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How to Win at Online Slots: Tips & Tricks for Players 2024

Slot machines have existed since the late 19th century, and the basic gameplay hasn’t changed a whole lot. But how to win on a slot machine, whether you’re playing online or in a brick & mortar casino? We’ll show you how. In this short guide, we’ll show you how to play slots and win. We’ll tell you how to pick the right games to play, plus a few tricks to stay a step ahead of the casino. And in this age of internet casinos, we’ll even give you some tips on how to win online slots.
Updated May 3 2024, 04:03PM EDT
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How to Win at Casino Slots

Land-based video slot machines and slots at the best slot sites work in a similar way: A series of reels spin at random and come to a stop to form lines of matching symbols. You win a cash prize if the horizontal “payline” contains a series of matching symbols.

Modern slots at online casinos contain a vast array of bonus features and special symbols. Wilds act like jokers and replace all regular symbols in the game. Scatters are symbols that pay out wherever they land on the reels. And the payline isn't always a horizontal line.

Some slots also carry fixed jackpots or progressives that grow every time you place a bet. The jackpot is triggered at random or through an activated bonus game.

🎰 RTP & Slot Volatility Explained

Every slot is different when it comes to RTP (Return to Player percentage). This is the average payout made to all players over the lifetime of the game. It’s a theoretical payout based on millions of spins and is determined by the specific arrangement of symbols on the reels.

For example, a slot with lots of low-paying symbols on the reels will have a lower RTP than a game with a lot of high-paying icons, which would fall under the category of the highest RTP slots. A slot with an RTP of 96% would – on average – pay out $96 for every $100 wagered.

Volatility refers to the frequency with which you hit bonus features or jackpots. A slot with low volatility will pay out a lot of small prizes, but they will be quite frequent. A game with high volatility, however, will pay out less frequently. But when the game pays out, the prizes will be large. You might also hit the bonus rounds more often.

🌟 Choosing the Right Slots

Knowing how to win at slots is understanding which games to choose. Your nearest land-based casino may only contain a dozen slot machines, some of which may be highly volatile. However, online casinos and casino apps offer a much bigger choice.

The best real money online casinos have games from multiple software developers with different themes, bonus features and payouts. You can choose from classic games with low volatility or go straight for the volatile jackpot slots with lots of bonuses.

💡 Best Slots Strategies

You may want to try a betting strategy if you want to learn how to win slot machines. Staking plans are a good idea for keeping a handle on your gambling spend. Here’s how to get started and our top tips to win at slots:

Try Demo Play: The beauty of online casinos is that you can try out games in demo-play mode first. This try-before-you-buy model is what sets online casinos apart from land-based ones. Try the games, check the paytable and RTP, and then decide whether you want to play for real money. When it comes to how to win online slots, learning and playing the right games is essential.

Read the Paytable First: The paytable is the area of the slot where you can read how to play the game. You’ll also see a list of full payouts, including regular symbols and bonus icons. This is where you can judge a game’s volatility. For example, a slot with a large gap between the jackpots for the highest and lowest-paying symbol can be described as having high volatility. Understanding the nature of the slot you are playing is one of the best tips to win at slots.

👉 Tips & Tricks to Winning at Slots

1 - Focus on Slots With Higher RTP

Every slot has a theoretical Return to Player percentage (RTP%). Most good online slots have an RTP 95%–96%. However, there are a handful of games that pay out up to 99% if you look hard enough. This is No. 1 in our tricks and tips for winning on slots.

2 - Choose Slots with Smaller Jackpots

Why are small jackpots good? That means the slot has lower volatility and may pay out more frequently. You won’t win enormous jackpots, but you could maximize your profits over the long term. If you are wondering how do you win on slots, being a disciplined and smart player is essential.

3 - Spread Out Your Investment

Good bankroll management is one of the most important tips for winning on slots. Bet too much and you risk going broke before you have a chance for the luck to even out. Bet too little, however, and you risk not maximizing your profits.

It’s important to plan your stakes correctly. We recommend that you bet 1% of your bankroll on each spin, then increase or decrease your stakes accordingly.

4 - Stick to Your Budget

Playing within your means is essential if you want to learn how to win at slots. It can be tempting to increase your stakes to chase losses, but you risk making more deposits and losing even more cash. Keep to a strict budget and cash out your big wins regularly. Wondering how do you win at slots long-term? This is the best advice.

5 - Take Advantage of Welcome Offers

How do you win at slots? Start by making the online casino work for you. Casinos offer some great welcome bonuses where you can claim deposit matches and other bonuses. You can also claim bonus spins to use on featured slots.

Two of the best offers come from the BetMGM Casino bonus code and the Caesars Palace Online Casino bonus code. You can click next to the offers on this page to claim them - and no deposit bonuses to test out the casinos! Another great offer comes via the FanDuel Casino promo code.

6 - Take Advantage of Bonus Spins

Every good slot offers a spins bonus. The hit rate for triggering bonus spins varies from game to game. However, these bonuses are often the best and easiest way to win more cash when playing slots.

🎉 Getting the Most from Slot Bonuses & Promotions

Knowing how to win at slots is about choosing the right games and the best payout online casinos. The best online casinos spread hundreds of slots from the biggest developers in the US. 

You can also claim a generous welcome bonus, including from no deposit casinos

In addition, you can enjoy Game of the Week promotions as a regular customer, or you can join a reward program to earn loyalty points.

Sign up to Play Casino Slots

We have a list of recommended online casinos and social casinos that offer slots to play for free or real money. You can join up for free and demo-play a few games, then make your first deposit and take the plunge into real-money gaming. Sign up through our links today.

Find The Best Casinos for Winning at Slots

Now you know how to play slots and win money, you’re ready to get started. Browse our list of recommended online casinos and start playing. Test out demo slots, employ our tips on how to win at slots and enjoy the thousands of games available to you.

How to Win at Slots FAQs

No. There is no magic trick to winning cash on slots. However, you can use strategy and bankroll management to help maximize your long-term profits. Read our tips for winning on slots as a quide.
You can win a slot jackpot by filling a payline with the maximum number of top-paying symbols. Alternatively, you can win a jackpot through a bonus feature such as free spins or wheel of fortune.
It’s good to play 3–4 different slots that offer a variety of bonuses and themes. This way, you keep the gameplay fresh. We also recommend keeping tabs on large progressives and Must Drop jackpots that have a set time limit.
No. Slots are programmed using a random number generator (RNG) that ensures each spin is independent from the last. Progressive jackpots may increase more if the top prize goes unclaimed. However, there’s no guarantee that a jackpot is going to fall because no one has won it.
Slot spins are totally independent, and there are no “hot” and “cold” streaks in games. Random number generators are independently tested by auditing laboratories to ensure they are always fair.
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Jon Young  for ˽ýӳToday.com
Jon Young 4 Articles written
Jon Young is a writer and magazine editor with over 15 years' experience in the gaming sector. He has written on everything from poker and slots to casino, sports betting and mobile gambling.