Today, I'm going to answer another reader question which I received recently by email. It comes from Sarah in Scotland who wants to know 'Are slot machines rigged?' I've copied the email directly below with her permission.
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Dear GamblingSites.org team,
I'm Sarah McKeown, and I've been a long-time reader of your blog. I've found lots of interesting content over the years. I even won a healthy jackpot after playing one of your recommended jackpot slots.
However, I've been keeping a record of my bets versus my wins, and I've noticed that no matter how many big wins I have, I always end up losing it all again over the long term. Can you tell me if slot machines are rigged? Can casinos fix slot machines to make sure players lose?
Any insights you can share with me would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Sarah McKeown
Sarah, I'm going to answer your questions directly. Yes, slot machines are rigged. However, they're not rigged in the way you think they are
In this post, I'll explain how slot machines work, why you lose in the long-term, and I'll give you some useful tips for beating slot machines more often. Let's begin!
How To Win On Slot Machines
Are Casino Slot Machines Rigged?
I guarantee you that if you walk through any Vegas casino, or any casino in the world for that matter, and ask every slots player if they won, the vast majority of them will tell you no.
How to play craps and win every time. It's difficult to understand how this could be the case unless slot machines are rigged. And if they are, how in the heck is that legal? Are casinos actively keeping slot machines rigged so that you can't win? If so, what about all those stories of players who won huge jackpots?
This can all seem rather confusing, but it's not. The simple answer is that the vast majority of players lose, and a few lucky players win. Each machine is programmed to pay out less than what's put into it, ensuring that the casino makes a continuous profit over the long run. This could be anything from a 2% advantage on the best slot machines, to a 10% or greater advantage on some of the big-money jackpot slots.
So, in a nutshell, casino slots are rigged to make sure the casino makes a profit, but that does not mean you can't win on any given gaming session.
Gaming commissions would never allow casinos to run games you can't win, nor would it be good for business. Players would soon figure out that the games were unwinnable and would stop playing.
Let's take a closer look at how slot machines work. This will help you understand that while the house always wins, you can win, too.
How Slot Machines Are Rigged
Understanding how slot machines are rigged requires you to understand how they work. Each slot has its game odds, but they all use a similar method of paying out jackpots. Here are some important things to know about slot machines.
Understand Slot Machine RTP
RTP is an acronym for 'return to player.' If you read slot machine reviews, you'll usually find each game has a specific RTP published by the developer. For example, on NetEnt.com, you can find the RTP of Starburst and other games.
RTP is a percentage.
For Example:Based on Starburst from above, the RTP is 96.09%. What does this mean in terms of money, jackpots, and wins and losses? It means that, for every £100 bet on these games, players win back £96.09.
It's important to remember that this does not mean you'll make back £96.09 for every £100 you bet on Starburst. It means that the casino returns £96.09 to all players spinning the reels at every casino which offers Starburst. This includes all of the small wins and losses each player wins on every spin. In the long run, the casino will make £3.91 on every £100 bet on that game, regardless of what happens in the short term.
Hopefully, this concept of RTP helps you understand how slot machines are rigged in favor of the game developers and casinos but are not rigged in absolute terms. You can win when playing slots, but you can't win in the long run.
Understand Random Number Generators
Even though the house has a built-in advantage on slot machines, it's clear that some players do win massive jackpots. Just take a look at this story about a British soldier winning a record-breaking jackpot from a £0.25 spin.
Lots of players wonder when the best time to play slot machines is, which slots are 'loose,' and all sorts of other questions. They hope that figuring out the answers will help them win slots more often, but the truth is that this is all a waste of time.
Slot machines decide when to pay out in accordance with a Random Number Generator (RNG). Believe it or not, it's possible for a slot machine to pay out a jackpot on two spins in a row, although it is unlikely. A Random Number Generator is a piece of software which spits out billions of numbers per second, and if it happens to spit out a number associated with a jackpot, you'll see the high-value symbols line up across a payline and you win.
There's no way to manipulate RNGs. You can't cheat online slot machines no matter how hard you try. Some smart players note that RNGs can't be truly random since humans create them, but for all reasonable and practical purposes, you can't manipulate them.
Perhaps, someone will someday spot a pattern in the apparent randomness by using a quantum computer to crunch numbers. But until then, just assume they're random.
While the slots developer can control the RTP via programming, it can't control the RNG. There are third-party games testing organizations such as eCogra which test RNGs and verify that they are fair. This doesn't mean all slots developers play fair, but big names like Microgaming and NetEnt do.
How to Win at Slots — Tips and Tricks
https://gjov.over-blog.com/2021/02/email-address-extractor-3-4-3000.html. Now that you understand how slot machines work, and how they are rigged without being unfair, it's time to turn the tables on the casinos. I've learned a lot about slot machines throughout my career as a player, and I'm going to share my best tips on how to win slots more often.
Pick Slot Machines With a High RTP
One of the first and most obvious tips is to select high RTP slot machines. These games pay back the most to players in the long run, so you're better off playing them even if the jackpots are smaller.
Very often, the jackpots are smaller. Since the casinos have less risk to deal with when a smaller jackpot is involved, they can afford a higher payback percentage to players. It makes sense, doesn't it?
So, which slot machines have the highest RTP? Here are five to get you started.
- Blood Suckers by NetEnt – 98%
- Rags to Riches by Cryptologic – 98%
- Good Girl, Bad Girl by Betsoft – 97.8%
- Kings of Chicago by NetEnt – 97.8%
- Wolfpack Pays by NextGen – 97.8%
Those slots have a variety of excellent bonus features, decent jackpots, and higher than average RTPs. If you want to get the most bang for your buck as a long-term player, it's wise to play them.
Pick the Right Volatility for Your Bankroll
There's a top-notch article on slot machine variance and volatility here. If you want a more detailed breakdown of what they are, check that out.
Slot machine volatility is important to understand because it will tell you which slots are suitable for your bankroll. Volatility indicates both how often a slot should pay and the average size of the payouts.
- Low volatility slots pay smaller amounts more often.
- Medium volatility slots pay decent amounts fairly often.
- High volatility slots pay less frequently, but wins are more explosive.
If I had a smaller bankroll, say £20, I'd start by playing a low volatility slot such as Starburst. I find that it's a good slot to build your bankroll with. Once I double up, I usually switch to a higher volatility slot with bigger payouts which occur less frequently.
Managing your bankroll effectively is about the only slot machine strategy which works. Therefore, knowing the volatility of a game is useful information.
Use Free Spins With Low Wagering Requirements
Most online casinos offer free spins bonuses for new players. Lots of them also offer free spins to loyal players who spin slots daily or weekly.
I've learned the hard way that not all free spins bonuses give me an advantage. Sometimes, the wagering requirements are so high that the bonus is a liability. This is especially true if it comes with predatory terms such as that I can't withdraw my deposit until I meet the wagering requirements. Yes, such bonuses exist, I've seen it all over the years I've been playing!
There are other free spins bonuses you will want to take. They'll give you a chance to beat the house with its own money and have these characteristics.
- They won't require excessive minimum deposits.
- The wagering requirements will be low, around 20x or less.
- You'll be able to keep all of what you win when you wager the bonus.
Free spins with low wagering requirements are available at lots of top UK casinos. There are even casinos with no wagering requirements, and they're especially popular in the UK market.
Final Words
Thanks for writing to me with this question, Sarah. It's given me a chance to cover lots of ground with regards to slot machines, and I hope that it answers your question. Are slot machines rigged? Yes, the house has a mathematical advantage which you can't alter, but that doesn't mean you can't win.
Beating slot machines is a case of picking the right games, managing your bankroll effectively, and getting lucky. Don't forget the last part! Luck is essential. There's no effective way to beat the slots every time. Happy spinning, and don't forget to pick up a casino bonus before you begin!
Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.If you are bored just playing against a slot machine, you might want to consider whether you want to participate in any of the online slot machine tournaments. The best online casinos virtually every day offer the opportunity to participate in one of their tournaments. Expecting interesting prizes, you can compare your slot strategy with other players around the world.
How to Play Slot Tournaments in Las Vegas Casinos?
All slot machine tournaments work very similarly to blackjack or poker tournaments. The online casino will announce the date when it will be held and on which slot (or slot machines) are eligible. Usually, players have to register, but in some cases, all you have to do is open selected slots and play. Sometimes, however, there may be 'Sit-and-Go' tournaments that begin when the minimum number of participants is registered.
The second step is entering the tournament. It can either be paid or free of charge. This is also the result of the price of the pool. Free tournaments usually have a prize pool of €50 to €300, but you can also find such tournaments that with free entry you can win up to several thousand euros. However, this is more an exception than a rule. Prizes in the thousands are 90 % only for paid tournaments. The entrance fee is usually in the order of several euros or dollars.
Once you are in the tournament and start playing, it is your goal to play/win more than all other participants. If your bankroll drops to zero and you do not have the option to re-buy, you are just at the end of the road. There are also several types of tournaments here. Firstly, it may be a tournament where it is easy to compare the balances of individual players after the tournament ends and the order will be created accordingly.
Another way to evaluate a tournament is through what is called the 'Winbox', when players only add prizes regardless of the amount of the final bankroll. Tournament winners with the highest Winbox then wins.
For example – entry to a 3 000-coin tournament, 6 spins
Spin | Bet | Win | Bankroll | Win Box |
0. | 0 | 0 | 3 000 | 0 |
1. | 75 | 0 | 2 925 | 0 |
2. | 75 | 250 | 3 100 | 250 |
3. | 75 | 25 | 3050 | 275 |
4. | 75 | 100 | 3 075 | 375 |
5. | 75 | 0 | 3 000 | 375 |
6. | 75 | 0 | 2 925 | 375 |
Tips and Trick How to Win a Slot Tournament
Since the online slot machines have not yet introduced elements to allow the player to influence the house edge, the results of the game rounds depend only on the player's luck. However, there are at least some basic pieces of advice that can significantly increase your chance of winning on slots.⭐
- Play as fast as you can
Play as fast as you can. In most slot tournaments, players will get e.g. 1 000 credits and only 10 minutes to play them through. If one spin costs you 3 credits, you have less than 2 seconds for one spin to clear your credit completely. You have to be really fast to do that.
- Always play for the max bet
Higher-stake games, especially those with a higher denomination, give you better payouts. In particular, thanks to the maximum bet, you can qualify for the jackpot.
- Do not bother too much about how much you have already won
Especially in Winbox games, do not worry about scoring on it. Individual winnings are not so significant. You have to play as fast as possible.
- Click through the Bonus Wheels as quickly as possible
In a tournament, you are mainly pushing for time; bonus spins with free spins can cause a significant delay if you do not speed them up.
- Check your time
It is not worth starting a 5-minute slot tournament 2 minutes before it's over. There is no way you can make it in time.
- Possibility to continue the game
Some of the tournaments give you the chance to continue playing, even if the lap time has elapsed. It will almost certainly cost you real money, including in free tournaments. If you want to win, it will sometimes be necessary to continue playing for money. Be sure that others will be willing to as well.
However, here too, use this option only if you are sure it is worth it. If you are already at the prize position after the base round, it can happen that by continuing with the game for the money, you only get to increase the lead over the player below you.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Slot Tournaments
Slot tournaments have a number of advantages and a few drawbacks. It is advisable to have all this information before entering the tournament. In our case, these are only general benefits or negatives. Specific situations, of course, will depend on a number of variables, such as what type of player you are, what slots you are allowed to play, if you can switch between slots, and finally but most importantly, one should not forget the VIP status players.
Advantages
- You have a higher chance of winning. *
- You know exactly how much you can lose.
- You have the chance to win high prizes for a small entry fee or free of charge.
- VIP status (if you have it) can guarantee free entry to the tournament.
Disadvantages
- You have to play fast.
- You may not be able to play on your favorite slot.
- If you win a jackpot, you will not be able to keep it. **
- You can only play in a tournament at a certain time.
* By having a higher chance of winning, of course, we are not thinking of tournament-adjusted payouts. RTP remains constant at all times. But, some prize pools are in thousands of euros, which may be equivalent to some local jackpots. The chances of winning such a jackpot are a few tens of thousands to 1. When in a tournament where there are 1 000 other players, you have a 1:1000 chance of winning.
** Your winnings during the tournament are only to determine the placement of the other players. This means that even if you hit a progressive jackpot, you are likely to win the tournament, but you will only win the main prize. All winnings on the online slot are dropped after the end of the casino tournament.
Slot tournament in online casinos
Online casino tournaments are slightly different from those you encounter in the big casinos in Las Vegas. If it is not a VIP event for regular players; any registered player can enter the tournament. There are always one or several slots selected for the tournament, and the date and duration of the tournament are also announced. Most online casinos have a calendar on their website for the months ahead, so there is no problem finding the best one for you.
Tournaments in online casinos are generally free to enter and have slightly different rules from tournaments in brick-and-mortar casinos. When playing in Las Vegas tournaments, players compete in a very short period of time. In online casinos, tournaments often last for several days or weeks.
One thing, however, is common to both casinos. Not all casinos have slot tournaments. Before you sign up in an online casino, make sure they offer it. And, of course, always read the General Terms and Conditions.
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Tips and Tricks How to Win Slot Tournament in Online Casinos
You will most likely encounter two types of online slot tournaments. Depending on the type, you should choose the appropriate strategy. Spooky spins slot machine for sale. In both cases, even if you do not pay a fee, you will not play at the machines free of charge, but for real money instead. However, you can keep your winnings.
Tournament type: Get the most points
In this type of tournament, you get points for every bet you make. It is very simple. The more you play, the more points you get. You will also get more points for higher bets. But remember: only bets for real money are eligible for the tournament.
- Sign up for the slot tournament as soon as possible and play from the very beginning
Those who bet the most, win these tournaments. Therefore, it is best to play from the start and play as you would normally play. And invest more money at the end of the tournament, when you see that you have a chance of winning a prize. But if you do not want the first prize too badly, there is no point in pushing thousands to win the tournament when the maximum prize is several hundred € / $.
- Choose the best bet size
Maximize the number of points earned per bet. Betting sites offers no deposit. Some point distribution may look like this:
- Bet €0.20 up to €0.99 = 1 point
- Bet €1.00 up to €1.99 = 5 points
- Bet €2.00 up to €2.99 = 15 points
- Bet €3.00 up to €3.99 = 25 points
- Bet €4.00 up to €4.99 = 35 points
- Bet €5.00 + = 50 points
If you have a €500 bankroll, it does not make sense to bet for €2 and get 3750 points, if you can bet for €5 and get 5000 points. And of course, it makes no sense to bet over €5.
- Choose the slot with the highest return to player percentage (RTP)
Before the tournament starts, check out the RTP for all slot machines in the tournament. And choose the one with the highest. You will thus play the most favorable slot machine.
Tournament type: Biggest win on a single spin
In this type of tournament, win the highest value single spin amount relative to your bet amount. It is a little fairer, due to the condition that you do not have to have an astronomical bankroll to win. In addition, bet size does not matter either, because it is the ratio that counts. For example:
- Win €1 / bet €0.20 – your score is 5 (1 / 0.20)
- Win €100 / bet €20 – your score is 5 (100/20)
- Play with the minimum bet
As has been said, size does not matter. It only depends on the ratio. The more bets you make, the higher the chances of the big win. Do not play through your whole bankroll with high bets if you can make more little ones.
- Play on slot machines with higher payouts
Before you start the tournament, check out all the available slot machines and their payout tables. Does one slot offer a 2000-unit pay for three cherries and a €5 bet and another one 2200? Play with the machine with the higher payout ratio. Winnings will not strike as often, but they will be higher and you will get higher points. That is what counts.
What to be careful about when playing online slot tournaments
Just like with every other casino promotion, you should thoroughly review the Terms and Conditions. Especially focus on:
Rise of ra slot machine. Registration Deadline and Tournament Duration
Tricks To Win On Slot Machines
Although it may seem like a sure thing, players are wrong in this too. And it's pretty upsetting not to participate in a tournament just due to late registration.
Which slot machines are eligible for the tournament?
Also, pay extra attention to this. There is no reason to play slots that are not in the tournament.
Winning criteria
In this article, we have described the strategies for the types of online slot tournaments that are the most common. You can also meet with exceptions and the winner can be evaluated according to other criteria. Keep in mind that different rules require a different strategy.
What is a prize pool and how will it be divided?
€5000 is pretty awesome, but if it is divided among 50 players, even the winner barely receives a few hundred. It makes no sense to spend €1000 in a tournament if the prize money is only €500.
What can you do with the tournament prize?
Casino Slot Machine Tricks
What will actually happen when you win? Some online casinos pay tournament rewards as bonus money and are subject to wagering requirements, which further reduces their value.