Slots are the most popular game in casinos worldwide, and that is not by chance. Some players are drawn very strongly to them while others stay away, but the fact is that if you want to try your hand at them there are a few key pieces of information that you will need in order to be successful and sustain your playing time.
This is a game that is quite easy to get into, and you will find that it has a very particular appeal if you have never played it before. Let’s get started with five tips to help you out.
Understand the basics of the game
Operating a slots machine is as simple as pressing a button or pulling on a lever. Once the game gets going you just need to wait for the results of your bet. If the screen lines up in the right way you have won. Nothing too complex about this. A good tip is that if you have never played a particular machine before you should spend at least a few games observing other players. You can learn a bit about the basic operation of the machine and the rules of that particular one doing this. Just try not to hover too much over people.
If you are into playing slots online, be sure to try out the slot in free play mode first. There are lots of new slots, and the trends and adaption is changing fast.
Know how betting works
Betting is a little bit different depending on the machine you are playing at, and you are not given a ton of options either.
In certain machines, some amounts will give slightly better chances than others. Another detail here is that there are machines that give you the chance at a Jackpot only if you bet a certain amount, if that is the case make sure that you are always within that range to qualify.
In all cases, it is always a good idea to take a few minutes to read the information on the machine and the betting rules. If you have any doubts you should be able to ask someone from the casino for help, too.
The long play (when it comes to slots)
First of all, slots are popular amongst casino owners because of the odds they provide to gamblers. It is a well-known fact that it is possible to win at slots, but the odds are always in favor of the casino in the long run. That means that if you play long enough you will eventually experience a drop in your winnings, no matter how lucky you’ve been so far. You can even out the odds though if you are playing online using online casino bonuses.
Another thing that gives slots their popularity is the fact that it is not a game that is ruled by high-skill plays. You need a certain set of skills and some information that is crucial to be successful, but after you have those it is pretty easy to play. You can pick up the basics very quickly and start playing (and sometimes winning!) in a matter of minutes even if you have never seen a slots machine in your life.
These two things start to paint a clear picture: if you want to be successful you will have to play the long game. That means that you cannot rely on luck to carry you through a few runs and walk away with a good score. You will have to think your bets ahead knowing that the odds are not in your favor and that you will probably win some and lose some.
Keep track of your money
This is perhaps one of the most important skills to have when it comes to gambling, and slots are no exception here. Slot machines feed on the fact that after a while you start to get into a groove and pull on that lever at a pace that is fast and furious.
Some people can get lost in this rhythm and lose track of what they are winning or losing. You should always try to keep track of what you are earning and losing so that you don’t end up with empty pockets. There are tons of strategies for doing this that do not involve doing math if you are not into that.
You could, for instance, keep some of your money separate, maybe in a different pocket. Digital platforms make this harder and harder to do because having the bills in your hand is quite different from having numbers on a screen. Just choose an amount that you are comfortable losing and stick to it.
Don’t over-think it
Some people enjoy a lot developing a strategy and seeing if it works. If that is your thing, by all means, go for it. If, on the other hand, you find yourself enjoying the game less than you would otherwise you can probably dispense with all the strategizing and just focus on enjoying your time at the casino.
Just as we touched on earlier you do not have a lot of control over what happens on a game of Slots, not in the short or long term. Odds are not in your favor and you will eventually lose, so as long as you are being careful with the amount of money you lose you can just go for it and hope for a good win without paying too much attention to strategies.
Conclusion
Playing slots shouldn’t be about making sustainable profits, you should go about it for fun. The chance is there for you to win, but being able to sustain wins to the point where you are making a steady profit is not very likely. There are other games in the casino where you can tip the odds in your favor with skill, such as BlackJack or Poker, but that will not happen here, no matter how special or clever your strategy is.
If you keep this fact in mind and follow our five tips you are sure to have a great time at slots and, with a few games under your belt, you will start on your way to becoming a master slots player. Good luck and have fun!
Watch this space for updates in the Hacks category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
Like what you just read? Join The Wolf Pack! Subscribe To Our Newsletter.
Explore our website, check out our Featured Articles or scroll down to see the articles that are related to this article below. We've been around since 2008, so there's plenty of content.
If you're in South Africa and looking for something to do, check out The SA Gig Guide (on our sister site SA Music Zone).
If getting more knowledge is part of your DNA - Check out the latest posts on Interesting Facts.