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Slots and other casino games are some of the most common gambling activities that many people from around the world engage in today. Every day, millions of people from every corner of the world visit online casinos to play their favorite game. Some do it in an attempt to make money, while many others do it just to stay entertained. Regardless of what motive you have, there are some facts about casino games and online gambling you need to take note of when you are playing slots like the Wacky Races game and other casino games in order to have a pleasant experience.
Basic Strategy Matters
The fact is that there is always an element of luck involved while playing games online or in land-based casinos. For example, roulette and bingo are based solely on luck. Roulette is played by spinning a wheel and a ball, and players would have already placed a bet on where they think the ball will stop when the wheel stops spinning. There is absolutely no way to predict where the ball will land. That is why many gamblers have assumed that strategies are ineffective for all casino games.
However, the truth is that some games are more skill-based than luck-based and require some strategies in the gameplay, which most gamblers don’t use. Using a good strategy in certain casino games like blackjack and poker can help roll the house edge in your favor. Various strategies will work for different games, so the most important thing is to first understand the game rules and then learn basic strategy. A good gaming strategy could be the difference between you having a pleasant experience gambling and losing all your money.
You Can Maximize Your Slot Gaming Experience with Certain Tips
As I have mentioned earlier, there are certain games in which the outcome on whether you will win or lose is not dependent on you but luck. The slot machine is one of such games. Most of the time, all you need to do while playing slots is to press the spin button and then wait for the outcome. If the outcome is favorable, you win, and if it is not, you lose your stake for that round.
However, although slot machines don’t appear to use strategy, there are a few things that casino game veterans do to maximize their gaming experience. These tips can prove useful in helping players have an enjoyable gaming experience while playing slots online.
- Playing at reliable casinos;
- Playing with all lines;
- Placing smart bets based on their budget;
- Using effective and proper bankroll management;
- Using casino bonuses in the form of free money or free spins to play;
- Joining VIP programs of online casinos to become eligible to get various rewards and incentives.
The Expected RTP of Online Slot is Calculated over Millions of Spins
A feature that you will usually find in an online slot is the return to player percentage (RTP) that the slot game is expected to pay players over time. For example, let’s say the expected RTP of a slot game is 96%. What this essentially means is that for every $100 wagered on the reels of the slot, the game is expected to pay out $96. This is why many slot enthusiasts target high RTP games whenever they are looking for a new game to play. Most games usually feature an RTP that ranges between 94% and 96%, although some games feature a much higher RTP, with some reaching up to 99%.
However, there will be many times that a slot machine will seem like it is deviating from this RTP, but it is not. The expected return to player percentage of any slot machine is calculated over millions of spins, and the RTP may not necessarily show your income in a short gaming session. So, you usually need to play for a long session before you can see and enjoy the RTP.
Free Games’ Gameplay Is the Same as the Real Money Play
Online casinos provide a demo version of many of the free slot games and other casino games they offer on their websites for players that are interested in trying out before playing with their funds. The misconception of many beginners to casino gambling is that free casino games are rigged to look easier to win. They believe that since casinos and developers want everyone to play games on their platforms, they make the free online games easy to win to convince gamblers to play for real money.
The fact is that there is no difference in how the free online versions and the real money versions of casino games are set up. What you get in terms of symbols, features, volatility, RTP, bonus features, house edge, gameplay, and game rules when you play the real money version is what you will get in the free demo version. The only thing that differentiates the two versions is that the demo mode uses virtual credits to play, and players are not eligible to withdraw any winnings. The real money version requires real money deposits, and players can easily withdraw any winnings.
Casino Bonuses Are Saddled with Conditions
When I discovered how big the casino bonuses offered by many online casinos could be, I became very confused. Online casinos are obviously in the business of online gambling to make money, so why would they give out money for free when players make deposits or just sign up. I then discovered that although casino bonuses aren’t actually free since they usually have a few stipulations attached to them. Here are some things you need to know about casino bonuses.
Wagering Requirements
Almost every casino bonus that you will come across on any online casino will have a wagering requirement attached to it clearly stated in the bonuses’ terms and conditions. The wagering requirement is what a player needs to fulfill before being eligible to withdraw. Let’s take, for example, a $100 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement. The player will have to make a total of $3,000 wagers before cashing out.
Qualified Games and Wagering Deadline
Not all games available at an online casino can be played using a casino bonus, especially if it is free spins. Casinos always have a list of games that can be played using casino bonuses. In addition to this, bonuses always come with expiration dates, usually no later than a month. So, if a player doesn’t meet the wagering requirements within the specified period, the bonus and its winnings will be forfeited.
Wagering Contribution
Different games contribute different percentages towards the wagering requirements goals. While slots contribute a whole 100% toward the goal, many others contribute much less. You should note that the contributions for casino games towards the wagering requirements differ across the industry. Here’s a general guideline of what you can expect.
| Casino Games | Contribution Percentage |
| Slots | 100% |
| Baccarat | 0 – 25% |
| Blackjack | 0 – 25% |
| Roulette | 0 – 25% |
| Caribbean Stud | 10 – 50% |
| Hold’ em Poker | 10 – 50% |
| Scratch Cards | 100% |
A Lower House Edge Game Doesn’t Necessarily Improve Your Probability of Winnings
The house edge of a game shows the obvious advantage that a casino has over the players. The higher the house edge of a game, the more advantage the casinos have. So, naturally, playing a game with a higher house edge makes it more likely to lose money while playing. This is why many players usually prefer to play games with a lower house edge. However, although playing games that have a lower house edge might improve your odds compared to other games, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee that you will walk away with winnings.
Card Counting Does Not Work with Online Blackjack
Card counting is a strategy used primarily in Blackjack to determine whether the next hand will be in favor of the player or the dealer. Counting cards significantly reduces the house edge that a casino has on a player. It has been proven to be an effective strategy that wins good card counters a lot of money while playing blackjack at land-based casinos, which is also why many casinos tend to frown on this action. Unfortunately, most online casinos use software to randomly generate and deal out cards from a full deck every time new hands are dealt, making card counting ineffective.
Casinos and casino games are quite thrilling and entertaining, but it is up to you to stay informed about things you need to know about them. Staying informed will help you have a pleasant experience while gambling online. Remember to always try out new casino games like slots for free before risking your real money to play.
