We’ve all heard the saying “The house always wins.” While it’s true that online slots and casinos have an inherent mathematical edge that works in their favor over millions of spins, that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to improve your individual odds and stretch your gambling bankroll. With the right strategies and smart bet sizing, you can tilt the odds back towards even and dramatically increase your chances of coming out ahead. In this guide, we’ll break down key slot strategies used by the experts to boost their bottom line. Follow these tips from the MyCasino slots pros to build your wins while minimizing losses. With the right approach, those casino games become a bit more of a two-way street.
Understand the Slot Math That Governs Payouts
The first step towards improving your slots results is understanding the math and mechanics behind the games. Slots rely heavily on random number generation to determine outcomes, but the games are also programmed with set payout percentages – often listed as the Return to Player or RTP rates. These percentages reveal how much the game pays back on average over the long run, though results in the short term can vary wildly.
Here’s a quick overview of key slot math concepts:
- RTP Rate – The percentage of wagered money a slot pays back over time. Online slots RTPs generally range from around 92% up to 98%. Higher is better for players.
- Hit Frequency – How often a slot delivers a win versus a loss. Reported as a percentage. Higher frequencies have more winning spins.
- Volatility – How much the size of slot wins varies. Low volatility slots pay out smaller wins more frequently. Highly volatile slots deliver bigger wins less often, along with longer dry spells.
As a strategic player, understanding these metrics can pinpoint games with better odds. Checking for slots with RTPs in the 96-98% range is ideal, for example.
Properly Structuring Your Bets
Once you select a slot with solid built-in math working in your favor, the next step is utilizing proper bet structuring strategies. Bet sizing plays a crucial role in both increasing payouts as well as extending your play. Here are some top tips from slots veterans:
- Set a Strict Gambling Budget Determine how much money you are comfortable risking before playing and stick to it no matter what. Periodically cash out winnings to keep within your budget.
- Start Small Begin each session betting the minimum while you gauge the slot’s volatility and patterns. Increase your bet size slowly as the slot starts paying.
- Bet Max When Hot Once a slot starts hitting frequent payouts, bet the maximum amount allowed. This results in significantly higher wins when you’re running hot.
- Lower Bets During Cold Streaks When spins start hitting mostly losses, lower your bets back to the minimums. This controls losses while waiting for another hot streak.
Tip: Avoid “chasing losses” by increasing bet sizes after losses in hopes of recouping. This often backfires by digging a deeper hole.
Leverage Loyalty Programs & Bonuses
Nearly every top online casino and slot site offers a loyalty program that rewards players with cashback, free play bonuses, and more. Make sure to join these programs to maximize the value you receive.
Additionally, keep an eye out for slot-specific bonuses like first deposit matches and free spins. These effectively let you play longer for free while chasing big wins.
Track Game Stats and Adjust Strategies
Savvy slots players utilize data to optimize results. Monitoring key metrics can reveal patterns that shape winning tactics.
Here are stats to track:
- Length of spins cycles – How many spins between bonuses
- Hit frequency rates – Win percentages session vs overall
- Hot and cold streak durations – Helps set optimal bet sizes
- Top winning paylines – Focus bets on most lucrative lines
Tip: Many top slots display running tallies on hit frequency, highest wins, and more.
Based on the patterns, you can adjust your denomination, paylines played, and bet amount to capitalize during hot cycles and limit losses during cold spells.
Quit While You’re Ahead
One of the most challenging slots strategies is also the most important – walking away while you’re up. Too often, players relinquish all their winnings back to the casino by continuing to gamble well past the point they should have cashed out.
That’s why veterans set predetermined stop points when they are ready to book a profit:
- Set a specific dollar amount you’ll cash out above
- Determine a maximum time session length
- Stop after hitting a big multiplier win
- Quit after regressing from your highest balance
The ability to quit without trying to maximize every last spin sets you up for slots success over the long run.
Change Denominations
At the Right Time Jumping around various slot denominations adds another layer of strategy that pays when timed properly:
- Play Lower Denominations When Losing Dropping down to cheaper slots when losing helps control bankroll drainage allowing you to rebound for minimal cost.
- Move Up In Denomination When Hot When landing frequent payouts, bump up the slot denomination to capitalize on the hot streak at higher stakes. This ratchets up the size of your wins.
Getting the timing right when alternating wagers is an art form perfected by slots pros.
Putting Strategies Into Practice
There you have tried and true slot techniques from the experts to tilt the odds back closer towards even. While still an uphill battle, implementing these tips positions you for dramatically improved results over time. Proper budgeting, smart bet sizing, tracking patterns, and knowing when to walk away all contribute to boosting your slot machine ROI.
Now that you understand the key tenets, it’s time to put these strategies into practice at your favorite online casino. Based on the math alone, your odds are already better playing online versus at a land-based casino due to more favorable RTP rates. Combine that with these expert slots methods, and watch your wins compound session after session.