As online casino gaming has grown in popularity, millions of players all over the world have been looking for ways to improve their chances of winning. Although casino slots games are primarily based around luck, there are steps that you can take to reduce your losses and to increase your chances of landing a big prize.

Random Numbers

The first thing to bear in mind is that the outcome of all casino games is determined by a piece of software called a Random Number Generator (RNG). This is essentially an algorithm that throws up hundreds of random numbers per second and is used by all online casino operators. As long as the RNG is operating on a truly random basis, you can be sure that the game you are playing is not rigged against you. All reputable online casinos are regularly audited by bodies such as eCOGRA to guarantee that their games are fair, but it is important to double check that a site has been audited for fairness before signing up.

Return To Player

Having established that the game outcomes at a casino are truly random, the next important factor to bear in mind when looking for the most profitable online slots is the Return to Player (RTP) percentage. This is a figure that online casinos use when describing the percentage of money wagered that will go back to a player over time.

To give an example, if the RTP of a slot is said to be 94 % you can expect to earn back $94 for every $100 you wager on it. Although this figure will vary considerably in the short term, in the long term, it will remain at a consistent level.

The RTP will vary from game to game and if you want to maximise your winning chances, it is important to identify the RTP that applies to your particular game. Most online casinos will display the RTP in the rules section or pay-table for each game, and if you can’t find it, it is probably advisable to give that particular slot a miss.

Once you know the RTP figure for your game, the next step is to compare it to others. Generally speaking, an RTP of 93% or lower is considered poor, while a figure of between 93% and 95% is acceptable and anything higher than 98% is excellent.

What is the best kind of online slot?

Sadly, no casino slots game will over a RTP of 100% or more. If a casino operator did that, they would end up paying out the same or more than they take in and they would quickly go bust. But by choosing which games you play wisely and sticking to games with RTPs that are as close as possible to 100%, you can give yourself the best possible odds.

One general rule to bear in mind is that slots games that are associated with a famous name or brand tend to have low RTPs. There may be a number of reasons for this but it is likely that one of the biggest factors is the amount of money that game operators have to pay to get the licences to use well-known names such as The Terminator, Jurassic Park or Batman. They have to recoup the money from somewhere and a lower RTP is one way to do this.

It is important to choose the right online casino before you start playing online slots for real money. There are some casinos out there not paying the correct RTP or not even paying at all. Look for a reputable portal site when you are on the look for an casino, for instance www.onlinecasino-southafrica.co.za is a good website when you are from South Africa. Google is a good source in finding trusted online casino portals.

Progressive Slots

Progressive slots are games that provide the opportunity for players to win potentially unlimited jackpots. Every time a game is played, a small percentage of the stake is added to the jackpot, which can build to some enormous sums. Unfortunately, the RTP on many progressive slots is low, so the general rule is to avoid playing progressive slots, though this rule should be ignored if the jackpot has swollen to an enormous amount, in which case, it can be worth the low RTP given the potential to win a life-changing sum of money.

Five of the Best

Any list of top slots games is liable to become out of date relatively quickly as new games and new casinos come on line all the time, but with that caveat, these five slots games are definitely worth checking out if you want to maximise your chances of success.

Monopoly Big Event

Produced by Barcrest, this is an entertaining slots game based around the world-famous board game, with an enticing range of features, including a healthy selection of multipliers, wilds and free spins. More importantly, if you play the game in Big Bet Mode – requiring you to stake Ł30 – the RTP is an impressive 99%.

Mega Joker

A Netent game with a traditional fruit machine feel, it offers players some classic game play, including familiar fruit and bell symbols, and when you play the game on Supermode – which involves increased stakes – the RTP is an excellent 99%.

1429 Uncharted Seas:

This game is produced by the quirky Swedish developer Thunderkick, and has proven to be particularly popular in the UK market. Based around a sea exploration theme, it includes a bonus feature that when triggered produces free spins, expanding wilds and big payouts and operates with an RTP of 98.6%.

Blood Suckers

Another Netent title, this twenty-five win line game is based on a vampire theme and has some interesting bonus features, including a round where you kill vampires in coffins to pick up big wins. Best of all, the RTP is a healthy 98%.

Kings of Chicago

Yet another Netent title, this game has a competitive RTP of 97% and is an interesting and popular blend of video poker game and traditional slots title.

Conclusion

When choosing the best online slots games, the single most important factor to bear in mind is the RTP associated with that game. Aim for a game with an RTP of close to 100% and when it comes to progressive slots, bide your time and wait until the jackpot has grown to a substantial size. Follow these simple rules and you could maximise your winning chances.