How do online slots decide who wins?

Slots odds represent your chance of winning when you spin the reels. Unlike most other casino games, the odds of winning at slot machines are not easy to determine as they depend on many factors. However, knowing how these odds work and what payouts you get is essential if you want to master online slots.

Our experts break down the math and give you all the information you need. Keep reading to learn all about the odds in slot machines.

How do online slots work?

To better understand the odds of winning, we need to take a closer look at the inner workings of online slots. While learning how to play slot machines is easy, as all you have to do is set your bet and spin the reels, understanding the odds is more complicated.

The basic recipe here is that slot machines have multiple symbols on each reel. These are mixed randomly, so when the reels stop spinning, the screen shows a mixture of symbols. If the last symbols match and are aligned on the active pay lines, starting from left to right, you get a payout.

Slots’ payouts depend on the symbols that create them. Since some symbols occur more frequently than others, wins with rare symbols bring significantly more. This is why the same game can have both small and large payouts throughout the session. In addition, some symbols can also activate bonus features designed to produce more wins.

Explanation of odds in slot machines

Although the results in slots are random and determined by the random number generator (RNG) within the game, some fixed parameters determine the probability of winning. For example, the number of symbols for each type is fixed. More matching symbols on the reels can result in more frequent wins. In addition, the payouts for combinations are also fixed.

You can think of it like the odds in roulette. In European roulette, there are 37 possible outcomes, but there is only one winning number per round. Payouts are determined based on how many numbers you bet on. In slot machines, there are usually thousands of possible outcomes, if not even millions, as the symbols can look very shuffled in a standard 5×3 grid.

Here we also need to take into account the various bonus features such as wild symbols, free spins, win multipliers, and other types of rewards that can provide more wins. Not only do we need to determine the probability of a combination in slots, but we also need to consider bonuses and their payouts.

So, the question remains: how do we set the odds for online slot machine games? Well, developers will test the games and run millions of hand simulations. By tracking the results, they can determine the winning percentage of the slots. If it needs adjustments, the developer can add or remove symbols or change the payouts, but only before the game is released. Once the game is available online, the casino cannot change its mechanics. Testing highlights two factors that can affect the slots’ chances of winning: RTP and volatility.

What is a return to player (RTP) in slot machines?

Return to player ratio is the best indicator of the percentage of wins in slots. Note that this occurs over a long period and that short-term results can vary widely. Essentially, RTP is the result of the developer performing simulated spins and tracking the results. In most slots, this figure is between 80 percent and 95 percent, but in some games, this figure can exceed 95 percent.

Basic information on player return percentage shows that if you bet $100 on a game with an RTP of 94%, you will return $94. But again, this is for long-term results, as the bet was determined over millions of spins.

The casino advantage in slot machines is essentially the difference between 100% and RTP. So a game with a 94% payout ratio has a casino advantage of 6%. This does not make it one of the casino games with the best odds, but the chance to win big is present and is often a serious incentive to spin the reels.

What is slot volatility?

The volatility level in slot machines indicates how often and how large the payouts are. While there can be deviations, a low volatility level usually provides frequent payouts of a small size compared to the size of the bet. This could be a hit frequency of around 40-50%, with payouts equal to the bet.

High volatility results in larger wins, but only occasionally. These are often slots with big jackpots or special features with big payouts, but they are rarely triggered.

Volatility levels can vary widely, and some online casinos emphasize them to give players a better idea of how the game pays out.

The best odds in slot machines

With hundreds or even thousands of games available at the best slot machine casinos, it can be difficult to find the options with the best odds. Here are some recommendations of popular developers that are fun to play, easy to find, and offer good odds of winning.

– Quest to the West – 97.53% RTP, average volatility
– A gold mine! – 97.50% RTP, high volatility
– Domnitors – 97.31% RTP, low volatility.
– Lucky Lady’s Clover – 97.31% RTP, low volatility
– Dim Sum Prize – 97.18% RTP, medium volatility
– The Angler – 97.10% RTP, medium volatility
– Monster Pop – 97.07% RTP, medium volatility
– Jack Hammer – 96.96% RTP, low volatility
– Dead or Alive – 96.82% RTP, high volatility
– Terminator 2 – 96.62% RTP, medium volatility

Can you improve your odds in slot machines?

Online slots have fixed mechanics and there is no strategy that can improve the odds. You can only use some winning slots tips when choosing a game and when determining your bankroll.

For example, we recommend using slots with a high RTP percentage and low-to-medium volatility. This ensures good profits throughout the session, which will help you avoid going overboard. Some casinos list payouts, but it may be better to simply find the RTP of popular slots and compare them in a quick odds table.

Moreover, a pre-set bankroll is a great habit to play responsibly. This should be done with the volatility of the game in mind, as a high level of volatility will require more spins for the best results. Since the game is not often profitable, your bankroll should be enough to cover losing streaks between big wins.

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