Slot machines are the most popular machines in almost every casino. There are good reasons why so many of these bright, colorful and noisy machines dominate the casino floor. Slot machines easily attract and hold the interest of players promising winnings without having to spend a lot of money or expend a lot of effort. More often than not, a slot machine will take a player’s money far more often than it pays out.
What most casino visitors don’t realize is that it is possible to win money when they play online slots and lookalike games. Here are some tips that can help you increase your chances of winning the next time you spin the wheels on a one-armed bandit!
Do a Little Research
Before you put your money into any slot machine, research the payout percentages for both the casino and the various slot machines. This information isn’t likely to be listed on the machine itself. However, you may be able to find it online on multiple websites made just for gambling enthusiasts who want to know what the RTP or Return to Player or payout percentages. Depending on where you play, most casinos have an RTP percentage of between 80% and 98%.
Know Your Limits
Decide on the amount of money you are willing to risk at the casino and stick to it. A good piece of advice is only to bet as much as you can afford to lose. If you’ve traveled to a place like Las Vegas, for example, and are going to be staying for several days, divide the money that you can spend equally for each day and stick to it. Another good way to keep from spending too much on the casino floor is to bring a friend along with you.
During those times that you do win, spend only what you originally invested in your initial bankroll and keep your winnings separate. If you just aren’t hitting it on a particular night, walk away and come back again at another time.
Take Advantage of a Casino’s Club Offerings
Most casinos will offer benefits like additional bonuses, discounts on shows, dining and hotel room bookings if you sign up for their club. The casino will give club members a card that can be inserted into or scanned by the slot machine. How much in terms of play bonuses you receive depends on the number of coins that are wagered.
Choose Machines With Smaller Jackpots
It’s easy to be lured by the promise of big money advertised on the side of some slot machines. What casinos won’t tell their visitors is that while they may shine a spotlight on or even post a beautiful hostess next to these big money machines, they also pay out far less frequently. By sticking to slot machines with lower jackpots, you substantially increase your chance of winning.
Choose Your Slot Machine Wisely
Casino owners want those who are standing outside their establishments to see and hear players inside winning. To achieve this, casinos will often place slot machines that payout is most frequently closer to entrances or other areas of the casino with the high visitor traffic.
Another tip for players is to choose machines with actual reels that spin rather than video or virtual spinning action. While both types of machines use an RNG or Random Number Generation System, according to research, video machines do tend to pay out less often and can payout 5% less than classic mechanical slot machines do.
It Can Pay Not to Be Timid With Your Wagers
It’s tempting to start playing the slots by betting only in the smallest increments possible. What many slot players don’t realize is that while they think they are extending the amount of time that they can play by being conservative with their bets, they are lessening their chances of winning. By choosing the max wager option on a slot machine, you can increase your chances of winning on both progressive and non-progressive machines.
What About Video Poker?
Among the slot machines, casinos will often offer games of video poker. Like slots, casino goers can relax while they sit and play. To win at video poker, however, it’s a good idea to actually know how the game is played. Casino and gambling experts agree that it’s a good idea that players only choose to play these machines if they are good at the game.
Play Just for the Fun of It!
A visitor may come to the casino with the idea that this time they are going to hit it big only to walk away with nothing to show for it. Casinos and gambling operations manage to stay in the black and keep the lights on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the winnings that those types of players leave behind. The most important thing to remember before visiting either playing slots online or visiting an actual casino is to remember that it’s supposed to be about having fun. By using the tips above and employing a little strategy before playing the slots, if you do happen to hit the jackpot, it will make it far more likely that you’ll walk away from a winner.
