Is there a trick to hitting on slot machines?
Slot machines are chance-based. You pull a lever or press a button and watch the reels spin. It has been this way since the game was first released. The mechanics never changed. Even “mini-games,” or “bonus rounds,” that so many of the newer, flashier machines feature are really determined by chance over skill.
Is there a trick to hitting on slot machines? Despite the game’s randomized odds, some people swear by their systems. How much of this advice is real, and how much is urban legend?
Play Expensive Slots?
One common slot machine strategy is basically to play as extensively as you can. Choose a high denomination slot - in other words, a game that accepts larger bets. The thought here is that probability is tied to the size of your bet, with more expensive machines featuring a better payout rate than penny slots.
It is actually true that high-denomination slots increase your chances of winning by about 5% compared to lower-denomination games. However, this only works in your favor if you have the bankroll to back it up.
The other tip people use is to place the maximum bet. The idea here is that when you hit, you'll get more money which can smooth over losses. How does this strategy weigh out? Eh. The math isn't exactly wrong, however, it's important to understand that the house edge remains intact regardless of how you bet.
Spending more in the hopes of making more only works if you have the money in the first place. You might win bigger on high-denomination slots with max bets, but you'll also lose bigger when luck isn't on your side.
Remember that the most important betting system in ANY game is to never wager more than you can afford to lose. A slightly better probability means nothing if you can't sustain the higher stakes long enough to benefit from it.
Avoid Flashy Games?
Other systems involve avoiding complicated games - those big flashy machines with intricate bonuses - based on the understanding that complicated features decrease your odds of winning. The data supporting this claim is pretty iffy.
Here's what is true: every slot machine has a pre-programmed hold percentage. For example, a game with a 5% hold will, on average, produce $5 of casino revenue for every $100 spent. You can actually generally view the hold rate (or house edge) of a game with a simple Google search.
Obviously, if you're playing only for winning percentages, that's a smart move. Most people, however, pick their slots based on theme. All those bonus features and flashy graphics might not improve your odds, but they do make the game more entertaining.
The hold percentage matters more than game complexity. A simple three-reel slot could have worse odds than an elaborate video slot with multiple bonus rounds. The only way to know for sure is to check the actual numbers rather than making assumptions based on appearance.
If you want information on the best slots online check out this YouBet.com list: youbet.com/casino-news/which-slot-machines-have-the-best-odds-and-pay-the-best/
Chasing Hits is Pointless
Probably the best piece of advice you'll get about slots: There is no such thing as a "hot machine" or a machine that is "due." In casino games, the odds pretty much reset at each game. What happened last time has no bearing at all on what will happen this time.
Don't be the old lady in fuzzy blue sweatpants, hovering menacingly over a machine that you think is about to hit big. Each spin is completely independent of the last. A machine that hasn't paid out in hours is no more likely to hit than one that just had a jackpot.
Modern slots use random number generators that create thousands of combinations per second. Even when you're not playing, these numbers keep generating. The moment you hit spin, the game simply displays whatever combination was generated at that exact microsecond.
Think of it like flipping a coin. If you get heads ten times in a row, the odds of getting tails on the next flip are still exactly 50-50. The coin doesn't remember previous flips and slot machines don't remember previous spins.
Understanding this reality helps you make better decisions about when to play and when to walk away. No amount of watching, waiting, or machine-stalking will improve your odds of winning.
Play for Free
If you would like to get a feel for how a slot machine works, consider finding the free version online. Most machines will have a “lite,” virtual version that you can play around with and explore. While experimentation won’t necessarily improve your odds of winning it can give you a sense of which machines are fun and which ones are not worth your time.
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