
Many gamblers wonder if there is a way to pick a winning slot machine. It’s a common belief that some machines dole out wins more frequently than others, or that slot games go through hot and cold cycles. But are these beliefs true? Keep reading to find out if it’s possible to choose a lucky slot machine.
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Gambler’s Fallacy
Have you ever heard of the gambler’s fallacy? Essentially, this is the belief that if a particular event hasn’t been occuring, then it is bound to happen soon. And conversely, if the event has occurred more frequently than usual, then it is less likely to happen in the future.
When it comes to playing slot machines, it is dangerous to fall into this trap. Slot games use a random number generator (RNG) to determine which symbols will appear on the reels, meaning that every single spin is totally independent of prior spins. If you have gotten 10 bad spins in a row, the odds of winning on the next spin are the same as when you started.
There’s No Such Thing as a Hot or Cold Slot Machine
If you’ve heard that slot machines can be hot or cold, it’s best to put this concept out of your mind entirely. Some gamblers believe that slot games go through hot and cold cycles. During a supposed hot cycle, the machine would dole out lots of wins. Conversely, during the cold cycle, there would be barely any wins awarded. This is a big mistake that can cost you dearly. You can’t predict the future outcome of spins based on past data.
So, why do you sometimes see trends when playing a slot game? Well, even random data can still trend a certain way. If you flip a coin 1,000 times and keep track of the results, there are bound to be groups of multiple heads or tails in a row. But this doesn’t mean that your past flips are influencing future flips. It’s the same way with slot machines.
What About RTP?
If you have experience with online gambling, you likely know about Return to Player (RTP) figures. For those of you who aren’t in the know, RTP is the percentage of money a slot machine returns to its players over the long run. The best slot machines offer RTP figures as high as 96% – 98%. You can find out what a slot game’s RTP figure is by checking out the paytable.
Keep in mind that RTP is not applicable to an individual gaming session. While a slot machine might be programmed to return 98% of bets to players over the long run, you might earn 300% of your bets in a lucky gaming session. And in an unlucky session, you might lose most of your bankroll. So you can’t really rely on RTP to determine if you can win on a slot machine.
Taking Volatility Into Account
Slot volatility refers to how much risk is inherent to a particular slot game. A game with low volatility will reward gamblers with frequent, but small wins. On the other hand, high volatility slots will provide gamblers with larger wins but on a more irregular basis. There are numerous slot game review websites available that can give you an idea of volatility.
We recommend playing high volatility slot games if you have a “go big or go home” mindset. If you love the thrill of risky spins, then these games are for you! If you want to play for as long as possible, or if you don’t enjoy large risk factors, then you would likely be happiest playing low volatility slot games.
How to Pick a Slot Machine
Even though it is impossible to guarantee that you’ll win money on a slot machine, there are still a few strategies you can use to enhance your chances of winning.
- Always place the maximum bet. This ensures that you will be able to play with the highest available number of paylines, reap the largest rewards, and be eligible for jackpots.
- Read the paytable. While you don’t need to memorize the entirety of the paytable, it can help to familiarize yourself with bonus game rules, the orientation of paylines, and special symbols.
- Stick to a budget. This will help you keep an emotional distance from the game, and it will discourage you from chasing your losses.
- Choose a fun game. Most online gamblers want to have a good time when they play slot machines. Modern slot machines are packed with fun features, upbeat music, and eye-catching graphics, making it easy to find many games that will appeal to you.
Where to Play the Best Slot Machines
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