The popularity of online gambling has been on the rise in the last two decades, but it simply exploded during the lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Millions of people all over the globe log in to their accounts almost daily and play their favorite casino games. The most popular choice for many is online slots.
A far cry from the original one-armed bandits from more than a hundred years ago, modern online slot are fun, easy to learn, and have the potential of changing people’s lives, at least for those few lucky ones who manage to score a jackpot. But winning a massive jackpot isn’t the only way of making money playing slots.
There are other strategies for success at online slots and implementing them can create a valuable income stream for anyone. Here are a few examples of how to do that.
1. Check Return to Player (RTP)
Return to Player, or RTP for short, was invented as a means to increase the transparency of slot machines. It is a percentage of bets a slot will pay out in the form of winnings to its players. Basically, if a online slot has an RTP of 95%, it means it will pay out $95 for every $100 of wagers players make. It sounds easy and straightforward, but in practice, things get to be more complicated than that. The first thing to remember is that RTP is calculated over a long time, sometimes even the lifespan of a slot.
That means that the slot in question will have periods when it pays out its nominal RTP, but also periods when it pays significantly less or more. The trick is to catch it on the upswing, which will give you a considerably bigger chance of winning.
2. Use Bonuses
Bonuses are a way casinos came up to keep existing and attract new players to their fold. Most bonuses come with strings attached, like wagering requirements, but some don’t. The most popular of those are no deposit bonuses. They are practically free money casinos will give to you even before you make a deposit, simply for making an account. Utilizing them can be crucial in your strategy, as they let you play your favorite slot without actually spending your money.
No deposit bonuses don’t always come in a form of money, as casinos will often throw in some free spins, especially if they are running a promotion of new slots. They want as many people as possible to try them and free spins are a great incentive. Free spins give you the opportunity to test a slot and see if you like it and whether it is a good fit for you.
3. When to Bet Max
Understanding multiple paylines is crucial if you want to learn how to win at slots and make some money. Most casinos will encourage their players to always bet the maximum amount, but that isn’t a winning strategy in every situation. There are times when you should do it, but definitely not on every spin. Casinos like this because that is the fastest way a player can run out of money and is forced to make another deposit.
There is some risk of actually winning big, but it is negligible as far as a casino is concerned. It is important to remember that online slots are powered by random number generators and the chances of winning don’t necessarily increase with the number of paylines you play. What does increase, and exponentially at that, is the value of your bet. For the same amount of money, you will have far fewer spins and thus far fewer chances of hitting a winning stock combination.
4. Get to Know Your Slots
If you have friends who play online slots successfully, you have probably noticed that most of them play one or two games only and rarely go for different games. The reason for this is because they have mastered their preferred slots and know everything there is to know about them. While it is true that random number generators spew out combinations without rules, after a while you can get a feel for how often a slot will hit a winning combination.
Modern slots also have various mini-games you can play to increase your winnings and they are mostly skill-based. The best way to win at them is to play as much as you can. These mini-games often carry amazing multipliers that can transform a small winning into a considerable one, massively influencing your bottom line. As they say, practice makes perfect and this is true with online slots as well.
5. Keep an Eye on Competition
Most people that gamble tend to stick with one online casino because it makes their lives simpler. You know where everything is, how navigation functions, and you don’t have to waste any time trying to find even the most basic functions. While comfort and convenience are important, don’t let them stop you from checking out the competition. Sometimes the grass is greener over the hill, but you will never know if you are set in your ways.
Once in a while, take a tour of other casinos, especially the new one. You may be pleasantly surprised with their bonuses or some other perk they are offering to their players. If you are happy with your current casino, keep playing there, but keep an open eye for a better deal. After all, it is your money and you should be able to choose where you spend it.
