How to win at slots - 10 slot tips to improve your winning odds

To stand the best chance of winning any game, you need to know how it works. For online slots, there are certain features, payout combinations, bonuses and symbols you need to learn. You don't need to risk your bankroll to do this. Most online casinos have free slot games, so players can familiarize themselves with the rules before playing for real money.

Some online casinos even allow players to access free slots without registering, so you don't need to hand over your personal or financial details straight away. We recommend playing a slot game with bonus rounds as this is the best way to hone your skills.

To be clear, we love progressive jackpot slots. As the jackpots are not fixed, it means that the prize pools have the potential to run into millions of dollars. Be aware, though, that higher volatility games like progressive slots have a lower payout rate (RTP), meaning wins are less likely.

If you’re simply looking to win money, regular slots might be a better shout as they have a lower variance, so payouts are more frequent, but less lucrative. You can still play jackpot slots and chase that life-changing progressive prize, but just know your chances of winning are not as high.

Here are a few of the average, life-altering jackpot wins you can expect from progressive slot games:

Paylines are patterns on the reels that dictate winning outcomes. Symbols must line up in a winning combination within a payline for the game to pay out. Standard online slots have fixed paylines, which means the number of ways to win is limited. Many players suggest playing Megaways games because they offer even more ways to win.

With the Megaways feature, you never know how many symbols will show up on the reels with each spin. This feature makes the game more exciting than a regular video slot by increasing the number of possible winning combinations.

The original Megaways slots developed by Big Time Gaming have up to 117,649 ways to win. Games that have since been developed by other leading software providers offer a range of paylines – anywhere from 15,625 right up to 248,832+.

You have access to thousands of slots at the top online casinos in Canada. As slots are ultimately games of chance, you should instead focus on other aspects of gameplay.

Perhaps you like a specific theme, such as animals, horror, adventure or ancient civilizations. Maybe you prefer certain features, such as free spins or multiplier wilds. You might be a player who likes a classic 3-reel slot over more modern video slots. How much you want to spend and potentially win may also be crucial.

Whatever your goals and requirements, select the game that best suits your individual needs rather than worrying about how to win at slots.

Think of the paytable as an online slot cheat sheet. It shows all the information about the game, including symbol values and combinations, details on bonuses and features, and potential payouts.

All online slots have a paytable, which you can usually find in the game menu by clicking the ‘i’ icon on the main game page. If you want to know how to win big on slots, the paytable will be your insider guide.

Every slot game has an RTP, or payout percentage, and a volatility level.

The RTP (Return to Player) is the average percentage of money a casino game will pay back to a player. This average is massive and is measured across hundreds of thousands of spins. Online slots have an average RTP of 96%, which means that for every $100 wagered, the game will pay back $96.

RTP is not a guarantee of a win or even a payout, but it is a good gauge of how much a game can pay. That’s why it is generally better to choose slots with a higher RTP. Then again, lower RTP games often have bigger prizes, so it could be worth playing these games, too.

Volatility is a casino term used for assessing the risk associated with a game. Low-volatility games will pay out more often, but prizes will be smaller. Meanwhile, higher volatility games will pay out less frequently, but the prizes will be bigger.

Many modern online slots feature bonus games and features, giving players the chance to win even more money. The most common type of bonus found in slot games is free spins, but there are others, such as multipliers, instant cash and jackpots. To see whether a slot game has bonus features, you should check the paytable before playing.

Here are a few of our favourite slot games for lucrative bonus features:

Nothing can help you with how to win online casino slots, but safe betting can give you the best chance. Making wise decisions with your money allows you to enjoy yourself while managing your bankroll effectively.

Here are a few top tips to help you manage your funds effectively while playing online slots:

Reading online slot reviews is a great way to get some helpful tips and advice for a particular game before playing. They often have valuable insights such as how to trigger the bonus features in a game or if the slot is even worth playing. Check out some of our in-depth reviews written by slot experts:

If you’re the type of player who must rub their hands before a spin or thinks that a specific game is bad luck, you should know that such superstitions do more harm than good. When learning how to win on slots at the casino, avoid falling for superstitions. They are not real and will not bring you good or bad luck.

You'll never be able to improve your luck playing slots as ultimately they are completely random and dependent on chance. But you can certainly have a lot of fun if you gamble responsibly.