How to Improve Your Chances of Winning on Online Slots

Although everyone knows that pokies are games of chance, this hasn't stopped droves of vets and newcomers from seeking out best practices to get them over the hump in stacking up coins. And guess what? There are definitely strategies that you can use to maximize your winning ways. Let's get right to it, then!

Video Slot Mechanism and Metrics

In this section, we'll first learn how the machine works, and then utilize this understanding to know which ones are worth playing. Firstly, all viable slots - whether online or off - are run by a computerized, random number generator (RNG). There is an industry standard to how these things have to be configured, so make sure the casino house you visit has been vetted by the state or municipality legal organization. At the most basic level, the RNG ensures that every single spin you take is random, and not dependent on the spin you took before that one.

Additionally, the allowed coin denominations should be stated on the gameboard, itself, or at least in the section where that particular gaming house puts their video slots. The slot reels host the symbols and thus th symbol combinations that pay out (and in what amount), whereas the payline tells you what actually gets paid based on the number of icons you line up. For the 5 reel video slot, the max payout occurs when you get five of the symbols to land on the reels simultaneously, with the payment decreasing for four of a kind, three of a kind and then two of a kind. For slots with active paylines, this means that you can vary the number of lines you wish to play for any particular game. For slots with fixed paylines, you have to play the maximum number of available lines each time. Clearly, this means that your betting variations will have to come from choosing the number of coins, as well as the coin sizes, that you wish to wager.

Winning Chances

The RTP stands for the Return to Player value, and this determines how much money you give up for playing the slot. For example, if a slot has an RTP of 95%, in the long run, you "lose" $5 for every $100 you play. Another way of looking at this is that you are paying a $5 entry fee for every $100, which helps to fund the casino by paying web hosting costs and other associated fees. Clearly, then, one viable strategy for playing pokies is to simply seek out video slots that have at least the industry standard RTP of around 96%, as these will end up costing you less over time scales long.

The Hit Frequency is yet another in-game metric that measures the potentiality of your success at slots. When combined with low volatility, medium volatility and high volatility measurements, these determine how often you can land prizes, as well as the average size of each prize.

Bonuses and Promotions: A Deciding Factor Collectively

This all begins at the ground level of the casino, because virtually all online gaming houses offer a Welcome Bonus to start. In order to receive this, however, you have to ditch the tendency to play the games for free in your supported browser, and download the casino software in order to create an account. Once the latter is done, you will have to make a deposit in order to get the free Casino House cash. Once you're a member, the Promotions come into play; the casino will have a dedicated section detailing these. Usually, there are promotions running every day, every week, every weekend when traffic is highest, and every month - and sometimes, there are even end-of-the-year bonanza prizes for the loyal members..

The Welcome Bonus, specifically, will tell you just how generous this particular online gaming spot is. The Match Bonus is the most popular, and consists of the casino matching whatever amount you deposit by a percentage - usually anywhere from 100%, to 150%, 200% and even higher. For the higher ones, you often get these when you make more than one deposit; each deposit comes with a higher-tier percentage. As a slight aside, some casinos do offer bonuses for which you don't need to become a member to take advantage of: these are called No Deposit Bonuses, and are usually available offsite via curator websites. They involve grabbing the code, heading to the casino in question, and activating several free rounds of real-money play.

After this, you should also consider vetting the Rewards Club that is available at many online casinos. Usually, you need a minimum deposit in order to be eligible for ascending the tiers, which starts at the bottom Bronze Level. The highest levels are usually termed Gold, Diamond and Platinum, and once you get to these - you really start to rack up the benefits. Oftentimes, preset limits are even tanked in favor of assigning to you a dedication personal assistant who can tailor casino payments to your desires (within reason, of course!). Reload bonuses, special promotions and more open up at the higher rungs of the Rewards Club ladder.

Tournament Gaming and Live Casinos

In this last section, we summarize the benefits of Live Casinos and Tournament Play. The former provides you with a very realistic atmosphere due to the presence of real Live Dealers at the table games. Their names and images are often shown in the relevant section, and you can relive the feel of being at a brick-and-mortar casino while trying your luck at roulette, poker, blackjack, baccarat and many others.

As for Tournaments, these provide an opportunity to pit your mettle against casino players from around the world. Usually, this type of play has a central Table Game or Specialty Game (sometimes even Progressive Slots) that begin at a listed time. The best online casinos have Tournament Games all through the week and weekend, at various scheduled times throughout the day.

Play with Confidence

Hopefully with these introductory basics, you are well-equipped to handle yourself at the growing number of improving online casinos. As we head further into the years, expect the offerings and strategies for winning to grow in number, as video slots and table games grow ever more sophisticated and competitive.