How to play slots: Odds, strategies and payouts
Historically, slot machines have been the easiest and most accessible form of casino gambling. Choose which game you want to play and how much you want to spend, then start spinning. Your results will appear within seconds.
And the best part is, it’s just you and the game. No other players and you don’t need any skills – it’s all about the luck of the spin.
Stunning graphics and sounds enhance the experience of most slot games. Some are named after game shows (Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, The Price Is Right), reality shows (American Idol, The Amazing Race), drama series (Game of Thrones), or movies (The Hangover, Alien, Star Trek). Pop culture branding is an alluring feature for some bettors, just like certain amusement parks.
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Wheel of Fortune slots are arguably the most popular as they offer a chance to win bonus spins that pay out in cash just like in the real game. If your bonus spins are successful, the machine will say “Wheel of Fortune!”
Another interesting game is Lobstermania, where there are multiple ways to win and where a fisherman pulls different lobsters out of a trap.
How to play slot machines
Once you have deposited some money, the money will appear on your screen. Bets are deducted from your bankroll and money made from your winnings is added back.
Click a button to indicate how much you want to bet on each spin. You will see minimum and maximum bet amounts that represent your betting range. Check the paytable to determine the payouts for each spin.
Slot wins are determined by how objects are oriented on the screen – horizontally, vertically, diagonally or even zigzag. If you are not having much luck with one game, you can always switch to another and transfer your account balance.
Ease of movement is one of many reasons slot machines are so popular.
Strategies to increase the odds
When playing slots, as with other betting formats, higher risk leads to higher reward. Because of this, max betting can be a rewarding way to play.
If you hit a pattern with big odds, the payout is multiplied according to the paytable. If you play Lucky 7 and the numbers stop on the same horizontal line, which doesn’t happen very often, you can win big.
However, playing at higher stakes has its risks. There are no certainties with slot machines and players can make several consecutive spins without winning.
There is only one absolute rule: you can’t win if you don’t spin.
All bettors should put this into practice: set a limit and stick to it. Because it is so easy to play slots and how quickly you win or lose, some bettors may not know when to stop.
It is always easier to gamble with winning money, known as house money, than with fear money, which refers to money a bettor cannot afford to lose. Perhaps you play past your original bankroll to dig out of a hole and expect the next spin to salvage your failed bets. However, this can lead to greater losses.
To use a baseball analogy, you’re either ahead or behind in the count. Trying to win back a significant amount of lost money can be a dangerous proposition – on slots or any other casino game. Slots are easy to play, but it’s best not to get too deep.
is a Toronto-based freelance writer who writes casino content for NorthStar Bets. NorthStar Bets is owned by NordStar Capital, which also owns Torstar, Star’s parent company.
Disclaimer This content was created as part of a partnership and as such may not meet the standards of impartial or independent journalism.
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