How to Play Slots: Everything You Need to Know

Slots have been in physical casinos for decades, and they’ve been available in many reputable online casinos since their inception. Even so, slot machines are a relatively new phenomenon compared to some other casino games like roulette, which preceded the first slot machine by several hundred years.

If you’re interested in trying your hand at slots in casinos, here’s everything you need to know before you start.

Types of Slot Machine Games

Just as there are different variants of poker, you’ll find a wide array of slot games in most brick-and-mortar casinos. While slot machines have a variety of names, you can separate them into broader categories that are easier to digest based on how you can bet on them.

Here are some types of slot machine games you may find in a casino, based on how you can wager when you play them:

• Single-coin slot machines: Like mechanical slot machines, single-coin variants have essentially gone the way of the T. rex, but you may still encounter one if you visit an older casino. These machines are exactly what their name implies — they allow you to insert one coin per spin for a chance to win on a single line.
• Multipliers: As you may have guessed, multipliers are machines that allow you to wager multiple coins at once. The more you bet on a single spin, the higher your payout will be if you win.
• Buy-a-pay slots: Many buy-a-pay slot machine games accept five or more coins or credits per spin, with each added coin unlocking another combination of symbols that can result in a win.
• Multiple-payline slot machine games: With this kind of slots game, you can bet on several paylines by wagering additional credits on a single spin. If you bet multiple paylines on a single spin, the extra lines you wager on may zig, zag or even run diagonally across the face of your machine.
• Wild play slots: Wild play slot games are some of the most entertaining variants available because they employ a “wild” symbol that unlocks more winning combinations by making near-misses winners when the wild symbol lands on a payline. If the wild symbol has a multiplier, it may double the amount you win when it appears on a winning payline.
• Progressive slots: Today, progressive slots basically link a series of machines to a single jackpot, giving players at the individual linked machines the chance to win at least a portion of the common jackpot all the connected machines share. While progressive slot machines give you an opportunity to possibly win millions on a single spin, the trade-off is that they typically offer less frequent and smaller payouts that don’t involve the combined jackpot per linked machine.

How to Play Slots

Slots is one of the easiest casino games to learn. Most machines follow the same steps, with a few changes depending on the game you’re playing. Here are the basics — insert money, select your bet amount, and then hit the spin button or pull the lever. The reels will spin and randomly stop. If the symbols align on a payline, you’ll win money.

Modern machines might come with bonus rounds, wilds and scatter symbols that can unlock mini-games or boost winnings. Check out the game’s screen before playing to understand its payout structure, paylines and bonus features.

How Slot Games Work

Today’s electronic slot machines use a random number generator, or RNG, to produce results. Every possible combination of symbols a given slot machine can produce gets assigned at least one number. The RNG will run through numbers until it receives input, such as a player inserting a coin or wagering a credit. Once it gets an actionable signal, the RNG will lock on a number, and the machine will produce the related results.

Because RNGs produce random results, the odds that you’ll win or lose are the same for every spin. If a casino has programmed a slot machine to pay its top prize every 12,000 spins, the game may produce a big winner after 100,000 spins, or it may yield back-to-back jackpot wins. That’s the fun of slots — you can’t predict what the results will be. 

Every slot game also has a payout percentage. A payout percentage is the amount of every dollar you wager on a machine you can reasonably expect to win over the long haul, but not necessarily in the short term. Each slot machine has a different payout percentage, which means there’s a different amount you can expect to get paid out after hundreds or thousands of plays at each game.

Now that you know how slot machines work, you might be ready to pick up some tips about the game. Make sure to put fun first. While there’s always a chance you’ll win some money, consider your winnings a bonus — not the objective — of gambling.

What Is the Best Strategy to Play Slots?

Slot machines are simple and randomized — there’s not a lot of strategy involved. However, you can combine these tips with the basic rules of slot machines to try boosting your chances:

Adhere to Slots Etiquette

If you’re one of the many first-time casino visitors who will play slots, you should pay close attention to this tip — follow slots etiquette. Adhere to these fundamental rules at all times:

• Try to limit your play to one machine on a crowded floor where bystanders are waiting for a chance to try their luck on a “one-armed bandit.”
• If a person has left any indication they’ll return to a given machine, such as a tipped chair or a coat slung across the back of a chair in front of a machine, avoid taking their place.
• Many slots players are superstitious, including people who acknowledge the game’s results are entirely random. If you encounter a player who has a good-luck charm resting on their machine, in their hands or around their neck, ask about it. You might decide to find a little luck symbol of your own.

Set a Budget and Stick to It

Whether you’re playing slots or another casino game, few things will prevent you from having fun at a casino more than gambling with money you can’t afford to lose. With this in mind, set a budget and commit to it before you even set foot on a casino floor. 

As you play, pocket any winnings you earn, so you’re only gambling with what’s left of the money you started your playing session with. When you exhaust that sum, end your playing session even if it’s before your set end time, and do something else until your next “scheduled” playing session begins.

In general, casinos make it simple for you to access extra cash without leaving their properties by having ATMs throughout their premises. If you can’t trust yourself to refrain from withdrawing more money than you initially expected to gamble with, consider leaving your debit and credit cards at home. Just be sure you’ll still have access to additional funds in case an emergency arises.

Bet the Maximum

While there is no way to increase the odds of winning on a given spin in a slots game, there is something you can do to maximize the amount you will collect when you hit a winning payline — always bet the maximum on every spin.

How would you feel if you were on a buy-a-pay machine that allowed three coins or credits, you only played two and then the third coin’s payout line hit for big bucks? You could have won a sizable jackpot in exchange for just one more coin or credit.

Slot Machine FAQs

Here are some more answers to questions you might have about slot machines:

What Slot Game Is Most Likely to Win?

When people want the most likely win, they usually look for a higher return to player (RTP) percentage. This payout percentage is the potential payout from a machine over time. While there are some higher-RTP machines, they’re usually in online casinos.

Doing some research on a casino’s machines can help you find the higher-RTP ones, but you could also ask casino staff. They might point you in the direction of the more popular slot games.

How Do You Pick a Winning Slot Machine?

There’s no way to know when a machine is about to give out a payout, but you can still be strategic. Look for machines with a higher RTP in more popular casino areas. Some machines near high-traffic areas might be programmed to hit more often to draw attention to the game area. 

What Are the Best Slots to Play?

The best slot game depends on your budget, risk tolerance and preferred gameplay. If you want frequent, smaller wins over a long session, low-volatility slots are your best bet. These games provide consistent, lower payouts.

If you’re hoping for that one big jackpot, look for high-volatility games like progressive slots. These games have fewer wins but bigger potential payouts. When you visit the casino, try out a few different slots to find your favorite.

Play at Tachi Palace Casino Resort

To get the most out of your gambling sessions, look for a casino that puts comfort and fun first. Tachi Palace Casino Resort offers exciting slots, luxurious accommodations and classic table games for a weekend of entertainment. Enjoy everything from tasty dining options to relaxing massages at our spa when you visit our four-star getaway. There’s always something to do at Tachi Palace.

Whether you’re looking to relax or break your gaming win record, spend your time in a space with no resort fees. Conveniently located in Lemoore, California, right off the highway, we’re the perfect destination for unwinding and letting loose. Contact us to book a time to stay and play at Tachi Palace!

Please play responsibly. If you or a loved one has a gambling problem, reach out to the National Problem Gambling Helpline.