Here at Spin Genie we love playing online slot games. They’re fast, fun and entertaining, and with thousands to choose from there’s always something new to try. However, we often get asked about the best strategies for slots and how to win them.
The truth is that there are no particular strategies or systems that can guarantee you more wins in slots. All outcomes are completely random, and whether you win or lose is down to luck.
Having said that, we do have a few tips to help you to play smarter and have the best gaming experience possible. Keep reading and all will be revealed…
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Tip 1: Understand How Slot Machines (and Casinos) Work
Our first tip is to understand a little about what goes on behind the scenes - or the screen - when you play a slot game. Slots use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to determine all outcomes in the game. An RNG uses a complex algorithm that cannot be predicted, and is also tested by independent bodies like the UK Gambling Commission to ensure that it is truly random.
This means that strategies that claim to be able to predict slot outcomes are false, since in reality all outcomes are completely down to luck and chance. Although humans like to try to find patterns (such as ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ slots that supposedly pay out more or less frequently), the truth is that slots are unpredictable.
It’s also important to have a basic understanding of casinos and what a ‘house edge’ is. The casino (or the ‘house) always has an edge, which means that ultimately it will always win. Even though you may be the lucky recipient of a big win, over time the casino will always have the advantage over players. This is necessary for it to make a profit and remain in business.
Tip 2: Learn about RTP and Volatility
RTP and volatility are two terms you should know about when playing slots, since they refer to how likely a slot is to pay out (theoretically). RTP is short for Return to Player, and is usually expressed as a percentage. Percentage return to player (% RTP) is the expected percentage of wagers that a specific game will return to players in the long run.
For example, if a hundred £1 bets were made on a slot machine with an RTP of 95%, the machine would pay out about £95 in total, over a long period of time.
Each online slot game has its own RTP, and this information is made readily available by the casinos. Many players are interested in finding high RTP slots, since these are the games that theoretically pay out the most amount of money over time.
Volatility refers to the level of risk the game has. To simplify it slightly, it is the game’s hit rate (how often you can expect to win), in combination with its maximum exposure (the biggest possible win in the game).
Games are often categorised as high volatility, low volatility, or medium volatility. High volatility casino games are those with a higher risk, but bigger potential rewards. These types of slots tend to pay out less frequently – but the prizes tend to be bigger when they do pay out.
Low volatility games present a smaller risk, but the potential prizes are also smaller. These games tend to pay out more frequently, but with smaller prizes.
Tip 3: Choose Games with Bonus Features
Our next tip is to pick games with bonus features to maximise your chances of a win. Many slots have a free spins round, and if you’re lucky enough to trigger it that means you’re getting more opportunities to land a winning combination, without depleting your funds for the duration of the free spins round.
There are lots of other slot bonuses to discover, and these vary according to the game you’re playing. Slots with features like mystery symbols, bonus mini-games, multipliers, expanding Wilds and more can give you more opportunities to win than a more straightforward slot game.
Tip 4: Make the Most of Casino Bonuses and Promotions
Many online casinos like Spin Genie offer players a wide variety of welcome bonuses and promotions, from free spins upon deposit to match-up bonuses and more. We always recommend checking out which casino bonuses are available, since they can give you extra money to play with plus other benefits.
Let’s take a look at some of the different types of casino bonuses:
Free Spins Welcome Bonus
The specifics of this bonus will vary from casino to casino, but usually players will be offered a certain number of free spins on a specific game after registration. To be eligible for some free spins welcome bonuses you may need to make a deposit first, whereas others might give you free spins just for signing up.
This type of bonus can be a great place to start, since many casinos offer free spins on their most popular games to attract lots of players. Make sure you check the Ts & Cs of each specific bonus before signing up so that you know whether a minimum deposit is required, etc.
At Spin Genie we have a fun free spins bonus for all new players, which gives you 108 free spins on your first deposit (min. £10). Free spins are awarded on Thor, one of our most popular slot games.
Or you could choose our ‘free spins for a year’ welcome bonus. Just make your first deposit of £50 or more and use bonus code spin1year to get ten free spins every week for a whole year.
Daily Picks
Spin Genie also has a Daily Picks feature that gives our players new and exciting offers to choose from every day. From special bonuses upon deposit and free spins to real cash prizes, there’s always something new to explore.
Match-Up Bonus
Match-up bonuses are offers where the casino matches your first deposit amount, effectively doubling the money you have to play with. This can be a great option for many first-time players, as the money can usually be used on any game the casino offers.
Tip 5: Always Gamble Responsibly
We’ve saved our most important tip until last: responsible gambling is key to having a great gaming experience. That means spending within your means, and setting limits you can stick to. Decide on a budget before you start playing, and make sure you don’t exceed it. Many players also like to set a time limit too, to help them stay in control.
Never spend more than you can afford to lose, and regularly check your activity and spending in your account. If you’re ever concerned that your gambling is becoming a problem, there are a number of resources and player limitation tools that are designed to help.
Play Smarter at Spin Genie
With over 6,000 slots, Slingo and casino games to choose from, Spin Genie is your number one online casino. Take advantage of our exclusive welcome bonus for new players and get 108 free spins when you sign up (min. £10 deposit). Join us today for a fun online gaming experience in a safe and secure environment.