Complete Guide to Slots

Slots are the most popular casino games of all time, surpassing even blackjack and Keno. The slot machine has been around in some form or another since the first model was developed by Charles Fey in 1895. Their simplicity, spinning wheels and big jackpots have kept them alive and well across three separate centuries now.

With the slot machine there are no complicated rules to follow, confusing strategies, or dealers sitting right there watching you play. You can sit down, grab a bucket of change (or more likely a ticket with credits on it) and have your way with the slots.

All you have to do to play slot games is choose the game you want to play, insert your coins, and then either pull the reel, push the button, or click the mouse. After that all you have to do is watch the wheels spin and hope for a favorable outcome.

Slot machines come in a wide variety of denominations and they usually offer a choice of how many coins you wish to play at a time. So if you decide to play at a nickel slot, it will cost $0.05 per spin while betting one coin at a time or up to $0.25 if you're betting 5 coins at a time.

You'll usually see a pay table posted somewhere near or on the slot machine. This table lists the different winning symbol combinations and payouts for each machine. If you look closely, you'll see that it pays a higher % back to people who bet the maximum number of coins.

Progressive slot machines add to the excitement because these slot machines save back a small percentage of every bet and add it to the progressive jackpot. So while all the people connected to the progressive slot machine insert coins, the jackpot steadily grows. When one lucky person hits the progressive jackpot, that person wins the entire thing and the jackpot resets.

Slots Tips

Here are some of our best tips for playing Slots.

Don't fall prey to slots "systems"

The biggest thing to remember when it comes to slots tips is that there are no secret winning strategies out there. Slot machines are very carefully designed to be completely random on every spin so there is no way you can take advantage of slot machines.

It seems like someone comes out with a new, top-secret way to make thousands of dollars playing slots every week. But those strategies all end up the same: useless.

There is no way to beat the system

Instead, you should consider the money you spend on slot machines as an entertainment expense. If you don't win anything, at least you still had a good time. Any winnings after that are just icing on the cake.

Slot machines don’t "come due" for a jackpot

The idea that certain slot machines are due to hit is completely false. Every spin of the wheels is completely independent from the last spin. If a slot machine paid out a $100,000 jackpot on one spin, that slot machine is just as likely as any other slot machine in the casino to produce a jackpot on the very next spin.

Always use your player's card

The only sure-fire way to increase your profits at the slot machines is to always use your player's card. You'll earn special perks and rewards at the casino like free hotel stays, free meals, free drinks and more. Casinos like to reward loyal players.

If you play online, you don't have to worry about a player's card. Every online casino has some form of player loyalty program whether it's frequent player points or membership to a VIP club. You don't have to do anything other than play to earn these rewards but it's still useful to check the casino website for information about the loyalty program.

Look for the best pay tables

Some slot machines offer higher payouts than others so it's always important to do a little research before you pick any one machine. Some slot machines offer bigger payouts that come less often while others offer smaller payouts that hit more often. Choose the one that suits your style and you'll have that much more fun.

Play with money you can afford to lose

First of all, it's just not healthy to gamble with money you can't afford to lose. Second, the casino will always have an advantage so you should just consider your money gone before you get to the casino. Consider it an entertainment expense and go out there to enjoy yourself.

Slots Etiquette

Here are some ideas for following proper slots etiquette:

Stick to one machine at a time if it's busy

Playing multiple machines at a time can keep the action moving fast for you but if it's busy, you should stick to one machine at a time. It's just not polite to make other people wait while you play two machines at a time.

Coin cups or personal items mean the machine is taken

People will usually leave a coin cup on the slot handle or a personal item in the seat if they had to run to the restroom quickly or get more change. Slots players can be a superstitious lot so it's not a good idea to take someone's machine while that person is gone. Additionally, it's rude to move someone's stuff out of the way so you can take that specific machine.

Be courteous when smoking

In the casinos that allow smoking, try to be mindful of the other players around you. People go to casinos to have fun, not to breathe in 10 cigarettes' worth of second-hand smoke. If you can, take it outside. If that's not an option, the other people in nearby slot machines will appreciate it if you keep it to a minimum.

Tip about ½ to 1 percent of jackpots

As a custom, you will probably want to tip about ½ to 1 percent of your jackpot if it requires assistance from a casino employee. This isn't a hard and fast rule but it should serve as a good starting point.

Don't yell or talk loudly about your luck

If you're having terrible luck at the slot machines, try to keep the grumbling and complaining internal. Other slots players don't want to hear bad luck stories - bad luck stories just spread negativity.

On the other hand, you should try not to cause too much of a scene if you win a jackpot. It's nice to have a win but don't overdo it because there's still a whole casino full of people around you. On top of that, it's never a good idea to announce to the world that you just won a bunch of cash. Some of the slot machines will make plenty of noise as it is.

Ready to Play Slots?

Now that you've read our full Slots guide, it's time to hit the machines. Lucky for you, we've rated all of the best online Slots casinos so you can play at the best one. Slots Oasis was our #1 pick:

#1 Slots Casino - Slots Oasis

With a name like "Slots Oasis" you would hope this casino deserves a spot on the best slots casinos list. Well, we are happy to announce that Slots Oasis has indeed earned a spot on this list. There are over 50 slot machines to choose from here and they come in a wide variety of shapes and styles. One slot machine at Slots Oasis called Shopping Spree will give you your choice of $100,000 or a $100,000 sports car in any color you choose if you land 5 red cars on the progressive line. The other progressive slots here are huge as well, with jackpots reaching a million dollars at times.

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