Being one of the simplest casino games of all times, slots lure millions of recreational players with the promise of quick and lucrative payouts. And indeed, this type of game is simple to learn and play as it is based entirely on luck – there is nothing players can do to affect the outcome of the reels’ spin. However, seasoned slot fans know better. Slots are one of the most dynamic games to play in online or landbased casinos. Sure, you can potentially hit a massive payout, but you may also end up losing money at a shockingly rapid pace.

Your favorite slot machine has an RTP of 95%. Over the course of one year you play your favourite slot machine every weekend and wager a total of $1,000. On average, that machine should return $950 to you in the form of winnings. The most important thing to remember is that the RTP is a statistical average.

• Payout percentages typically vary between 86% and 99.9%. The higher the coin denomination of a given slot is, the higher its average payout percentage would be. Slots with smaller coin denominations are typically on the lower end of the scale, which is to say players should probably steer clear of playing those.
• For example, machines that require $1 or more generally pay out 95% to 99%, where 25 and 50 cent machines usually pay out 92% to 95%. Be wary of casinos advertising that their machines payout “up to 99.5%.”.

While the outcome is indeed governed by a random principle, players have greater chances of ending their betting session on profit as long as they make informed decisions when choosing which slot to play. Several things need to be factored into the equation. These include the slot’s house edge and average player return, its payouts, and volatility. When combined with good bankroll management, the proper understanding of these three factors can greatly improve your profitability.

Random Number Generators and House Edge in Online Slots

In online slots, the outcome of each spin is determined by programs, known as Random Number Generators. The RNG runs on complex algorithms and generates thousands of long number sequences each and every second on the basis of a predetermined formula. Each random number sequence corresponds to particular stops on the reels. From this, it follows that each spin’s outcome is completely random and depends on which number sequence the RNG will generate at the very moment a player presses the Spin button.

The sequence usually starts with what they call a seed number. Subsequent random numbers are generated on the basis of this seed, using an algorithm that only the programmer of the RNG is familiar with. The sequences of numbers are indeed long as often they consist of over 200,000 digits. Each following number in the sequence is used to generate yet another number, which itself becomes a seed. This process goes on and on even when no one is there to play the slot.

When the player hits the Spin button, the reels on the screen start rotating but the outcome has already been decided by the RNG in advance. Practically, whether you win or lose depends solely on which number sequence has been produced at the exact split second you have pressed the button. Thousands of winning and losing combinations are generated each and every instant.

How does this relate to the house edge? While random, the RNG is pre-programed to pay a specific percentage of all bets on the slot back to the players. This is referred to as the average Return to Player Percentage or RTP.

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Online Slots and Player Return Percentages

The average return will vary, depending on the slot title and the software developer, which has supplied the casino with the game. Payout percentages typically vary between 86% and 99.9%. The higher the coin denomination of a given slot is, the higher its average payout percentage would be. Slots with smaller coin denominations are typically on the lower end of the scale, which is to say players should probably steer clear of playing those.

The house edge in slots, especially when multiple paylines are involved, would be next to impossible to calculate using formulas, especially by the average player. The good news is it is directly related to the average player return percentage, which renders it possible for players to calculate the casino’s built-in advantage without necessarily being mathematical geniuses.

Let’s demonstrate with an example, using NetEnt’s Jack and the Beanstalk for the purpose. The average return to player percentage for this slot stands at 96.30%. You can calculate the house edge by subtracting the slot’s RTP from 100%. From this, it follows that Jack and the Beanstalk’s house edge is set to 3.70%. This practically means that the house collects $3.70 on average per every $100 wagered on this slot.

At this point, you are probably wondering “Why play slots at all if the games are always tilted against me?”. And rightfully so. The truth of the matter is while accurate, both the house edge and the RTP even out to 3.70% and 96.30%, respectively, over extremely long periods of time. Realistically speaking, you cannot expect to collect $96.30 per every $100 you wager on Jack and the Beanstalk.

It will take hundreds, and even thousands of hits of the spin button until the RTP and the house edge even out to the percentages, specified by the casino. The average player return is calculated over millions of spins for a given slot machine. If you collect a payout $2.20 with an initial stake of $0.75, you are not simply getting your original bet back in addition to your net profit, you are practically getting $0.75 from another slot player who failed to win on their spin. From this, it follows that the more you bet on any given slot, the closer you will get to the average player return percentage, listed in the slot’s paytable.

It goes without saying, players should always check what the average return on a given slot is before they proceed with placing their bets. Common sense dictates that one should opt for betting on slots where the RTP is higher and therefore, the house edge is lower. It would be best to choose slots where the average return exceeds 95% or 96%. However, a high return percentage does not necessarily mean the slot would spew back payouts all the time. This is where volatility, also known as variance, comes into play.

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Figuring Out the Odds of Slots

Calculating the odds (i.e. the probability) of hitting the maximum payout on a classic, 3-reel slot is relatively simple as there is typically a single combination of symbols on the reels that pays out the jackpot. It all depends on the number of symbols (referred to as “stops”) and the number of reels the game utilizes.

If there are three reels, with each containing 16 different symbols, the odds of hitting the maximum payout can be represented in the following way – 1/16 x 1/16 x 1/16, which equals 1 in 4096. It is possible to calculate the probability of hitting any symbol combination on the three reels by using this method.

But the outcome of the spins on more advanced video slots is determined by the aforementioned RNGs. Such slots typically have five reels and multiple paylines, with a far greater number of symbols. Needless to say, this would render the calculation of the odds of landing specific combinations extremely difficult. A five-reel slot with 32 symbols can render more than 3 million combinations.

Low and High Volatility in Slots

Prior to committing with any real-money wagers, slots novices should acquaint themselves with what the terms volatility and variance stand for. The two terms are often used interchangeably as they practically mean the same thing. Volatility refers to the inherent risk of the slot or in other words, how often and how much money players can expect to collect at the end of their gaming session.

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Thus, slots can be divided into two main categories – slots with low and slots with high volatility. Games with higher volatility involve a higher degree of risk for the players. Such slots typically offer better payouts but the winning combinations tend to occur far less frequently. But when they do pay, higher-volatility slots pay big. These are a suitable option for patient players with more substantial bankrolls, which would see them through until they succeed in hitting a lucrative payout. Also, there is usually not much action in such games.

From this, it follows that slots with low volatility come with less inherent risk for the players. On low-volatility slots, players tend to land winning combinations more often, but the payouts are far from life-changing. However, such games are action-packed so one will hardly ever grow bored with playing. It is precisely their bonus features that keep enthusiasts entertained for prolonged periods of time. Low-volatility slots are considered a suitable option for players on a budget, who are betting primarily for entertainment and wish to extend their gaming session as long as possible.

Unlike the average player return, the volatility of slots is not listed in the paytable as casinos usually refrain from providing such information to their players. Despite that, the paytable may be used as an indicator of whether a specific slot comes with high or low volatility. If the paytable of your preferred slot offers you a maximum payout of half a million coins, the game’s volatility is probably medium to high. The more lucrative the payouts in the paytable are, the higher the slot’s volatility.

Another thing you can do is compare the payouts for landing a four-of-a-kind (combination with four identical symbols on the reels) with those of hitting a five-of-a-kind combination. If the difference between the two is 5x or less, the slot’s volatility is probably low. However, if the difference in the payouts for the highest paying symbol combinations exceeds 10x, you are most certainly looking at a high-volatility slot.

The following is a short-listing of quick slot machine tips. These tips are meant as a supplement to basic slots strategy. Follow these slot machine tips for some general slot machine guidelines and a bit of advice from experienced slots players.

• Each slot machine spin is completely independent. This means if someone gets a big payout at a slot machine you recently left, you didn’t actually miss out on the payout. It’s highly unlikely you would have gotten the payout if you had stayed at the machine because the outcome is due to the rapid generation of random numbers and not the number of spins.
• A machine is never due to hit a jackpot. Each time you spin the reels at a slot machine you have the same chance of hitting any jackpot regardless of whether or not the machine has recently hit this jackpot. This means that a machine can go many days without a significant payout or could have two giant payouts in a row.
• Three-reel slot machines with only one payline usually offer the best overall percentages for coming out ahead.
• Avoid multiple-payline slots. It seems like your odds would be better with the increase in paylines but the payout rates aren’t nearly as good as those found on single-payline slots.
• Avoid progressive slot machines. The huge payouts are very tempting but the random number generators in these machines are programmed to produce a higher number of reels and symbols, decreasing your odds.
• Higher denomination machines often have higher payback percentages. You’ll usually do better playing a single coin in a dollar slot machine than three coins in a quarter slot machine.
• To win jackpots and the highest payouts you should always play maximum coins.
• Play the number of coins you feel comfortable with. Yes, more coins often means a better payout, but it’s your money and if you’d rather play under the maximum amount then you should do so.
• Faster play does not increase your chances of winning. A person playing slots faster may appear to be winning more but it’s just because they’re spinning more within a given amount of time.
• It doesn’t matter if you pull the handle or hit the Spin button. People have their superstitions but the slot machine couldn’t care less.
• The number of coins played has no affect on the outcome of the spin. However, number of coins played may affect the payout.
• Know when to stop spinning. Decide on your bankroll before you sit down at a machine. When that money is gone it’s time to go.
• Decide when to move on. If you don’t win a payout in a certain number of spins (say 6 or 8 or 10 etc.) then move on to another machine. This strategy will keep you from losing all your money back to a machine that isn’t paying out. At the same time it will keep you winning at a loose machine.
• The loosest slots are often in high traffic areas. Look for loose slots near the cashier, main casino aisles, restaurants, and shops. Despite popular opinion, casinos do not hide their best paying machines. It’s in their best interest for people to see winners.
• Most casinos will “cap” (hold) a machine for you if you want to take a break. Ask a slot or change attendant if you want your machine capped, but be sure to take your money with you.
• Use your player’s card. You can get a lot of great free stuff with a player’s card, and it only takes a couple minutes to get one.
• Don’t forget to take your player’s card when you leave. If you do forget, you can usually get a new one from the casino with your balance intact.