Slot machines are math-based betting games, much as all other casino games. But few players understand how the odds work, and whether they should do anything to boost their chances. The purpose of this article is to introduce you to how slot machine odds work and what that contributes to your chance of winning slots.
Here are just a few fundamentals:
- Slots machine outcomes are as unpredictable as human programs a computer can be.
- The chances of the game are set so that the house has an advantage.
- But in extreme cases, slot machines are not strategy games.
How is the House going to get its advantage in the slot machines?
Casino games make money for the house by investing less than the actual odds of winning the stake. It can be relatively easy on table games. At Double-zero Roulette, for example, with numbers 1 through 36 plus 0 and 00, the real Roulette odds against each particular number are 37-1, but the house pays just 35-1 to single-digit winners.
What are the possible outcomes?
Slot machine odds function in the same way as the Roulette case, except that there are several more options on slots. There are thousands, and even millions, of reel combos. There is also an open area for game makers to decide how much each winning combination payouts. The number of winning combinations and the payoffs per winner will work together to determine the odds of the game.
The overwhelming amount of options makes the math that goes into the slot machine odds more difficult than the table games.
Slots of today
- Modern online slots odds function the same way, except the arithmetic is more complicated for many reasons:
- Random number generators operate with a much larger number range, resulting in exponentially greater possibilities.
- In truth, more than four reel symbols are used.
- Many current slots have more paylines than a line in the example slot above.
- Game programmers have to take into account the effect of bonus events.
How do slot machines work?
If you want to learn how to defeat slot machines, you need to know how they function first. Slots are among the most popular casino games in the world, both at land-based and online casinos. Slots are almost completely down to luck, which means that there is very little planning involved, and any player has the same chances at winning. You just rotate the reels and expect to align the slot symbols in the different paylines. Continue on to read on how to play slots for a more detailed breakdown of the rules.
How to win slot machines every time: Our top 5 tips
Awareness is strength when it comes to making your online slot game a success. You will never be able to improve your luck playing games which are completely random and dependent on chance, but you will be able to give yourself the best chance of winning if you follow these tips.
Choose the slot wisely
The first thing to understand is that no two slot machines are the same. Not only do various slot machines come with all kinds of different designs, soundtracks, extra functions and icons, but they all also have varying Return to Player (RTP) values. All online casino games show this before you start, so it is profitable to pay for a game with a high RTP rate.
Train and practice with free games
Before you start playing slots for real money, you have a chance to try free slot machines. Not only is this great entertainment, but it also gives you the chance to get to know your game and all its mysteries.
Play a bonus round slot, since this is a perfect way to refine your skills. Don’t start playing with the expectation that you’ll soon know how to win slots, always start with free games.
Study the paytable
Each slot machine comes with its special paytable. The paytable shows what each symbol is worth and which symbols are most lucrative. It will even inform you if the game has wilds and scatters.
Keep your budget
One of our most valuable pieces of advice is to set your budget before you start. Don’t start turning the reels until you’ve settled on the maximum amount you’re ready to spend. If you reach that pre-decided amount, then stop playing. Never risk money that you can’t afford to lose.
Aim for the smaller jackpots
Games with smaller jackpots seem to pay out most often, so if you’re seeking a chance to win something, but not concerned about catching big bucks, games with smaller jackpots are perfect. We know that these big democratic jackpots are appealing, but your odds of winning one are not very good!
How to find the house edge of a slot machine
House edge is a term used in all casino games to tell the player what advantage the house has over the players when it comes to winning a game. Over time, you’ll find that the house will still come out at the top of any given game, it’s only a matter of how many.
Taking into account the probability of the game, a percentage is worked out, which is the total advantage of the house over the player. For slots, however, the game relies solely on chance, so the short-term outcome of the game is completely unpredictable.
The house edge of the slots is seen as the RTP limit (Return to Player Rate). The RTP rate varies based on the game you want to play. Make sure you take a look at the RTP values of any given game before you start playing, if the information is available, as some are far tougher than others.
Online slots
Progressive jackpot slots are a good choice if you want to gamble at something big. At Swift Casino, you can find highly engaging slots and progressive jackpot slots too. However, it is important to bear in mind that if you’re looking for smaller but more regular prizes, progressive jackpots might not be the way to proceed.
Slots with the best odds
It could be reasonable to use any kind of tactic to boost your chances at the slot machine, but still, the prospects at some advantage will differ a lot based on the games you want to play. If you’re trying to maximise your odds of payout, you’re better at playing low-volatility slots. Low volatility essentially means that the slot pays less, but relatively more often. The reverse is the high-volatility slots that can cost certain big sums, but even less often than not.
Understanding slots pay tables
It is worth thoroughly learning how the features of your chosen game operate and using them to your benefit. It’s a smart idea to have a peek at the paytable before you start playing some slot machine. The paytable shows you whether or not the game includes extra features such as multiplier symbols, wild symbols, scatter symbols or bonus symbols.
- See what the meaning of each symbol is
- Find out whether the game contains wild symbols or multipliers
- Discover the scatter patterns that may be hidden in the game
- See if or not the game contains bonus rounds or any other special features
Key takeaways from the discussion
- As games that are not strategy-driven, most slot machines are not beatable in the long run.
- Banked bonus games offer an opportunity to get an edge if you see that you’re already partway toward triggering a bonus.
- There might be profit opportunities in games with progressive jackpots, but there’s no certainty.
- Your skill matters in skill-based bonuses, but expertise doesn’t give you an edge on the games.
Most frequently asked questions about slot machines
- Can the house get a slot advantage by blocking winning combinations?
No. The house gets an advantage by paying less than the actual odds of winning on the slots.
- On a mechanical slot with three reels and ten symbols on each reel, how many potential three-reel combos are there?
One thousand different variations.
- How many reel configurations are available on modern video reels slots?
Slots can be equipped for any number of slots on a virtual reel or video reel, meaning that there can be as many reel configurations as the game designer wants.
- Will the similar-looking slot machines still have the same payback percentages?
No, they do not necessarily have the same payback rate. You can’t tell a game’s odds by looking from the outside.
- Are the slot payback percentages “programmed” only so that the chances of the game are set to contribute to the optimal payback percentage?
Yes. Slot payback percentages are “programmed” only so that the game odds contribute to the intended payback percentage.
- Should randomness mean that all symbols would appear on an equivalent portion of spins?
No. Results should be unpredictable while also setting odds such that certain symbols appear more frequently than others.
