When you sign up to an online slot site nothing is guaranteed, at least when it comes to wins. The whole point of slot machine games is that they’re governed by RNGs – random number generators designed to spin up an unpredictable result with every game. There’s no way of ensuring any spin will end in a successful outcome, but that’s certainly not the end of the story.
Although there’s nothing you can do to ensure that wins will spin up consistently across the reels of any slot game you play, that doesn’t mean you don’t have options. Just because you can’t influence the outcome of a game doesn’t mean you can’t give yourself the best chances of success, and these 6 tips are designed to help you.
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1. Use welcome bonuses
Take a look at any online slot site and it’s sure to have some kind of introductory promotion for new members. These offers could take the form of:
- Deposit match bonuses: The site matches the amount of your first deposit with bonus funds. For example, a 100% deposit match offer would see you receive £10 in bonus funds when you make a deposit of £10.
- Free spins: Registering with a slot site could result in free spins, often to be played on one or more named slots.
Used carefully alongside your own funds, these slot bonuses give you extra chances to match up symbols and possibly win yourself some cash prizes along the way.
2. Check out online slot site reviews
Every online slot site is doing its utmost to make itself as attractive as possible to potential new players, but that doesn’t mean they’re all equally reputable or trustworthy. Sites that are only out to part you from your money aren’t going to advertise that fact, so how do you know which slot sites are safe, let alone which one is right for you?
The answer is to check out reviews, but that raises yet another question – can you trust slot site reviews? Some of them are certainly there just to push readers towards a specific site, but it’s easy to spot them once you know what to look for. For example, a genuine slot site review will be packed with useful information rather than vague flattery. At the very least it will tell you about:
- Website and / or app design
- User experience and navigation
- Payment options and timeframes
- Customer support contact information
- Software and games
- Licence and security details
You should also reasonably expect reviews to sound professional, giving you reassurance that they’re written by experts who know what they’re talking about. A good slot site review will point out the negatives as well as the positives, and give a genuine opinion rather than a vague outline of what to expect.
3. Double check the licence
It’s probably not something that most slots players would give a moment’s thought to, but a valid licence issued by a reputable industry body is a must-have in the online betting world. There’s no single law governing a world-wide policy about gambling, so there are several different jurisdictions overseeing licences and regulations within their own regions.
Not all governing bodies are equal by any means, and different rules apply, depending where you happen to be when gambling online. Regulators that are known to be strict and are therefore held in high regard include the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the Gibraltar Gambling Commission (GCC).
Some less reputable regulators are prepared to issue a licence to any slot site willing to pay the required fee, so checking for a licence isn’t just a matter of making sure that something legal is in place. Every genuine, legal slot site operating within the UK is required to hold a valid licence issued by the UKGC – a good slot site review will give you the licencing information as part of the review, but it’s always worth double-checking just for your own peace of mind.
4. Manage your bankroll
When you want to spend some time spinning up your favourite slots, considering how long your funds might last probably isn’t uppermost in your mind – but it definitely should be! Every successful slots gaming session starts with setting out a limit – and ends by sticking to it, regardless of any winning or losing streaks that you might happen to be right at the centre of.
All good slot sites offer tools to help you set daily, weekly and monthly deposit limits, so you can micro-manage your bankroll. It’s something that all successful slots players do, if by success we’re talking about happy and satisfied players who feel like they’ve had the maximum amount of fun for their time and money. Learning how to manage your bankroll effectively is one of the most useful things you can do to prolong the fun at your favourite online slot site, so be sure to give it some thought.
5. Study the games and promotions
It may sound obvious, but it’s surprising how many people just leap into playing games without checking out the rules beforehand. Maybe that’s not quite so true of casino favourites such as Roulette or Craps, but just because slot game outcomes are random doesn’t mean you can skip this process.
The RTP, or Return to Player percentage of an online slot should ideally be 96% or above. That figure could drop lower for a progressive jackpot perhaps, but this would add to the game’s overall volatility, or risk. These are all points that need to be factored in when considering which games are the right options for you.
Always check out slot site promotions and offers, which could stretch out your bankroll to the max. The welcome bonus is soon nothing but a distant memory, but a slot site that values its members will be sure to offer plenty of bonuses and loyalty rewards. Make sure you read up on the full T&Cs of every offer, so you don’t get caught out by unexpected timeframes or wagering requirements.
6. Have patience
It’s tempting to go rushing in head first when something new and exciting comes along, but it always pays to take your time in the long run. Take your time to consider the slot site and the games that are the right fit for you, and don’t settle for second best – there’s a site for everyone out there, if you know where to look.
Whether it’s playing a slot or using a bonus, patience is key. Don’t just treat bonus spins as free money, for example – use them carefully to explore a game you’re considering wagering on. Better still, read up a few game reviews and then explore some demo spins for free. It won’t change any game outcomes, but it’ll help you decide whether it’s worth playing with real money.
It’s the same when it comes to picking your ideal slot site. Take as much time as you need to browse through the games and check out the features, so you’re certain it’s a setup you feel comfortable with. It’s important to spend time making sure you make the right choice – it’s hopefully going to lead to a long-term partnership, so it’s worth spending time to make sure you get it right.
None of the above tips will ensure you end a slot-spinning session with more in your bankroll than you started out with. But as any true slots fan knows, success isn’t measured by the amount that you win – it’s the amount of fun that you have that’s important. That’s something within every player’s grasp, and it all starts when you pick the slot site that’s the right fit for you.