Top tips for slots beginners

Every day, millions of people around the globe enjoy playing online slot games. These are the digital successors to traditional mechanical slot machines, and things have come a long way. 

But the world of online slot games can feel daunting to newcomers, mainly because of the sheer volume of slots sites, games and wide variety within both. In this guide, we’ll assume that you’re a complete newcomer and share some helpful hints and tips to help you hit the ground running and get the most out of your slots play.

Slots are fun!

First things first: online slots are a great form of entertainment. There are many types of players, from the casual to the committed, but the smart ones all know that entertainment is the primary purpose of slots. Yes, there have been some incredible wins, but your first objective when playing online slots should simply be to enjoy yourself. 

There’s a whole galaxy of different casinos, themes, bonuses and slot games to explore. Loads of new titles hit the market every year, bringing with them novel gameplay mechanics, fresh themes and exciting innovations that elevate gameplay even further.  

Slots and slot sites

Which games to play?

Once you’ve registered and funded your account, the fun can begin! 

Some sites host literally thousands of slots, and it can take a bit of trial and error to find those that best suit you. Sometimes, playing demo versions is advisable, before you start wagering your deposited funds. 

There’s a great deal of personal preference involved here, but if you’re inexperienced you might want to start with the site’s ‘Most Popular’ or ‘Featured’ slot selections. Explore the many different themes and genres to find a good fit.

Slot games have certain naming conventions, types, styles and formats, which can take a bit of getting used to. Some of the more common include:

• Megaways: These have many more paylines, increasing the number of ways that you can form winning combinations of symbols. 
• Jackpot: Jackpot slots may have a fixed-value jackpot (a multiple of your stake), or a progressive jackpot (a huge prize shared across games and sites).
• Grid slots: These don’t use the traditional reel-based system, and tend to pay out for ‘clusters’ of symbols rather than lines.

Some players choose their games according to theme or genre – and there are plenty to choose from.

Useful things to know

When choosing a slot game, there are a few technical metrics and mechanics to consider. Don’t be put off by these – most players grasp them fairly quickly.

• Return to player (RTP) rate: This is the average amount of each stake that is returned to the player. Over 96% is considered decent.
• Volatility (AKA variance): How much the game’s outcomes deviate from the RTP, with higher volatility meaning fewer payouts of higher value. 
• Bet sizes: There’s a minimum and a maximum bet per-spin. Something like 0.10 to 100 coins would be typical. 
• Max win: This is the top prize that you could win, and anything above 10,000x your stake is good.
• Bonus features: It’s worth reading the in-game instructions to see how the bonus features work, as these are potentially your ticket to the biggest wins. 

Familiarising yourself with these concepts is a good idea. It will help you not to get swept up in the many misconceptions about how slots work.  

Are slot games fair?

Are slot games rigged? Who decides the outcome? Can slots be ‘hot’, ‘cold’ or ‘ready’ to pay out? 

In the past, some have questioned the fairness of online slot games, because they can’t see what’s happening behind the scenes. However, the answer to all of these questions relate to one concept: random number generators (RNGs).

RNGs are algorithms that produce random outcomes (or as random as a digital process can be). The results of a spin are based completely on the outcomes of random number generators. These are tested to ensure fairness and alignment with games’ RTP rates. 

One of the many responsibilities of a regulator is to audit casinos and games, and to test fairness. Worldwide, one of the best and most stringent regulators is the UK's8   

 Gambling Commission, but the most relevant to you will depend on your personal jurisdiction. 

The bottom line: Yes, slot games are fair, and there are many people working hard to ensure that the system remains fair.

Bonuses, jackpots, free spins and more

Claiming bonuses is a big part of being a savvy slots player, but it’s important to ensure that you fully understand what’s required before you claim a bonus. It’s nobody’s idea of fun, but read the T&Cs carefully. 

As a new player, you’ll find the most valuable bonuses are available to you. After you’ve scooped up a new customer bonus, the value of the deals declines, but there are often still some tantalising options for existing customers. 

The two most common forms of bonus are deposit matches and free spins. The former gives you bonus funds to use with some flexibility. The latter are generally limited to a single slot game or a small selection. 

Important bonus terms to keep an eye out for include wagering requirements, max win limits, contribution rates, eligible games, expiry dates and minimum deposit requirements. Be sure to check out our guide to understanding casino bonus terms and conditions.

Slot game strategies

Once you click the spin button and those reels start to move, it’s out of your hands. The gamification of modern slots and casinos can give the impression that we have more control than we do, but slots are all about luck, and it all comes down to that random number generator. 

While there’s no effective ‘strategy’ per se, there are certain choices that players can make, and best practices that they can follow. 

• Consider volatility: A lower volatility game will help your bankroll to go further. 
• Aim high: The higher the RTP, the better. 
• Manage your bankroll: Don’t spend what you can’t afford to lose, and don’t chase losses. 
• Observe your limits: If you play regularly, stick to your deposit limits. 
• Keep it fun!: Remember, slot games are a form of entertainment – if you’re not having fun, stop.

What to look for in a slot site

It’s important to understand that not all slot sites/online casinos are born equal. At the good end of the spectrum are those that offer great value and take care of their players. At the other end are exploitative, unfair sites. It’s important to know the main things that you’re looking for:

• A valid licence from a reputable regulator. 
• A great selection of games that offers both quality and quantity.
• Support for reliable payment systems. 
• Valuable and fair bonuses and rewards. 
• A navigable, user-friendly site (mobile compatibility should be a given considering around 80% of players now play on mobile devices).
• Customer support that is easily available and genuinely helpful.
• Responsible gambling tools.

We might not all have exactly the same idea of what a perfect casino site looks like, but the above criteria are the essential ones to consider.

What to avoid when choosing a slot site

Just as important as knowing what to aim for is knowing what to avoid. There are some telltale signs that can suggest that a site may not have players’ best interests at heart. 

• Lack of a licence, or a licence from a dubious regulator.
• Aggressive marketing methods and/or spam communications.
• Murky or incomplete terms and conditions.
• Welcome bonuses that sound ridiculously generous.
• A bad reputation according to reviews and other players. 
• Poor banking terms (unfair limits, dodgy payment methods, fees, slow withdrawals).
• Shonky website, limited numbers of games – including from unknown developers

If you encounter any of these red flags, proceed with caution, or preferably give the site a miss altogether.

Signing up to a slot site

Once you’ve found a slot site that ticks all the boxes and you’re ready to register, the actual process is fairly straightforward. 

• Follow our link to the slot site’s homepage and look for a ‘Sign Up’ or ‘Register’ button.
• Complete the forms with your personal details, including your name, address, email, date of birth, etc.
• Finalise the creation of your account by reviewing and agreeing to the terms and conditions.
• Complete the ID verification process (see below for more on this).
• Set your deposit limits and make your first deposit by attaching a payment method to your account. 

After you’ve registered, you will generally be prompted to complete a basic verification process, for KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements. This helps to keep online casinos safe and free from crime, and generally involves submitting a copy of your photo ID and proof of address.

Player safety and assurances

Sometimes, things can go wrong. If you run into any disputes with a casino, there’s a process to follow to make your complaint and hopefully get a resolution. The specifics might depend on the country you're in, but all licensed casinos should have some sort of system in place.

Responsible gambling is essential, and players should always err on the side of caution. It’s a good idea to make use of the safer gambling tools that are available to you, and to remain self-aware. 

Problem gambling is a serious issue. Look at our guide to responsible gambling help and advice.

Summary

At Slot Gods, we’re genuinely passionate about the slots and sites that we recommend, and have strict rules about only recommending games that we ourselves would want to play. We want to help players to get the most out of slot games by sharing our experience and expertise. For more information on how Slot Gods works, check out our About Us page, as well as our guides to how we rate and review slots and slot sites.