How To Win at Slots: Tips and Tricks To Boost Your Odds

min read
close up of slot machines lined up next to each other in a casino
BetMGM Mar 14, 2024, 11:13 PM

Fun, exciting, and enjoyed by millions, online slots have been a fan favorite for decades. And with potentially life-changing jackpots looming in the background, it’s easy to see why the game’s so enticing. Although slots are primarily a game of luck, there are several strategies players can make use of to increase their odds of winning. Read on for tips to boost your chances of winning.

How Do Slots Work?

With the help of algorithms, symbols, and a random number generator (RNG), playing online slots starts with pressing the game’s “Spin” button and watching the reels rotate onscreen to decide the eventual outcome.

Unpredictability is the nature of the game, and RNG further solidifies this. So, whether you’re playing at an offline or online casino, the combination of complex algorithms and a random number generator ensures the game’s fairness and removes the ability of casinos to control slots.

Visually, you’ll be welcomed by an array of bright symbols that are often themed. For example, a Viking-themed slot machine will incorporate various Nordic symbols and characters. The ability to intertwine themed games is another factor contributing to the dominant growth of slots. With the advent of themed slots, gamblers went from a handful of traditional machines to a seemingly endless number of variations, including James Bond-, Indiana Jones-, and Christmas-themed slots. More often than not, you can play casino games online that integrate your favorite movies, series, and musicians.

Different Types of Slot Machines

Due to the popularity of slots and online casinos’ ability to upload games regularly, there are plenty of machines to choose from. Game developers create and release numerous games each month, helping keep the online gambling scene fresh and thrilling. Players are constantly treated to the best slot machines to play online at reputable online casinos.

There are four main types of slot machines.

1. Classic Slots

Perfect for beginners, classic slots are usually three-reel machines that include traditional symbols such as fruits, bars, and lucky sevens. While the easy-to-play nature makes this a great place to start playing slots, they’re also known for offering high RTPs and low-to-medium volatility. One drawback to note is that classic slots don’t offer large payouts because wins are capped at 1,000x the bet, sometimes lower.

2. Video Slots

With themed games, enticing slot bonuses, and multiple paylines, video slots are the most popular choice of slot games. Its popularity is further enhanced by high-quality graphics and its association with daily (or weekly) rewards like free rounds and spins. But, due to the generous bonuses that video slots offer, they’re often categorized as high-volatility slots, with below-average RTP rates under 96%.

3. Progressive Slots

Here’s where you can potentially win life-changing money. Why? Because a portion of each wager placed on the game is accumulated to a jackpot and won by a random few. Be aware, though, that progressive slot machines rarely offer RTPs over 94%, usually meaning you either win big or leave with nothing.

4. Megaways Slots

Megaways slots — popular among high rollers — are known to be exhilarating, with the chance of huge slot bonus payouts. However, while they’ve produced some astonishing wins worth tens of thousands of dollars, they require large bankrolls to keep you in the game long enough to achieve a win. You definitely need a bet-big-win-big mentality.

How Can I Boost My Odds

Due to the popularity of slots and online casinos’ ability to upload games regularly, there are plenty of machines to choose from. Game developers create and release numerous games each month, helping keep the online gambling scene fresh and thrilling. Players are constantly treated to the best slot machines to play online at reputable online casinos.

There are four main types of slot machines.

1. Classic Slots

Perfect for beginners, classic slots are usually three-reel machines that include traditional symbols such as fruits, bars, and lucky sevens. While the easy-to-play nature makes this a great place to start playing slots, they’re also known for offering high RTPs and low-to-medium volatility. One drawback to note is that classic slots don’t offer large payouts because wins are capped at 1,000x the bet, sometimes lower.

2. Video Slots

With themed games, enticing slot bonuses, and multiple paylines, video slots are the most popular choice of slot games. Its popularity is further enhanced by high-quality graphics and its association with daily (or weekly) rewards like free rounds and spins. But, due to the generous bonuses that video slots offer, they’re often categorized as high-volatility slots, with below-average RTP rates under 96%.

3. Progressive Slots

Here’s where you can potentially win life-changing money. Why? Because a portion of each wager placed on the game is accumulated to a jackpot and won by a random few. Be aware, though, that progressive slot machines rarely offer RTPs over 94%, usually meaning you either win big or leave with nothing.

4. Megaways Slots

Megaways slots — popular among high rollers — are known to be exhilarating, with the chance of huge slot bonus payouts. However, while they’ve produced some astonishing wins worth tens of thousands of dollars, they require large bankrolls to keep you in the game long enough to achieve a win. You definitely need a bet-big-win-big mentality.

How Can I Boost My Odds

For beginners wondering how to consistently win on slot machines, it’s essential to understand you need much more than luck. There are several tips and strategies you can implement to boost the odds. Read more about the dos and don’ts when playing slots below.

Bonuses and Rewards

Take advantage of the bonuses and rewards that come your way. Not only do they grant you more spins, but it’s also a great way to familiarize yourself with the game’s combinations and symbols before staking your own money. BetMGM offers a welcome bonus and Deposit Match to new players, as well as referral bonuses, and more, all of which can keep you spinning the slots for longer.

Find Games With High RTPs

An RTP signifies the average amount of money the game pays back over time — try aiming for slots with RTPs of 96% or over. The higher, the better.

Play Classic Slots

A great way to build your bankroll organically, playing slots with smaller jackpots (classic slots) increases your chances of winning.

Play Free Practice Games

Before playing online slots for real money, beginners can use the free practice games to familiarize themselves with the buttons, game speed, and bets available. This will also give you a good idea of how much you should stake.

Set Limits

A golden rule is only to stake what you can lose; otherwise, you’re risking your finances. Agreeing on a budget or limiting how much you can lose before walking away is an effective way to ensure you’re always gambling responsibly.

Study the Pay Table

As mentioned before, skills and slots are more intertwined than most think. Most experienced players study the pay table to find out what the symbols are worth and whether there are special symbols to look out for. By entering a game prepared, you’re increasing your chances of success.

Play Online Slots With BetMGM

BetMGM is regarded as one of the best online casinos for slots, with an array of high RTP games and themed slots. Register today and enjoy weekly rewards and bonuses, which you can redeem if you’re physically located in one of the legal U.S. casino states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia, where BetMGM Casino is legally active.

Whether you fancy online slot machines and bingo to poker, roulette, and live dealer casino games, you can play at your convenience with the mobile app. You can also browse the BetMGM blog to discover the best casino online betting tips and tricks.

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Our BetMGM editors and authors are casino experts with a wealth of knowledge of the online casino industry at all levels. Their coverage includes company news, game reviews, how-to instructional articles, strategy guides, and editorials showcasing BetMGM’s superior product and game library.

Our BetMGM editors and authors are casino experts with a wealth of knowledge of the online casino industry at all levels. Their coverage includes company news, game reviews, how-to instructional articles, strategy guides, and editorials showcasing BetMGM’s superior product and game library.