We have compiled a comprehensive selection of articles, YouTube videos, and podcasts about slot machines and how to win the slot machine jackpot! Learn how to play slot machines and how these complex machines work. Find out how to win on slot machines by reading these unique strategies from slot experts. Read and listen to interviews with the experts to learn slot machine tips and advice on the best slot machines to play.
Click the links below to read the articles and hear the podcasts.
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- Video Podcast – Slot Machines – When to Bet Maximum Coins with Steve Bourie
- Video Podcast – Answers to Common Slot Machine Questions with John Grochowski
- Video Podcast – How to Win on Slot Machines with slot expert Frank Legatoi
- Video Podcast – Slot Machines how they work and how to win with Steve Bourie
- Video Podcast – All about Slot Machines with Michael “Wizard of Odds” Shackleford
- Audio Podcast – Everything you ever wanted to know about slot machines with slot expert Frank Legato
- Audio Podcast – Slot Machines, how to win and how they work with slot expert John Robison
- Audio Podcast – Winning on Slot machines with slots expert Frank Legato
- Audio Podcast – Slot machine myths with slots expert John Robison
- Audio Podcast – Slot machines with John Growchowski
A detailed look at slot machines and how they work
These gambling machines have three or more spinning reels which display symbols. The goal is to spin the reels and have the symbols match up to form winning combinations. In order to play, you would place a bet, spin the reels and hope for the best possible winning combination.
Over the years these machines have evolved and modern slots are more exciting than ever. The majority of slots are played online through online casinos. The best online casinos offer hundreds of slots titles to choose from, and these modern online slots can offer up to millions of dollars in rewards.
So where do you start?
How to play slot machines
The first step in spinning those internet reels is finding an online casino or a selection of online casino games that look promising to you. You can start by reading our online casino reviews to see which ones suit your personal gambling preferences. Online casinos are constantly trying to keep up with their competitors by having the best software, best game selections, and of course, the best offers.
If you are interested in starting on the slot machines, it would be wise to look for those offers. With increasing competition comes better deals and more FREE MONEY! Online casinos love to boast about their long lists of slots titles and massive game selections. Therefore, you can often find casino bonuses that score you all kinds of free play on slots and other online casino games. The most common type of no-deposit bonuses is free spins bonuses. All you need to do is register with an online casino and start playing - no download or deposit necessary!
How to win at slots
Slot machines are much less intimidating compared to table games. There is not a huge deal of strategy involved. If you want to win the slot machine jackpot, you have to bet some money and for the most part, hope for the best. However, there are some slot machine tips that can increase your winning odds and help guide you to the best slot machines to play.
Modern-day slots are controlled by a random number generator (RNG) which is used to generate completely random number combinations. This controls the payback percentage for each slot machine. The RNG is programmed to have a specific payback percentage for its respective slot game. Usually, the more money the machine requires per bet, the higher the payback percentage will be. These payback percentages are rarely ever changed due to the amount of work it requires to make these revisions.
So how much are you willing to gamble? Knowing how much risk you are willing to take is an indicator of how much money you could walk away with. What kind of slots player are you? Are you someone who likes to go in big and take your chances at the progressive jackpot slots who are you okay will going in small and walking away with a bit at a time?
A game’s volatility refers to how much risk is involved with that game title. If you are aware of the volatility of the particular slots you wish to play, you will have an idea of how frequently you can expect the slot to pay out and how to win on slot machines. Low volatility slots will hit frequently but have lower payouts, while high volatility slots will hit less frequently, however, will payout in much higher amounts.
Once you have made this determination, then choose your slots accordingly. When playing slots, always bet high enough to activate a new set of winning symbols. This will increase the overall payback percentage. When betting on progressives, always play the games with the highest jackpots and be sure to bet the maximum amount of coins in order to be eligible to win this jackpot.
It is very important to familiarize yourself with the slots you choose to play. Different titles have different return-to-player (RTP) rates. RTP refers to the funds a player is expected to win back from a certain game over a predetermined amount of time. This percentage is a theoretical number usually used as a reference. The average RTP rate for online slots is 96% however, some online slots have extremely high RTP rates.
Scoring the slot machine jackpot
The best slot machines to play are arguably the progressive slots. These slot machine jackpots titles can pay upwards of $1 million. However, the odds of actually winning are extremely slim. Our experts have taken a look at these and have studied what increases your chances on how to win at slots with progressive jackpots.
The progressive jackpot slots are made from a percentage of the money played in the slot titles included. As more and more players put money into the progressive jackpot, the total grows until one lucky winner gets the winning combination. The payback percentage on the other winning symbols will pay out less and not all progressive slots will payout the same. It is a good idea to learn as much as you can about the types of slots you wish to play, so you can know what to expect from them.
Finding the best slot machines to play
The most advantageous way to browse slot machines is through finding bonuses and special offers. This way, you can try out different games without risking your own money. There are many different ways you can claim casino bonuses and these bonuses all come in different forms.
Oftentimes, online casinos will advertise their game selections by offering free play bonuses and free spins bonuses. These casino bonuses allow you to try out online casino games before registering with a casino or depositing your own money. Free play and free spins bonuses are a great way for online casinos to reel in new customers. There are so many casino options on the market, it can be tough competition for casinos.
Once you have found an online casino or a few online casinos that you feel are a good fit, you can register and receive your welcome bonuses. Welcome bonuses are offered once you have signed up with an online casino. This is a great way for the online casino to reward you for choosing them. Welcome bonuses usually include a certain amount of free spins and free play as well, so that you can start feeling comfortable with the selection of games offered.
When you think you are ready to start depositing your own money, you can expect to start receiving the big bonuses. Online casinos will often offer first deposit bonuses, and some even offer second and third deposit bonuses! These are usually the biggest bonuses, oftentimes offering a 100% match bonus on the first (sometimes even second and third) deposit. This means that if you deposit $500 into an online casino to start playing, they will match you, giving you a FREE $500 to play with. Think of all the spins you can achieve with that!
Of course, you will get to keep your winnings, however, most online casinos will have wagering requirements attached to their bonuses. Always read the terms and conditions before you deposit your money to avoid any disappointment.
Casino floors used to be filled with nickel and quarter slot machines. And casinos made healthy slots profits with these coin denominations for decades.
But nowadays, penny slot machines are the dominant game. These slot machines are enticing because they only require players to bet one cent on each payline.
Some might think of these games as mindless entertainment due to how you’re merely spinning the reels over and over. But I’ve actually learned some important lessons from playing penny slots.
Here are the 5 biggest lessons I learned from penny slot machines, including things I’ve applied to both gambling and real-life situations.
1. Always Understand What You’re Getting Into – Especially With Penny Slots
The name alone is what draws many players to penny slot machines. The term penny slots creates the idea that you can play for as little as one cent per spin.
But this isn’t the case at all, because most penny slots force you to play a fixed number of paylines. If you’re on a 50-line penny slot machine, then you’ll need to wager a minimum of $0.50 per turn.
This isn’t exactly what beginning gamblers have in mind when they sit down to a penny slots game. The same players are often shocked when their money quickly vanishes.
I myself fell for this the first time I played a penny slot machine. I automatically assumed that the game was going to be really cheap, but it drained my funds faster than a nickel or quarter machine.
I’m not saying that casinos are evil for putting these games on their floors. But you need to be aware of what you’re getting into with these games, just like anything else in life.
Here’s a dramatic comparison. You should always read through a contract before signing it, because failing to read a contract before signing could loop you into a bad deal. Likewise, you shouldn’t play a penny slot machine without first reading the help screen.
I realize that there’s more at stake when you sign a bad contract without reading through. But I want to stress that some penny slot machines are like bad contracts of the gambling world.
Best Penny Slot Wins
This explains how many lines you need to play along with minimum bets for specific bonus features and the jackpot.
For example, Aristocrat’s Game of Thrones slot machine requires that you make a 100-credit wager to active the Fire & Blood Bonus.
You can risk less than this on Game of Thrones. But most slots players don’t want to play a game where they don’t qualify for the best bonus features.
Some slot machines require that you play up to 300 credits, or $3 per spin for certain bonuses and/or the progressive jackpot, and $3 is hardly what players expect to wager on a penny slot machine.
Again, read the help screen to find out how much you need to bet to be eligible for every feature. This prevents you from being shocked when having to risk $1-$3 per spin to play.
The good news is that you can find cheaper penny slot machines in land-based casinos. Some of these games only require that you play 20 lines or less to qualify for everything.
2. Prepare Your Bankroll for the Worst
Continuing off the last point, many penny slots can be expensive. And this taught me both a life and gambling lesson in that you should always prepare for the worst.
Sometimes unexpected things happen that can rock you financially.
Nobody expects their heater to go out. But when it does, and the heater needs replaced, you’re staring at a $1,200 bill.
Hopefully no slot machine ever becomes this expensive for you. But on a smaller scale, you should always plan for the worst with slots.
This is especially the case with penny games that require playing 100-300 credits to unlock every feature. You’re risking between $1 and $3 per spin in this case.
Slot machines are already volatile, meaning they produce very unpredictable short-term results. Adding expensive bets on top of this volatility can create a bankroll nightmare.
How do you avoid this nightmare and plan for the worst? The best way is to do some simple bankroll calculations.
Here’s an example for a land-based penny slot machine.
- The average land-based penny slots player loses 350 bets (units) per hour
- You have a $500 bankroll
- You choose a penny slot with 50 lines ($0.50 minimum bet)
- 500 / 0.5 = 1,000 units
- 1,000 / 350 = 2.86
- You can expect your bankroll to last for 2.86 hours on this 50-line game
Keep in mind that this is only an average estimate, and you should have enough money to cover an even-worse scenario. As long as you only bring money to the casino that you’re fine with losing, then this won’t bother you.
3. Don’t Let Colorful Themes and Small Payouts Trick You
We all know that companies use clever marketing campaigns to get us to buy the products.
I accept this fact because businesses are out to increase their profit margins. And marketing is one of the best tools to make this happen.
But on the same note, I don’t want to be a slave to clever marketing and buy a bunch of things I don’t need.
Slot machines are similar in that gaming companies use colorful themes, 3D graphics, music, bonuses, and more to attract your attention. Slots makers know that their products will be placed in more casinos if they draw a large share of players.
I have no problem with people choosing slot machines based on the themes and surrounding entertainment. After all, the point of playing slots is to have fun.
But don’t get so sucked into the theme, graphics, and alluring music that you lose all sense of time and money. Instead, realize that these elements are designed to keep you playing longer than you initially planned for.
Another trick to avoid involves the numerous small payouts that modern slot machines offer.
Multiple studies have shown that a psychological effect kicks in when players receive small rewards after each spin. These frequent payouts convince players that they’re winning, even when they’re losing money overall.
Here’s an example to illustrate this phenomenon.
- You’re playing 100 lines on a penny slot ($1 bet)
- You win a $0.20 payout on one line
- While the win is nice, you’ve technically lost $0.80 overall
Stepping back, anybody can logically see that this is a losing long-term proposition. And $0.20 payouts don’t make up for the loss of $0.80.
But it’s tougher to think in these terms when you’re engrossed in a game while making span after spin. This is another area where you need to be consciously aware of what game manufacturers are doing.
While it’s great to net lots of wins in each session, you also need to keep your overall winnings and bankroll in mind.
4. Playing Lots of Lines Is Entertaining
I’ve already discussed how expensive penny slot machines can be. But one of the greatest benefits is that you can also win lots of payouts thanks to the numerous lines.
Every payline that’s in play gives you a chance to win. And while the odds of winning with each line aren’t great, it’s still fun knowing that you have 50 or more chances to win on each turn.
The same lesson can be applied to life in that people are sometimes willing to pay more for certain forms of entertainment.
One example is how you can race Ferraris and Lamborghinis around the SPEEDVEGAS track for anywhere between $50 and $80 per lap.
Driving go-karts is cheaper and also entertaining. But go-karts don’t give adults the same thrills as driving a Ferrari around a race track.
Playing penny slot machines with lots of lines doesn’t have to comparatively be so expensive either.
Instead, you can choose games with lower volatility that increase your hit frequency, or the odds of winning with each individual payline. Doing so boosts the chances that you’ll net frequent wins and better sustain your bankroll.
A small number of slot machines actually offer a volatility rating in the help screen. For example, you might see between 1 and 5 lightning bolts to indicate how much variance is involved.
Unfortunately, most penny slots don’t have volatility ratings. You have to look for specific factors in this case to determine the game’s volatility.
Here are 3 factors that can help you out.
- Jackpot size
- Number of large payouts
- Number of small payouts
Low-volatility penny slots feature a smaller jackpot, fewer large payouts, and more small prizes than the average game.
A smaller jackpot combined with fewer large prizes means that a slot machine doesn’t need to make up for the top-heavy payout structure. In turn, the game can offer more small payouts on a frequent basis.
Of course, some players are only interested in playing for big jackpots and other prizes. This is perfectly fine if you don’t mind dealing with the chance that your bankroll will quickly disappear.
But if you want to extend your entertainment on a penny slot with 100 or more lines, then look for signs of low volatility.
Understanding Slot Machine To Win
5. Cheaper Penny Slots Alternatives Exist
Many of the lessons that I’ve learned regarding penny slots came in land-based casinos. But one more lesson I learned comes from the world of online penny slots.
When people can’t afford a specific item or form of entertainment, they seek out companies that can provide them for a cheaper rate.
Not everybody can purchase expensive Gucci or Chanel clothing. But almost everybody can afford clothes at Walmart or on Amazon.com.
And you can look at online penny slots as the Amazon or Walmart of the gambling world.
I’m not saying that the value from online penny slot machines comes entirely from how cheap they are. In fact, a great deal of people play these games just because they’re more convenient than going to the casino.
But it should also be noted that internet penny slots are perfect for anybody who finds land-based slot machines to be too expensive.
How To Play Penny Slots
Some online penny slots truly embody the name, because the minimum bet is $0.01 (one cent on a single line). This is what many gamblers have in mind when they first hear the words penny slots.
Other games require you to play between 20-50 fixed paylines. While this is expensive for some players, it’s still cheaper than what’s seen in land-based casinos.
On these games, I usually play anywhere from 20-30 lines at a penny apiece.
Also note that many online penny slot machines see you qualify for bonuses and the jackpot no matter how much you wager. This is good for anybody who cringes at being forced to play 100-300 lines for the features.
That said, check out online casinos if you don’t like the prospect of spending $0.50 or more on the average penny slot machine.
Conclusion
The main lesson worth noting about penny slot machines is that they’re not what the name implies. As long as you understand this fact going in, you’ll be perfectly fine with these games.
You should note that penny slots in land-based casinos have fixed payline amounts.
Brick-and-mortar casinos have more expenses to pay than online casinos. Therefore, they need to win back a greater rate from slot machine players.
Remember that casinos are businesses like anything else. And their goal is to earn enough money to make profits. That said, requiring 50+ pay lines and using entertaining themes to keep people playing doesn’t make them corrupt.
On the other hand, you want to know this all right away. By knowing this info, you’ll avoid having to learn the same lessons that I did through penny slot machines.
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