slots strategy

What is Slot Volatility Slot volatility, also known as variance, refers to the level of risk and payout frequency in a slot game. Low volatility slots offer frequent but smaller wins, while high volatility slots provide larger payouts but less often. Medium volatility strikes a balance between the two. Understanding slot volatility helps players choose games that align with their budget and playing style, whether they prefer consistent wins or the thrill of chasing big jackpots. Understanding Slot Volatility When you walk up to a slot machine in person or load one up online, each has varying degrees of volatility. To put it plainly, some may pay out more often but have more capped winnings, whereas some may not pay out as often but can offer massive winnings.  Slot volatility consists of three levels that distinguish the slots. These include Low, Medium, and High. Low offers more consistent but less high payouts, whereas High offers fewer payouts but potentially massive wins.  Learning about this could shift your entire viewpoint on playing specific slots.  Why Volatility Matters Volatility matters to the casino, retail or online, and the player.  From the player’s perspective, learning about volatility can allow you to gauge what games you do and don’t want to play. That also goes hand-in-hand with managing your bankroll, as the higher volatility games may eat more of it in hopes of a big win.  On the flip side, knowing a slot has higher volatility could allow for more additional entertainment. As you know, these games offer giant potential payouts.  Casinos, whether online or in-person, must know how many of each type to have so that players don’t gravitate more toward one than the other. That said, casinos also need to accommodate players' preferences for what they want to play.  Finally, it also matters in the revenue department, as the more volatile slots could lead to more short-term profits, but if a few big wins occur, they could also lead to losses.  The Risk-Reward Correlation of Volatility As with any casino game, you have to measure the risk and reward aspect of it. Again, in the simplest terms: Higher volatility means fewer payouts, but potential for a big one, whereas low volatility may offer more consistent yet lower payouts, and the big payouts don’t often occur.  You need to gauge this for yourself and your preferred play style. As always, ensure that it’s within your bankroll budget.  Take your pick and enjoy our incredible slots below: Click here to dive into our wide array of free slots. Types of Slot Volatility  When looking into play slots, there are three types of volatility to be aware of: Low, Medium, and High.  Low Volatility: This mode offers more frequent yet lower payouts. The overall gameplay experience is a bit more predictable. It is a great mode for more casual, newer, or risk-averse players.  Medium Volatility: Payouts are not as frequent as in “Low,” but they are more frequent than in “High.” The wins here are more balanced, offering something between massive and lesser ones. This appeals to a more broad range of players. High Volatility: This is for the big-money payouts. However, there’s ample risk as the payouts aren’t as frequent. We’d recommend these games for players with more experience managing their bankrolls and those with larger bankrolls.  Understanding the Difference of Volatility vs. RTP In addition to volatility, slot players should consider RTP, also known as Return to Player Percentage. Below, we’ll examine the differences in these two and how they correlate to one another.  What is RTP?  Return to Player Percentage (RTP) is a metric used to determine how much money is paid back to players over time in addition to the house edge. For example, if a game has an RTP of 96%, this means that, over time, for every $100 wager on the game, $96 is paid back to players.  So, RTP is different from volatility in that it encompasses a more long-term approach to playing the game, while volatility is used to determine the round-by-round play of the game.  The intersection of RTP and Volatility When deciding which slot games to play, you can still use RTP and volatility to determine what to expect from a game.  For example, if a game has an RTP of 98% and is low volatility, you know that low volatility means more frequent wins. The 98% RTP rate further supports that, paying out $98 on every $100 wagered, on average.  Conversely, if you have a game with high RTP and high volatility, the RTP is high, but it illustrates that you might get some high return over the long haul. Again, the wins will be less frequent.  Interpreting RTP and Volatility After learning about both metrics above, you should examine the volatility, especially if you don’t plan on playing one game for an extended period. However, if you plan on playing one slot repeatedly, the RTP will come in handy as it illustrates how much money is paid back to you.  As always, it’s essential to manage your bankroll responsibly.  Methods to Determine Slot Machine Volatility  Whether you’re in an online or retail setting, determining a slot's volatility is essential. Hence, you know exactly what you’re getting into. Online slots list the volatility of the game, and the online casino clearly illustrates RTP and volatility.  However, this isn’t as clear in a retail setting. To examine this, you’ll want to analyze the pay table, observe your play or others', and pay attention to the jackpot and other slot game mechanics.  Pay Table: When you look at the pay table, look for the payout structure involving the rare symbols. This is a great sign that you could be playing a high-volatility slot. Also, see if there are free spins or multipliers. These mechanics are often introduced to high-volatility slots.  Observation: Whether you want to use a portion of your bankroll or watch others, you’ll get a general feel of how often a game is paying out.  Jackpots: If you look at a slot and see the jackpot continuously rising, you’re dealing with a progressive jackpot, which is, more often than not, considered high volatility.  Overall, this information is available if you're online. If you’re in a retail setting, watch other players, examine the pay table, and check the jackpot amount.  Determining the Volatility of Slot Machines in Las Vegas If you’re in Las Vegas and looking to determine the volatility of a slot, follow our tips above for retail casinos. These include checking out the pay table on the slot you’re interested in, playing, and observing how often you win and how often others win. If the jackpot continues to climb, you’re dealing with a progressive jackpot slot that will be a high-volatility game. These retail casino tips apply to all in-person slots in Las Vegas or anywhere else.  That said, if you’re in Vegas right now and need some additional tips, consider these:  Ask an on-site attendant to go through the screens on the slot with you. After that, write down the information you saw to reference it later. This is especially helpful if you’re a new player who may not know exactly what you’re looking at at first glance.  You can also tell the worker that you want to turn off the speed stop to play faster than normal. This will encourage them to assist you more as you’ll likely spend more money since you want to play faster. Another tip is to tell them you’re in town for a short time and want to hit a specific tier amount or that you thought you put in $100 as opposed to $50. When you tell them that, they’ll sort through the screen to see your play history.  Here’s another fun fact about new slot machines: If you’re at the casino and they’re about to install something new, a lot of times you’ll find a paper taped-to machine that may list information about the slot including RTP and volatility. It’s not always the case but again, this is another way to ensure you’re prepared to begin playing.  For more tips, check out this YouTube video from VegasLowRoller, which shows how to pick which slots to play in real time.  The Mathematic Approach While we’re the furthest thing from mathematicians, there are some ways to approach analyzing the volatility of a slot using math. These include the following:  Probability: This is something used often in a casino setting. When developing a game, a game developer will analyze their bonus features and payout structures to determine the frequency and size of their payouts.  Monte Carlo Simulations: This is another system a developer can use. With this system, you’ll run numerous simulations while accounting for the payout table, features, and probabilities to calculate, on average, what payouts may be.  Check out the Stats: After a game is up and running, a developer can look back at it and see historical trends of wins to determine how often it pays out, including the average win size and more.  Game Design and Slot Themes The overall design of a game and the theme can play significant roles in how volatility is calculated and perceived by players.  Above, we discussed how symbols and other features like bonus spins and multipliers can impact it, but offering up a progressive jackpot will also give you a chance to win almost infinite money, so long as it keeps going. A mechanic like this is a great selling point and makes payouts less frequent.  The theme of the game can also play a role. For example, if you’re a fan of a sports team or TV show and your favorite retail or online casino has a game using that license, it could make it higher volatility as you’ll be more inclined to play a game with that theme since it’s familiar to you.  Strategies for Playing Different Volatility Slots While slots are all the same concept—spin the wheel and hope for a win—we’ve learned the importance of identifying volatility. With that, some tips and strategies to deploy in each type exist.  Low to High Volatility Advice Low Volatility: This is a great time to relax. The wins are more frequent but not as massive. For this type of slot, you can come with a smaller bankroll and enjoy yourself.  Medium Volatility: When playing a slot with medium volatility, you’ll have to be prepared to pivot your wager amount based on your overall bankroll. We recommend fluctuating your wagers here a bit to get a chance at bigger payouts but also staying smaller to ensure you don’t run out of cash too quickly.  High Volatility: When approaching a high volatility slot, be prepared with a large bankroll and be equipped with a lot of patience. The wins can be big here, but they may not happen as often. Be prepared to make the maximum wager per round to win progressive jackpots. Otherwise, keep the wagers smaller, but be prepared to wait for a win.  Bankroll Management As with any casino game style, we recommend going into play all types of slots with a budget and staying true to yourself to stick to that number. You should never chase your losses under any circumstance.  As you climb the volatility ladder, be sure that you’re going into each with a slightly larger bankroll than the one before it.  With low volatility, you can have a smaller budget and divide it up over numerous sessions. With high volatility, have a large bankroll to sustain the losses you’ll likely face.  This also goes back to responsible gaming, too. Putting yourself in a position to play strictly for entertainment and not chasing losses is something we adamantly recommend to all prospective slot players.  The Role of Bonus Features in Slot Volatility  You may encounter numerous features when playing a slot, and each can impact volatility differently.  Slot Features Role in Volatility  Free Spins: If free spins are available in a game, players can win without wagering any additional money. However, if there are other features, this could lead to higher volatility. It may not be as volatile if a slot only offers free spins.  Multipliers: Multipliers allow for winnings to be, well, multiplied. These are available in all types of slots, but again, the volatility depends on the overall payout structure.  Wild Symbols: When playing slots, a wild symbol can replace any other symbol and create winning combinations. They can also help be the final piece of a winning payline regardless of the slot's volatility.  How Slot Features Impact Player Experience Whenever a lot has features, this creates additional excitement. Sure, you could have a game where you pull the lever, hoping for a winning payline, and move on, but the features mentioned above provide more variability to each spin, making each much more riveting.  Free spins are like house money. If you get these and win, it’s icing on the cake. The multiplier can make a standard win into something more massive. Finally, Wild Symbols can be, as mentioned, that exciting final piece to cap off a massive payline victory.  Ultimately, these add to the overall entertainment of a game.  Advanced Insights: Volatility in Progressive Jackpots and Online Slots We’ve mentioned progressive jackpot slots a couple of times now, which players will chase, as the payouts can be astronomical.  But how do these and volatility play together?  Examining Progressive Jackpot Slots Whenever you play a progressive jackpot slot, you should already be prepared for a high-volatility game. The jackpot continues to climb as a portion of players' losses are added to the overall progressive jackpot.  Additionally, for most progressive jackpots, you must wager the maximum amount to ensure the grand prize.  There’s a lot of risk here as it’s high volatility, but if you have the bankroll to withstand the round-by-round wagers and for a longer period, go for it.  Online Slots vs. Traditional Slots We also discussed this above, but volatility and RTP information are far more available in an online setting than in a traditional slot.  In a traditional setting, you may find more simplified design slots and something more intricate online.  Since online slots don’t take up actual space on a casino floor, the number of games is much higher, offering plenty of slots with low, medium, and high volatility.  How to Determine the Volatility of a Slot Machine Conclusion Before we leave you here, remember to be aware of a game's volatility if you want to play with any level of strategy. Slots are inherently random, but the randomness is only amplified as the volatility increases.  Understanding volatility is vital to managing your bankroll and managing your expectations.  So, when you head to a casino in person or play online, be sure to remember this page and open it again so you can maximize your bankroll to the best of your ability.  Let’s get out there and win money on our favorite slot games. 

According to the Nevada State Gaming Control Board, all slot machines on the Boulder Strip in Las Vegas carry an average RTP of 94.26%.  This is important to know as we’ll be going over loose slot machines, which are characterized as slot machines perceived to have a higher RTP. One of the more common myths associated with these slots is that the location of slots within a casino can signal whether they’re “loose” or “tight,” but the reality is that there’s no “one size fits all” in terms of how casinos organize their slots. That said, some casinos may be known to do this.  Below, we’ll continue tackling the notion of “loose” slot machines, looking at how they compare to “tight” ones, looking at more myths surrounding them, how digital advancements have changed the landscape, and so much more.  Defining Loose Slot Machines  Loose slot machines are simply slots that players believe carry a higher RTP than others. This conclusion is arrived at for various reasons, which we’ll discuss, but there’s a mix of both myths and misconceptions associated with these. We must flesh this out so you don’t have a preconceived notion when stepping foot into a casino.  Loose Slot Machines vs. Tight Slot Machines The concept of loose slot machines also relates to “tight” ones. Where there are loose slot machines, there are ones considered to be “tight,” and below, we’ll look at some myths and sort through them.  Before that, it’s important to understand what tight slot machines are.  These are considered to be the opposite of loose slot machines. Tight slot machines are believed to have low RTP, which means less frequent payouts.  Take your pick and enjoy our incredible slots below: Click here to dive into our wide array of free slots. Myths and Realities of Loose Slots Below, we’ll look at a few myths surrounding loose slot machines and debunk them.  The Location of Slot Machines One belief, as we mentioned, is that when you walk into a casino, the placement of where the slots are matters. Many believe that loose slots are at the end of slot aisles as a way to draw players in. However, this isn’t the case. Each slot has integrated software that can be different than the one next to it, and the design layout of the casino doesn’t necessarily point to it. Again, slots are all random.  However, we want to make it clear that some casinos may do that. It’s like going into a grocery store and sitting in line to see various products. Suggestive selling is a thing, and it happens at casinos.  There is data available for you to sort through which casinos tend to have the highest RTP.  Playing at Different Times of Day Some slot players might believe that playing at night or during the day impacts how machines pay out. Again, this simply isn’t the case. These machines are designed with software inside of them that has an RTP, and the RNG inside makes for a consistently random play session. These are digital slots, and they cannot be manipulated in that way.  Playing at Machines That Just Paid Someone Else Out  Another commonly held belief is that if you’re in a casino. You see a jackpot payout to another player, some may not bother with trying that machine because of the notion that a payout just occurred, so it won’t happen again. Again, slots are random. We cannot emphasize that enough. Past spins do not correlate with future spins.  While it’s mathematically unlikely that a jackpot is won and then the next spin is also a jackpot, it can occur. Play whatever slots you enjoy playing the most. These won’t tighten up after a win happens.  Casinos Can Alter the RTP of Machines While this is possible to do, there’s no way a casino could do that without regulatory approval. All casino play is monitored by in-state agencies like Gaming Control Boards, lotteries, or gaming enforcement entities.  How to Identify Loose Slot Machines As seen above, there are plenty of myths for identifying loose slot machines, but there are some tangible ways you can prepare yourself to spot what many consider a “loose” machine.  Research Ahead of Time Before going to a casino, see if you can find the machines they have on site. Research a few of them beforehand to get an idea of what the RTP for that machine is.  Try Machines That Are More Visible While we mentioned this isn’t always the case, you can research the casinos ahead of time that tend to have higher RTP and play the more visible machines. The concept here is that those machines will pay more often to entice players to keep playing.  Play at Reputable Locations  Again, using the links we mentioned above, you can look at what casinos in what region tend to payout better. Consider visiting those for more overall upside, but remember that slots are inherently random.  Ask Staff Members This could be hit or miss, but it never hurts to ask a staff member. They could point you in the right direction based on their experience working the floor, but again, there’s always the random element.  The Type of Slot Itself If you want to play a progressive jackpot slot, these will have lower RTPs than those that aren’t simply because of the ever-increasing payout.  Understanding RTP and Slot Volatility of Loose Slot Machines RTP, or Return to Player Percentage, is a metric for slot machines that demonstrates how often a machine pays out over time. For example, a machine has a 96% RTP; this means that, over time, $96 of every $100 wagered will be paid back to players. There’s a 4% house edge. Many consider loose slots to have higher RTPs than “tight” machines. These are sought out by players hoping to win more often.  Then there’s the element of volatility. This is used to assess the risk level of a slot machine and can dictate the overall frequency and size of potential payouts. Low-volatility games come with more upside for winning, but smaller payouts whereas high volatility is the opposite—less frequent payouts, but bigger rewards.  RTP and volatility massively impact the gaming experience, and what matters most is the type of player you are. If you’re someone who likes to win more often regardless of the amount, consistently playing high volatility slots could become frustrating.  Researching this for prospective slots you’re interested in ahead of time could save you a lot of time and money.  Progressive vs. Non-Progressive Loose Slots We briefly mentioned progressive slots above, and to reiterate, these are slots with jackpots that continuously increase until they are won. These are often low RTP and high volatility slots because, again, the payout potential is massive. Inside the “genre” of progressive slots, though, there are stand-alone games, in-house, and wide-area. These can refer to progressive slots that only build upon themselves, slots that combine winning pools with other slots, and those that are linked to multiple casinos. As for Non-Progressive games, these have fixed jackpots that are predetermined. So, if you win a jackpot with these, you know what amount you’re getting.  For these, if you want the thrill of a big win, go for progressive. If you want a chance at a jackpot but also want to settle for more of a chance at winning a fixed amount, pursue non-progressive games.  This goes back to loose versus tight—progressive slots could be considered “tight,” whereas non-progressive are considered “loose.”  Casino Strategies for Slot Placement We mentioned before that there’s no universal rule for how casinos place their slots throughout their game room floor, but we’d be lying if we said it never happened.  As mentioned before, with the shopping line, suggestive selling is real in all industries. It could be successfully argued that casinos that place slots in a highly visible area, especially when you first walk in and prospective players see active players winning, could encourage play from others.  Also, housing these slots near convenient locations like a bar or somewhere to eat could encourage people even more. They can consolidate their activities—eat and drink here and not venture too far to a slot where others were seemingly winning consistently.  This is a win-win for everyone: Players can win more often than usual, enjoy the amenities, and the casino will make money.  However, we want to stress again that slots are random, and there’s a psychological aspect to all of this. If you can reconcile that while something may appear to pay out more often, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will play and have fun.  Another thing to look for is slots near popular table games. This could allow players to play the slot, glance over, see a card game going on, and want to jump in there next.  Player Experiences with Loose Slots When you browse the web for player experiences playing loose slots or slots in general, you find a wide variety of experiences. Some have a more nuanced approach, but others don’t.  For example, a thread on Trip Advisor shows a poster asking about the legitimacy of loose slots and another person commented with their experience:  “Just got back from Vegas and the slots were the tightest I have ever experienced in the 10 years that I've been going. I don't care what people say that they can't make the machines "tighter", seems to me that something has definitely [sic] changed. It wasn't just that I wasn't hitting ANYWHERE from Mandalay Bay to the Hilton and everything in between. I saw no one else hitting either, and I played at all different times of the day and night.” As you can see in that post, that user discussed numerous myths we discussed above, including location and the time of day.  To us, these games are completely random. This player may not have won, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the machines were tighter. Again, there are regulatory procedures these casinos must follow.  To be frank, unfortunately, that player just had lousy luck as, again, slots are completely random. The player is simply trying to reconcile why he didn’t win. It’s no one’s fault. It’s just how slot machines operate.  Technology's Role in Slot Machine Payouts The evolution of technology has impacted slot machine payouts in massive ways over the years. Honestly, the notion of “loose” versus “tight” might’ve been a thing before certain technology was introduced, but again, that’s difficult to say with confidence these days.  Of course, the introduction of RNG has made it so no one can predict what will happen next with a spin. This allows players a fair chance at winning as opposed to casinos influencing the results of games.  Then there’s RTP and payout algorithms. Machines nowadays are programmed with RTP implemented into their software. These can be altered remotely, but not without approval.  There’s even more technology, though, such as linked machines for progressive jackpots, analytics on player behavior, and an overall enhanced user interface to make it more appealing aesthetically to play.  If the evolution of technology has ushered in anything, it’s fairness for the player. There’s more transparency than ever.  Legal and Regulatory Considerations We’ve mentioned numerous times throughout this guide that there are regulations that these casinos need to abide by.  These include things like licensing, complying with gambling laws in that state and jurisdiction, adhering to technical standards and receiving certification from independent testers, advertising the product honestly, and providing players with responsible gaming resources.  All of this comes together to create not only fairness for the player but holding casinos in compliance so that the “fairness” isn’t altered too heavily in their direction.  We mentioned there are in-state agencies that oversee this. They ensure that games are fair based on audits. These audits look into whether or not there is certification from outlets like eCOGRA or GLI that say a game is fair.  Each state is different in terms of requirements, so it’s important to always research your state to see what their laws are regarding minimum payout percentages.  Debunking Loose Slots: The Myth Behind Casino Payouts Manage Bankroll: This is a tip as old as casinos themselves, but setting a budget and sticking to it regardless of whether a slot is perceived to be “loose” or not ensures that you won’t chase losses and that you’re playing through a lens of entertainment.  Test Various Games: Feel free to roam around the game room floor and try different games. Set a specific number of spins per game see how you do at each and get a feel for which you enjoy most.  Read Reviews: Before playing at a machine, read reviews online of others’ experiences.  Engage with communities to receive insight into each title.  Look Into Promotions: These are far more common online, but check out what promotions might be available and how they can benefit your experience.  Decide What Type of Player You Are: Do you like to win more often? Play low-volatility games. Do you want to pursue a massive payout? Playing progressive slots.  Remember Slots Are Random: There are a lot of myths we laid out above, but remember that no matter what, slots are always going to be random from spin to spin.  Play Responsibly: Above all else, play smart and responsibly. Never wager more than you can afford. Always play with the mindset of entertainment. Treat it like going out to the movies. Never chase losses. Lastly, if someone you know or yourself is struggling, contact 1-800-GAMBLER. Loose Slot Machines Conclusion We’ve reached the end here, and we hope that you’ve come away with a better understanding of loose slot machines and, more importantly, their myths and realities. Some casinos may do things to entice players, but overall, it’s important to remember to play slots as entertainment and recognize that everything is random.  This isn’t the “Wild West” anymore—casinos cannot do whatever they want whenever they want. There are protections in place to keep games fair and safe for all players.  So, if you’re headed off to a casino soon, keep this page in mind and refer back to our tips and strategies for how to approach “loose” slot machines moving forward.

A modern slot machine is a feast for the senses with incredible visuals, superior sounds, interactivity, and so much more. The games are the backbone of the gaming industry and players can also now get in on the action for real money or for free online as well. Some of those playing these games may even think there are certain things they can do to tip the odds in their favor, such as a certain way to press the button on this machine. But is this actually true? Can a certain slot machine button sequence help determine winning spins? Those who believe this are mistaken and this article takes a look at this subject in depth to answer these types of questions. Keep reading to learn all about slot machine button sequences and whether they make a difference when playing these games. Buttons on a Slot Machine For the uninitiated, a slot machine may look like a complex device. There are varying buttons – sometimes on the cabinet and sometimes simply on the screen. There are a few key buttons or icons on a game for a player to make note of including: Lines to bet – These can vary by machine, but players use these to select the number of paylines they want active during a spin. Many players simply play the maximum number of paylines. Wager button – This is what a player uses to select how much to wager per payline. Spin button – This is the button used to set the reels in motion. Slot machines originally used a lever to get the mechanical reels inside the machine spinning. Now machines aren’t simply mechanical, so this is no longer necessary. Cash-out – This button is used to retrieve a player’s funds from the machine. This is now usually a ticket voucher that can be redeemed for cash in the casino. Online platforms cash out a player by sending the funds back to his player bank. Free-to-play slot platforms send any virtual coins on the machine back to the player bank as well. Take your pick and enjoy our incredible slots below: Click here to dive into our wide array of free slots. The RNG at Work Some players have the mistaken belief that how they initiate the reels via the buttons on the cabinet or on-screen can determine the outcome of a slot spin. This can involve patterns of betting, numbers of active paylines, and even how hard to press the buttons. Some players actually believe that slapping the slot machine buttons affects how a machine pays out. Popular slot streamer Brian Christopher made note of this myth in an entry on his blog. “Slot machines do not have feelings,” he writes on the BCSlots website. “They don't care if you win or lose, whether you're sad, mad, angry or glad. If you caress the button softly, talk sweet nothings to it, or simply slap it silly – it will provide you with a random response: WIN or LOSE. So slapping it has zero effect on the machine, especially when the outcome has already been decided.” On modern slots, the random number generator (RNG) determines the result of a spin. This is a software application that runs constantly to determine a result randomly. The RNG runs through billions of numbers to register a slot result. Players can at least expect a fair betting experience (although there is still a hefty house edge). The simple fact is that a winning or losing result is based solely on the RNG and using a sequence of buttons on the machine has no bearing on how a machine will pay out. The House Edge When playing slots, players must realize that the casino has a major edge – as much as 20% on some games – and nothing a player does can overcome that. The RNG solely determines winning spins and players have a significant uphill climb to win – especially when it comes to scoring one of those jackpots reaching into the hundreds of thousands of dollars or millions of dollars. That doesn’t mean that players can’t win. Many players walk away with significant winnings each day all around the world. But it’s important to note that players face a significant house edge when playing these games. No button sequence, lucky charm, time of day, slot location, or sending the game your “positive energy” is going to change that. A  slot pays out simply based on the high-tech, computer's inner workings. Strategies to Win While players can’t alter a game or change how the RNG pays out, there are some things to remember when playing to have a better chance of winning. Here’s a look at a few of those strategies. Take it slow – Making your bankroll last longer makes for a more enjoyable experience. Blowing through your cash isn’t fun and can cut a trip to the casino short – or leave a player spending more money than planned. Play within your budget – Only gamble money that you can afford to use and isn’t needed for other critical needs. This also goes for the stakes you play. Wagering more than you can afford can sap your bankroll and leave you without funds to play if a losing streak sets in. Learn the RTP – This stands for “return to player” and is the amount of money wagered in a slot that is returned to players. For example, a machine (or group of machines) may be set to pay back 92 cents out of every dollar back to players, a 92% RTP. The higher the RTP, the better chance for players to get some of their money back. Many slot and casino RTPs can be found online. Break things up – Sitting at a slot machine and just spinning and spinning may not always be a great idea. When playing slots and hitting a losing streak, go take a walk, grab a drink, take a nap, or do something else for a bit. Those slots aren’t going anywhere and you can live to fight another day – hopefully with more luck. Play for free – Some online slot platforms allow players to spin the reels without any real money involved. This can be a great way to play from anywhere, learn how slots work, and have some fun. Conclusion Some players believe that there are certain button sequences or movements that players can make to beat the slots and secure more consistent winnings. Like the notion of “hot” and “cold” slots, this is a myth. Players have very little to do with how a slot pays out, whether playing in a live casino or online. The random number generator (RNG) produces a random result, making for a fair game. Hitting certain buttons in certain ways has no bearing on winning and losing. A better plan to win is to play within your bankroll, not play stakes that you can’t afford, and get away from the games when you hit a losing streak. These ideas can also help players practice responsible gaming practices.