How to Win at Slots

This is the first part in a new series we are running on how you can get the most from your online slots play. We all know the odds are set against you with slot machines, but sometimes you can improve your chance of winning

1 - Choose a Casino with High Payout Rates
One thing that quite a few players do not realize, is that some casinos give you better payouts than others. The rate of your chance of winning on a slot machine is known as the 'payback' rate and anything over 90% is good.

2 - Decide Whether to Max Bet or Not
Some slot machines pay out better when you play max bet. For example, on some 3-reel games, if you hit a line of the top-paying symbols you might win (for example) 1,000 credits if you play 1 credit per line.

But, if you had been playing max credits per line (for example, 3 credits), then the top win might rise to 10,000.

In this type of example, you should play max bet, because if you hit that top winning line, you stand to win a lot more than you would otherwise

With other games, it makes no difference whether you max bet. For example, most video slots pay out the same, no matter how many credits per line you play.

One exception with video slots, is when there is a progressive jackpot. If you play a game like Wizard of Oz, which has a big progressive, you can only win if you play max bet. The max bet is usually $3 or $4 per spin, so you need quite a lot of money to play, but you get much better odds when you max bet.

If you don't have enough to max bet, then I would say it is better to choose a slot with a lower domination that does not have a progressive.

3 - Decide if a Bonus is Good for You (or not)

With online casinos, you will nearly always be offered the chance to take up one of their 'free cash' bonuses.

With a free cash bonus, the casino will match you initial deposit. for example, if you deposit $100, they will give you an extra $100, so you will start your play with a total of $200 (this is a 100% bonus)

Take a look at the latest list of Bonus Offers for Online Slots

Other casinos go further than that - some will offer 200%, 300% or even 400% bonuses. With a 400% bonus, if you deposit $100, you will get $400 extra, meaning that you get to play with $500 in total.

Of course, it's not as simple as that. The casino expects you to actually play with the money, otherwise people would just take the cash and run!

So, with a bonus, you must play through the bonus a certain number of times. Usually, this means you have to play 25x the total (of deposit + bonus) before they will allow you to cash out the winnings.

These bonuses are fantastic to play jackpot games, because you get so much more chance to hit the big jackpot. To win at slots with jackpots, bonuses are a perfect tool to give you the best odds.

However, bonuses might not be so good for the type of player that just wants to hit a $200 win playing slots and cash out straight away, because of the need to complete a play-through.

So, you need to decide yourself what type of player you are and then decide whether you will take your bonus offer or not. That will help give you the best chance of winning, depending on what type of win you are going for.