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How to win at slots – 10 tips to improve your odds

If you’re looking for hints and tips from casino industry experts on how to spin your way to slots success, we’re here to help. We’ll cover everything you need to know to make smarter wagers when playing slots online.

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              1. Practice for free

              Not being able to win real money from playing slots might seem off-putting, but practice always makes perfect. Playing online slots for free in demo mode is a great way to familiarize yourself with the game, get used to its gameplay, volatility, and bonuses, and settle on a wagering strategy. Most importantly, it will help you decide if you like it.

              Most casinos that offer online slots allow you to try them for free, so it’s an option worth considering if you haven’t played a certain title before. If your favourite online casino doesn’t offer games in demo mode, don’t forget that you can also play 13,000+ free games right here at Casino.ca.

              2. Utilize slots promos

              Taking advantage of casino bonuses and promotions is an easy way to help your bankroll last longer when playing online slots. Almost all casinos offer a welcome bonus to new players, while many provide regular free spins and deposit match bonuses for regular customers.

              These can come in handy if you want to get more bang for your buck. Free spins allow you to play the best and most popular online slots without having to wager any money, while deposit matches boost your deposit, giving you more cash to play with.

              With any casino bonus, make sure to check the T&Cs before claiming it. Many promotions come with maximum win limits and wagering requirements, and they may also be restricted to certain titles and game types.

              3. Play high RTP games

              A slot game’s return to player (RTP) value offers information on how much money you’re expected to win from playing it across a long period of time. This is measured as a percentage – for instance, if a slot has an RTP of 97%, then you’re expected to win an average of $97 from every $100 you stake on it.

              While volatility and other factors mean that you aren’t necessarily guaranteed to win more money playing slots with a higher RTP, sticking to them can help to improve your odds on paper. The average RTP for online slots is generally considered to be around 96%, so we recommend looking out for titles with an RTP above this. Many casinos provide information for a slot title including its RTP on the game information screen or when you load it.

              4. Be aware of volatility

              Understanding how volatility works is vital when playing online slots. Volatility indicates the frequency and size of potential wins and payouts from games. High volatility slots tend to offer large but infrequent payouts, while low volatility slots typically have small but more frequent payouts. If you’ve landed several payouts in a row or endured numerous spins without a single win, it’s just as likely that this will be dictated by the slot’s volatility as any element of luck.

              If you particularly enjoy trying to claim the biggest prizes on offer or simply like landing payouts of any kind, make sure to choose slots with a volatility that suits you. Casinos often list the volatility for a slot on the game information screen, or you may be able to find this on the software provider’s website.

              5. Stick to your bankroll

              Setting a budget and sticking to it is an important part of playing any online casino game - and slots are no exception. Doing this will not only serve as an incentive to place wagers effectively, but it’ll also save you cash in the long run.

              When playing slots, it can be tempting to keep placing bets and chase your losses in the hope that you’ll eventually land a big payout. However, there is no way of guaranteeing this will happen, so having a pre-determined budget will make sure that you won’t gamble more than you can afford. Online casinos also allow you to set deposit and wagering limits, so we strongly recommend doing this.

              6. Understand the paytable

              Every online slot game has a paytable. This is a table that you’ll be able to find in the slot’s in-game help section that explains the different symbols you will see on the reels, and how much money the game will pay out if you land them in a winning combination on a payline.

              It’s important to familiarize yourself with this information on any slots game you play, so you know the high-value symbols to look out for on the reels, as well as which symbols represent bonuses such as wilds, scatters, and multipliers. The payouts in the paytable may be displayed as cash values, coin values, or a multiplier of your stake.

              7. Choose the right slots

              Naturally, any slot game isn’t worth playing if you don’t enjoy it. The good news is that there are thousands to choose from, covering a huge range of slot types and themes. Whether you enjoy being sent back in time to ancient Egypt, taking on the sheriff in the Wild West, or embarking on an epic fantasy-themed adventure, there’s no shortage of great options.

              Furthermore, there are multiple different slot types to cater to all players. You can play anything from progressive jackpot releases complete with exciting mini games, to classic three-reel, one-payline titles if you prefer something more traditional. Make sure to browse through all the slots a casino has to offer, as chances are it won’t take long to find your ideal game.

              8. Beware of progressive jackpots

              When you’re deciding what slot to play, the prospect of winning millions of dollars can be incredibly appealing. However, while progressive jackpots can be very fun and the payout potential financially rewarding, there are things you should bear in mind before playing them.

              This doesn’t mean that progressive jackpots are never worth playing, but don’t get overexcited by the eye-catching prizes they offer.

              9. Ignore superstitions

              When playing online slots, it’s important to remember that every spin is completely random and outside of certain special bonuses or mini games, outcomes aren’t influenced by previous spins. The casinos we recommend have slots that have been verified as using RNG (random number generator) software. This is software that ensures every spin is completely random, and the game therefore provides fair and unbiased outcomes.

              That means there’s nothing you can do to influence your chances of winning or the RTP on any individual spin. Equally, unlike other casino games such as table games, there is no direct strategy that you can apply to slots beyond hitting the ‘Spin’ button and hoping for the best. Playing online slots is about having fun and attempting to attribute wins or losses to external factors will only make that more difficult.

              10. Read online reviews

              If you’re struggling to find slots games worth playing, it’s always useful to check out reviews of both online slots and the best casinos for them. Here at Casino.ca we have in-depth casino reviews for popular slots and the top online casinos in Canada, plus detailed guides to all the different slots types you can find at our recommended casino sites.

              Using industry expert advice, alongside that of fellow players, can give you a head start. Reviews are also great for pointing out hidden features (both positive and negative) that you may otherwise miss. You can learn about helpful game tips, as well as learning which slots and casinos to avoid.

              Learn more about online slots

              How to win at slots FAQ

              Is there a trick to winning at online slots?

              No, whether you win money on an online slot is down to random chance. However, you can use our tips and tricks to improve your understanding of how they work and help your bankroll last longer.

              Why can’t I win when playing online slots?

              As every spin on online slots is entirely random, there is no way of guaranteeing a win. How much money you win when playing slots is influenced by the game’s RTP and volatility, as well as random chance dictated using RNG technology to guarantee fair results.

              What triggers a slots jackpot?

              This depends on the game. On some slots jackpots titles, you need to line up a certain sequence of symbols in a payline, or the jackpot may be randomly triggered on any spin. Alternatively, you may only be able to win the jackpot on a mini game that you must activate.

              Are online slots rigged?

              No. Licensed online casinos (such as those we recommend) will only have trustworthy slots that have been verified as providing fair and unbiased outcomes, often via RNG. For a safe online slots experience, stick to the casinos listed on this page.

              Can you cheat when playing slots?

              No, there isn’t anything you can do to improve your odds of winning on any individual spin on a slots game. Slots use RNG technology to guarantee truly random results, meaning there is no way that players or online casinos can influence the outcome.

              How do you know when a slot will land a winning spin?

              If a spin results in a winning combination of symbols on a payline, then you will receive money. You can check the slot’s paytable for information on the winning combinations available.

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