9 Factors When Choosing Slots
With a variety of slot games out there, it is always worth a player taking their time to consider which is the best for them when choosing slots. Ultimately, they are a game of luck, but maximising the options available to you from the off can allow for a more enjoyable experience for any player – and sometimes even your winnings.
Here we take a look at the nine factors to consider when searching for a casino slot game, so that it suits everything from a player’s taste in sound effects to their style of gameplay.
Choose a Theme
The first thing any prospective slot gamer should do is choose a theme they are comfortable with.
This is important because a slot’s visuals, sound effects, and background music will all be dictated by which sort of theme it falls under.
So, if you love all things Asia, then it would be more fun choosing slots that draw upon the culture and history of that continent. Online casinos generally try to cover as many theme varieties as possible, to be able to appease a wide a range of players.
Know Your Features
Once you know what theme you want to be immersed in it is time to get to grips with the various features that can appear on slot games.
These can include things like Cascading Reels, which send reels out of control with symbols cascading off the screen and from the very top, providing players with a unique visual experience . Then there are others like Bonus Rounds, Sticky Wilds and Expanding likes which also provide players with extra chances for a treat.
Once you have your head around the varieties of features that can exist in slot games, then you will find it quicker and easier choosing slots are right for you.
In fact, the best approach for anyone deciding on which slot machine to enjoy, whether a first-timer or a seasoned pro, would be to start out on the online free slots.
This is a great way to sample everything that is out there from different features, engaging themes and likelihood of defeating the house’s edge.
Since online slots have symbols that change depending on the title and theme, it’s important to be in the know about what each symbol signifies and what impact it can have during a game
Jackpot Slots or Regular Slots?
The next consideration to make when choosing slots is whether you wish to play a Jackpot Slot or a regular slot.
The main difference between the two is that Jackpot Slots feature prize pools that grow steadily the more people play them.
While Jackpot Slots mainly offer jackpots aside from their standard pay outs, regular slots might have a larger variety of features and prizes, such as Free Spins.
Basically you are asking yourself do you want a volatile game or something a bit more steady?
A low-volatile game would suit a player who is settling in for a good stint of playtime, whereas a higher volatility is one for the risk-taskers who trade off the less-frequent wins with the fact the potential win pot is higher.
Do You Have a Favourite Game Provider?
Once you have become more familiar with slots, you may find that a certain selection of titles is the one that tickles your fancy.
This means it can sometimes be helpful to keep a check on who has made what in a casino slots lobby, so you can return to a provider who you know always delivers the sort of gameplay experience you are looking for.
Is the Slot You Love Part of a Promo?
Another thing to be aware of is whether the slot you end up plumping for is part of an online promotion or leader board, which could further enhance your gaming experience.
Return to Player (RTP) Percentage
Important to note that any player should approach a slot machine with nothing more than a desire to enjoy a pastime, that might see some financial rewards, but if it doesn’t, then it doesn’t matter.
RTP laid out in simple terms basically means that a slot machine with a 82% RTP means that, on average, it will return $82 for every $100 bet.
Paylines and Bet Size
Firstly, what are paylines? Ultimately, they’re probably the most important element of a slot machine, as the more of them available to the player, the more chances of a win.
A payline is when a certain combo of icons is hit to generate a win for the player; the more combos built into the slot machine, the more chances of free spins, bonuses and monetary wins.
Important to note, though, that with the increased paylines comes increased minimum bets to even entertain the idea of a victory.
What are the Others Saying?
Take all the bells and whistles out of the analysis, you often cannot go wrong with a first-hand review from someone who has already experienced what you are considering embarking on.
From TripAdvisor to Reddit, you will find countless reviews from fellow slot-machine players who will tell you the good, the bad and the ugly on individual machines and casinos.
They also tend to offer some handy insights about giving yourself the best chance of success when you pull that lever.
Set Yourself a Budget
Whenever approaching any form of gambling, this should be the number one thing a player does before setting off to enjoy their pastime, and hopefully make some money in the process.
By choosing a budget before choosing a slot machine, you are then able to identify the slot machines that will allow you to maximise your time of enjoyment due to their minimum and maximum bets.
For example, if you have a budget of $20, then a $1 minimum-bet slot machine will prolong your time more than one that requires a minimum of $5 to pull the lever.
Choosing Slots
Deciding on which slot machine is right for you, your timeframe and your budget will go a long way in you achieving a fun and engaging experience.
Arming yourself with the right knowledge is a responsibility all players should take seriously, and even if you’ve played a certain slot machine countless times, don’t assume it will always be the same or that your experiences on one machine can transfer to another.
Ultimately, take advantage of bonus features when you spot an opportunity, enjoy your chosen theme of nautical items to spooky mansions and everything in between, but just always know when its time to stop.