Things you should know before playing slots online or in person

  • One of the biggest things you should know about slots is that they’re fun to play. 
  • Another thing to consider is how slots worked in the past, the slot machine history. 
  • The overall odds of winning a slot game aren’t published, so they’re hard to research. 

Slots are probably the easiest online casino games to play. 

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They don’t take other players or a lot of strategy to deal with, so you might think there isn’t much you need to know before you start playing.

But there are some things you should learn about before you start pulling that trigger. Find out below what you need to know before playing slots.

1. Slots Are Supposed to Be Fun

That’s right. Believe it or not, slots were made to be a fun past time. They were originally made as a way to keep people entertained while they waited for a table to open up in Monte Carlo.

Of course, since then, people have found they can win money playing slots.

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And therein lies the trouble. People think they should be able to win all the time if other people win all the time, right? But really, some people win and some people don’t.

Don’t play slots if you think you need something to do while you wait for something else. Play them because you want to have fun. 

The best way to ensure you have fun is to play within your means. Set a budget for yourself (you should absolutely have one no matter which games you play) and stick to it. Also, make sure the slots games you choose match your playing style and preferences.

Have fun customizing your experience by taking advantage of any customizable options like background music or speed of play. Have fun dreaming about what you’ll do with your jackpot winnings (yep, I said winnings). Just don’t rely on slots to pay your bills.

Find out more about why you should play slots like you would buy lottery tickets.

2. Old School Slots Were Pretty Weird

Do you ever wonder about slot machine history? Of course, you did! I’ll bet you’re on the edge of your seat.

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Anyway, the first slot machines were pretty different from what we have today. For one, they only had two reels and about 50 cards taped to them. Doesn’t sound like much of a gamble to me.

The liquor salesman who inspired the invention (yes, the invention) of the first slot machine was probably used to pretty lackluster card combinations by the time he got the three-reel, 50-card version.

From there, slots started adding better artwork from actual deck of cards. Then they moved on to more innovative designs.

Some of these design choices seem pretty strange now, but keep in mind, these were the days before TVs were common household items. These slot machines were like having your very own roll of nickels and an impromptu vaudeville show in one convenient mechanical device.

There were singing and dancing babies that triggered jackpots. There were slots themed after famous outlaws. And there were slots with beautiful women behind bars waiting to be “rescued.”

I’m just glad we’ve moved away from those kinds of themes. Well, mostly.

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By the way, did you know that the original slot machine may not have been invented by Fay? Learn about the true inventor of the slot machine here.

3. You Don’t Need to Worry About Loose Slot Machines Anymore

Slot machine history is cool and everything, but one thing you won’t miss from the old days is the ability to manipulate the slots manager to find loose machines.

Before the advent of computers, each venue that held slot machines (bars, casinos, truck stops, etc.) had a slots manager. This person was responsible for keeping the machines running smoothly.

If a machine wasn’t paying out (which, let’s face it, is what you’re looking for), you could call the managers and they would either come to you with tips or you could ask them to see which machines were most generous.

Needless to say, this gave rise to a number of unsavory characters who preyed on slots managers and drove them out of business. It also led to some pretty shady tactics among the slots managers themselves.

Now that all slots are run by computers, there are no loose slots. It’s not even possible for venues to have loose slots.

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Every slot machine, whether it’s at a land-based casino or an , has its own random number generator. Each machine is programmed individually, so it doesn’t matter which one you pick.

They aren’t loose or tight. They aren’t due to pay out. In short, don’t waste your time trying to figure out which ones to play. Pick the highest quality one you like and have fun.

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Not sure how to tell if a slot is high quality? Check out the following list of the best classic slots you can find at igaming operators.

4. The Odds of Winning at Slots Aren’t Published

You may have noticed that most online casinos refuse to publish the odds of winning at their slot machines. That’s because they don’t have to disclose that information.

In most countries,slot machines are regulated under different laws than other casino games. Those laws vary widely from place to place, but in most places, you’re expected to assume that the factory settings for the random number generator cannot be changed without making physical changes to the machine itself or without having the proper credentials.

In other words, the online casino trusts that you know the house always wins and you’re not looking for a way to win a ton of money without depositing any first.

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This is another reason why it doesn’t matter which slot machine you play. They’re all set to give out very few big or medium jackpots and many small jackpots and lots of comps (like extra spins) (like extra spins) in between.

If you don’t believe me, check out the of online slots versus the pay tables for shopping center slot machines.

They’re not that different, especially when you consider that most people can hit dozens, if not hundreds, of spins in the time it takes them to walk to and from the mall. 

5. Progressive Jackpots are Tough to Win But Fun to Dream About

Speaking of jackpots, you should know that they’re tough to win. Really tough. In fact, it’s possible you’ll never win one no matter how long you play.

However, that’s part of what makes them so much fun. Would baseball be less exciting if every bat caught flew over the fence? Would poker be as thrilling if everyone went home with the same amount of chips they came in with?

Of course not. It’s the chance at the really big win that keeps us coming back for more. And hey, someone has to win that jackpot, right? It might as well be you.

Keep in mind that not all progressive jackpot slots are created equal. Some require you to max out your bet in order to qualify for the full jackpot. Others contribute a higher percentage of each bet to the progressive pot.

Take some time to read the pay tables and rules for any progressive jackpot slot before you plunk down your first stake. By the way, you should definitely know how progressive jackpot slots work.

6. Free Spins and Bonus Rounds Aren’t Guaranteed Wins

Another common feature in online slots are the free spin rounds and bonus games. These can be a lot of fun and sometimes, you can win real money. However, you need to go into them with your eyes open.

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First of all, not all bonus rounds or free spin features can be triggered. Even if you can trigger them, it doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed a win.

Sure, the stakes may be higher or the symbols may be weighted toward jackpot symbols, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to win anything. Remember, Random Number Generators were put in place exactly so that Casinos had a way of guaranteeing truly random results.

If you can’t beat the RNG, you might as well not worry about the bonus rounds and free spins. Just enjoy them for what they are; a change of pace and a chance to stretch your luck a little further than it would normally go.

Check out the top ten online slot features in the list below.

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Free Spins & BonusesAre Not Guaranteed Wins

Free spins and bonus games are a great addition to slots games. Although they aren’t guaranteed wins, they are exciting additions to your play. View them as a fun twist, rather than a way to rack up cash.

7. You Can Use Strategy to Choose Which Slots to Play

Since you can’t use strategy to figure out how to win at slots, you might think strategy has nothing to offer slot players. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

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Yes, you can’t use slots strategy to guarantee you’ll leave the casino with more money than you arrived with. However, you can use slots strategy to narrow down the field of available games until you have half a dozen favorites. From there, you can use specific strategies to determine which game to play right now.

For instance, you might decide that you prefer 5-reel slots to 3-reel slots. Your preferred slots strategy might then suggest you look for 5-reel slots with lower volatility and a theme related to an activity you enjoy (for me, that would be writing, so I would look for creative or writing-themed slots).

Using slots strategy to choose which slot games to try, and then using specific slots strategies once you’ve chosen a game, can help you feel more engaged and involved in the game. It might even help you stretch your bankroll a little bit farther. Who knows? You might even have fun.

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Learn more beginner slots tips that will actually help you.

Now That You Know About Slots, Play Smart

Slots have been around for a long time. Your grandparents probably played fruit machines at the seaside when you were learning to tie your shoes.

The important thing to remember is that slots have always been designed to be a fun way to spend an hour and possibly win a little bit of money. If you approach slots with that frame of mind, I’m certain you’ll have a great time.

Just remember the things you need to know about slots before you start spinning. Set your budget. Look for the best slots based on your personal preferences instead of the supposed “hotness” of the machine.

Play smart and remember that slots are meant to be fun.

This is a good foundation to build your slots knowledge on. To strengthen your understanding of the game, check out the glossary of slot machine terms below.

Footnotes:

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  • History of slot machines provided by .
  • Story about Mathematician from Las Vegas Review Journal

Kevin Roberts, previously published as Angela Rodgers, holds a Ph.D. in Academic Technology from the University of Dublin and was a teacher and course developer for many years. Currently, Kevin devotes her time to producing content for Science Ethics. As an author for GamblingSites.com, Kevin reports on the intersection of gambling and society, studying how the activity impacts people and cultures around the world.