Is there really such a thing as an online slot strategy that can guarantee a profit?
Short answer…no. Never has been, never will be.
To be frank, if anyone ever tells you they’ve come across a sure-fire strategy for any casino game, feel free to laugh heartily and walk away. If there was a way of ‘breaking’ any casino game whatsoever, it would immediately be withdrawn from every casino worldwide. After all, why would any casino take the risk of a game that ultimately gave the player the edge?
It’s not rocket science – the house always wins. With the odds tipped in their favour, it’s only a matter of time before the house comes out on top…period.
Still, this doesn’t mean you can’t be strategic when it comes to the way you approach online slot gaming. Rely on strategies to win and it just isn’t going to happen. By contrast, rely on strategies to avoid losing and maximise your bankroll and you could be onto something.
So with newcomers to online slots in mind, what follows is a brief rundown of eight helpful tips from the experts on how to get the most out of your money:
- Take advantage of no deposit bonus offers
First up – and at the risk of getting in trouble with a few online casino brands – it’s worth noting that the vast majority of bonus offers these days are bogus. Sad, but true nonetheless. The reason being that unless a casino is handing out a maximum of say £10, you’ll be looking at the kinds of OTT wagering requirements that render the bonus funds useless. Worst of all, you’ll typically find your initial deposit also becoming inaccessible withdrawal-wise. As such, it simply makes sense to focus more on no deposit bonus offers. Even if the terms and conditions are quite extraordinary, at least you won’t be putting any of your own money on the line. Always read the T&Cs carefully however, before accepting any bonuses – generous or otherwise.
- Focus on the casino, not the slot
Try to remember that if you find an online slot you like, it’s probably available via about a thousand different casinos. Each of which will probably have its own unique take on things like customer service, withdrawal policies, wagering requirements, loyalty programs and so on. So rather than focusing exclusively on the slot, it’s a good idea to focus on the casino instead. Carry out a little research and ensure it is a casino you can trust.
- Opt for ‘loose’ slots
Just to clarify one important point – there’s no such thing as a ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ slot. Every single spin is a unique event, meaning that irrespective of how long it has been since a slot paid out, the odds reset to zero after every spin. That said, some slots can definitely be considered more or less ‘loose’ than others. In this instance, we’re talking about volatility. Low-volatility slots pay out on a more regular basis, though in much smaller amounts. By contrast, high-volatility slots don’t pay out very often at all, though tend to be far more generous when they do. As a newcomer, it’s a good idea to stick with low-volatility slots if looking to make your bankroll go as far as possible.
- Set time limits
Trust us when we say that losing track of time when enjoying an online slots session is terrifyingly easy! Use it out with the intention of killing half an hour or so, only to go and blow an entire afternoon. And in doing so, far more money than you expected. One of the number one rules when it comes to gambling at all levels is to set yourself some kind of time limitation. When the alarm sounds, walk away – irrespective of what may be happening at the time.
- Study the pay tables
There will be certain instances while playing online slots where you have the choice to collect your winnings or continue spinning. The problem being that unless you are familiar with the mechanics of the pay table, you could make a fatal error at any time. Of course, memorising pay tables in their entirety isn’t a feasible approach. Nevertheless, it’s worth at least familiarising yourself with the way the whole thing works, just in case you strike it lucky.
- Enter a tournament
Why would you want to enter an online slot tournament as a newcomer? What’s the sense pitting yourself against hundreds or even thousands of more experienced players? The short answer – there’s no skill or strategy involved whatsoever with pretty much any online slot tournament. Instead, it’s all a case of pure chance determining the outcome. Online slots are great for newcomers as they not only provide the opportunity to win generous prizes, but can also massively extend your gaming budget. Once you pay the entry fee, you’re in ‘til you’re out!
- Always check RTP rates
RTP stands for Return To Player, which is basically the percentage of the money taken that’s returned to the customer. In a working example, an online slot with an RTP of 95% would pay out £95 in prizes for every £100 taken. At the opposite end of the scale, an RTP of 60% would mean just £60 paid out for the same £100. Needless to say, no prizes for guessing which of the two represents a better slot to stick with. The higher the RTP rate, the better!
- Practice for free
Last but not least, don’t forget that the overwhelming majority of online casinos these days allow their customers to try out pretty much every game on offer for free. Admittedly, playing with no money on the line eliminates the prospect of winning anything, diluting the experience in the process. Nevertheless, if you genuinely have no idea what you’re doing, practicing for free can be a great way of ensuring you don’t make any catastrophic errors further down the line.