Have you ever stumbled across phishing websites offering a magical slot machine strategy that’s supposedly guaranteed to make you rich? You won’t find anything like that here. In the end, slot machines cannot truly be beaten.
While they’re designed to favour the house, there have been rare cases where players have legally or illegally exploited loopholes to make money.
When it comes to slot strategy, it’s important to strike the right balance between the following factors:
- Odds of winning
- Size of payouts
- Cost
- Excitement
- Play time
Every player looks for something different, so there’s no universal strategy that works for everyone. Below are several strategies, each tailored to a different style of play. Try them out and see which one matches your approach best.
You’ll get more out of these strategies once you understand key concepts like Return to Player (RTP) and variance.
At first glance, online slots might seem like pure chance. And to a large extent, they are. But that doesn’t mean smart betting choices can’t improve your chances over time.
Here are the core elements of a slot machine strategy:
- How to set your bet size
- When to stop
- Choosing the right slot
- Deciding when to use the “gamble” feature (red or black)
- Number of paylines
Later in this article, you’ll learn how to use these principles effectively to make smarter decisions during play.
Keep in mind that while RTP and variance usually refer to a single game round, the RTP and variance of a slot strategy apply to your entire gaming session. A follow-up article will dive deeper into what slot betting strategies actually mean and how to apply them in practice.
Slot Tips and Tricks
All casino games – including slots – are designed to give the house an edge. The Return to Player (RTP) is always below 100%, which means the odds are against the player. Unless luck is on your side, you won’t come out ahead in the long run. That’s why higher variance often works better for players.
Here’s why: In low-variance slots, your results tend to closely follow the expected RTP over time – and since that’s below 100%, consistent losses are more likely. High-variance slots, on the other hand, might lead to more frequent losing streaks, but they offer a better chance of hitting a large win in a shorter period.
It’s even possible to win big with small bets. Placing low stakes on high-variance slots can limit long-term losses while still giving you a shot at a significant payout. Plus, using a Crusino Casino no deposit bonus code lets you try your luck without risking your own money right from the start.
That’s why many effective strategies and slot techniques focus on choosing games with higher variance and keeping an eye on the RTP.
Trick #1: Avoid Bets That Sharply Reduce RTP
Most online slots offer the same RTP regardless of how much you wager. However, some slots – especially those inspired by older mechanical machines – penalise specific bet types with a lower return. In these cases, it’s best to go with the option that offers better value. Here are two typical scenarios:
Example 1
A bet that covers all three paylines costs 0.02 (in your currency), while a single-payline bet costs 0.01. While the latter is cheaper, it often comes with a much lower RTP. Betting slightly more to cover all paylines generally gives you better overall value.
Example 2
Some games unlock bonus features only when you place the maximum bet. For example, landing three jokers might trigger a win multiplier or free spins – but only if you’ve activated the full feature set. If you’re not betting enough to unlock these extras, you may end up with a significantly lower RTP. In this case, either place the full bet or choose a different slot that offers fairer returns without restrictions.
Trick #2: Use the Gamble Feature to Increase Variance
The “gamble” feature (often red/black) lets you double your winnings at 50/50 odds. Some slots – especially those from Novomatic – let you repeat this up to 13 times.
This feature greatly increases variance. You’ll win less often overall, but when you do, the payouts can be much bigger.
Example:
Without using the gamble feature, you might win 40 times, each for $1 AUD. But if you gamble your win three times in a row, you might win only 5 times – each worth $8 AUD. The long-term expected value stays the same, but the prize amounts vary a lot.
If you’re chasing bigger wins, this is a tool worth using. It’s predictable, easy to simulate, and I even use it in some of my own strategies.
Trick #3: Reduce the Number of Paylines to Increase Variance
Did you know that playing on just 1 payline instead of 10 can increase the variance by 5 to 10 times?
If you bet £2 on a single line, your average win will be bigger (but less frequent) compared to betting 20p across 10 lines. When betting on 10 lines, wins tend to be smaller and more evenly spread out — and you’ll often only hit a win on one or two of those lines anyway.
Note: This strategy usually isn’t ideal for high rollers, since most slots cap the maximum bet per line. However, there are exceptions, like Cleopatra from IGT.
Still, this approach is highly recommended if you’re betting under £2 per spin.
How to Win on Slot Machines
To give yourself the best possible chance of a big win, you need to push your strategy’s variance to the extreme.
At the same time, the most effective way to win is to try to lose as quickly as possible. Sounds strange? Let me explain.
Statistically, you lose money with every bet — that’s how RTP works. To lose less over time, you need to minimise the total amount you wager. The best way to do that is to go through your budget in as few spins as possible. If you do this, and the RTP stays the same, the laws of probability might reward you with a sizeable win.
Slot Betting Strategies
Now for my favourite part of the site. Slot maths is a real passion of mine, and some of the strategies below were developed by me independently — not taken from other websites. I’ve tested each using my own slot simulation software, based on reverse-engineered machines. Feel free to share!
Smart Gambler Strategy – Gamble Your Way to Max Payout
Variance: Variable
RTP: Very high (up to 96%)
Play time: Varies
Out of all the slot strategies, Smart Gambler is my favourite. The name comes from the “Gamble” button that lets you try to double your win. The strategy is simple — every time you win, you use the Gamble feature (red or black) to try doubling it. If you win again, you gamble again. You keep going until you either reach your target or lose it all.
This strategy is all about high volatility. You’re not chasing frequent small wins, but aiming for a big payout — even if it takes a while. It’s perfect for those who don’t mind walking away empty-handed, as long as there’s a real shot at something big.
Moonshot Strategy – Go All In with One Big Bet
Volatility: Extremely high
RTP: Medium
Game duration: Very short
This strategy is perfect for anyone who wants to go big or go home. You take your entire bankroll and place one maximum bet on a high-volatility slot. It’s called Moonshot because you’re aiming for that rare, massive win — like shooting for the moon.
It’s risky, of course. Most of the time, you’ll lose your money in a single spin. But if you hit a bonus round or a top symbol combo, the rewards can be huge.
This is more of a “fun” strategy for when you’re feeling adventurous. Never use money you can’t afford to lose with this one.
Reverse Martingale Strategy – Ride the Winning Streak
Volatility: High
RTP: Medium to high
Game duration: Medium
The Reverse Martingale, also known as the Paroli system, is popular among table game players but works well with slots too. The idea is simple: you double your bet after each win and return to your base bet after a loss. This way, you ride your winning streaks and limit losses during dry spells.
This approach is especially effective on slots with bonus features or free spins that come in clusters. But remember — slots don’t have memory, so a winning streak can end suddenly.
Casual Player Strategy – Maximise Your Play Time
Volatility: Low
RTP: High
Game duration: Long
This strategy is perfect if you want entertainment and longer playtime rather than chasing big jackpots. Pick a high-RTP slot with low to medium volatility and place small bets. This helps your balance last longer and lets you enjoy more of the game.
It’s great for players who like exploring features, unlocking mini-games, and simply enjoying the slot experience without stressing about the final outcome.
My Mum’s Strategy
Volatility: Random
RTP: Unknown
Game duration: Depends on mood
Yes, this one’s a bit of a joke — but it’s also real. My mum plays slots purely by intuition. She picks games based on their graphics, changes her bets randomly, and stops playing when she “feels lucky” or gets bored. No patterns, no calculations, just vibes.
Surprisingly, she sometimes wins more than I do. Maybe the real secret to enjoying slots is not overthinking them.
Final Thoughts
You’ll find plenty of slot strategy guides online claiming to guarantee profits. The truth is, there’s no way to beat slots in the long run. But you can still improve your experience, manage your risks, and increase your chances of hitting a big payout by using the right approach.
Learn the basics — RTP, volatility, paylines — and try out different strategies to see what works best for you. Whether you’re a Smart Gambler or just want to have fun like my mum, play responsibly and enjoy the game.
The Lit Bitch 