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Is it possible to learn how to win at slots? And if slot machines are truly random, can strategy really make a difference?
In this guide, our casino experts answer those questions and more. You’ll find practical tips and proven strategies to help you play smarter, manage your bankroll, and get the most out of your slot experience – whether you’re aiming for a big win or just spinning for fun.
How Do Slot Machines Work? Understanding RNG & Payouts
Anyone who claims they know how to win on slots at a casino by predicting the outcome is probably trying to scam you. Slot machines use a Random Number Generator to determine the outcomes of spins.
This RNG mechanism is there to ensure fairness, and it is constantly working in the background. When you hit that spin button, you tell the RNG algorithm to stop and display the symbol combination that corresponds to numbers that are generated in the background.
Even though it looks as if reels are spinning, the outcome is determined the moment you press that spin button. Each slot game has certain unique characteristics, like payout frequency, volatility (how often you get a payout), and return to player (RTP) percentage, that manages its payout levels. These features and random number generators determine the size and likelihood of payouts, allowing you to estimate the expected bankroll returns and adjust your gaming strategy.
Best Online Slots Winning Strategies
As stated earlier, slot success will follow if you place yourself where it’s most likely to happen. This means you must pick the right games and manage your bankroll appropriately. Here are our five best tips on how to play and win on slot machines.
How to Win at Progressive Jackpot Slots
Progressive jackpot slots allow you to claim major rewards by simply playing and placing regular bets at standard gambling sites and even crypto-focused slot platforms, like Ethereum slot casinos, for example. These are the most lucrative games, often linked across multiple games or online casinos, paying out millions in rewards, crypto and fiat alike.
A portion of each bet goes to the prize pot, called the jackpot. The more players contribute to the jackpot pool, the higher the maximum win. You win a progressive jackpot by either triggering the special round or if it drops randomly.
Here are a few tips to help you increase your winning chances:
- Make sure you understand the progressive jackpot terms and conditions
- Pick a game that has accumulated a massive jackpot
- Use the smallest bet possible if the jackpot drops randomly to get as many spins as possible
- Know when to take a break from playing
Do Higher Bets Improve Your Odds?
Though making higher bets can help you score more significant wins, larger wagers don’t increase the odds of winning. Below are the top three betting strategies that can help you minimize risks and maximize your returns.
Flat Betting
Considered the simplest and most effective betting strategy, flat bets help you stay in control of your spending by placing wagers at even money. Flat betting helps you avoid losing the entire pot or quickly bleeding your budget dry. You stay in the game for longer, keeping the risk of losses to a minimum.
Progressive Betting
Progressive wagering is a betting system where you progressively increase/decrease stakes when you win/lose. In theory, you should either increase or decrease the bet amount by 5%, depending on whether you lost or won. But in practice, you’ll just use the following higher or lower denomination.
For a strategy to be effective, pick a game that allows you to adjust the level (number of coins per paylines) and coin value. This gives you more flexibility when deciding how much you want to bet.
Max Bet
In slot gaming, the Max Bet button is a feature that allows you to make a maximum wager and maximize your potential rewards automatically. You can use this feature assuming the game itself has a low maximum bet, e.g., $10.
Myths About Winning at Slots
As the most popular games across both land-based and online casinos, slots are full of myth. Here are the top five most common myths about winning:
- Slot games are due to hit if there hasn’t been a payout for a while
- You can make the odds work in your favor by increasing your bets
- Slot games hit better if you play at certain times of day
- Casino operators rig progressive jackpot slots to make you lose more
- There are tricks to force a win by triggering the RNG
Are Online Slots Better than Casino Slots?
Online slots have become incredibly popular – but are they actually better than the slot machines you’d find in a traditional casino? Which type offers better odds, more variety, or a more enjoyable experience?
Here are the pros and cons of one versus the other.
| Category | Land-Based Slots | Online Slots |
|---|---|---|
| Odds & RTP | Typically lower RTP (Return to Player), often around 85% – 90%. | Higher RTP on average, often 95% or more |
| Jackpots | Access to stand-alone progressive jackpots; some machines have decent odds | Offers massive progressive jackpots that pool across multiple casinos |
| Game Variety | Limited to the physical machines available in the casino | Thousands of slots with different themes, features, and mechanics |
| Free Play Option | No option to try slots for free – you have to pay to play | Most online casinos let you test games with demo money |
| Social Interaction | Offers a real-life casino atmosphere with social interaction and excitement | Lacks the social vibe, though some platforms offer chat rooms or tournaments |
| Convenience | Requires travel, planning, and being physically present | Can be played anytime, anywhere – on desktop or mobile. |
| Bonuses & Rewards | Physical casinos might offer comps (drinks, rooms) but fewer slot-specific bonuses | Online casinos offer generous welcome bonuses, loyalty rewards, and promotions |
Are Online Slots Rigged or a Scam?
Online slots are not rigged. These games are controlled by verified random number generators to ensure results are as unpredictable as possible. It is the same for all casino games, whether it’s table games or live casino games.
Additionally, online slot operators must be licensed to produce casino games. As part of this licensing, they must prove that their products are fair and free of any manipulation. Furthermore, regular audits are conducted by third parties to ensure RNGs are working as they should.
Can You Win at Slots Every Time?
Of course, you cannot win at slots every time. We have already established that slot machines are games of chance controlled by random number generators to ensure that outcomes aren’t predictable. That said, by following the ‘How to win at online slots’ tips and strategies available on this page, you can play optimally and give yourself the best chance of success.
Many big winners have been recorded at US offshore casinos, some of which we have highlighted below. Maybe you are the next big success story.
How to Choose the Right Slot Machine
While choosing the highest-paying slot machine is not exactly rocket science, it takes some skill and knowledge to get there, and the tips below will help you accomplish that goal.
What is RTP & Why It Matters
RTP stands for return to player percentage- a rate that shows how much a particular slot game returns to players over time. To clarify, if you play high RTP online slots, you aren’t guaranteed to win big; you are just less likely to lose. So, if you want to take a safer route, higher RTP titles are a way to go.
Low vs. High Volatility Slots
Aside from RTP, slot machines come with different volatility levels. They help you calculate your chances of winning by predicting when a win will occur. Low-volatility slots ensure frequent but smaller rewards. High-volatility machines may offer larger payouts but less frequently. Determine your budget to ascertain which type suits you best.
How to Identify Loose Slot Machines
There is a theory on how to win on slots at a casino floating around that has to do with loose machines. These are arcades that offer higher payouts than the average and are strategically positioned across specific casino areas. So, avoid the main slot areas, especially those next to ticket lines and gaming tables. If you can’t locate one, ask an employee to show you where the “hot” slots are.
Online Slots With the Best Odds for Winning
While slot machines are games of chance, some offer better payouts and features than others. We’ve rounded up the best-paying online slots known for their generous return-to-player (RTP) rates, bonus rounds, and jackpot potential. Check out the top picks below and see which ones are worth spinning.
| Slot | Min Stake | Max Stake | No. of Reels | RTP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Joker | $1 | $10 | 3 | 99% |
| Bloodsuckers | $0.25 | $50 | 5 | 98% |
| Starmania | $0.10 | $500 | 5 | 97.87% |
| White Rabbit Megaways | $0.10 | $20 | 5 | 97.77% |
| Big Bad Wolf | $0.25 | $125 | 5 | 97.34% |
| Apollo God of the Sun | $0.20 | $200 | 5 | 97.17% |
| Gorilla Go Wilder | $0.30 | $150 | 5 | 97.04% |
| Reel Rush | $0.50 | $100 | 5 | 96.96% |
| Quick Hit Ultra Pays Eagle’s Peak | $0.20 | $10 | 6 | 96.89% |
| Dead or Alive 2 | $0.09 | $9 | 5 | 96.82% |
How to Win at Slots – FAQs
Does betting higher when playing slots increase my chances of winning?
Do online slots pay more than land-based slots?
What triggers a jackpot on a slot machine to payout?
Can you predict when a slot machine will hit?
Responsible Gambling
When thinking about how to win at slots, it’s important to keep responsible gambling in mind. The internet is awash with slots tips and tricks that promise sure wins if you follow what they say.
There are no sure wins or guaranteed slots strategies: protect yourself and only gamble with money you are comfortable losing.
