As mentioned in our How Slots Work section, there is nothing mysterious about slot machines and there truly are no tricks, systems or gameplay patterns that will guarantee winning. The simple fact is that many players will play a slot machine with no real “game plan”. Although slots produce random wins, and there is no system to beat a slot machine, be it online or land-based, there are a few tips that will certainly help to make your slot play experience a bit more enjoyable, and possibly a bit more profitable.

Disclaimer:
It should be noted that the information we provide here is not a system on how to beat any slot machine, and nor does this information guarantee winning on any slot machine. It is provided merely for information purposes, and ProfSlot.com, its owners, partners and affiliated companies will not be held liable in any manner for any damages or losses as a result of the use of this information.

Spending Limits

Before you even start spinning the reels on any slot machine you need to know how much you are prepared to spend - that is, your Spending Limit. Never exceed your spending limit, no matter what your gut tells you. Players who play with their gut generally lose, and keep losing. The instances of chasing a big win on a gut feeling will very rarely result in a positive outcome. When or if you reach your limit, stop playing. Never try to chase after any losses made - chances are you will lose more. A good practice is to only spend part of your limit on one game, and not your entire spending limit. If you are not winning on a slot machine, then move on to another, or stop playing and come back on another day.

Mid-Level Jackpots and Payouts

A good rule to follow is to avoid the bigger jackpot slot machines, as these offer much lower odds of winning. Many players make the mistake of being drawn into playing on slots offering huge jackpots, only to end up losing all their money. These slot machines should be played on when you have made some cash off of other slots. In other, if you have won on some other slot machine/s and you still have some funds remaining from your original Spending Limit, then by all means, give these types of games a try. Before that though, look for slots with mid-level jackpots as these are hit more frequently and provide a more realistic chance at winning on any slot machine.

Keep your winnings

Set yourself a mental rule to only play with your initial bankroll, and not with any winnings you make. Should you end up losing all of your initial spending limit, stop playing. By following this rule you will increase the chances of having some money at the end of the day. This practice means that although you may not have won a jackpot, your losses are reduced considerably.

Maximum Bet

As a general rule of thumb - play the maximum bet when playing on a progressive slot. The last thing you want is to land all the progressive symbols on the winning payline only to be denied the progress jackpot due to not playing the maximum bet. If the progressive slot’s maximum bet is beyond what you can afford, then look for a progressive slot with a lower maximum bet value. Chances are the progressive value will be lower as well, but you will at least stand the chance of winning the progressive jackpot should you land the winning combination.

Pick slots that fit your pocket

When choosing to play on a slot machine, consider whether or not you can afford to play on the slot taking into account what your spending limit is. Slots with more paylines tend to have higher minimum bet values. However, some online slots machines offer the means to bet from one to as many as 20 coins. In this instance you can drop the number of coins to make the slot more affordable in terms of bet values, but this does mean lower payouts. It is better to play on a slot with less paylines as the chances are good that your return on winning combinations would result in greater return.

Winning and Loss Cycles

When playing on any slot machine, more often than not, you will get a feel for the winning and losing cycles. Slots tend to have periods where wins falls regularly, or not at all. When you have played for a short while and you see that a slot machine is not producing any wins, or you are losing more on average with each bet placed, then do not persist playing on that slot machine. Stop playing and come back later, or simply move on to another slot. Chances are good that you will find another slot that offers basically the same type of gameplay, bet values and payout values as the one you were on, and as luck may have it, you may see better odds on the new slot. Persisting on a losing slot can result in you losing your entire bankroll on a machine that may not have paid out, and whereas you could have extended your gameplay and increased your odds of winning by moving on to another slot.

Gambling within reason

We all love to win big on a slot machine. If you have ever won a substantial jackpot on a slot, chances are good that you would have been bitten by the bug - the bug that pushes you into thinking that it could happen again. It is usually the case that higher stake slot machines hold the biggest payouts, and it also usually the case that these machines will pay out more money over a longer period of time. A good rule to follow is - only play on high stake slots if you can afford to do so. You would know best how much you can afford to lose, and how long you wish to play. If that value is not substantial, then avoid the high stake slot machines.

Betting sessions

Try to break your gameplay into multiple betting sessions. What this means is that you do not end up dropping your entire spending limit in one session. It also means that should you find yourself in a “losing cycle”, stopping and playing again at a later time extends your play and increases your odds of winning. Playing on at a time when you are losing with the aim of recouping losses could result in greater losses, and ultimately you end up feeling frustrated.

Knowing you limits

Many people love to gamble, and for most, it is a harmless pass-time. But, for some, it becomes an obsession. Look out for signs of problem gambling. If you are constantly thinking of or looking for opportunities to gamble, or you find that you are spending more and more and losing more and more, yet you still seek out means and ways to gamble further, then chances are that you have or are at the beginning stages of having a gambling addiction. If you or someone you know has a gambling addiction, there are a number of organizations out there who may be able to assist. The most well known and experienced of these being Gamblers Anonymous. Some online casinos even offer Self Assessment tests. Look for these resources on your favourite casino site, under sections pertaining to Responsible Gambling.