Players around the world have recognised it for decades: slot machines provide a wonderful experience, but they can also deliver big wins. However, online casinos, game libraries and casinos usually have thousands of slot machines. How to choose the best slots? And when do slots offer the best?
The number of online casino players remains stable over time, with more and more players from New Zealand taking to online pokies. Online, there are an additional number of slots to choose from than real-world casinos. Is that why you should pay more attention to them? Below you will find the 10 most effective strategies for playing slots online.
Since then, online 3-reel slots have become the only option available. Modern video slots offer up to 243 or more ways to win. To maximise your online pokies profitability, you need to make the most of its features. So play as many lines as possible with as many options as possible. However, pay attention to your weight: for more information on this, see the sections on bankroll financial management.
The basic idea is that the higher your stake, the better your chances of winning. If you only use one of the paylines with a total value of 1 cent, the full potential of the online slot will not be realised. Often the payout ratio increases with a certain number of paylines, and additional bonus features are available by placing a higher bet. The total bet is made up of the coin value per line, the number of lines and the number of coins per line.
With more money wagered and more lines played, the win rate is often higher and you can expect bigger prizes and more bonus features.
Be careful to keep your bet within your budget.
Slot machines have different RTPs and variance. Over time, slots with a higher return to player (RTP) usually pay back more per game than slots with a lower RTP.
In general, machines with a high payback rate should be preferred, e.g. 97% or more. Such slots are also called “losers”. High variance slots usually have smaller payouts, but usually have higher rewards. If the slot machine is low variance, you can expect more consistent but smaller rewards. Choose an online pokies game that offers your preferred win percentage.
RTP is recognised by many manufacturers as part of the paytable and can be accessed by clicking on the info button. In other cases, the variability is also indicated. If one or more specific details are missing, you can search for them online, for example on the manufacturer’s website or in our payment table, or you can ask the online casino customer service directly. Alternatively, you can simply play a few games and see if an online slot pays off for you.
The payout percentage is a long-term average of the cost of paying bets and playing games.
Volatility is the consistency of payment patterns.
This information can be found in the pay table room, customer service or online.
By managing your finances properly, you’ll always keep an eye on your finances and end up playing more games at the best online slots. In the end, you should only bring as much money as you can afford to take with you to the slot machine. First, give yourself a maximum amount of time you can spend without any financial consequences over the next few weeks or months.
This is the total amount of money you have at your disposal, which does not have to be the entire amount in your player account.
For the sake of clarity, let’s assume that NZ$1000 is a typical value. You then divide the total amount into 5 to 10 percentages that you take with you to the slot machine, e.g. NZ$50 to NZ$100. Choose 5% for low or medium volatility machines and 10% for high volatility machines. If you lost the full amount, it would have only a small impact on your finances and you could continue to play with less variation in the next session.
Use only the funds that are available to you.
Use financial management to keep things in order.
The amount of change available during a session is 5 to 10 percent of the total bankroll.
Bankroll management is also beneficial in determining the number of spins per bet. Again, we use percentages. Using a conservative approach to bankroll management, you should spend around 2% of the available session amount per spin for low volatility slots and no more than 1% for high volatility slots. This will facilitate recovery efforts.
If the session costs NZ$50, this would be an investment of NZ$1 per spin. As you have already learned, you should use as many lines and features as possible. So check that you can use all the paylines with the predetermined spin amount. Then, if necessary, change the coin size and the number of coins per line to achieve the bet per spin and start the game.
The bet per spin is 1 or 2 percent of the total funds available for the session.
Choose the number of paylines you wish to use, the coin amount and the highest coin value for that amount.
Almost all online pokies have a feature that automatically plays the game. This feature makes it easier to play the game automatically without having to press the spin button each time. However, autoplay has its drawbacks: some machines do not allow the use of additional features at the end of the round, such as a risk meter. In addition, you can easily forget about your current financial situation and balance. After all, you are no longer placing direct bets every time.
Some manufacturers offer the possibility to configure your own limits, including a maximum loss or win amount for the autoplay feature, as well as the stake. Only choose Autoplay if you can afford it and don’t miss the extra features.
H3 – Our recommendations:
With Autoplay, you are automatically playing.
Some of the additional benefits of slot machines are not available during the autoplay feature.
Take care of your bank account while the Autoplay feature is running.
If possible, specify a maximum loss amount, e.g.
You may have played online slots with progressive jackpots before. Such jackpots, which cross multiple networks such as Mega Moolah, are usually awarded randomly. However, it is important to remember that winning these big jackpots is highly unlikely and they are only awarded a few times a year at participating online casinos.
Usually, to win a jackpot, you need to play at the highest bet. In addition, the percentage of jackpot slots that pay out 90% is as low as possible. Therefore, consider the value of the respective jackpot slots in detail.
It is highly unlikely that you will win a large progressive jackpot with jackpots.
A jackpot can often only be won if the maximum amount of money is wagered in each round.
Some progressive jackpot slots have a low payout percentage of around 90%.
One of the many advantages of online slots is the free demo mode. You can evaluate most online slots at online casinos using play money or by playing for free without registering. The exception is progressive jackpots, which can only be played with real money. Trying out a free game allows you to get to know a slot machine and its features without being afraid to take risks. This is especially beneficial for new online pokies that come with a large bonus package. If you like the slot and have a basic understanding of the game, you can use real money during the game.
Many online slots are available as a free variant.
Try playing for free before you start earning real money.
Also, bankroll management is beneficial by setting the number of spins per bet. Again, we use percentages. Using a conservative approach to bankroll management, you should spend around 2% of the available session amount per spin for low volatility slots and a maximum of 1% for high volatility slots. This will help you to overcome even the most severe losing trends.
If the session costs NZ$50, this would be an investment of NZ$1 per spin. As you have already learned, you should use as many lines and features as possible. So check that you can use all the paylines with the predetermined number of spins. Then change the coin size and the number of coins per line until you reach the bet per spin and start the game.
You cannot control the amount of money that the slot pays out best. The payouts are based on a random number generator.
It is possible that a slot machine will not give the desired result despite the best conditions. If you realise that you are spending money for nothing and the situation is not improving, stop playing the slot and find a better one. You can also end your session for good. Do not try to reconnect with friends or win the lottery, as these are all forms of gambling. Set a maximum loss that you will not exceed.
If you are in a losing cycle, change your online game.
Acknowledge your failures and don’t go over your failure limit.
Not every online casino is legal. You should only play real money slots in games that have a legal gambling licence. Examples include licences from the Malta Gaming Authority and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in Canada. If an online casino has a legal licence, it is likely to have player safety, integrity and protection that is higher than any other reputable casino.
On the websites of licensed online casinos you will usually find the logo of the authorised website of the licensee; in most cases there is also a direct link to the valid licence. If you cannot find the licence, you should avoid the area. In our online casino assessment reports you will find legitimate operators with a legitimate licence.
A gambling licence ensures both safe and legal play.
Only play online casino games that have a legal gambling licence.
We also want to help players who are trying their luck in casino and arcade games. After all, you can’t just excel online. That’s why in the second part of the article below you will find the most effective casino and gambling sites. Many of the online tips you can also use in real life.
What you can do online, you can also do offline:
Play as many paylines and as many features as possible.
When playing online pokies, you should take 10% of your total bankroll with you.
Put 1% or 2% of your total session credit on each spin.
You will usually only get big jackpots if you spend the maximum amount of money each round.
All or nothing slots pay well throughout the day or night.
If you’re not having any luck, try another game or end the session completely.
What to avoid when playing off-line:
Ask the staff about payout percentages. If you are not sure, ask the staff about the slots with the highest probability of winning. You can also ask them which slots they personally like to play the most and why. Help them if you can provide useful answers.
You can’t play for free offline: If you want to play a slot machine you are unfamiliar with and have questions about its features, you can wait a while and watch other players. A game that is completely free, such as in an online casino, is usually not possible in a gaming room or casino. Alternatively, you can start with small stakes that will allow you to get to know the machine.
In addition, there are additional recommendations that can be applied to the nature of casinos and gambling venues. We have compiled these for you in the following subsections. The following advice is specific or generalisable to offline gaming only.
In licensed casinos, which are publicly funded, slot machines usually have higher payout odds than other machines in the games library, restaurants and betting shops. In public casinos, slot machines have an expected return of 90% or more, with an RTP of typically 60-80%. Only online casinos have a higher payout percentage. If you like to play games and want the highest possible win percentage, play at casinos with licensed games.
Slots in public casinos have a higher payout ratio than slots in game collections.
Casino and gambling hall operators usually design their gambling facilities according to certain principles. For example, slot machines that are highly visible and attract large numbers of visitors have a higher win percentage than slot machines that are located in secluded areas or next to poker and roulette tables.
Many customers in the area need to recognise that people are participating in the games and winning, and as a result they need to be encouraged to participate themselves. Select gaming machines that are located on an elevated platform in a recognisable location. Slot machines usually have a high RTP at entrances and near exchange counters.
In New Zealand you can also play on several machines at the same time, as casino operators and slot parlours often place slots that are vacant near several low-earning machines. If you play several online pokies in a row, one of them is likely to have a high RTP. Test the slots for a few cycles and evaluate the results.
There are sections in gaming halls and casinos that have different slots with different RTPs.
Prefer to play on machines that are easily accessible.
Avoid slot machines in isolated areas.
Play several machines at the same time and choose the ones with the highest win percentages.
Gambling establishments and casino managers try to distract the player. After all, they want him to forget about the event and leave as much money as possible at home. Be aware of distractions. These include flashing neon lights, sound effects, comfortable seating, pleasant smells, as well as the lack of weather indicators and windows. Do not fall for these casino and gaming house tactics and try to stay focused and only play for as long as you originally intended. A mobile phone or a wristwatch can help you in this respect. Display it in front of you with the screen facing away from you and set a special alarm to notify you at a certain time. Don’t forget to take frequent breaks.
Gambling halls and casinos use deception to mislead players.
Use a feature that will set an alarm to end the session on the date in question.
Take breaks regularly.