5 Things to Know Before Playing Slots

Slot machines are one of the most popular casino games, both online gambling and land-based. If you want to get in on the action, here is a list of five things you need to know before you start playing.

There Is a Slot Machine out There for You

What are you looking for in a slot machine? Is it that elusive grand jackpot? Frequent small wins? Or do you simply wish to be entertained?

There are so many types of slot machines to choose from. There are slots with only three reels, others with five, seven or even nine. There are ones with only one payline and others that offer 50. Some have bonus games, others do not. Where do you even start?

Do not be discouraged. There is one out there for you. Simply start with what you are looking for and your interests. Here you would also need to familiarise yourself with the various features of slot machines and what they mean.

Always Have a Budget

It is so easy to overspend on slots, as people tend to think that it is just a coin. However, with the betting ranges now available it can quickly add up. Slot machines nowadays have so many paylines, and your bet is typically spread over the number of paylines you have activated. For example, if there are 50 paylines, a minimum coin value of $1 and you choose to activate all the paylines, one spin could amount up to $100.

If two spins is all you can afford on a particular slot, look for a cheaper slot or stick to two.

Apply a Time Limit

This goes hand in hand with the previous tip. The longer you play, the bigger your chances of overspending.

Start Small

People tend to go for the big progressive jackpots instead of the smaller local jackpots. This could be a mistake. The big progressive jackpot is typically harder to win than the smaller jackpot. Slots that offer smaller jackpots also tend to pay out more often. So would you rather keep losing money at a progressive slot than win smaller amounts more frequently? You can always play the bigger jackpots later on.

If You Play Progressive Slots, Make Sure You Bet Enough to Be Eligible For the Jackpot

If you are newbie to online slot machines, chances are you don’t know that there are two types of jackpots: your fixed jackpots and progressive jackpots. If a slot machine has a fixed jackpot it means that the jackpot remains the same. It never increases or decreases. Everyone who hits that jackpot gets the same amount of money. If a slot machine has a progressive jackpot it means that a percentage of each wager placed by every single player who plays that game is taken, and added to the jackpot or jackpots. Some online slots even offer more than one progressive jackpot. Video slots can have from 2 to 12 progressive jackpots. However, typically they tend to have four labelled: mini, minor, major and grand.

To be eligible for a progressive jackpot, you need to wager at least the stipulated minimum. However, even though wagering the minimum makes you eligible for the jackpot, does not mean you will win the entire jackpot. If you bet less than the maximum you will only win a percentage of that progressive jackpot. In this case, go big or go home.