Most modern slot machines are designed to look and feel like the old mechanical models, but they work on a completely different principle. The outcome of each pull is actually controlled by a central computer inside the machine, not by the motion of the reels. But even though the computer tells the. Every Japanese city has amusement parlors featuring the vertical pinball machines called pachinko. These parlors also feature distinctive slot machines called pachislo. They differ form Vegas-style machines in that the player is able to stop each reel by pushing a button, creating the illusion of being able to win.
- How Does The Inside Of A Slot Machine Work
- Vintage Slot Machine Inside A Cowboy Images
- Pic Of Inside A Slot Machine
- Slot Machines For Sale
Table Of Contents
In this article, I am going to show you how to win at slots.
First, we start with some practical tips on how to choose a winning slot machine. Then, once you have all the Slots tips you need, you can move on the real key to win at Slots:
Find loose slot machines to play online.
This article is going to change the way you play slots. And the chances are that is what you need — because winning at slots requires time, dedication, and the right mindset.
So, are you ready to learn how to win at slots?
Let's get to it.
If you play slots for fun, there are no rules to follow. You only need a Slot app like Slotomania and enjoy their instant play games.
If you want to win at online slots in freeplay or demo mode, download Slotomania, choose a slot machine game from their collection and play, play, play. You'll get enough progressive machine games and loose slots to enjoy your gambling experience for free.
Things change when your goal is to win real money at slots when you play online.
That's when this article becomes useful. Because here is where you learn how to pick a winning slot machine and increase your chances of winning money online!
Play the Best Slots -- For Free!Get a new no deposit bonus and play Slots online.
Register a free account and spin the reels to win!
Play Now1. Choose Winning Slots with the Highest Payouts
When you go online to play and win money at Slots, you need to know how to pick the right Slot machine games.
Most beginners start to play casino games thinking that all slots are more or less the same thing, only with different graphics.
That's a mistake.
If you want to know how to win at slots, you need a machine that pays out more than the other ones. And to know which one is an excellent Slot to play, you need to care about the Return to player (RTP) percentage.
The Return to Player (or RTP) is a percentage of all the wagered money that a slot pays back to its players.
It is not the amount of money you'll get back when you wager on real money Slots, and it doesn't indicate whether you have fewer chances to hit a bonus round or not — but it gives you a great indication on whether a machine pays enough for you to play on it or not.
How to Find the RTP of a Slot Machine
The quickest option is to search for it online.
Use Google, Bing, Yandex, or whichever search engine you prefer.
Many Casino news websites that publish content around casino games have entire sections dedicated to the RTP percentage of the Casino Slot games they review.
You find them on PokerNews, as well. Every review includes a section dedicated to the payout of each type of Slot with easy-to-understand info about the games with frequent payouts.
If this is your first time on our site, check some related articles like these list of games. By choosing slots with a high RTP, you'll improve your chances instantly.
Also, you check the slot itself. The RTP number is always mentioned somewhere. Usually, you find it in the settings of the slot game or the 'help' section.
So, how to pick a winning slot machine and how to use the RTP to know how much slot machines pay?
The RTP is calculated on a scale from 1 to 100. Most slots have an RTP between 92-97 per cent.
Slot Machines Tips
Always choose an online slot machine game with an RTP of 96 per cent or above. This is the best slots strategy to follow every time you play — since a high payback percentage indicates that you have a better chance to win. good option.
High RTP Slot to Play: Devil's Delight
Devil's Delight is a slot by NetEnt that's set in the underworld.
It features everything you'd associate with hell:
- Devils
- Soul reapers
- Graves
- The number 666
- Pitchforks
- Skeletons
- Flames
Is anything missing from the list?
The slot also features a separate Soul Reaper Bonus Game. There, you need to guess the sins of the characters on the screen. Every time you guess the right one — you receive points that help you win more cash.
This loose video slot has five reels and 20 paylines. And despite the sinful name, Devil's Delight is generous – RTP in this game reaches 97,6 per cent!
2. Determine the Volatility of Slots
Another critical factor to consider to pick a winning slot machine is the game's volatility.
Many games and gambling news sites refer to the games' volatility as their 'variance.' If you like, you can consider this as the risk level.
The volatility of a slot machine game measures the risk involved in playing a particular slot for the real money. One of my favourite tips for playing Slots is to consider it the 'risk factor' of the game you are about to play. That's because volatility determines how you win at slots.
- Low Volatility Slots: Your odds of winning at these slots are high, and it's easier to strike winning combinations when you spin the reels. However, you should know that low volatility Slots offer smaller wins — so your winning combinations might not be worth as much as you would like them to.
- High Volatility Slots: The odds of winning at these games are smaller, but the wins pay more. With the right bankroll, tips for playing Slots, and strategy, these games can be a lot more rewarding.
Both options are quite popular online since people play both types. Every useful casino guide gives you plenty of choices to find the right online slots game for you — with welcome bonus codes to try them for free before you invest your money in them.
Pick the Slot machine time that feels right for you. But keep this in mind:
To play high volatility slots, you need to be patient, have enough money to invest in a lengthy online gaming session, and have read enough casino blog posts to know all the secrets of slots optimal play.
Otherwise, low volatility slots may be a better option for you.
High volatility slots are a bit riskier, too. You never know how much time and money you need to invest in hitting a lucky spin and celebrating yet another day of winning money on slots.
How to Find the Volatility of a Slot Machine Game
Casino sites don't make the variance of the games as accessible as the RTP numbers — and that's in part because they don't want to help you improve your odds.
An easy way to choose games with the right variance is to use 'Google operators and let the world's largest search engine do the work for you.
Let's see an example:
You have seen some progressive slots with random jackpots, and the Mega Moolah game caught your eye. The most effective way to find the variance of this game is to:
- Open www.google.com
- Type 'Mega Moolah' variance in the search bar
- Analyse the search results
Alternatively, you can explore the games and try to figure out their variance yourself. If you play the slot long enough, you should be able to see how often the game pays out and what kind of winnings you get.
If successes are rare but significant, you are onto a high volatility game. If you win often, but the wins are nerve-wracking and small, you just found a low-volatility game.
An excellent welcome bonus, a deposit bonus, and free spins are an excellent way to do this and discover the games' volatility by playing. These options help you learn more about the games and give you useful info that might help you understand how to win at slots in the long run.
High Volatility Slot to Play: King of Atlantis
King of Atlantis is a high volatility slot by IGT. The game plays on five reels and 40 paylines.
The symbols featured in this game include seashells, gold rings, gem-encrusted crowns, mermaids, dolphins, and the almighty god of the sea – Poseidon.
This high volatility slot machine doesn't have many bonus games or features (even if you bet the maximum). The only 'special feature' you get, is a round of eight free spins that activates when a trident symbol lands next to Poseidon.
Low Volatility Slot to Try: Hotline
Hotline is one of NetEnt's most popular Slots these days.
Beating the Slot requires you to travel back in time to the '80s, wear some clothes you'd not be proud of today, and use your ability to solve a police case. Somehow based on the cult TV series Miami Vice, beating the slot needs you to help two detectives to catch a jewellery thief.
The slot runs on a classic random number generator and features all the classic features NetEnt players love so much. Wilds, expanding wilds, re-spins, free spins - you name it. Also, there is a unique bonus bet where you can choose one, two, or all three reels. It increases your chances of getting Expanding Wilds.
As pay table of this slot suggests, Hotline is a low volatility game where wins are more frequent (but small in size). If this is what you are looking for, pick this slot machine, enjoy the game, and relax.
3. Don't Go with the Obvious Option
No matter how impressive an online casino is, you need to do some research before you start to spin reels on slots.
All casino sites (like all poker sites, let's face it) want your credit card and your money. They offer free spins or deposit bonus codes to get you on their platform and then have you play as much as possible. In other words, they want your money.
If you can afford to play real money on Slots, that's great, As long as the site you agree to play on and where you look for the next loose machine to try is a legitimate and regulated online casino.
Regulators like the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC), the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) work hard to eliminate dangerous companies from the online gambling industry. Their licensing systems are your best allies to be sure to play slot machine games on legitimate sites, use audited random number generators, and pay out winnings to the players.
An important factor to consider when you want to know how to pick a winning slot machine is to see if the site you wish to register on holds a license by the UKGC and/or the MGA. Regardless of the casino bonus they offer you or the insane fixed maximum amount of free spins they promise.
You should never play online poker or pick slot machines on unlicensed casino sites.
You find a full list of all the online casinos allowed in your country on this page.
A Loose Slot to Play: Himalayas: Roof of the World
How did I find this slot? I scrolled down to the bottom of the slots page at one of my favourite online casinos. And then, I just decided to pick a Slot machine I had never seen before.
Not all games make it to online casinos' front pages — especially those that have a combination of volatility and RTP that plays in favour of the players and that come from underdog developers. And Himalayas: Roof of the World comes from Barcrest, a provider that isn't often in the spotlight.
Also, Himalayas: Roof of the World offers good odds of winning on slots!. The game features an RTP of 97,75 per cent, which is above average. Combine that to medium volatility — and you know how to pick a winning slot machine.
4. Make Higher Bets
Every collection of slot machines tips or casino strategies tells you that you can't win a progressive jackpot with a minimum bet. And that's correct.
Top wins are always connected to the fixed maximum bets. You can forget your dream to become a multi-millionaire with just 0.01. In slots, like in video poker, the higher the bet — the more you can win. And, at the same time, the smaller the bet...the smaller the wins.
So, yes: your bet determines how to win at slots.
Slot machine payouts are proportional to what you wager in the game. If your slot machine strategy is to play small bets, don't change it. Just don't expect to score unreasonably huge wins.
As you understand now, betting more money helps to win more on line slots...but it also put your slot machine strategy in danger and makes you risk to lose all your bankroll much faster.
That's why higher denomination slots are also riskier than lower denomination slots. People play them in the same way and following the same slot tips...but the big wins happen only on the high denomination slots, which are also the game where you can risk to lose a lot of money.
Keep in mind this, especially if you love playing slots with progressive jackpots. Jackpot slots can be costly . Many games give you access to the top wins only when you bet the maximum — and that is why a correct slot strategy and bankroll strategy are essential to winning at Slots.
Risk is always an essential factor in gambling. And you decide how risky you want to play yourself. Never play more money than you can afford to lose and never underestimate the risks of gambling addiction — even then you play fun slot machine games.
One Expensive Slot to Play with Maximum Bets: Space Wars
Space Wars is another online slot by NetEnt. This online game is based on a popular slot you can play in all the casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
When you play Space Wars for real money, you can choose to bet anywhere from 0.4 (minimum bet) to 20 (maximum bet) per spin. The currency depends on your location.
This game does not feature a progressive jackpot, so you don't really need to bet max every time you spin. Start with smaller bets and go up. You'll see the difference in payouts.
Space Wars is a fast-paced video slot with five reels, four rows, and 40 paylines. The RTP is 96,8 per cent.
5. Trust Other Players
This is one of those Slot tips that you should not apply to many other casino games. While it may be valid for video poker, it's one you should not follow if you play online poker.
But when it comes to playing Slots...yes, you can trust your fellow Slot players and look how people play.
If a slot doesn't pay, the other players will call it out. Fast.
That's why you should use the information available on every casino blog and casino sites to your advantage. Browse through forums, spend some time on Reddit, and read what Las Vegas and Atlantic City players say about each game.
You can also join Facebook groups and ask for help there. In other words, take advantage of your internet connection before the casino takes advantage of you.
A Classic Slot People Play and Love: Gonzo's Quest
Released in 2010, Gonzo's Quest still didn't let go of its place as one of the top slot machines online. That's quite an achievement, I'd say.
This popular Slot game features five reels, 20 paylines, and an adventurer (Gonzalo 'Gonzo' Pizzarro) looking for the lost city of gold.
Players love this little guy and follow his adventures. Gonzo's Quest is one of the top-rated slot machines of all time by players, casinos, and casino critics alike.
6. Avoid Branded Slots
Branded slots are fantastic to play. We can play with all our favourite heroes and spin the reels feeling part of the movies, TV series, and shows we love.
While these games are a lot of fun, branded slots are also the 'bait' a lot of online casinos use to attract us, the players.
Remember the point about 'not going for the obvious choice'? If you are a huge Game of Thrones fan, how likely is it that you would go straight for the Game of Thrones games when you see them on the list?
Very likely.
You don't need to be a psychologist, a consumed marketer, or casino operator to realise that. Fortunately, you don't need to be a hardcore gambler to know how to pick a winning slot machine either. That's what this article is for!
Developers with slots that feature popular brands paid a pretty penny to use the name. So, they won't let you go low with the bets. And those games will not be the easiest ones to beat either.
While the casino and the developer have invested a lot on the names you see on the screen, you are the one who can make it worth the investment. Or not.
Slot to Play Instead of the Branded Ones: Pamplona
What's so attractive about branded slots? Well-known name and faces. The stories behind the games and the characters we all know and love.
Can you have all that in a non-branded slot?
Take the Pamplona slot machine, for example.
This IGT slot is all about Spain, bulls, and matadors. A unique tradition turned into an exciting slot game.
In a way, it is a 'brand' because Pamplona's running of the bulls' festival is known worldwide. And it's more known than some actual brands, to be honest.
But to use this theme, developers didn't have to pay as they do for the brands. Thus, the payouts are way better.
The slot has five reels and 1024 paylines. Matador symbol acts as a Wild and Bull is a Scatter. Three scatters can trigger the El Toro Bonus where you can choose your option of Free Spins.
7. Take Advantage of Free Spins
How to win at slots with free spins when there are hundreds of hidden terms and conditions for withdrawals?
The wagering requirements can take the fun out of playing slots with free spins. No arguing there. But there are still free spins bonuses that can be worth your while.
The wager-free bonus offers.
On a limited number of online casinos you get wager free spins with no deposit on registration (yes, no deposit is required to play). And with no strings attached to them.
There is no cap on winnings, you can cash out anything you want, anytime you want, and there are no wagering requirements. How good is that?
Slot to Play with Free Spins: Pyramid Quest For Immortality
From Pamplona to Egypt. You can travel the world with slots...and the right free spins welcome bonus!
The Pyramid: Quest for Immortality slot features five reels, 720 paylines, and an RTP of 96.4%. This game takes you to ancient Egypt and brings you to explore the hidden and mystical world of Pharaohs, Gods...and pyramids, of course.
So, how to beat slot machines?
First and foremost, the best way to beat the Slots is not to continue asking the wrong questions and stop looking for simple hacks or Slots tips tho beat the casino.
If you want better odds to win on Slots, you need to:
- Choose the slots that have high payouts
- Choose the slots with the correct volatility level
- Choose the slot with the highest Return to Player
- Read reviews of the Slots on casino sites, forum, and Reddit
- Sign up to get a bonus with low wagering requirements
- Play on a licensed online casino site
While this might not be enough for you to beat slot machines and pick the winning Slot machine every time you play, it will help you win more often and - more importantly - enjoy playing Slots a lot more!
FAQ
How do you pick a winning slot machine?
To pick a winning slot machine and get better odds to win when you spin the reels, you need to choose games that offer the right combination of betting limits, volatility, Return-to-Player, and wagering requirements (in case you play with a bonus).
What casino game has the best chance of winning?
In general, Blackjack is the casino game with the best odds. In terms of slots, the best choice is to pick a game that offers a return-to-player over 97% like the Slot Devil's Delight (RTP: 97.7%).
Are slot machines rigged?
The slot machines you find on regulated casino sites are not rigged as their Random Number Generator (RNG) is subject to frequent audits by state-owned gambling authorities. The same controls do not apply to unlicensed casinos — and that's why you should never play your games there.
This article was first published on July 14, 2018. Last update: January 10, 2020
Be sure to complete your PokerNews experience by checking out an overview of our mobile and tablet apps here. Stay on top of the poker world from your phone with our mobile iOS and Android app, or fire up our iPad app on your tablet. You can also update your own chip counts from poker tournaments around the world with MyStack on both Android and iOS.
The promotion presented on this page was available at the time of writing. With some Casino promotions changing on daily basis, we suggest you to check on the site if it still available. Also, please do not forget to read the terms and conditions in full before you accept a bonus.Typically, the device itself consists of several important parts that could be found on every slot machine worldwide. These include the reels, the paylines and the paytable, among others. We shall discuss each of these elements and review the basics along with the specific features of the slots. However, it is important to remember that although the majority of slots are standardized, there are more complex machines that would require additional observation, in order to fully comprehend how they work.
No Deposit£/€/C$88
Casino Spins10 Free Spins
Sign Up100% up to
$/£/€200
+ 200 Spins
Sign Up100% up to
$/£/€100
The reels are an essential part of the slot machine as they are the mechanism that makes the symbols rotate and the player's heart pumping with excitement. These are technically known as stepper reels and slot machines have at least three of them with the potential to add more. The most popular slot machines are those with three or five reels, but there are some machines equipped with as much as ten reels, which are often referred to as Big Berthas, just like the World War I super-heavy mortar.
Each reel has a number of steps or stops to mark the place where it could stop when it is spun. These stops have symbols on them like cards, fruits or diamonds, but they can contain basically anything. They could even be blank.
At the dawn of the slot industry, reels had only ten symbols on them but with the development of technologies, the number has increased drastically. Manufacturers wanted to add more symbols for more possible combinations, which in turn allowed them to offer bigger winnings and, thus, to attract more players.
Let us look at an example and calculate how many possible combinations a three-reel slot machine with 10 symbols on each wheel has.
Combinations = 10 x 10 x 10 = 1,000
This means the chances of hitting the rarest combination are 0.1%, which translates into smaller maximum winnings for the player because the machines are designed to be profitable for the company that operates them.
Later on, the typical slot machine consisted of three reels with 20 symbols on each of them, which translates into 8,000 combinations. An improvement, which nevertheless restricted slot machine operators from paying out major jackpots.
However, with the advancement of the electronic age and the implementation of microprocessors, the possible combinations have grown substantially. For example, a digital reel may have 256 symbols on it for more than 16 million possible combinations.
Those calculations only apply to three-reel slot machines, but as we mentioned before, the one-armed bandits could have up to ten reels, for a total number of combinations of 1,20892582×10²⁴!
The Future of Slot Machines
Components of the Slot Machine
The Basics of Slots Play
Types of Slot Machines
Slots Play Hints
It is important to note that the number of symbols does not reflect the player's chances of winning, but simply increases the number of possible combinations. This provides additional flexibility for manufacturers.
The chances of a payout are determined by the frequency of hitting winning combinations. If a winning combination has a relatively high chance of being displayed, the payout amount would be relatively small and vice versa. Having more combinations allows players to win millions with a $1 bet.
The hit frequency and the payouts are set by the manufacturers in line with the casino operator's specifications. Additionally, these metrics can be readjusted anytime by simply changing the computer chip.
The Payline
The horizontal line located at the center of the slot machine's screen is called a payline. In order for a spin to win, the winning symbols must align on the payline.
While slot machines first emerged, they had only one payline, positioned right in the middle of the screen. Eventually, the number increased to three, five and more. Some five-reel machines have 25 paylines or more. However, to activate all paylines, the player must place separate bets on each one of them. In most cases, one credit is staked per active line but some machines accept several coins per payline.
The Paytable
This is where all the winning combinations are displayed along with how much they pay according to the placed bet. Special combinations are also listed there.
The paytable will, in addition, indicate whether or not the machine is progressive and if it is, it will show the total jackpot to be won.
If you are not familiar with progressive slot machines, you will find them covered in another article. For the time being, let us just say that progressive machines are linked together to the same jackpot pools, which causes the prize to escalate quickly.
The Coin Tray
This must be the favorite component of the slot machine of every gambler as it is the part the coins come out from. The coin tray is located at the bottom of the machine facing the player and starts pouring winnings once the “Cash out” button is pressed.
The Slots Lever
How Does The Inside Of A Slot Machine Work
This is the lever, which makes the reels spin. It is located on the left side of every slot machine and in modern times, it is there for authenticity rather than out of necessity. While it is true that before the lever was mechanically setting the reels in motion, all it does now is trigger the software which enables the reels to spin.
The Play Buttons
Now, let us go over the buttons that are most commonly found on slot machines. Note that exact names may vary for different models and different manufacturers, but in general, the functions remain the same.
Spin Reels
This is the button that starts the action. Once pressed, it sets the reels in motion.
Play Max Credits/Bet Max Coins
Regardless of its more specific name, by hitting this button, you will bet the maximum number of credits allowed on the particular machine. For example, if the slot machine accepts a maximum bet of five coins and a player presses the button, the machine will deduct five coins from the player's credits and automatically spin the reels.
Note that this button is only active if a player has inserted credits into the machine. If this is not the case, more coins need to be inserted before the button becomes active.
Play Two Credits, Play Three Credits
These buttons will usually indicate that the specific slot machine accepts only two or three credits as a maximum bet. If a player presses that button, the result will be the same as if they have pushed the play max credits/bet max coins button.
Play One Credit
This button enables players to bet only one credit per spin. The button is generally found on every slot machine ensuring players with different budgets can engage in the games. It is important to note that unlike the Bet Max Credits button, this one would not set the reels in motion and nothing will happen until the player pulls the lever or presses the Spin Reels button.
Additionally, if a player presses the button twice, the machine will add an extra credit to the next spin and so on.
The Cash Out Button
Basically, this button tells the machine the player has finished betting and wants to either move to another slot or stop playing altogether. When this button was pressed on older machines, the one-armed bandit would start paying out the remaining credits in the form of coins. However, the newer machines will simply issue a ticket that the player can later use at the cashier' cage to claim their winnings.
The Change Button
This button is located on the far left of the button display and is used to power up the red light at the top of the machine, which in turn signals all casino employees the player requires change.
The Displays
Every machine has several displays located on the front and while different manufacturers may choose different locations, the important thing is that the basic information will always be clearly visible to the player.
Credits Played or Coins Played
A player should always pay attention to the exact number of credits they are betting on each spin at their slot of choice. For example, if the display shows the number 3, this means three credits are bet on the spin.
Credits
This display shows how many remaining credits a player has. When the indicator shows zero, this means the player must deposit additional coins in order to continue playing. The credit count may be increased either by winning spins or by inserting extra money into the machine. Each credit will reflect the denomination played. For example, if a player sits on a $0.25 machine and deposits a $10 bill, the credit display will show that 40 credits have been loaded. Additionally, if a player places 3 credits on their next spin, the display will read 37, while if they win ten credits, the display will show 47.
As we pointed out, the display does not show the money a player has deposited, but rather the number of credits they bought. If that $10 bill was inserted into a $1 slot machine, the display would read 10, while if it was deposited on a $0.05 machine, the display would show 200 credits.
Pressing the Play One Credit button will automatically deduct one credit from a player's remaining credits, while the Play Max Credits button deducts the maximum amount of credits allowed per spin on a particular machine.
A player can use their credits only in two ways, by playing and losing them all or by pressing the Cash Out button, which will cause the machine to issue a ticket. The ticket represents the actual amount of money a player can redeem at the cashier's cage.
Winner Paid
This display shows the number of credits won on the last spin that would be added to the player's credit display.
Insert Coin
This display indicates the slot is not currently in play and that anyone can start a game by inserting coins or bills into the machine.
Error Code
Vintage Slot Machine Inside A Cowboy Images
This message will only be displayed if the machine has malfunctioned and needs the attention of a technician. The display will show a series of numbers or a code that will suggest the nature of the problem so that the staff member in charge of fixing the machine could repair the device as quickly as possible.
The Symbols
Although technology has completely transformed most slots, some iconic symbols have persisted through time and can still be seen on machines today. For example, the liberty bell symbol, which was on the first slot machine built in 1899, is often used on popular slots. Other classic symbols include cherries, lemons and lucky sevens.
The bar symbol has also survived the test of time and nowadays is often modified to double bars, triple bars and so on.
Despite the preservation of many classic symbols, plenty more have been birthed by the imagination of slot-machine developers, ranging from fruits, numbers, cars, logos, letters, animals and many more. Practically, anything can be used as a symbol.
Wild Symbols
Pic Of Inside A Slot Machine
The wild has become very popular in modern slots and can be used to substitute any other symbol in order to create a winning combination. For example, if a player hits two identical symbols, say cherries, and a wild appears on the same payline, the slot will credit the player with a payout corresponding to the combination of three cherries.
On some machines, the wild may also function as a multiplier. For example, if a player gets two cherries and a wild, the machine will pay out the amount corresponding to three cherry matches but if the wild is also a multiplier, the payout may be doubled, tripled or quadrupled.
Any Bar
This is another popular symbol inherent to classic three-reel slots. There are single, double and triple bars the Any Bar symbols can combine with to form winning combos.
Slot Machines For Sale
Blanks
Slot machines will often show blank symbols, which have no winning potential whatsoever.