How to Win at Online Slots
Even though online slots can be exhilarating, we have to keep in mind that they present a risk of money loss. While none of them will ever ensure any type of win, some strategies can help putting all the chances on your side when playing. This guide is packed with some real actionable tips on how to beat the slots. You’ll be able to put those tips and tricks to practice immediately, helping you optimise your gameplay, bankroll management, and overall strategy.
New to slots? If you’re in need of some basics, we invite you to check out our guide on How to Play Slots Online. If you’re an experienced player, these tips will help polish your strategy and improve your experience. Don’t hesitate to share this guide with players that you think might benefit from it!
Focus on High RTP Slots
Our first tip for playing slot machines is to look for high RTP games. The Return to Player (RTP) is an important factor when deciding which slot games can provide the most value to its players. It’s the amount of money a slot is designed to payout to players over time as a percentage of total bets placed. The higher the RTP, the more likely you are to get a reasonable amount back over time.
Let’s clear things up by comparing 2 slots and their RTP. Slot A has an RTP of 97% while Slot B provides only a 94.5% RTP. In theory, Slot A will pay-out £97 for every £100 wagered over a long session, opposed to Slot B’s £94.5. These small differences can seem insignificant in the beginning, but they can stack up over time and end up being quite important.

Most online casinos openly show RTPs for each one of their games, and some platforms even offer the possibility of sorting slots by RTP, so that you can easily find the ones with the highest potential return value.
Here are examples of slots with the highest RTP in UK casinos:
Slot | RTP |
---|---|
Book of 99 | 99% |
Mega Joker | 99% |
1429 Uncharted Seas | 98.50% |
Blood Suckers | 98.00% |
Jokerizer | 98.00% |
Big Bad Wolf | 97.34% |
Starburst | 97.00% |
Dead or Alive 2 | 96.82% |
Football: Champions Cup | 96.82% |
Divine Fortune | 96.59% |
Choose Low to Medium Volatility Slots for Consistent Wins
Slot volatility refers to the frequency and value of payouts in slots games. Low-volatility slots should guarantee smaller, but more frequent wins, so if you are looking for consistent returns, this is a good option. Medium-volatility games give balanced gameplays, with relatively smaller but regular payouts, and some larger wins if you’re in luck!
If getting consistent wins is your main objective, then low and medium volatility slots, such as Big Bass Bonanza, are the way to go. With high volatility, even though payouts might be much bigger, players can get on long winningless stretches, which is why it fits better risk takers.
The right volatility depends on your risk tolerance and your budget. Low-volatility slots are a great option when playing with a small bankroll since you get to boost the duration of your gameplay while enjoying the excitement of consecutive wins.

Play Progressive Jackpots Wisely
In order to win on slots, progressive jackpots might appear quite appealing, as they offer an opportunity for huge, sometimes life-changing payouts. But it’s well known that hitting that big jackpot shouldn’t be a reasonable objective for any slot player; the odds are just too small.
Knowing this, our next tip is obviously not gonna be telling you to go all in on progressive jackpots. On the contrary, we’d recommend playing it wisely if you’re seeking some risks, but avoiding these kinds of games if your main objective is to maximise your chances of pulling some wins in the long run. For each spin you make in a game offering this feature, a part of your bet goes directly into the progressive jackpot. This means additional losses for every round played! Let’s imagine that you bet £1 per spin on a game where 5% of your wagers go into the jackpot. If the game has a classic RTP of 96%, your expected returns should be £96. However, with 5% going to the jackpot, your expected return drops to 96% of £95, which is £91.2.
To win on online slots, we recommend playing progressive jackpots games very wisely, and staying aware of the risks they can present.
Take Advantage of Welcome Bonuses
Bonuses and free spins are an awesome way to enjoy your time at the casino, and hopefully increase your chances of winning without needing to deposit any more cash. Welcome and deposit bonuses, or free spins on selected slot games: most online casinos offer at least one of those.
The best way to get some value out of these promotions is to find offers with very low wagering requirements. For example, [add an example of one of our partners with a low-wagering requirements welcome bonus]. For an even better experience and some nice winning potential, combining these bonuses with high-RTP slots is a simple yet efficient solution.
Don’t forget to always verify the terms and conditions. As some bonuses are only valid for specific games, it’s important to check in advance which slots are eligible in order to take real advantage of the promotion.
If you’re looking for a welcome bonus to start playing, here are some online casinos offering promotions for new players in the UK:
Maximise Your Wins in Slots by Setting Some Limits
One thing that every great slot player needs is an efficient budget management. You should always set an amount which you are willing to spend before starting your gaming session, and never cross that limit. This allows you to enjoy playing the game without the risk of overspending.
Setting a limit will first help you minimise your losses and teach you when to quit playing. But in the long run, it can also help maximising your wins by avoiding unnecessary losses. That’s why we recommend setting both a loss and a win limit. For example, you might stop playing once you’ve doubled your budget or reached a loss of £30. This is a nice tip we learned on how to beat slot machines: get rid of losing streaks caused by greed. This discipline guarantees a considerably better and more decent gaming experience.
Learn the Slot with Free Demos
Demos are a great opportunity to get to know a slot without spending real money. Almost all online casinos have demo options available for their slots; use these to test the gameplay, features and bonus rounds without any risk attached.
If you, for example, want to play Extra Chilli, just start by spinning its reels in demo mode. You’ll get to learn all about the mechanics of the game, including how frequently free spins usually drop or when the bigger payouts become available. This knowledge will help you know if the slot is made for you!
This is especially useful for complex slots with multiple bonus games, such as Beast Mode with its 3 free spins modes, or non-traditional reel shapes and configurations! Once you’ve tried it for free, and are sure the game fits your style, you can pass on to the real thing.
Don’t Double Down on Losses
It is one of those golden rules of playing slots: Do Not Double Down on Losses! The urge to continue spinning during a losing streak, sometimes for larger amounts, to get your money back usually results in larger losses.
For example, suppose you have just lost half of your budget on a slot, let’s say £30. In order to win it back, you keep on rolling, and even double your betting amount. Lose a few more times and your bankroll is gone. Instead, simply stick to the budget you had previously set and be mindful that losses are all part of the game.
The secret sauce to success with slots is showing restraint and knowing when to quit. If you feel like your patience is on the edge or that you want to keep playing “one last round” during losing streaks, you might want to step away. Just remember that a slot is a game of fortune, and it is never guaranteed to win.
Common Slot Machine Strategies
Slot players frequently try out different tips and tactics in the hope of discovering ways to facilitate their odds, but not everything works or is helpful. Here are a few examples of slot strategies in the game of life, and how they probably stack up!
Bankroll Partitioning
This strategy basically consists of splitting your bankroll into smaller parts, which helps you play for a longer time, without overspending. If your initial budget is £100, you might try playing with only £20 per session. This can stop you from overspending and emptying your budget too soon. Bankroll partitioning is practical and promotes discipline, making it a great habit for players who want to maintain control.
Playing During Specific Times
Certain players think that payouts have a better chance of dropping during off-peak hours or in pre-determined blocks of time throughout the day. The success of this strategy is not actually true, due to online slots using Random Number Generators (RNGs). In our opinion, strategies involving game mechanisms (RTP, volatility, etc) are a much better way to go.
Autoplay Usage
This feature allows you to spin the reels automatically for a set number of times. While autoplay can help you save some time, you should still monitor your bankroll! Your balance can disappear in no time if you simply set it and leave it! If you don’t have a solid budget and want to play for a long time, you might want to play traditionally.
FAQ
What is the best way to win at online slots?
While we cannot guarantee any win, playing with high RTP slots, sticking to a budget, and using bonuses and free spins can help you maximise your chances.
Do slot machines have winning patterns?
No, slot games rely on RNG, making the outcome of every spin random. There are no patterns to be predicted, instead, you can figure out how the game works and make decisions accordingly.
Can I use betting systems to win at slots?
Betting systems like the Martingale might be more effective for table games like roulette. In slots, these systems don’t help with the outcome and can lead to rapid losses.
Is it possible to consistently win at online slots?
Slots are random, so you can’t predict nor expect consistent wins. Still, selecting high RTP games and sticking to a reasonable budget management can give you an edge over the long haul.
What are the best slots to play for real money?
Opt for games that offer high RTP %, low to medium volatility, and fun features such as free spins or bonus rounds. Some of our recommendations would be Jack and the Beanstalk or Book of Dead.