How to Pick Winning Slot Games: Myths vs Facts

How to Pick Winning Slot Games: Myths vs Facts in 2024

7 min

Will slots pay more if you play at night? Will you win if you change the bet size often? If your game didn’t pay in a while, is it a sure win if you keep playing? More than 90% of UK slot players don’t know the real answers to these questions. Keep reading and discover the truth about slots revealed by expert players with tens of years of combined experience.

Let’s get through the best practices to find online slots with higher winning rates and disprove the myths surrounding the most popular online casino game category. Find out why believing in gambler myths will only make you lose more money, and learn how to keep your habits in check by honestly evaluating each slot machine you play.

Slot Myths vs. Facts: Side by Side Overview

By comparing slot myths with the actual facts about slots, you’ll better understand what you should expect when playing. Here’s our take on the most common myths and their counterweighting facts:

Myths Facts
You can win slot games with strategies You can only increase your chances of winning with tips and strategies
You will win in a slot game if you keep placing bets Each bet is independent, and neither the slot game nor the casino takes your previous bets into account when you win or lose.
There are specific slot games known for winning. Some slots might pay more often than others, but that’s not something players should look into in the short term.
Winning in a slot game is possible with accurate prediction You cannot predict the outcome of a slot game. It uses a Random Number Generator (RNG). It is a game of chance.
Autoplay features reduce the chances of winning Autoplay and manual play use the same RNG process to determine outcomes, so the play mode does not affect the odds of winning.
Playing at certain times increases the chances of winning. The RNG systems used in online slots operate continuously and randomly, so the time of day has no impact on the likelihood of winning.
If a slot hasn’t paid out for a while, it’s due to hit Each spin on a slot machine is completely independent and random, unaffected by previous spins.

How to Pick a Winning Slot Game

The fact is that numerous factors influence the selection of a winning video slot game. Yet, getting profit every time is an unattainable feat. A “winning slot game” is characterized by providing a player with a 96% or higher return. So, predicting the exact payout of a slot is impossible, but winning slot games are those that, in theory, offer improved payouts and do so more frequently.

Follow these steps if you want to pick a winning slot game:

How-to-Pick-a-Winning-Slot-Game

Understand how slot games work

The first step is to know how slot games work. Playing slots is easy: Pick a bet, spin the reels, and wait to see if you’ve won. However, things are a bit more intricate once you look at the actual winning system. Slot machines function with a sophisticated software piece called a random number generator (RNG). This software determines the outcome of every spin.

When you spin the reels, the RNG ensures the result is entirely random. Some folks may play slots for hours without winning, while others might win on their first try.

Your chances of winning are higher in a game with a smaller jackpot than those with huge progressives. Nevertheless, hitting a massive cash prize with just one spin is still possible.

Go for slot machines with the highest payouts

A common error many new slot UK players make is assuming that all slot games are identical, differing only in graphics. This assumption is entirely incorrect. Even closely related slot games offer varying chances of winning.

If you aim to make money rather than experience the thrill, you should consistently look for slot jackpots with the highest payouts. Identifying them is simple – check the Return to Player (RTP) percentage on each game to understand their payout potential.

The RTP is a percentage of all the money wagered that a slot jackpot gives back to its players. It is always calculated on a scale of 0-100, with most games falling between 92% to 97%. However, note that this doesn’t guarantee that you will always win on the machine. It does, however, provide insight into how well the slot machine pays its players.

Evaluate the slot game’s volatility before placing your bets 

Before diving into any slot game with your money, you should ask this question: How volatile is this game? If you are unsure, seek advice from others or check online. Volatility, or “variance,” measures the risks associated with playing a specific slot game. There are two types of volatility: low and high volatility.

Low volatility slots are considered low-risk, but they often yield smaller winnings. Your total winnings may not reach the desired level despite playing for an extended period. Conversely, high volatility slots come with higher risks, but the potential payouts make it worthwhile. So, if you aim for substantial winnings in your online slot game, you might opt for high-volatility slots.

Below, you’ll find a list of popular slots in UK online casinos and their payout potential:

Slot Game RTP (%) Volatility Max Payout (Bet Multiplier) Provider
Mega Joker 99.00 High 2000x NetEnt
Book of 99 99.00 Medium 5000x Relax Gaming
1429 Uncharted Seas 98.60 Low 670x Thunderkick
Jokerizer 98.00 High 6000x Yggdrasil Gaming
Blood Suckers 98.00 Low 900x NetEnt
White Rabbit Megaways 97.77 High 13000x Big Time Gaming
Rainbow Riches Pick n Mix 98.00 Medium 500x Barcrest
Kings of Chicago 97.80 Medium 13000x NetEnt
Starmania 97.87 Low 1000x NextGen Gaming
The Catfather 98.10 Medium 5000x Pragmatic Play

Verify the licensing credentials when selecting a winning slot machine

It’s not just about enticing bonuses or the generous fixed maximum of free spins from a new slot site; authenticity matters. While choosing your machine, always ensure that you check the site’s legitimacy through its licensing. The site’s licensing systems are your best assurance of playing slot machine games on legitimate platforms.

Consider public opinion

Before deciding to play a slot machine game, find out what others say about it. While relying on people’s opinions may not always work for other casino games, it’s highly dependable in the slot world.

When picking a winning slot game, trust the comments, reviews, and remarks of fellow slot Brits players. If a slot machine fails to pay out or doesn’t offer fair winning chances, other players will promptly bring it to attention.

Practice with free slots

Before wagering real money, practice in demo mode. This allows you to learn how to win without risking your money. You will use demo credits to track your results during the demo mode. But with time, you will develop a good understanding of the game’s volatility and its RTP (Return to Player). This is the best way to determine what type of slot is right for you and figure out how the game pays or if your budget is enough to fit its patterns.

Make use of a slot game strategy

There are various schools of thought when it comes to using a slot machine strategy card, but the central concept is that employing one of these cards can enhance your chances of winning. Using slot game strategies can improve your chances of getting a payout even though there is no sure strategy for winning.
You can try different bet sizes depending on the volatility and the chances of getting a special feature.
On slots that don’t have a bonus feature, adjust your bets and lines according to your budget – if you have more funds, play for rare but bigger wins. If your funds are limited, go for the minimum bet and select the maximum number of paying lines when possible.

Maximize your profits by utilizing casino bonuses

One of the ways to also improve your chances of winning is to make use of every bonus offer and promotion. Most of the top slot casinos offer so many bonuses and promotions that you can take advantage of. These bonuses come with different wagering requirements that must be met within a specific period. You can only claim the bonuses after you meet the wagering requirement. We, therefore, advise that you take your time to read the bonus terms and conditions before you claim them.

Furthermore, we recommend that you only go for licensed and trustworthy casinos if you want to claim bonuses. Reputable casinos offer reasonable and transparent terms. The bonuses offered in these kinds of casinos include welcome offers and loyalty programs. You can take advantage of the loyalty points since the goal is to play for an extended period.

Establish a Budget Limit 

As you are on the quest to win, you must pay attention to your budget limit. Establishing a budget limit is a good way to increase your chances of winning. Determine your betting limit per spin. For example, if you want to place a bet on high-volatility games, you will need a larger bankroll. So, having a betting limit will save you the stress of exceeding your budget while trying to recover losses.

Final Take – Clearing the Myths and Facts About Slots

Slot games are games of chance and luck. They are powered by Random Number Generators, so the game outcomes are unpredictable. But it is also clear that there is no myth around what is called a “winning slot game”. Rather, what is available and achievable is to always improve your chances of winning by following actual tips and rules that proved efficient in time.

Anca Iamandi
AuthorAnca IamandiSenior Author & Editor at CasinoAlpha

Anca's analytic skills developed in Generative Linguistics allow her to bring you clear and concise gambling-related content. Her texts will help you understand casinos, bonuses, fees, and rules and forget about all the gambling myths that pull you down. She's a strong advocate of safe gambling.