How to Win at Online Slots: Tips to Maximise Your Chances of Winning

How Do Slot Machines Work?

Playing online slots is effortless. All you have to do is place a bet, spin the reels, and hope for the best. But there are a few technical aspects you should know before you start playing at the best online casinos, such as RTP, RNG, and volatility. Learn more below:

What Is RTP?

RTP is an acronym for “Return to Player”. Every slot has an RTP value that’s expressed as a percentage. It represents how much a slot is expected to pay back to players during its lifetime.

As an example, imagine a slot with a high RTP percentage of 97.50% RTP. If it collects £1 billion in bets during its lifetime, it should pay £975 million back to players. It’s worth noting the percentage is calculated through billions of spins, making it impossible to predict the results after a single gambling session.

What Is the RNG?

RNG is an acronym that stands for “Random Number Generator”. It’s a mathematical algorithm that relies on complex calculations to ensure every game is truly random. This helps prove the results aren’t manipulated and that the slot is fair. Third-party organisations regularly audit the RNG of slots.

How Does Slot Volatility Work?

The volatility is the correlation between the winning size and frequency. It usually comes in three levels – low, medium, or high. Some providers even allow players to choose which volatility level they’d like in slots titles. 

Low volatility slots have regular yet smaller payouts, while medium volatility slots have a balance between size and frequency. Lastly, high-volatility slots are known for having rare yet considerable payouts.

What Do Slot Symbols Mean?

The slot symbols are the actual pictures on the reels and they all have different payouts depending on how many you match. For example in classic slot titles, the symbols could be various fruits and bars. Your payout is determined by how many of the symbols you match and how much they are worth. There are also special symbols such as Wilds and Scatters and the latter is the one you usually have to hit to trigger free spins or a bonus game. 

In a game’s paytable, you can see all the symbols in the game and how much they pay out depending on how many you land on an active payline. 

Here are some of the other common features you will find in only slots: 

Multipliers

As the name implies, multipliers… Well, they multiply. But what exactly? That depends on the game you’re playing. Some slots have rounds where all wins are automatically multiplied, while other games have special symbols that can multiply winning combinations or cash prizes. For example if you hit a win with a 2x multiplier it means your win is doubled. 

Wilds

Wilds are a special symbol that substitutes all the other characters, with a few exceptions, such as Scatters or bonus symbols. For instance, if you have a payline with two identical symbols and a Wild, you’ll still win like you had three matching symbols. 

Wild symbols are often paired with other features, such as multipliers. They can also have their own mechanics, like Sticky Wilds and Stacked Wilds. In addition, some Wilds can act as Scatters. 

Scatters

Scatters have this name because you don’t need them in the same payline to win. All it takes is a certain number of Scatters on the reels. Scatter symbols are usually connected to free spins and bonus rounds. They can also pay out depending on the number of symbols obtained.

Jackpot

Jackpots are the ultimate prize of online slots. They can be triggered in various ways, such as hold and win games that require obtaining a certain number of symbols, through level-based systems, or randomly on any spin. The biggest jackpot are progressive ones where on each play a certain amount of money will be added to the jackpot. It will continue to increase until a lucky player gets the winning combination. Some progressive jackpots can reach the millions. 

Bonus Rounds

Slots are packed with exciting bonus rounds that can be activated through Scatters. The most popular rounds you’ll encounter are free spins and hold and win games. Bonus rounds can also have additional features, such as special symbols or new game mechanics.A gamble feature can also be a bonus round where after a win you can gamble it to win more. 

Which Gambling Strategy Is Best?

There’s no such thing as the best gambling strategy. This is because strategies have many variables, such as the casino game you’re playing, your budget and your playing style. Still, understanding the different types of strategies can help you make a decision.

Some players prefer a stop-loss strategy, i.e. finish their session once their budget reaches a certain threshold. Other players may enjoy playing with a progressive betting system to protect their bankroll. There is no slots strategy that will increase your chances of winning but there are betting strategies that you can use to protect your bankroll. 

Playing Online Slots Responsibly

Being responsible is the best way to enjoy online slots. There are many ways to be responsible while gambling online, such as controlling your bets, setting deposit limits, or following strict loss limits. Learn how to do this below:

Online Slot Safety Tips

Staying safe while gambling online isn’t hard if you know what to do. I recommend quitting while you’re ahead, allowing you to secure some profits and set another budget for the next gambling session. Also, one of the best safety tips is to only play slots at an online casino that is licensed by a recognised gaming body UK Gambling Commission and Best UKGC Casinos (United Kingdom Gambling Commission). 

Avoiding chasing losses is another way to stay safe at an online casino. This is because chasing losses doesn’t always have the desired effect. In addition, you should only play while it’s fun.

How To Use Deposit Limits

Licensed casinos are required to let players set their limits. A great example are deposit limits, which restrict the amount of money players can add to their accounts. You won’t be able to make another deposit if you exceed your budget.

Setting a deposit limit is straightforward. First, you’ll need to head over to your profile. Then, select the “Deposit Limit" option and create a limit that matches your budget and playing style.

How To Use Loss Limits

Loss limits work the opposite way of deposit limits. Instead of limiting how much you can deposit, you’re restricting how much you can lose. Online casinos let players establish daily, weekly, or monthly. If you exceed your budget, you can only play after the time resets.

FAQ About Winning at Online Slots

Are you looking to win at online slots? Be sure to read the FAQ: