Our Best Tips and Tricks for Playing Online Slots

Published on 29th January 2016 by Adam

We often get asked for tips from players who are hoping to increase their chances of winning when playing online slots.

For that reason, we thought we would draw together some knowledge we have gained from experience and stick it all in one post that might just help you enjoy your experience when playing casino games.

Of course, there are no impenetrable winning strategies because the slots are programmed to be random, but there are a few ploys you can adopt to help you have more fun when playing online slots, and hopefully score a few wins too.

Understand How Online Slots Work

If you are going to devote your leisure time to playing online slots, it’s worth understanding how they work.

Most importantly, you need to appreciate that a computer programme called a Random Number Generator (RNG) is responsible for determining your fate when you spin a slot.

The RNG generates three random numbers on each spin, which are then converted into the visual display of the reels that you see before you.

Random Number Generators Do Not Follow Patterns

Programming ensures that the numbers generated do not follow any defined patterns and are not affected by prior results, or previously generated number.

This ensures that each spin is an independent event, and the numbers generate fulfill their definition of being ‘random’. This ensures that each player who spins an online slot has the same chance of winning.

The point about each spin being an independent event is worth remembering, because you may read claims that you can predict reels by looking at how they lie after a spin.

Some have suggested that reels which display ‘zig-zag’ patterns can help predict when a big win is coming.

This is not true because every time you press spin, a new set of numbers are generated relating to that spin and that spin only.

The RNG does not have a memory and does not take the slot’s history or your own prior luck into consideration when you play.

Online Slots Tips and Tricks

Now we have established how Random Number Generators determine your fate on online slots, are there any tips that can help you when you play?

There are certainly a few pieces of advice that we recommend that you take into account. They may just help improve your account balance at an online casino, but, most importantly, they will help you enjoy the experience of playing the best slots all the more.

Set Yourself A Budget and Stick To It

This sounds like an obvious point, but we all play online slots to enjoy the experience and we are unlikely to have fun if we lose way more money than we can afford.

Decide the amount you can spare and once it’s gone it’s gone. Many casinos allow you set a daily/weekly/monthly deposit limit so if you are prone to temptation or getting carried away, use tools like those provided by Mr Green’s ‘Green Gaming’ deposit limits.

Do Not Chase Your Losses

Chasing your losses is an ill-advised concept that leaves you prone to losing even more.

It refers to the temptation to keep on playing when you are on a losing streak in the hope that you will hit a win and recoup some or all of your lost cash.

As the slots are random, you never know what is coming next – chasing losses might work if your luck is in, but there’s a good chance it won’t.

Again, stick to your budget and accept there’s a chance you might lose. The real trick is to ensure you don’t lose more than you can afford and play because you enjoy it.

Look Out For Free Spins Offers

Free spins represent one of the very best casino bonuses out there.

In essence, they allow you play some free slots, because you won’t have to put any money down to spin the reels.

This means you can enjoy a longer gaming experience for less cash – and try out plenty of games to boot.

No deposit free spins are the best and plenty of casinos offer those when you sign up.

You will ultimately be playing without risk when you snap up some free spins without deposit.

Use Casino Bonuses Wisely

It’s not only free spins that can help you enjoy slots for longer. Cash bonuses are also well worth looking out for.

You will see offers of 100% cash bonuses and 200% bonuses and 50% bonuses at loads of casinos.

You should always be aware that you are usually have to wager any bonus cash several times over before withdrawing associated winnings BUT you are not using your own money when playing with bonus cash, so you don’t have anything to lose. You will get to enjoy playing some slots without risk.

There’s been good news in 2019 as lots more casinos are beginning to offer bonuses with no wagering requirements, which means you can keep what you win straight. Nice!

Gobble Up Free Cash At Selected Online Casinos

Free spins are much more commonplace than free cash, but the latter is still offered by some casinos – and it offers to perfect the way you play free slots.

Unlike the % bonuses, which are credited when you make a deposit, free cash is provided without deposit.

You have to look quite hard for free cash offers, but Slot Planet offers €10 when you sign up and a number of our featured NetEnt casinos, such as Lord Lucky offer €5 free cash. See a full list including other casinos on our €5 free cash page.

Play Some Free Slots Before You Commit Your Cash

Casinos such as LeoVegas and Royal Panda let you ‘play for fun’ before you spend your money on any game.

We highly recommend you try different games in free play mode to get a feel for them before you start committing your cash. It will help you understand the slot works and how you can win.

Take Your Time

If you enjoy playing slots, there’s a temptation to log on straight after work and sprint your way through hundreds of slots in an hour.

Slow down, enjoy playing, savour your victories and know when to walk away – whether that is with some tasty winnings or while you are on a losing streak.

Also devote some energy to finding your favourite games, you are more likely to win if you understand and enjoy a particular slot.

Look Out For Jackpot News If You Want To Win Big

We monitor the NetEnt progressive jackpot slots regularly, so look our for our jackpot articles to see the latest news on Mega Fortune, Arabian Nights, Hall of Gods and the rest.

Nobody can say who will win the jackpot, but if a jackpot slot is long past its average payout time frame, it’s fair to predict that it might blow soon.

The Bottom Line – Play Because You Enjoy It

The most important advice we can give you is this…play because you enjoy it, not to win.

It might sound daft, but it definitely rings true. Don’t expect to be quitting your job because you play slots, visit online casinos for a bit of escapism and leisure time.

Don’t assume you’ll win, be prepared to lose sometimes and you will experience some decent wins along the way. Players do win life changing amounts – it really does happen – but this shouldn’t be your expectation. Play for fun first and foremost.