How to Choose the Right Slot Game

If you’ve ever been to a casino, you know the number (and types) of slot machines are endless. The moment you step on that carpet you are surrounded by so many slot machines, how can you possibly choose the right one to play?

It’s best to go with what you know, choose a machine with a bet you’re comfortable with, and play online whenever possible. Read on to learn more about the steps for choosing the right slot game.

1. Go With What You Know

The most important advice when it comes to choosing what to play at a casino is to go with what you know. You are more likely to win at a game where you know how game play works, and what bets you can make. Although it sounds a little silly, this knowledge does transfer to slot machines as well.

Although game play is similar across all slot machines, there are certain bonuses, or side games, which can net you more if you know how to play them or when to play them during game play. For this reason, if there’s a slot machine you’ve played before, it’s always best to start your night out by playing it again.

2. Choose a Bet You’re Comfortable With

Many casinos (both brick-and-mortar and online) have a range of slot machines, some with bets as low as a few pennies, and others with bets of $5 per spin or more. No matter what you know or don’t know about a machine, always go with a machine that is within your chosen budget. This way, you can feel comfortable with every spin.

3. Choose a Risk Level You’re Comfortable With

While this isn’t available at brick-and-mortar casinos, many online casinos offer fun options for setting your risk level when playing slots. One example is MintDice.com, where you can choose a low-risk machine, a medium-risk machine, or a high-risk machine. This way, you can match your play with your risk tolerance.

Do keep in mind that while high-risk might sound scary, high-risk=high reward.

4. Choose to Play Online

We know that playing online isn’t quite as much fun as playing in a casino, but did you know that online slot machines typically have a higher RTP (return to player)?

It’s true. Online casinos have far less overhead than brick-and-mortar casinos. Theres not rent to pay, utilities, and there are far fewer staff. This means while your favorite machine might have an 85% RTP on the casino floor, it probably has a 95% RTP online.

This means that you can win more on your favorite machine just by switching to play it online, how cool is that?

5. Choose One You Will Love to Play

If you’ve made it this far and still can’t decide what slot game to play, there is no harm in choosing a themed slot machine you will enjoy playing, even if you don’t know it as well, and it has a lower RTP. Remember, while gambling can make you money, it is also supposed to be a fun activity. Love the show Friends? Then check out the Friends slot machine. Even if you win a little less, we guarantee you’ll have more fun playing that than unbranded slots!

It is also worth noting that your happiness is valuable. Just because a machine has a lower RTP doesn’t mean you won’t win anything. It just means your chances of winning are lower. But if you love a game and enjoy the minutes you spend playing it, that’s a win in our eyes.

6. Look At the Progressives

If you are choosing a non-branded slot game to play, chances are the casino has multiple of them. Especially if it is something like Buffalo or generic-Egypt theme (all casinos have one of these, trust us). In these cases, you should look at each individual machine and choose the machine with a higher progressive.

Keep in mind that a higher progressive doesn’t necessarily mean you will win. It might just be a slightly higher chance than one with a low progressive (and keep in mind this isn’t always the case!)

7. Look For Older Machines

If you don’t have a game of preference, it is always a good idea to gravitate toward older machines. Casinos, especially when they buy new branded slot machines, have to pay a fee every month for those machines. As such, the newer the machine, the more prominent the spot the casino will place it in, the lower the RTP.

This is especially true for machines that the casino suspects will be a fad, like Game of Thrones or Star Wars. When these machines are “in” casinos know they will get more traffic and they will lower the RTP. To avoid falling into this trap, search for the machine tucked back in the corner, or the one from a TV show in the 80s—it’s more likely these will have a higher RTP than the ones the casino is still trying to break even on.

This actually holds true for some online casinos as well. The games featured front and center, or with a “new” banner, tend to draw more players and therefore have a lower RTP until the online casino pays them off. So, take a few minutes to scroll back to one of the older games, and you’ll likely find yourself winning more!**

**Games with better graphics tend to cost online casinos more and therefore almost always have a lower RTP, even if they aren’t in the new section anymore.

Overall, the best slot game to play is ultimately the one you enjoy playing, know how to play, and with a bet size you are comfortable with. Of course, it’s okay to try something new, but when the game is no longer fun, don’t feel bad about returning to a game you used to enjoy previously! Remember, winning is never guaranteed, and you should only gamble with money you can afford to lose. Good luck!