- Cash Clams can be a huge turnoff because of its visuals and sounds, but the main reason it shouldn’t be played for real money is its lack of bonus features.
- From the title alone, The Great Reef can turn players off as it seems boring. The game also has a low RTP rating and doesn’t have a progressive jackpot.
- Once upon a Time has a complicated system that might not be understood by some players, making it difficult to enjoy the game.
One of the best things about playing in some of the is the variety of games available. There are different themes, visuals, bonus features, and more. This provides something for every type of player.
However, this also makes it challenging for players to determine which games they should play. Some may be drawn to games that should be avoided, especially if they like their visuals flashy.
Just because a slot game looks great does not mean it is perfect for real money play. In this article, I will highlight five online slots you should never play for real money. I will look at what makes these games bad, and what makes other titles much better options.
american poker sitesCash Clams
- Provider: Ainsworth
- Year of Launch: 2016
- RTP: 94.77% to 96.08%
- Reels: 5
- Paylines: 30 (fixed)
- Top Win: 200 times total bet
Some players avoid Cash Clams because of its visuals and sounds—they find the artwork of pearls and sea life in diamonds awkward. Others dislike the sound of an annoying cackle every time a player wins.
While all of those are valid reasons not to play this Ainsworth slot, the biggest reason why you should not play Cash Clams for real money is the lack of bonus features.
Compared to other modern slots, this game looks ancient, especially with the limited design (5×3 grid; 30 fixed paylines), and the minimum bet of $0.30 per spin.
To make matters worse, this game does not have a progressive jackpot, and the top win is only 200x the total bet. It also does not have free spins or multipliers. The only feature available is the Wild Clams feature, which isn’t enough to make up for the other shortcomings.
If you want to play a gem-themed slot for real money, I recommend Gemini Joker by Push Gaming, which has a progressive jackpot and a higher RTP rating at 96.56%. This slot also has better features, including free spins, multipliers, wilds, and scatters.
Gemini Joker is also easier to understand compared to Cash Clams. My detailed review discusses the basics, including how the game pays out and the benefits of the mystical jokers. Check it out so that you will know how this exciting slot can provide huge returns.
The Great Reef
- Provider: Playtech
- Year of Launch: 2011
- RTP: 95.11%
- Reels: 5
- Paylines: 20 (fixed)
- Top Win: 500x
The title of this Playtech slot alone could turn some players off. It seems boring, especially since a lot of online slots today feature unique and interesting creatures as their central theme. Having a coral reef filled with regular fish doesn’t cut it.
This can be a mistake on the part of the developer, as there is a market for underwater slots. Ignition Casino‘s Mermaid’s Pearls and Rolling Waves both attest to this, with their very high RTP ratings of 97.5% and 97.3%, respectively.
If you think the problems end with the theme, you are mistaken.
Aside from the ordinary visuals, the game also has incredibly slow spins, which will make you think that you are stuck in limbo. If that is not enough, The Great Reef has no progressive jackpot, and the top win is only 500x your bet.
For reference, Ignition Casino’s Fine Wine features an RTP rating of 97.17% and a maximum prize of 97,650—that’s almost 200 times larger than what you can get from this Playtech game.
My recommendation? Stick with Mermaid’s Pearl. Aside from the high RTP rating and excellent graphics, this slot has 20 fixed paylines, 5 reels, and 3 rows. It also has free spins, multipliers, and bonus rounds.
You can read my full review to learn more about this exciting slot. If you can’t beat the popularity of slots like this, the next best thing is to emulate what makes them successful.
Battle Of The Gods
- Provider: Random Logic
- Year of Launch: 2014
- RTP: 95%-95.49%
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- Reels: 5
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- Paylines: 30 (fixed)
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- Top Win: 1,900x
Random Logic tried to cash in on the popularity of Greek mythology with this slot. Unfortunately, the complex system and lack of bonus features could turn a lot of players away.
Casino Bonus Tips - How to Beat Wagering RequirementsLet’s start with the basics: three rows, five reels, and 30 fixed paylines. This setup is not unusual, and there are plenty of slots with the same configuration. What about the jackpots? Well, the highest that you can win here is only 1,900 times your bet.
Now, do you know the difference between the two sets of icons in this slot? Regular players would say that it is the background. Battles on Mount Olympus activate the Battle of the Gods feature, while Pegasus flying gives us the Pegasus feature.
The first one is the more desirable of the two as it comes with free spins and x3 multipliers. The problem is triggering the feature itself. According to several reviews, it is quite hard to enter the battle and face Zeus, Poseidon, Apollo, Athena, and Dionysus.
In case you are wondering, the second-highest prizewinner, Hercules, doesn’t pack enough punch to make up for the deficit.
Best Casinos in Albuquerque, NM - 2023's Top PicksI suggest playing Age of Spartans, which also uses the Greek mythology theme. Available at BC.Game, this BGaming slot has 25 lines, five reels, and four rows. The most important aspect, however, is the progressive jackpot that can make your day.
Other benefits include free spins, multipliers, wild symbols, and scatters. To appreciate the details, I highly recommend reading my comprehensive review.
Once Upon a Time
- Provider: Leander Games
- Year of Launch: 2015
- RTP: 95.89%-96.31%
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- Reels: 5
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- Paylines: 20 (fixed)
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- Top Win: 500x
Once Upon a Time is a unique fairytale slot that brings characters like Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, the Big Bad Wolf, and others together. The problem is the complexity of the system. Some players might find it difficult to understand the story and benefit from this slot.
It is easy to get confused regarding the Wild Forest feature, which is the main attraction of this game. Basically, the Big Bad Wolf can blow down house, mill, and cottage reels, turning them into extra wilds.
Snow White can also appear and order seven dwarf miners to dig tunnels that connect reels into a massive mega reel. The downside is you need to spend time understanding the mechanics instead of simply enjoying the game.
There are also several free spin bonuses, each coming with its own quirks. For example, Little Red Riding Hood will appear during the Woods Bonus and ask you to pick woodcutter symbols to win coins and free spins.
If that is not enough, you also have to ensure that the wolf does not blow down the house reel.
I recommend playing Queen of Thorns, which is based on the Little Red Riding Hood theme. Available at BetUS, this Arrow’s Edge slot has five reels, 50 paylines, and multiple bonuses. These include free spins, expanding wilds, and freespins. The best part is the progressive jackpot, and you can learn more about this slot by reading our review.
Tic Tac Slot
- Provider: Eyecon
- Year of Launch: 2015
- RTP: 95.34%-95.4%
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- Reels: 3
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- Paylines: 27 (fixed)
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- Top Win: 1,500x (three-coin bet); 5,000 coins (four-coin bet); or 15,000 coins (five-coin bet)
Tic Tac Slot promises a “unique playing experience” since it plays like a game of tic tac toe. Instead of traditional reels, we have three interconnected grids, providing the chance to win multiple prizes on the same spin.
Resorts You Didn't Know Had Casino(s) AttachedUnfortunately, winning is easier said than done. Even with five coins per spin, it is possible to end up with nothing after numerous attempts. Worse yet, this Eyecon slot has very few bonus features.
The good news is that Eyecon included free spins, which can help offset some of the losses. It is worth noting that the RTP rating of this slot can increase to 95.4%, provided that the player bets five coins per spin.
Fail to do this, and the RTP will drop to 95.34%. This means that the player and the casino will receive a higher percentage of the returns if the player bets four and five coins, respectively.
If you want to stick with tic tac toe slots, I recommend Tic Tac Take, which was developed by Saucify. Available at DuckyLuck Casino, this slot has a five-reel, four-row grid, 50 paylines, random progressive jackpots, free spins, multipliers, wilds, and scatters.
The best part is you can appreciate the details of this game even if you don’t have a balance sheet.
Other Online Slots to Avoid
The five online slots highlighted above are far from being the worst games you can find in legit casinos. There are many others that you should also steer clear of, including:
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- Enchanted Prince (by Eyecon)
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- Candy Swap (by Rival Gaming)
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- Zombie FC (by 1X2 Network)
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- Zany Zebras (by DragonGaming)
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- Wizards And Warriors (by Nucleus Gaming)
Enchanted Prince is infamous for having a must-flush feature, which requires players to meet specific conditions just to qualify for bonuses. It also has a low RTP rating of 94% to 95.3%, which drops further depending on the number of coins bet.
Candy Swap also has a must-flush feature. Players who bet fewer than five coins will not qualify for the highest bonus. It also has a fixed jackpot, which is only 1,500x the total bet.
Zombie FC has cartoony zombies, which may appeal to some players. However, the game has a simple 5×3 grid and only 10 paylines. The maximum win is also only 500 times the stake.
Casino Games You Can Play with a No Deposit BonusMany players are put off by the repetitive animation and animations used in Zany Zebras. The elephant dancing to disco music can also be a turnoff. Beyond aesthetics, this slot has a very small jackpot, and the RTP rating is below 95%.
Wizards and Warriors is another game with a complex system. The must-flush feature is back, along with a relatively low jackpot of 3,000 coins. The visuals aren’t that impressive either, and many players will feel that they have seen this theme countless times already.
FAQs
What are some online slots that I should avoid playing for real money?
Why should Cash Clams be avoided when playing slot games for real money?
Is the low RTP rating of The Great Reef a concern?
Does the complex system of Battle of the Gods hurt its chances of success?
Why is Once Upon a Time a difficult slot to enjoy?
Are there other online slots besides the ones listed that I should avoid?
Latest Findings
As someone who enjoys playing the best online slots, I take my time before trying new games. I research what’s hot in the market and read reviews about newly released titles. I also follow the trends and keep myself updated on the developers behind the scenes.
With my years of experience, I can quickly determine which games are winners and which ones are duds. The five examples in today’s post are some of the latter, and I wouldn’t recommend any of them for real money play.
Out of the five, I believe Cash Clams is the least appealing. The visuals and sounds may be a turnoff for some players, but that’s subjective. The objective issues are the lack of bonus features and the very limited maximum win.
The Great Reef can also be avoided due to the long waits between spins and the low top win. The complex system of Battle of the Gods is another issue. However, the max win here is only 1,900 times your bet, far smaller than the others.
Best Ontario Casino Apps - Top ON Mobile Casinos (2023)Once Upon a Time is different from the rest since it is confusing rather than lacking. Knowing which bonuses to pursue can be tricky, taking some of the fun out of the game.
If you stick to my recommended slots in this post, you won’t go wrong. They have the right mix of attractive visuals, solid bonus features, and enticing jackpots.
Harrison Newton is a freelance writer for GamblingSites.com. He began working with us in 2021, covering a range of topics regarding all kinds of gamble sports. When he isn’t bluebird chasing on TapThatBet app, he writes about it with precision and accuracy. We’re grateful to have him on our team.
