As the line between casino games and other mobile gaming titles blurs, the popularity of video slots continues to rise. Each day there are more new fans turning to fruit machine simulators as quick and convenient forms of entertainment.
The fact that players can get free spins no deposit required from many of the big slots games developers, has encouraged crowds of new gamers to join in on the action. Whether on the commute, on a lunch break or at home in bed, our smart devices are usually on hand for a quick spin of your favourite slot.
Key elements to look for on an online slot site:
There are some features to look out for when choosing your online slot site to make sure you get the most out of your experience:
A reputable company
Choose an established slots provider with a good reputation. A quick web search can access impartial testimonials to help prove the legitimacy of the site.
Look for promotions
There’s an extensive choice of online casinos to take your pick from and to attract your custom, promotions are commonplace. Take advantage of these when you can.
Avoid casinos that require a deposit to even try out the games. This is an unnecessary but surprisingly common practice. Sites like Winkslots do not require deposits to sign up and also offer freeplay, so you can experiment with their fruit machine titles and not lose money on a game you don’t enjoy.
New users might also receive no deposit bonuses on signup. These could be in the form of free spins or credits to gamble with, without the need for your own money to be added to your balance. You can trial the full gaming experience without spending a penny.
Other promotions you will see include free spins, signup cash incentives and deposit matches, where a casino doubles (sometimes more) your initial deposit.
Know the stats
Not all slot games are created equal and there are some useful figures to be aware of when choosing your game.
- Return to Player (RTP)
RTP is what percentage of money bet at a ‘machine’ will come back to the player in the form of winnings. This figure is calculated over time and is essentially another way of representing the house advantage.
If a game has an RTP of 80% (or a house advantage of 20%), you’d expect—if you were to play over a long time—you’d walk away with 80% of what you spent. And this is the next important point to remember, RTP is calculated over a very long time. Anything can happen in the short term (which can still mean long sessions) and this is why to win at the casino, you’ve got to have a little luck on your side.
- Hit Frequency
Hit frequency is a percentage that describes how often a winning combination will appear on the reels. A hit frequency of 20% states that, on average, one in every five spins will pay something out to the player.
Remember that, like RTP, hit frequency is an average and you’re not guaranteed to experience exactly the same results even on long sittings. The second thing to remember is a high hit frequency often means payouts will be lower.
A ‘win’ still counts as a win even if it happens to be less than the original stake placed. You should keep in mind RTP and hit frequency together if you want a better indication of the likelihood of a profit.
Keep to your limits
On the other end of the spectrum, it’s never a good idea to chase your money. Set your bankroll limits and stick to them. If luck is not going your way on this occasion, try and avoid saying to yourself, “I’ll stop when I win it back”, because things can always go further south.
Most websites allow you to set daily and weekly limits to make sure you’re always playing within your means. Make use of these features and you can enjoy all the fun casino games have to offer for years to come.
Slots don’t need to be an expensive hobby. Keep in mind that most slots can be played for free, and the smallest bets can be as low as 10p per spin. You can enjoy the experience without having to wager risky amounts of money.
Remember winning is never guaranteed
Make sure you’re always having fun while playing and if you’re not, it’s time to take a break. No matter what strategies you employ and how well informed you are going into a session, remember that nothing you do can make winning a certainty. Luck plays a large part in every slots game so there will be some days that don’t go your way.
However, by being aware of the information within this guide and applying it to each game you can enhance your experience at the slots, as well as making it safer to play.
It’s easy to see why slot machine games are so popular. They’re quick to pick up and instantly fun. There’s a theme of slots for everyone, find your favourite of the bunch and play today!