How to Pick a Winning Slot Machine
You don’t need us to tell you that Slot Machines are incredibly popular among casino enthusiasts. But you may be surprised to learn just how popular they really are. In fact, they account for over 70% of casino revenue, making them by far the most profitable games for casinos.
The chances are you’ve probably heard of at least one superstition surrounding Slots, such as that if a Slot Machine hasn’t paid out in a while, a big payout is just around the corner. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.Â
However, there are several tips you can employ to maximize your chances of winning. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know on how to pick a winning Slot Machine, including the best ways to identify high-paying Slots, the importance of RTP rates and how to avoid common mistakes that drain your bankroll.
Understanding RTP and Volatility
When playing casino games whether online or in person, you will most likely have come across some terminology. The two most common ones are RTP and Volatility. Whatever type of casino game you choose to enjoy, it is essential to understand these two terms, and how they impact your overall playing experience.
What is RTP?
RTP stands for Return to Player, which as the name suggests is the overall amount of money that is paid out to players in the form of winnings. Naturally, higher RTP games pay out more to players in the long run.
For example, if a Slots game has an average RTP rate of 96%, it will return $96 out of every $100 wagered over time. Yet, it is essential to remember that this is just a mathematical average. A 96% RTP rate does not equal a 96% chance of success. You could easily spend $100 or more on a single Slots game and walk away with nothing.
It’s also worth pointing out that different types of Slots games can have different RTP rates. Slots games can typically be split into three main categories: Classic Slots, Video Slots and Progressive Jackpot Slots. Classic Slots typically have an RTP rate of 95-98%, Video Slots typically have an RTP rate of 92-97%, and finally Progressive Jackpot Slots typically have an RTP rate of between 88% and 95%.
What is Volatility?
| Low Volatility | High Volatility |
|---|---|
| âś… Smaller, regular wins | âś… Higher wins are possible |
| âś… Keeps your bankroll ticking over | âś… Often seen on Jackpot Slots |
| ✅ Good for casual players | ❌ Winless streaks are expected |
| ❌ Huge wins much less likely | ❌ Best avoided if on a budget |
While RTP rates state the average return rate to players over time, Volatility levels demonstrate how often a Slots title will pay out. Each Slots game will have a Volatility rating attached, and this can help players decide if it is right for them.
Put simply, Low Volatility slots are best for players who are more risk-averse, as they offer more frequent but smaller wins.
High Volatility slots, on the other hand, are best for players who are willing to take risks in search of major rewards. These games pay out very infrequently, but the payouts are often very large when players strike it lucky.
Naturally, Medium Volatility slots aim to strike a balance between the size and frequency of payouts, and so are an ideal choice for players looking for a middle ground.
Each Volatility level comes with its own strengths and weaknesses. Low and Medium Volatility Slots can help preserve your bankroll as they payout more often, but will most likely not award large sums of money. On the other hand, High Volatility Slots may promise massive payouts, but will require a much higher degree of patience from the player, as well as a bigger bankroll to counteract the long spells of minimal payouts.
3 Tips to Help You Maximize Your Chances of Winning!
Whether you are completely new to Slots or are a seasoned veteran, it always pays to do your research before you decide where to try your luck.
âś… Check Casino review sites run by slots enthusiasts to find niche Slots with high RTP rates that you may not be familiar with. You can find games with up to 99% RTP on most crypto casinos, which coupled with some smart bonus strategies and cashback benefits can significantly boost your chances of walking away as a winner!
âś… Compare casino payout rates! Yes, the same slot can have sligthly different RTP’s depending on where you play. This is because most providers will provide a range of RTP’s which gives the casino some leeway to set their own target. And whilst this might only vary by a small percentage, it can have a material impact on your chances of winning!
âś… Consider a crypto casino. Much like physical casinos on the Vegas strip charge a premium to cover higher running costs, crypto casinos generally have less margin pressure than heavily regulated traditional online casinos. We won’t go into the specifics, but you might find better value playing at a trust crypto casino.
Best Online Casinos for High Payouts
We discussed how it’s important to compare the various RTP’s for each slot you’re keen on playing, and also highlighted that the same slot may have different RTP’s across different sites!
Our team spends hours each day reviewing the best casinos, and payout rates is one area we look at very closely! So much so, that we have a dedicated page just to showcase the best payout casinos.
To save you a click, as of April 2025, the best payout casino we have come across is without a doubt Metawin. They openly commit to offering a max payout guarantee on ALL games, and display the RTP rates for all their titles right there in the lobby. On top of this, they have just launched an extremely generous Rewards program with up to 50% winback, daily rewards and $1 millon in monthly player incentives!
We love how Metawin displays RTP rates and Volatility!
Max RTP on All Games
18+. T&C’s Apply. Void where prohibited by law.
Picking The Right Slot Machine Features
It’s important to remember that some Slots are better than others, and even carefully-curated online casinos can often have a few poor Slots games here and there. But poor payouts are only part of the problem. To maximize your chances of winning, it’s a good idea to look for Slots that offer bonus features in addition to the main game.
Avoid Slots with Low RTP
We’ve said it before, but the easiest way to pick a winning slot machine, is to go with the ones that have higher RTP! If a casino doesn’t display the RTP rates, I’d consider trying a different site offering more transparency.
Generally, the average RTP for online slots is 96%, however as we have discussed Volatility matters as well. A high RTP slot with high Volatility could still eat all your bankroll in a few spins!Â
High RTP slots that have been favourites with players for a few years now are Netent’s Mega Joker and BloodSuckers with respective RTP rates of 99% and 98%, as well as Playtech’s Ugga Bugga, which has an RTP rate of 99%.Â
Crypto casino games such as Plinko, Keno, Dice and Crash are generally offered at 99% RTP, so these games also provide a good alternative the more traditional slots.
Look for Games with Bonus Features
Wilds & Scatters
Most modern Slots come with Wild and Scatter symbols, both of which can increase your chances of winning. Wilds can substitute for other symbols (except for Scatter symbols) to create or enhance winning combinations, whereas Scatter symbols appear in any position on the reels and can trigger bonus features such as bonus rounds or free spins.
Keep an eye out for improved versions of these standard features: Stacked Wilds can increase your chances of winning even further, as unlike regular Wild symbols they appear in groups on the reels, covering numerous positions at once. Sticky Wilds stay in place for multiple spins, increasing your chances of hitting a win.
Cascading Reels
Cascading Reels are another popular bonus feature. As the name suggests, this feature causes winning symbols to disappear, resulting in new symbols taking their place. This has the potential to generate consecutive wins from a single spin. What’s more, the Cascading Reels feature can generate even larger wins for players, as many games come with increasing multipliers attached. Yet, this is not guaranteed, so it’s important to check each Slots title that has this feature individually.
Bonus Buys
Finally, some Slots will also come with a Bonus Buy feature, which allows players to immediately access any bonus rounds at a set cost. Be careful though, as this feature often comes with a high purchasing cost attached.
Managing Your Bankroll
Managing your bankroll may sound very simple, but players can often get caught up in the moment and lose money faster than they anticipated. Fortunately, there are a number of ways that players can keep themselves entertained, while also ensuring that they stay within the limits of what they can afford.
Set a Budget
Needless to say, Slots are designed to keep you playing as this helps the casino make more money. However, an effective way to counteract this is to look at your finances and figure out how much you can afford to spend on gambling without putting yourself in financial trouble.
Once you’ve got this number, stick to it and don’t go over it. Once the money has gone, it’s time to stop playing. This way you can enjoy casino gaming, but in a way where the more important areas of your life are not threatened.
Avoid Common Mistakes
Avoiding common gambling mistakes is another key way to manage your bankroll. The two most common mistakes besides not budgeting are chasing losses and not checking the size of your bets.
❌ Don’t Chase Losses
Of course, nobody likes to lose. But while it can be very tempting to chase your losses, it’s important to remember that this is exactly what casinos want you to do. After all, this way they get more of your money. Instead, it’s best to quit before the damage gets too severe. Losing $60 is much worse than losing $10. If you feel you lack the ability to prevent yourself from chasing your losses, it’s a good idea to set spending limits.
❌ Check Your Bet Size
It’s also important to remember to check how much you are betting per spin. The default betting amount can vary with each Slots game, so it’s essential to double check how much you’re spending. If you are betting the maximum amount per spin, this makes it much more likely that you will quickly burn through your money, especially if you’re playing a high Volatility title.
Are Progressive Jackpot Slots Worth It?
Progressive Jackpots are a very popular choice at numerous online casinos, and the allure of hitting a seven figure payout is indeed tempting. However, while they can certainly provide entertainment, whether or not they are worth it depends on your personal approach to gambling.
You should only play these types of game if you are comfortable with the associated risk. Even Progressive Slots with smaller Jackpots contain no guarantee of winning, despite it being statistically more likely.
âś… Pros
The biggest upside to Progressive Jackpot Slots is of course the potential for massive wins. Some Jackpots start from as much as $1 million. What’s more, you don’t require sizable bets to land these Jackpots, as you can also claim the vast sums with the minimum betting amount.Â
❌ Cons
While it’s true that Progressive Jackpot Slots can reward lucky players with life-changing sums of money, this comes with a major drawback. Incredibly long dry spells before any payout are common with Progressive Jackpot Slots, and this is especially true the higher the available Jackpot is.Â
Common Myths About Winning Slots vs Reality
If you’ve heard about Slot Machines, then it’s highly likely that at some point you will have come across some common myths and misconceptions. Here we will cover three of the most common ones, as well as the reality of each.
Myth: Slots Are Due for a Payout
One of the most common myths is that there is a way to know how to tell if a Slot Machine is about to hit. The theory goes that if a Slot Machine is on a dry spell in regard to payouts, there is a high chance that it could pay out soon.
In reality, there is no way of knowing when a Slot Machine is going to pay out. This is because whether or not a Slots title pays out is solely determined by the Random Number Generator (RNG) that is embedded in the game. There is no way of telling what the next set of results will be, as it’s purely down to luck.
Myth: Playing Longer Increases Your Chances
The next myth is that playing for longer increases your chances of winning. A possible reason for this could be that some individuals have confused the RTP percentage with their chances of winning. As we mentioned earlier, an RTP rate is just a mathematical average. A 96% RTP rate does not equal a 96% chance of success.
In reality, playing for longer simply increases the amount of money you can lose. That is why it is essential to never bet more than you can afford.
Myth: Certain Times of Day Have Higher Payouts
Finally, some players believe that the time of day can affect the chances of winning money. Again, while we have no way to confirm whether or not this used to be true in the early days of casino gambling, we can confidently say that it is certainly not the case nowadays. The time of day has no impact on which Slot Machine is most likely to win.
Casinos in the modern era use highly-sophisticated algorithms to ensure complete randomness, whether gambling takes place online or in a physical casino. As we’ve emphasized numerous times, there is no way of knowing when a Slot Machine will payout.
Key Takeaways
Overall, while there is no way of knowing what is the next Slot Machine that will win, there are still a number of steps you can take to increase your chances.
The most important method to increasing your chances of winning is basic bankroll management. After all, you won’t be able to win on Slot Machines if you don’t have any money. Set a budget you can afford and stick to it. More importantly, it’s a good idea to bet smaller amounts on each game, as this can significantly extend your play time when compared to larger individual wagers.
Going for games that have a higher RTP rate will offer players a better chance of securing a sizable payout, as higher RTP rates means that a Slots game keeps less money overall over a protracted period of time. Remember, though, that RTP rates do not correlate with success.
In terms of what to look for, it’s a good idea to search for Slots that have an RTP rate of at least 96%, as these are in line with the average casino payout rate. Bear in mind that it’s much easier to find RTP rates at an online casino, as these websites will make essential game information available across their titles, including Slots.
Finally, ignore myths about Slots payouts, whether they concern the physical location of a Slot Machine, the time of day, or the length of time before a Slots game pays out. The only thing that determines when a Slots game will pay out is the RNG that casinos use to randomize their games.
Now that you know what to look out for, you have all the tools you need to put your luck to the test. Will you come out as a winner?
How do you know when a Slot Machine will hit?
Put simply, there is no way to tell if a Slot Machine is about to hit or not. All games are determined by a fair Random Number Generator, so whether or not a player wins is solely down to luck.
What Slot Machines win the most?
Slots with a lower Volatility rating will typically win more often in the long run. This is because they are designed to offer players the chance to secure frequent but smaller payouts when compared to titles that have a higher Volatility score.
What are some key tips to manage your bankroll?
There are a number of methods for players to manage their bankroll. The simplest and most effective is to work out what you can afford to lose and stick to this amount, regardless of what happens. Players should also remember that chasing their losses is never a good idea, as this will more than likely result in them losing even more money. A good way to prevent overspending is to set predetermined limits, as these can help players stay in control by restricting how much they can spend in a given timeframe.
What is the best Slot Machine to play to win?
What is regarded as “the best Slot Machine to play to win” depends on what each player prioritizes the most. There is no set answer to this question. Some players will be willing to spend more money than others, and an individual’s tolerance for risk will also influence what they consider to be “the best Slot Machine to play to win”. These factors will naturally affect their opinions, resulting in a wide range of potential answers.