The idea of learning slot machines, which are the ultimate game of chance, may seem counterintuitive to many readers.
- Machine learning has all to learn from game development. Game development is centered around teaching machines about human sensations. But game developers goals are not to prove machines can learn.
- Machine Learning (ML) is a useful tool for modern game designers but often requires a technical background to understand. This gap of knowledge can intimidate less technical game designers from.
And I’ll admit, there’s not much to learn when it comes to the old one-armed bandits.
The Game Development Industry and Machine Learning For several years, game developers have been wary of Machine Learning and this has limited the use in many games. In fact, there’s no major game release which has featured Machine Learning concepts.
But with that said, the slots of today have come a long way from the simple three reels, pull lever designs from the previous era.
Nowadays, slot machines feature, three, five, and even 10 reel layouts, with pay line, counts running from just one to 100 or more. Video slots offer “games within the game,” along with bonus features like free spins, wild symbols, and scatter pays.
When you throw in the sheer diversity of manufacturers, each of whom can set their various games to offer vastly different payback percentages, the world of slot machines has become quite complicated indeed.
And as the most popular gambling activity on the planet, the slots are always attracting new players to the arena.
Whether you’re an experienced casino gambler who would like to try slots for the first time or a casino rookie who simply wants to sit in the slow lane to start out, learning how to play slots the right way is vitally important.
The following tutorial was written to make learning slots as easy as can be. I also include some book recommendations that help get you started on the right foot.
Slot Machine Books
- Powerful Profits from Slots
Powerful Profits from Slots was written by Victor H. Royer and published in 2014. Royer’s book focuses on understanding modern day, high tech slot machines and both how they work and how they can work for you. Some topics covered include:
- Which machines to play
- Maximizing your win potential
- Setting loss and win amounts
- Three-reel machines
- RNG
- Insider secrets
- Pay cycle
- Slots Conquest: How to Beat the Slot Machines!
Slots Conquest was written by Frank Scoblete and published in 2010. Scoblete’s book focuses on straight forward slot machine strategies and covers a variety of topics including:
- Money management
- Myths and mistakes related to slot machines
- Recognizing slots with the best edge
- Mathematical edge
- True stories of slot adventures
- Psychic slot experiences
- And more
- Slot Smarts: Winning Strategies at the Slot Machine
Slot Smarts was written by Claude Halcombe and published in 2000. Halcombe’s strategy focuses on a fixed daily stake and not hitting jackpots but simply winning more and losing less.
He includes four work plans that include the green plan, silver plan, gold plan, and emerald plan. The green plan is a capital preservation strategy. The silver plan is a low to moderate loss and gain strategy. The gold plan is an elevated risk and high gain strategy. The emerald plan is a high risk and high gain strategy.
- The Slot Machine Answer Book: How They Work, How They’ve Changed, and How to Overcome the House Advantage
The Slot Machine Answer Book was written by John Grochowski and published in 1999. In Grochowski’s book he focuses on the many questions posed by beginner to expert slot machines players. The book is laid out in a Q&A format and provides a quiz after the questions to tune up your skills.
- Secrets of Winning Slots
The Secrets of Winning Slots was written by Avery Cardoza and published in 2003. Some topics covered in Cardoza’s book include:
- Getting comps
- Cash rebates
- Over 20 winning strategies
- Multipliers
- Multi pay lines
- Buy-your-play
- Mega pay lines
- Mega progressives
- Big Berthas
- Wild symbols
- Multiple progressives
- Money management
- Misconceptions
- History of slots
- Percentages
- Slot clubs
Do Your Research
Nobody likes book work, but trust me here: playing slots successfully in 2017 requires a bit of study.
And I’m not talking about strategies and systems purporting to unlock the secret to slot success. Those are snake oil, through and through. The real knowledge lies in the logic of how slot machines really work.
I advise running some targeted Google searches for slot machine mechanics, using terms like “payback percentage,” “probability,” and “random number generator.” If you can weed out the obvious scams and hone in on expertise published by reliable sources, you’ll be on the fast track to knowing what millions of slot players don’t.
The fact is, slots appeal to so many people worldwide because gamblers are a superstitious lot by nature. Most slot players believe they can use lucky trinkets, or search for patterns in the reel symbols, or even choose the right machine using date and location, to get over on the game.
And even for those who don’t subscribe to such pure superstition, the randomization factor inherent to slot machine gameplay escapes their grasp. These players tend to think in terms of “being due,” stating that a big jackpot must be coming soon because they’ve played the same machine for years now, or due to a previous player “juicing” the machine up.
Of course, logic dictates that none of these approaches to slot success holds water.
A special teddy bear won’t cause the reels to line up perfectly, “patterns” on the reels are really just coincidence, and the time or place exerts no influence on a machine’s odds. A single machine may go years without paying out its top jackpot, so nothing is ever “due,” and there are no predetermined thresholds for coin insertion before jackpots are released.
These are simply myths and misconceptions that hopeful people have invented to help mitigate the cold, hard reality of what a slot machine really is: a pure game of chance where luck reigns supreme.
If you find the right resources. and trust me, sites like The Wizard of Odds strive to teach readers the real facts about gambling games. you’ll ground your slot education in reality above all else. From there, approaching the game for what it is. a true gamble where players have no control over the outcome. will give you the best chance to play slots effectively.
Phone a Friend
You don’t really have to call them, but if you have a pal who already plays slots. one who is immune to the type of superstition described above. they can become an invaluable resource for your own slot education.
An experienced slot player who knows the score can help guide you on the path toward profitability.
The best advice they can give you is a full rundown on the local slot scene, paying attention to key factors like payback percentage by game type, venue, and region.
Another helpful lesson that a slot buddy can impart concerns to the casino’s Players Club or similar slot based promotions. If your friend has been playing the slots for any decent period of time, and they’re not broke by now, chances are good they take full advantage of slot clubs, player’s points, complimentary rooms and meals, and other perks afforded to regular players.
Even better, playing slots with a friend in tow is the best way to keep the game as a source of entertainment. You can swap stories, sweat one another’s big spins, celebrate jackpots, and commiserate when the credit counter reaches zero.
Conversely, playing along for extended periods can become quite a bore, even when you’re winning. And when the inevitable losing spell arrives, players who have nobody to rely on can easily succumb to addictive tendencies and problem gambling.
For these reasons, having a friend along for the ride while playing slots can provide a thorough education. both on the game itself, and how to avoid its common pitfalls.
Shop and Swap
As you continue along your slot machine progression, I recommend doing a tour of duty throughout your local casino scene.
Using the knowledge you’ve obtained, about manufacturer and venue based payback percentage configurations, swing through the slot parlor with a map in mind. Look for the best paying games first, and try each of them out for at least 30 minutes or so.
The goal here is twofold.
First, you’re learning the invaluable tool known as “game selection.” For a slot player, putting money into a poor paying machine is bankroll suicide. The objective should always be seeking out games with the highest possible payback percentage.
Second, and most importantly, you’re discovering which of the high paying games you actually enjoy playing. It’s one thing to decide that you’re only going to play high paying slots, but if those games don’t excite you, it can be easy to stray.
Once you’ve sampled the various high payback percentage slots in your area, this survey will give you a clear roadmap to use on subsequent sessions.
Play Online
One of the best options for learning how to play slot machines is to sign up for a free account at one of the online casinos listed on this web site. Simply click on any casino and use your email to get a free account.
Once you sign in take a look at all of the slot machine options. You’ll be able to find old-fashioned three-reel slots, newer video slots, and progressive slot machines at most online casinos.
Try your hand at two or three of each kind to see which ones you like best. You’ll get a free money balance and can try every slot machine that you want.
Take a look at the pay tables to make sure you understand how the pay lines and pay out work and then play at a slow pace.
It’s often confusing trying to follow all of the pay lines, especially on the newer machines that have 50 or more pay lines. But don’t worry. The software that runs the slot machine will make sure to track all of the pay lines and issue the proper payouts.
The machines that I like best are the ones that have extra games and/or a storyline as you play. You can unlock special games and bonuses or more parts of the story as you play. Just watch your balance as you play because these types of machines can be addicting.
The best thing about playing slots online is you can’t walk into a land-based casino and play free slots. But almost every online casino offers the chance to play all of their games without risking any money.
You can even play for free on your phone or tablet at most online casinos.
And when you get ready to play for real money you can get a deposit bonus to stretch your slots bankroll even more. Just make sure you read all the terms and conditions before you make a deposit. You’ll have to meet play through requirements on the bonus and deposit before you can make a withdrawal.
Free Slot Games
Play through requirements aren’t a big deal, as long as you understand them before you make a deposit. But they can be a rude awakening if you want to cash out and haven’t met the requirements yet.
Conclusion
The easiest way to learn slot machines is to sit down and start playing. Most slot machines are simple and all you have to do is put money in and start pressing the button or pulling the handle. And if you want to learn without risking any money you can play for free online as well as on your phone or other mobile devices.
If you’re a total beginner and have never played slots before, or have played once or twice but are still confused by how it all works, this guide on how to play slot machines for beginners has been written just for you.
At Gambperspro.com, we’re slot machine pros, and we know every element of the games to an expert level. We’re going to explain exactly how slot machines work, what all the different slot symbols mean, the jackpot rules which determine payouts, and how to play slot machines from A to Z.
Even if you’ve never played slots before, you’ll understand the A-Z by the time you’ve finished reading.
How to Play Slot Machines for Beginners
The first thing you need to understand about slot machines is the different elements of the game. These are:
Reels – Slot reels run horizontally across the game screen and are the ‘slots’ in which symbols spin. Games can be 3-reel, 5-reel, or even 6-reel. If you look at the screenshot above, this game has five reels.
Rows – Each slot has a number of rows which run vertically. Most slots have three rows, but some have more. In the game screenshot above, you’ll see three reels.
Play For Free Slots Machines
Paylines – Paylines are the patterns which can make winning combinations. For example, if a slot has 25 paylines and you play the game with all of them activated, you’ll have 25 different ways to win. In the screenshot above, you’ll see that this game has 25 paylines.
Symbols – The symbols are the icons which spin on the reels. Each symbol has a different value and how much you win for making combinations will be determined by the value of the symbols.
Once you understand the basics of slot machines, it’s time to take a look at how to play casino slot machines step-by-step.
How to Play Slots for Beginners – A Step by Step Guide
For the sake of keeping things simple, we’re going to pretend you’re playing the game you see in the screenshot above. It’s called Mega Fortune and is a great game for beginners since its simple and has several huge progressive jackpots.
Below is a step-by-step procedure showing how you how to play slot machines, specifically Mega Fortune in this example. It works basically the same way for all slot machines, although there may be some variations depending on the software developer.
So, to place a bet on Mega Fortune slot, you would:
Step 1
Make a deposit. Unless you’re playing free slots or have a no deposit free spins bonus, you’ll need to deposit funds before you can play. You can usually do this in the ‘account’ or ‘banking’ section of your casino.
Step 2
Determine the number of paylines you want to play. In this game, the number is fixed at 25, but you can view each payline by clicking the numbers at either side of the game screen. In some other games, you can determine how many lines you want to play per spin.
Step 3
Decide your coin value. In Mega Fortune, you can set your coin value between £0.01 and £0.50. Remember, you’re betting one coin per payline, so if you were to set your coin value at £0.01, you would be betting £0.25 per spin.
Step 4
Set your bet level. This isn’t a feature of all video slots, but it is for this one. You can increase your level from between one and four. The higher you go, the bigger your bet size. For example, if you bet with a coin value of £0.01 at level one your bet size would be £0.25. If you bet with the same coin value at level four, your bet size would be 4x greater or £1.
Step 5
Hit the spin button. This is where the fun begins. You’ll see the symbols spinning on the reels, and if you land a winning combination, you’ll receive a payout. The payout size depends on how many symbols you’ve landed, your bet size, and the value of the symbols.
Playing slot machines is as simple as that. It’s not rocket science, and you’ll master it in a few spins. If it all seems foreign to you, we suggest getting familiar with the process by playing some of our free slots until you feel comfortable.
Slot Machine Lines Explained
Paylines often confuse beginner slots players the most, and no How to Play Slot Machines for Beginners guide would be complete without explaining them further.
Basically, paylines are patterns, and if you match symbols across them, you win payouts. On most slots, payline one will be straight across the middle row, as in the screenshot below.
However, paylines aren’t always so simple. They can go in all sorts of directions. Just take a look at payline 10 on Mega Fortune in the screenshot below.
Paylines can go in many directions, but don’t worry about them too much. All video slots will calculate your wins for you automatically. You don’t have to look out for these patterns at all. If you land symbols on an active payline, the game will let you know. It will also calculate and display exactly how much you have won.
Understanding Slot Machine Symbols
The basic mechanics and structure of a slot machine is one thing, the paylines are another, and the different symbols are yet another thing you’ll need to understand.
Most slots have the following symbols, although again, it can vary from game to game.
Common Symbols – These are the common slot machine symbols which make up winning combinations. They don’t hold any special function, and landing combinations of them pays out wins in accordance with the paytable.
High-Value Symbols – These are common symbols, but they pay the most. If you look at the screenshot above, the white limo is the highest value common symbol. Keep in mind that this might not be the highest value symbol once special symbols are considered, as is the case in Mega Fortune.
Scatter Symbols – Scatter symbols can trigger bonus rounds and also often pay when you land three or more of them on the reels.
Wild Symbols – Wild symbols can substitute for other symbols. For example, if you had four matching symbols on reels one, two, four, and five, and a wild landed in the middle, you’d have a five symbol combination. Wild symbols can sometimes stick, move, or expand on the reels.
Bonus Symbols – These are special symbols which trigger bonus rounds when the land is certain patterns or combinations. For example, in this game the bonus symbol is a wheel, which leads to a special bonus round.
Understanding Slot Machine Bonus Rounds
Modern video slots are a far cry from the simple fruit machines you might find in pubs and bars across the world. Even in world-class casinos in Las Vegas and elsewhere, few slots have bonus rounds which can match online slots.
Bonus rounds can confuse some new players, so we thought we’d describe them here so that this How to Play Slot Machines for Beginners piece is complete.
First, you should note that you can always find out what bonus rounds and special features a game has by viewing the paytable.
As the above screenshot shows, you can see which slot machine bonus games the game has built into it. You can also see how to trigger each one. One of the best things to do when you’re learning how to play slot machines is to study game paytables.
Machine Learning In Slot Games Free Play
Some of the best slot machine bonus rounds are:
Machine Learning In Slot Games Free Online Games
Free Spins – You’ll get a predetermined number of free spins. Sometimes you’ll be given a multiplier which boosts your wins, for example by 3x or more.
Bonus Wheels – The name explains it all, really. A wheel will spin, and you’ll win cash prizes, free spins, and access to other special rounds and features.
Picking Rounds – You’ll see a number of items on the screen and will need to pick some of them to win cash payouts. Sometimes progressive jackpots are built into picking rounds.
Secrets to Winning on Slot Machines
If we knew how to win jackpots on slot machines every time, we’d be too busy sunning ourselves in the Bahamas to write this guide for you.
However, while we can’t tell you how to win every time, we can show you a few slot machine tricks which will help you win more often. This is knowledge we’ve gained over decades, so take it in and make sure you understand it before choosing which game to play.
- Manage your bankroll effectively. This is probably the number one trick to winning slots more often. Don’t get carried away and don’t chase losses. Decide how much you’re willing to lose beforehand, and only increase the size of your bets when you’re playing with ‘house money.’
- Check how volatile the game is. Some games go for long dry spells and then pay big wins, or lots of big wins, suddenly. These are high volatility slots. Some pay smaller amounts more frequently. These are low volatility slots. Your strategy on how to play slot machines should be determined in part by the game’s volatility.
- Investigate the bonus rounds. If one free spins round has a 2x multiplier while another has an 8x multiplier, it makes sense to play the one with the bigger potential. Take your time to look at the paytables and see what’s in store.
- Understand that you can’t cheat. There are lots of articles online titled ‘How to cheat at slots’ and other variants of this. They’re all BS. Save yourself the time and money wasted with these systems. Random number generators determine game outcomes. There are no patterns, and slot cheat codes don’t work. Period.
- Pick high RTP slots. Each slot is programmed to pay a certain percentage of all bets back to players. You’re better off playing a slot with a 98% RTP than one which pays 92%.
How to Play Slot Machines for Dummies – Common Questions
Machine Learning In Slot Machines
Q. How are slot machines programmed?
Random number generators control slots payouts. These are advanced mathematical programs which spit out billions of numbers per second. Some of these numbers will instruct the slot to pay. Just hope you’re playing when a winning number is generated.
Q. Are slot machines rigged?
There are some dishonest casinos which run rigged slot machines. However, the vast majority of them are legit and fair. Stick with our approved casinos to avoid getting cheated. The games at them are powered by world-class slots software companies like Playtech and Microgaming.
What is a progressive jackpot?
Progressive jackpots can pay out multi-millions. Every bet made on a progressive jackpot slot at every casino which offers it contributes to the progressive jackpot. This network effect leads to massive jackpots, some of which can be truly life-changing. You can win them randomly, or for landing a specific combo of symbols, or in special bonus rounds. when you’re learning how to play slot machines, these jackpots can be tempting, but you should be aware that these games almost always have a higher RTP than regular slots.
Q. What are free spins bonuses?
Some casinos choose to give new players free spins on slots for making a deposit. For example, you might get 10 free spins for making a £10 deposit.
Free spins bonuses are not the same as the free spins bonus rounds built into games. Special symbols trigger these features within the game. They offer a number of free spins at no additional cost.
Best Slot Machines To Play
That about wraps up our How to Play Slot Machines for Beginners guide. If you’ve enjoyed it and are ready to try some free slots for yourself, check out our free slot games page now. After a few spins on those, you’ll fully understand all of the concepts you’ve learned about here.