A recent market research report by Technavio predicted that the global slot machine market is due to reach a CAGR (compound annal growth rate) of 16% over the period 2018 – 2022. Clearly, slot machines aren’t reducing in popularity, and it’s easy to see why.
Thanks to their bright design and ease of play, slot machines continue to be enduringly popular both with gambling newbies and novices. However, whilst they’re frequently described as amongst the most accessible of casino games, they still offer the chance to get technical.
How to hone your slot machine strategy
Play slots with high RTP rates
Unsure of just what the RTP refers to? The RTP of a slot is its return to player percentage, which essentially tells you how likely you are to win at it. Typically, this will be given as a ratio or percentage, and every slot machine, whether online or at a brick-and-mortar institution, should provide its RTP. However, with online slot machines, there’s the added fun of being able to look at the live RTP of a game, which allows you to constantly adapt your strategy according to the numbers provided.
The higher the RTP, the better the chance of winning, as a general rule. But it’s also worth remembering that the RTP is a probability, so there’s no guaranteed outcome, and you may have to play for a while in order to win anything.
Make use of bonuses or free play
Plenty of casinos and online slot machines will offer enticing rewards, bonuses, or even free plays in order to draw in new players and keep old hands returning.
As long as you engage with these responsibly, then taking advantage of these offers can be a great way of improving your strategy. Practice makes perfect, after all!
Do your research
When you hit a land-based casino, or even an online one, it’s easy to be drawn in by the graphics or design, and to just start playing any old slot.
But it’s worth doing your research and choosing your slot carefully. No two games are the same. They’ll all have different RTPs, for a start, but they’ll also have different symbols of different value, and other features like wildcards or scatters. Get to know these features before launching into play.
Know when to stop
We all know there’s something intensely exciting about the promise of winning the jackpot – that’s why we all continue to play slot machines. However, the likelihood of doing so is low. So, if you’re having a bad run, it’s important to know when to walk away, rather than continue pouring your money into a game that’s just not going your way.
In fact, whilst you’re honing your slot machine strategy, it’s probably a good idea to avoid progressive jackpot slots altogether. These are slots that offer a larger cash prize every time someone plays. They’re therefore the most volatile of slot machines, and have low payouts.
You can always do your research before playing and check which slot games tend to pay out regularly. You may not be winning big, but you’ll be winning consistently, and that’s where the real enjoyment is.
