Here is a guide to teach you Basic Slot Strategy, and help you win at slot machines. The most important part of this gambling guide is in the last few paragraphs.
Gamblers often make the mistake of thinking that slots play involves
just pure luck, and whilst it is true that luck is an essential part of
successful slot play, there are several strategies that can maximise
your bank roll and increase your chances of a big win.
Firstly, its important to understand the type of slots you are
playing, whether it be a simple three reel or five reel slot, a
progressive jackpot slot or one of the latest bonus slots , where
certain combinations trigger a bonus round or free spins. Although each
slot may have a similar payout ratio when looking at casino audit
reports, they way they play is very different and you need to adjust
your play accordingly.
The golden rule certainly with progressive jackpot slots is always to
play the maximum coins, for example never bet just two credits when the
jackpot is only payable if you play three credits. Sound like a
no-brainer? Well, believe me gambling history is littered with players
who said I only played one credits because I wanted to maximise my bank
roll, I never thought I would ever hit the jackpot. Imagine missing out
on a million bucks for the want of one extra coin!
With basic slots, without a progressive jackpot, it is not so
essential that you play maximum bet, particularly when playing on a
limited bank roll but even so it is better strategy. If you take a
closer look at the pay tables on most slots, you will see that the
payout table is loaded to give maximum coin play the advantage. To use
an example, on a three coin slot you may find that the payout for 2
coins is say 20 credits, but the payout for 3 coins is not 30 credits as
you would expect but 40 credits – which after just a few spins will
give you a much higher potential return on your investment. If your
bank roll is limited, a general rule of thumb is it is far better to bet
max on a lower denomination machine than a coin or so, on a higher
denomination machine. Over time, betting the maximum will always give a
better % return on your money than playing just minimum bet.
Over the past few years, a new type of slot has appeared in online
casinos – bonus slots offering free spins, multipliers, bonus games and
even the choice of how many free spins you want and at which multiplier.
Bonus slots certainly have a great deal of entertainment value, but in
terms of strategy they are notoriously unpredictable and streaky. A
good bonus round can net you several hundred – even several thousand
dollars in just a few seconds, but conversely there can be very long
gaps between winning streaks. Players often complain that bonus slots
eat bank rolls very quickly and this can be true – but as a good win in a
bonus round can net you several hundred times your stake, it is a risky
yet attractive proposition.
Good strategy in bonus slots is to err on the side of caution. Don’t
make the mistake of betting mid to large denominations in the hope of
hitting a big bonus round, unless your bankroll can really take it - you
will need a big bank roll in order to ride out the rough – and even
then there is no guarantee of success. Of course you may hit a bonus
round on your first spin – but you probably won’t. One thing I have
found over years of online slot play is that an inverse relationship
exists between the size of the bet and the generosity of the bonus
round. Bonus rounds in smaller denominations have netted me several
thousand dollar wins, whereas larger denomination bonus rounds tend to
be meaner, hitting very little in the way of wins.
The last thing, the most important rule of slots strategy and one which
applies to all forms of slot play, whether online or in a land based
casino – set a limit and stick to it. It is very easy to get carried
away chasing the progressive or chasing a bonus round but good slot
players are always aware that lady luck is fickle. If a machine just
isn’t paying, move on. When a machine that has been paying well stops
paying, move on. Don’t chase losses or keep pumping a machine you have
invested heavily in, full of money in the hope it will return your
investment. It won’t. Trust me I did it lots of times in my early
gambling career.
The last part is especially true! I've been there and done that! . Thanks to the source for the guide.