4 minute read
Slots - or one-armed bandits as they are sometimes lovingly called - are the beating heart of any casino. The dancing lights and the blips and beeps that add to the tension lend them an almost magical quality. From the nostalgic fruit slots in pubs to the most advanced slots at VIAGE, these games are infused with a universal appeal. But what is the source of this attraction?
The rules are simple, the stakes are usually low and the themes are incredibly diverse. From rock bands and pop culture to myths and fairytales, there’s a fun slot machine for everyone. On top of this, they come with a variety of bonus functions that heighten the tension and sweeten the odds, such as free spins, wilds and multipliers.
A game of chance(s)
“Every spin is a fresh opportunity, independent of the previous one”, says an old casino adage. Slot machines have no memory so that the outcome of every spin depends entirely on chance thanks to the so-called ‘random number generators’. Although slots are mainly a game of chance that doesn’t mean there are no strategies that can boost your chances of success.
Clever strategies
Before you start playing it’s a good idea to learn more about how the machines operate. Understanding such terms as Return to Player (RTP) and volatility is essential to making the right choice. RTP is the average percentage payout, which indicates how much of the total betting amount is paid out to the players. On the other hand we have the house-edge. If the house edge percentage is 5%, the payout percentage is 95%. This means the slot machine will keep 5% of the money and return the remaining 95% to the players. Volatility, also known as variance or hit frequency, indicates payout size and frequency. So the variance says something about the risk profile. A slot machine with a low frequency and a low risk profile pays out many smaller amounts but winning larger amounts is difficult. A higher variance makes for a very fickle game. Sometimes you don’t get anything for long stretches but then all of a sudden one player makes a windfall. Medium variance is in between. You usually win fun prizes, and every once in a while you get a big one.
Once you’re familiar with the lingo, set your playing budget. This is crucial because it will help you play in a responsible way. A simple rule: when your budget is gone, stop playing. This way you can enjoy the game without betting the farm.
Ready? Go!
Now you have to choose the slot machine that’s right for you. For new players too many win lines can be a bit overwhelming. Therefore it’s safer to opt for a machine with a limited number of win lines, say 9, 10 or 15. Once you have some experience, you can still upgrade to a slot machine with more pay lines. Slot machines also have a wide variety of themes: from movies and TV series to rock bands and universal themes such as wealth, fairytales and mythology. Just choose a theme to suit your mood.
Keep it safe
Now that you’ve set your budget it’s time to determine a profit target. Stopping on time is one of the hardest things to do when you’re playing. When you’re losing, you want to win back your losses. And when you’re ahead, you want to increase your winnings. A good way to help you stop when you’re winning is to set a profit target. Be sure to keep your budget realistic. If you start with €100, a profit target of €5,000 is not realistic, €250 is a better choice. As soon as you reach that target, go to the cashier and cash out. This is a so-called hit and run: collecting your winnings before you surrender them to the house again. Determine for yourself that you can only continue to play with a portion of your winnings but remember to set a new profit target first!
Pleasure comes first
And finally, remember that the main purpose of playing slots is having fun. Making a profit is a nice bonus but more than anything you have to enjoy the game. Whether you opt for the timeless classics or the latest video slots, get ready to embark on an adventure. At VIAGE every game offers a new opportunity to experience the magic of slots. Take a gamble, spin the reels and... enjoy!
