While every slot is different, it is possible to categorise them all into three different areas. These three areas are:

• Video Slots. These are the most commonly seen slots, and usually come with a definite theme and loads of bonuses. The maximum prizes are fixed, however the amount that can be bet usually varies wildly.
• Classic Slots. These are slightly more niche. They strip back the slot playing experience to something akin to how slots used to be, back before they were online. This means no bonuses or special features, and just good, old-fashioned fun.
• Progressive Slots. These are like video slots, but with one big difference – the jackpots keep going up as they are played. This means that the jackpots can reach into the millions, until one lucky player wins and the jackpot resets to its base level.

It’s impossible to say which of the slot types is the best, as it really depends on your own personal preferences. New players would be advised to try them all though, and then make a decision based on the amount of fun they’ve had at each.

As already mentioned, progressive slots have jackpots that are essentially unlimited, however the other types of slots have jackpots that vary massively. This is because they can vary from a couple of thousand all the way through to hundreds of thousands.

Most players won’t be lucky enough to win the jackpot though, but there is a way of working out how generous each individual slot is. This is by looking at the RTP figure, which stands for Return to Player. It’s shown as a percentage, and this percentage essentially shows how much you’ll receive back when play. So, if a slot had an RTP of 97%, it would mean that, on average, a player would receive £97 back for every £100 they bet. Of course, some players are lucky and manage to win much more than this though.

While the prizes are important, your reason for playing slots should actually be based on enjoyment. This is because trying out the different games and experiencing the bonuses is an immensely enjoyable experience. If you find that you are not enjoying the experience but still gambling, you should seek help for gambling addiction as possible.

Check the slot’s PP

Pay-out Percentage, also known as PP and RTP (Return to player), works out how often players win on a particular slot. If a slot has a PP of 98%, it means that 98% of all of the money put into that slot has been returned to players, while the casino sees a 2% profit.

The higher the PP, the more likely you are to win; ideally you don’t want the PP to be lower than 95%, but use your own judgement.

Play new slot games

While it’s easy to get attached to particular games, it’s worth varying things up. This is a great tip for two reasons; it gives you a breakfrom your regular set of slots and you might come across something new that you like.

Our software providers don’t just churn out the same slot game over and over; you’ll find plenty of new slot games with unique features to explore. After all, you know what they say about familiarity breeding contempt…

Autoplay

Use auto play carefully

While it may seem the best idea at the time, setting your slot game to spin 99+ times on auto-play may result in you losing more than you wish to. Yes, it’s exciting to watch the reels spin for you, but unless you’ve been using the advanced options sometimes available (where the game will stop when you win/lose a certain amount) you could find a message popping up telling you that your auto-play spins could not be completed because you have insufficient funds.

That’s no fun for anyone (least of all you).

Balance

Keep an eye on your bank balance.

Sometimes the money you deposit will be taken straight into the slot game and other times it will be converted into coins which you use to play in the game. In the latter instance you need to check the game’s conversion rate. Five coins may not seem like much but it could actually represent a whole lot more than you think.

Jackpots

Be careful with progressive jackpots

Along with popular slot games, there are also Jackpot Slots, also known as Progressive Jackpot Slot Games. These games offer the added bonus of the chance of winning a jackpot which often is in the millions. Progressive jackpots might look enticing, but make sure you know what you’re doing before you play a slot game offering this option.

Most slots that offer a progressive jackpot will only allow you to place the maximum bet. If you don’t plan on betting high, then you’re better off saving your money for another day.

Paylines

Keep every pay-line open

It goes without saying that you want the best chances of winning. If you find yourself in a situation where you want to bet less on each spin, then keep all the pay-lines open and bet less on each line. You’ll have the best chances of winning while also keeping your losses at a minimum.

You never want the pay-line you just de-activated to be the one that would have won you a jackpot.

Reels

Watch what you’re pressing!

This may sound obvious, but there have been hundreds, even thousands of people who have pressed the wrong button and watched their profits dwindle as a result.

Always check that you’re betting what you want to bet before hitting the spin button. Make sure you don’t accidentally click ‘max bet’ if you’re on a tight budget.