list?
Very likely.
You don’t need to be a psychologist, marketer, or casino operator to realize that. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a hardcore gambler to know how to pick a winning slot machine either. That’s what this article is for!
Developers with slots that feature some popular brands paid a pretty penny to use the name. So, they won’t let you go low with the bets. And it won't be the easiest way to win a lot.
While the casino and the developer have invested a lot in the name, you are the one who can make it worth the investment. Or not.
Slot to Try Instead of the Branded Ones: Pamplona
What's so attractive about branded slots? Well-known name for starters. And the story behind the game. Characters we all know and love. But you can have all that in a non-branded slot, too.
Take Pamplona slot, for example.
This IGT slot is all about Spain, bulls, and matadors. A unique tradition turned into an exciting slot game. In a way, it is a 'brand' because Pamplona’s running of the bulls’ festival is known worldwide. And it's more known than some actual brands, to be honest.
But to use this theme, developers didn’t have to pay as they do for the brands. Thus, the payouts are way better.
The slot has five reels and 1024 paylines. Matador symbol acts as a Wild and Bull is a Scatter. Three scatters can trigger the El Toro Bonus where you can choose your option of Free Spins.
Play this slot and run the bulls in Pamplona!
7. Take Advantage of Free Spins
How to win at slots with free spins when there are hundreds of hidden terms and conditionsfor withdrawals?
Wagering requirements definitely took the fun out of playing slots with free spins. No arguing there. But there are still free spins bonuses that can be worth your while.
Like Power Spins casino.
First, free spins there have no strings attached to them.
Second, you can bet as much as you want.
Third, you can win as much as your luck lets you.
Last but not least, to withdraw your earned cash, you don’t need to stoop low and give in to the wagering requirements.Because there are none.
You learn how to win at slots and you can keep all that you win without betting it any more.
So, how to get 50 free spins?
The smallest deposit amount is £10, thus you are bound to get at least 10 free spins. The max number of spins you can get is 50. So, take a full advantage of this offer by depositing £50.
And if you like what you see, you’ll get more free spins soon enough. Every deposit at Power Spins casino rewards you with free spins!
Slot to Play with Free Spins: Pyramid Quest For Immortality
From Pamplona to Egypt. You can travel the world with slots. But not every day you can do so with free spins!
Pyramid: Quest for Immortality slot has five reels and 720 paylines, and it will take you to ancient Egypt. Pharaohs, Gods, pyramids – all yours for exploring.
This slot has an RTP of 96.4 percent and will introduce you to a mythical world of ancient civilizations. Not every day you get such opportunity.
Use your free spins to play Pyramid Quest for Immortality!
So, how to beat slot machines?
You don’t really beat them. Unless you get pissed and kick or hit them physically. But I wouldn’t recommend that.
To make your odds better, choose the slots that have high payouts, volatility of your choice, good reviews, and offer a decent bonus. It might not help you learn how to beat slot machines, but it helps to win more at slots.