While slot games by their very nature are random, they do operate under certain rules that allow you to predict how they will behave. The first thing to understand about UK slots Games (both online and in the real world) is that they operate on probability. This probability is expressed through something called RTP (return to player) and is a percentage of the money taken that will be awarded back to players. If a slot game has an RTP of 99% and takes £1,000, it will (statistically) pay out £990, keeping back the 1% as profit. The percentage that the game keeps is called the “house edge”. This is how slot games make their money.
The higher the RTP, the better your chance of winning. It should be noted that this probability is expressed over long periods, which is to say that a player who bets£10 on a slot game with an RTP of 95% is not guaranteed to get £9.50 back.
Can You Tell if a Slot Game is Ready to Pay?
One of the problems with online slots is that you can’t gauge how ready it is to pay out from just watching. In a local casino, bar, or other real-world settings, you might notice that someone has put a lot of money into a particular slot and has not won anything significant yet. That is a good sign that the slot could be ready to pay out.
The trick for online slots is not so much about telling if it is ready to pay out, but recognizing when it is not ready to pay. Slots are streaky by nature-meaning they run hot and cold. If you are playing for a long time, perhaps getting some small wins along the way, you are probably in a cold patch, and your best bet would be to walk away rather than keep putting your money in, potentially for somebody else to win. On a similar note, many online casinos announce big wins to encourage new players to join. If you see that somebody has just won big at a particular game, give that one a wide berth for a while. You can do this in real casinos, of course, but you would have to be in the area to notice a big payout.
Can You Make a Slot Machine Payout?
While there is a long a torrid history of cheating slot machines in land-based casinos (something we wouldn’t recommend if you enjoy not being in jail), there are no such options for online casinos. You can’t put shaved coins in an online slot machine, for instance. And, without the possibility of cheating, there is no way to make a slot machine payout.
There are ways to push things a little more in your favour, however. For one thing, focus your play on the higher paying slot machines with a good RTP. The machine will pay out fairly regularly as a general rule, it is the big payouts that are few and far between. Sticking to the bigger money machines will ensure your smaller wins feel more significant. And, if and when you do hit a big win, it will be a big win.
Another thing you can do is make liberal use of bonuses. Many online casinos offer free spins on card registration to get you through the metaphorical door. Using these new player bonuses on slots will help to take some of the edges off of that house edge, and get you closer to the big wins at a smaller cost.
Online Slot Machine Myths Debunked
When it comes to online slots, how well do you know your stuff? The online gambling industry is so vast and often overwhelming, especially for new players. Not only is there an ocean of slots and casino games to wade through, but there are also still plenty of myths circulating regarding how online slot games work. Are they fixed? Is it virtually impossible to generate a win? If a slot machine has recently paid out, is it unlikely to pay out again for quite a while? Each of these is valid, common questions pondered by newbies considering placing their first online slot wager, as well as some experienced players too.
We’re going to help debunk some of the common myths surrounding online slots, but first, it helps to understand how online slots operate.
Myth: Online Slots are Fixed
False. The RNG slot game algorithm ensures fairness and transparency, and the spin outcome is entirely random and uninfluenced by former spins.
Myth: There is Very Little Chance of Winning on a Slot Game
False. If you’ve ever looked into slots, you may have heard of the return to player (RTP) rate. This figure provides the statistics for a player’s return from their bets over a significant period of time. The RTP rate varies between games, but players should typically expect an RTP of approximately 95% – 97% (sometimes higher, sometimes lower). The higher the RTP, the higher the chance of the slot game paying out.
Myth: Don’t Expect a Win for a While if the Slot Game Has Just Paid Out
False. We now understand that the slot is programmed using the RNG which ensures a reel spin outcome entirely independent of any other spin. As a result of this, even if you have won the jackpot on your last spin, your next spin has just as much chance of winning again as any other spin. Each reel spin is 100% randomised.
Myth: You Cannot Improve Your Chances of Winning
False (to an extent). We’re clear that slots are not fixed and that every outcome is completely randomised, so you’re probably wondering how on earth a player could improve their technique and encourage a win. While there are never guarantees, of course, it is still helpful to begin playing online slots wisely. By this, we mean, read the rules of gameplay before starting. Understanding how the slot game works can put you in the best possible position, as you will be clear as to which symbols are high value, trigger bonus features, etc. You may be able to use this knowledge to give you a better chance of landing a winning combination, for example, if you were able to respin a particular reel while all other reels were fixed, in an attempt to land the best win possible.
The Bottom Line
Online slots may be super popular but some gamblers are put off by assumptions similar to those outlined above. Always read the game instructions rather than blindly playing a random slot game with no knowledge of how the game or bonus feature works. Remember that each spin is completely randomised and there is never a win guarantee. You can practise playing free slots online, choose the game with the highest RTP and you’ll be well on your way to becoming an online slots master!
While online slots and classic machines are not predictable on a small scale, their broad behaviour can be predicted with enough of a degree of accuracy to make it worth your while, if you are prepared to put the effort in and do your homework.
One thing to remember is that there are plenty of people out there doing the same thing as you, so while the games with the highest RTP that have gone the longest without paying out are certainly attractive prospects, they will also be in high demand. In other words; don’t be afraid to travel off of the beaten path in your search for a paying slot.
But, perhaps most importantly, don’t fall into the trap of sitting at one slot machine for an age, watching all of your money disappear. Knowing when to walk away is perhaps one of the most useful skills to have.
