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How to Improve Your Odds on Online Slot Games

Published March 10, 2022 by OCR Editor

One other reason slots are so popular is that most people think there's no strategy involved in playing slots. Unlike blackjack or craps, all you do on a slot is place a bet and leave it up to the random number generator to see whether or not you're a winner. What could be more simple than that?

But savvy players know that not all slots are created equal, and knowing slots strategy can absolutely improve your chances to win when you finish your session. If you follow these tips, you can absolutely improve your slot odds and give yourself the best chance to leave your slot with some winnings!

Play the Right Slot

When someone says that not all slots are created equal, they really mean it. That's because different slots have different return-to-player (RTP) ratios, which is the average percentage of your wager you'll make back over the course of a typical session. For example, a slot with an RTP of 98.1% means that for every $100 you wager, the machine will give you back about $98.10.

Land-based casinos like in Vegas can be quite stingy because of a lack of competition, but online slots have to offer a good RTP because there are so many options available. For this reason, you should never play an online slot that has an RTP of lower than 95%, because there are simply better online slots available. With some slots offering an RTP of 99% or higher, it really pays to shop around and find the right slot to try. Online slots like Mega Joker and Ooh Ah Dracula both have an RTP of 99%, one of several reasons that they're among the most popular online slots to play.

Budget for the Slot

When you play any kind of slot with a jackpot, it's usually contingent on you playing as many lines as possible. Not only does this give you the highest number of ways to win, but it also means that when you do win, you're playing the lines that allow you to cash in from the slot.

Remember, the RTP ratios assume that you're playing the maximum number of lines each time you press the button to spin your slot reels. If you're leaving a few lines uncovered, you could be depriving yourself of a big win just to save a few cents here and there.

That's why it's a good idea to always budget for the slot you plan to play. Before you sit down to play an online slot, it's good slots strategy to know how many lines you'll need to play in order to be eligible for any bonuses. If your preferred slot requires 25 lines to play, you'll either need to get your budget to that number or play a different game. With so many slots available, you can always find one that fits your budget and makes sure you don't miss out on those bonuses that save your bankroll!

Understand Paytables

One reason that slots can get confusing to new players is that players don't always bother to check what symbols make them a winner and what symbols don't help them. Any good slot will list its paytables, which let you know exactly what you need of each symbol in order to win and how much you'll win on that line.

Paytables also tell you how the betting lines work. Remember, with online slots, you're usually going to have 25 potential winning lines each and every time you place a bet. Looking at the paytables can help you figure out if you should get excited about the first three reels landing in the right spot. When you know what you need to get in order to win, you've taken a big step toward improving your slot odds.

Play What You're Comfortable Playing

Above all, slots should be fun. You might win money and you might not, but you should always have fun playing an online slot and never bet money that you can't afford to lose. A good rule of thumb is that when you sit down to play any kind of slot, you should consider your bankroll for the day to be money that you no longer have. That way, you're less likely to try to chase your losses and find yourself in an even worse position should things go wrong for you.

You should also look for slots that you genuinely consider fun to play. If you do end up losing, you can look at it like you spent a few dollars for an hour or so of entertainment. Having fun should be the expectation with online slots, not trying to cover a second job.

No Foolproof Strategy

Remember, this is gambling, and while slots strategy can help you maximize your chances of success, online slots are still a game with a house edge, which means you are likely to lose money each time that you play. A high RTP can help you recover some of those losses and keep your bankroll in good shape, but that's an average, not a guaranteed number.

That's why the most important part of proper slots strategy is to always gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. As long as you stick to your budget, stick to what you know and research what you don't know, you'll be able to find a lot of fun on some popular internet slots and improve your slot odds!

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