This is the first part in a new series we are running on how you can get the most from your online slots play.
It is true to say that the odds are set against you when you play a slot machine, but at the same time, you can improve your chance of winning. This allows you to get more fun from your money and a bigger chance of hitting a jackpot.
When you play in a land-based casino, the big question is how to choose a machine and also, whether to max bet or not. With online slots, the bonus offers are a big factor. We discuss both of those below:
Decide Whether to Max Bet or Not
Some slot machines pay out better when you play max bet. For example, on some 3-reel games, if you hit a line of the top-paying symbols you might win (for example) 1,000 credits if you play 1 credit per line.
But, if you had been playing max credits per line (for example, 3 credits), then the top win might rise to 10,000.
In this type of example, you should play max bet, because if you hit that top winning line, you stand to win a lot more than you would otherwise
With other games, it makes no difference whether you max bet. For example, most video slots pay out the same, no matter how many credits per line you play.
One exception with video slots, is when there is a progressive jackpot. If you play a game like Wizard of Oz, which has a big progressive, you can only win if you play max bet. The max bet is usually $3 or $4 per spin, so you need quite a lot of money to play, but you get much better odds when you max bet.
If you don't have enough to max bet, then I would say it is better to choose a slot with a lower domination that does not have a progressive.
So, if you like penny slots, search for a jackpot you can win without max bet
Decide if a Bonus is Good for You (or not)
With online casinos, you will nearly always be offered the chance to take up one of their 'free cash' bonuses.
With a free cash bonus, the casino will match you initial deposit. for example, if you deposit $100, they will give you an extra $100, so you will start your play with a total of $200 (this is a 100% bonus)
Take a look at the latest list of Bonus Offers for Online Slots
Other casinos go further than that - some will offer 200%, 300% or even 400% bonuses. With a 400% bonus, if you deposit $100, you will get $400 extra, meaning that you get to play with $500 in total.
Terms and Conditions
Of course, all casino bonuses come with terms and conditions. If you take a 'free cash' bonus, the casino will expect you to actually play with the money. If they didn't enforce a minimum play rule, then people would just take the cash and run!
So, with a bonus, you must play through the bonus a certain number of times. Usually, this means you have to play 25x the total (of deposit + bonus) before they will allow you to cash out the winnings.
These bonuses are fantastic to play jackpot games, because you get so much more chance to hit the big jackpot. To win at slots with jackpots, bonuses are a perfect tool to give you the best odds.
However, bonuses might not be so good for the type of player that just wants to hit a $200 win playing slots and cash out straight away, because of the need to complete a play-through.
So, you need to decide yourself what type of player you are and then decide whether you will take your bonus offer or not. That will help give you the best chance of winning, depending on what type of win you are going for.
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Do Slots Strategies Work?
Whenever you have a game that deals with gambling you are sure to find those who will try to beat the odds.
In fact, there are a lot of people who get rich trying to tell others how they too can beat the odds.
These offers come from people who have found sure fire ways to maximize winning on online slots and they want to tell you how to do it too. They will give you these closely guarded secrets all for the low price of $19.99. Why would they give you these secrets?
Because the bad online casinos are making a lot of money off you losing so they want to show you how to get some of that money back.
But, if they really know the secrets to beating the odds, why do they need your $20? Wouldn’t they have already hit the multimillion dollar progressive jackpot by now and be drinking pina coladas on the beach in the Caribbean?
What are betting strategies?
Betting strategies are a system that you use to bet a certain way in certain situations. The idea is to take something that is random, like slots games, and add an element of control.
The control should skew the published odds in a game to make you more likely to win. Instead of being lucky and hitting a big win, you use your strategy to ensure a win.
If you win using a betting strategy on slots obviously the system works. If you don’t win, perhaps you are not using it right.
There are many different types of strategies. Some are based on the size of the bet versus the times you win, some are based on a series of patterned bets and some are based on the number of spins.
There are many different ones available.
If it sounds too good to be true
Everyone has heard the adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” However, many people ignore this sensible advice when it comes to possibly making a lot of money with little effort.
So, they take the chance and put down their money on a guaranteed way to win at slots.
Then they read about the betting strategies and what to do in certain situations. Armed with all this knowledge, they sit down for a marathon of online slots, ready to win their big money and call in sick to work the next day.
However, for most people, they get to play some spins at casinos where you can play for fun, or cash. Some will win, some will lose, some will break even. Amazingly, the betting strategies probably did not affect the outcome at all.
Be cautious with betting systems
If you have a particular pattern you like to use or system that works for you, then you should continue with it. It adds to the fun of playing games at Vegas Casinos online
However, you should use your money to play more slots instead of using it to buy secret slots betting strategies that won’t work.
The fact is slots are luck based and no amount of strategy will change the randomness of the spin. So, have fun playing slots. You have better odds of winning big based on your luck than you do because you use a strategy.
Slot Machine Tips, Tactics and Tricks
This section of our site is intended to give a brief introduction into some of the terminology that is used in casino slots and to give advice on how to play slots correctly for the type of entertainment you are looking for
Payback percentage
Amongst other things, we will be taking a look at the payback percentage that can vary quite drastically between slots and therefore can have a big effect on the length of play you get for you buck as well as the variance of the slot which is another important factor in choosing the games you wish to play.
Do you prefer to play with a few big wins, but not much in between those wins or would you rather have many small wins, but less chance of winning big?
Or perhaps you prefer the very high variance of a jackpot slot where you are much less likely to win, but if you do, the prize could be life-changing (much like playing the lottery)
How to play slots
Again, there is no right or wrong, but it is better to be informed when you go into a casino, so make the right choices before you start playing
Slots in USA casinos are generally very easy to play and do not require any real skill to enjoy them and get the most out of them. this is unlike slots you might find in UK casinos or in Japan.
UK slots often have nudge and hold features that you need to figure out as well as little secret tricks. Secret tricks could include combinations of button presses or holding non-obvious reels which then results in a secret win. This is very much like finding the secret tips when playing arcade adventure games on a computer
As mentioned, USA slots are really no problem to understand. The basis of the games is always that you just press the spin button and wait for the outcome. Newer video slot games often have bonus rounds, but there is no skill in these either. In general, during the bonus game you are given a multiple choice scenario where your choice determines the prize money. This is totally random, so there is no skill in making the choice.
Slots in Canadian casinos are almost completely identical to USA slots, so the same rules apply to them as with the ones in america
We also intend to go into detail on the terms and conditions that are associated with online casinos, and in particular with the terms and conditions of the various bonus offers. In some circumstances the bonus offers are excellent, especially if you wish to play for longer with your money. However. you do need to be selective when taking a bonus.
At other times, you may wish not to use a slots bonus at all, especially if it means you can't cash out your winnings until you have played through the amount you have won (if you win when using the bonus money to play) a certain number of times until you can get the cash into your bank account.
Summary
In summary, when you go into slot games it s good to be well-informed, it is much less likely that you will come away disappointed with what you get for your money. That way, you can get the absolute maximum value for money from your slot play
How to Play Slots
Article + Free Secret Slot (scroll down to play)For those who are new to casinos slots games are often the starting point. They are easy to learn and have the potential to pay out large amounts of cash.
This is what makes them popular with seasoned gamblers. However, nowadays there are a lot of choices when it comes to slots. Do you choose classic slots or five reel video slots? Bonus slots or progressives?
How to Make Online Slots Work for You
When you start playing online slots, or casino slots, you may not be aware that there are some customizable options that will tailor the slots experience to you.
Understanding how some of the slots options can be customized to your preferences may help you enjoy the experience more.
It may even allow you to play online more often, ensuring you are not taking up too much time or bothering others around you.
Whenever you are playing a new slots game online, take some time to familiarize yourself with the various possible options you have so you can choose the settings that are most appropriate for you.
Audio settings for online slots
One of the fun aspects of online slots is the sounds as the reels are spun.
Many of today’s more modern slots also include theme based music or even clips from movies or television shows. While this can add to the experience, for some it can be distracting. It can also disrupt others around you if they are played too loudly. Most online slots have audio options where you can choose various settings.
You may be able to only play sounds with a win or you may choose to mute all sounds completely for a sound-free slots experience.
Using online slots auto play feature
For the serious slots player, you can multi task if you so choose. They way you do this is to use the auto play settings. You can choose to play a certain number of spins or to bet a certain amount.
Then all you have to do is sit back for some hands-free slots enjoyment.
This is perfect for someone who has to do things around the house, work or just surf the Internet while playing. You don’t have to hit “spin” every time, just when your predetermined spins have run out.
Betting preferences for online slots
The first betting option you have is the denomination of your bet.
Many online slots these days have multiple denominations and you get to choose how much each coin is worth.
With classic slots of three reels and a single pay line typically the only other betting option you have is how many coins per spin you will bet.
Usually this is between one and three coins but this can sometimes vary. But with five or more reels and multi pay line features present on video slots, there are more options you have when you play those games.
You can choose how many pay lines you will bet on and how many coins you will bet per pay line. Most online slots games will remember your preferences through to the next spin so you do not have to change them with each spin.
Plus, you also usually have a max pay line and max bet button.
Spinning the reels options
Some online slots games have a setting to where you can adjust the spin speed. You can choose slow, medium or fast depending on your preferences.
Some slots games also have a manual stop that gives players a little more control over the outcome of the reels so when you hit stop the reels will no longer spin.
Each online slots game has different options so before you start to play, see what options you have available and use them to customize your online slots experience.
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