Do You Make These Common Mistakes When Playing Slots Online

Online slots have become the staple of the online casino universe, and with good reason ⁠— they are super easy, engaging and fun to play. That’s why they are the all-time favorites for beginners and advanced players alike.

As an online slot player, you don’t have to put too much thinking and effort into playing the game. Once you’ve chosen the right slot machine, all you have to do is select your bet amount, click “spin”, and hope the reels will spin in your favor.

What’s frustrating to most players, however, is that online slots are purely games of chance. This means that they don’t come with as many strategies as table games such as video poker, baccarat or blackjack. With no tried-and-true tactics you can use to win at online slots, which means it’s all down to luck.

However, there are certain dos and don’ts that you need to pay attention to when playing slots online. Unfortunately, some players are not aware of these tricks or choose to overlook them altogether. Either way, keeping an eye out for these pitfalls can boost your chances of winning at online slots.

That being said, here are 10 common mistakes that you need to avoid at all costs if you want to bolster your chances of winning while playing slots online.

Mistake #1. Not Taking Time to Choose the Right Game

This is perhaps the most common mistake a player can make. And it’s not difficult to see why.

Online slots are a dime a dozen in the internet gambling world. Every online casino and gambling site has hundreds if not thousands of diverse titles from different developers.

With all these options, it can be a little overwhelming, but not choosing the right game can spell doom to your winning chances from the outset. Here’s how to pick a good slot game worthy of your time and money:

Start by checking out the Return to Player percentage (RTP) of each. This often ranges from 92% to 99%. Ideally, you want to play an online slot with an RTP that’s as close to 100% as possible. But that isn’t all.

Next, consider the volatility or variance of the game. This is where your bankroll and playing style will come into the picture. If you like to bet small or your bankroll is not big enough, you should go for low-volatility slots. These are the online slots that payout more frequently, but the wins are usually small.

It also pays to keep in mind that not all online slot developers are reputable. That’s why you should stick to games from top-tier gaming software developers. These include Microgaming, NetEnt, IGT, Quickspin, Play'n Go Gaming, Evolution Gaming, NYX Interactive, and Yggdrasil Gaming, just to mention a few.

Don’t forget to pay attention to slot features, including scatters, wilds, sticky wilds, exploding wilds, random wilds, multipliers, and progressive jackpots. All of the extra features are designed to make the slot exciting and equally rewarding. The more features, the higher your chances of winning big.

Paylines are also worth checking out. These are the number of combinations or betways that you need to form on the reel to win. The simpler the gameplay, the easier to follow, and the less likely you will make a mistake.

The game should also be a good fit for your device. Whether you’re planning to play on mobile, tablet or desktop, be sure to choose an online slot that’s playable on all platforms.

Mistake #2. Not Checking Out the Help Screen/File

At the very beginning, you should take time to thoroughly read the instructions that come with the game. It’s a great way to learn the ins and out of any online slot. The help file will tell you the rules of the game, the gameplay, and, if any, bonus features.

Most players, especially seasoned gamblers, don’t bother to learn the rules of the game. That’s a big mistake. By checking the paytable or help screen, you will learn how to form more ways to bet and winning combinations. You may also find inside some instructions on how to trigger and hit jackpots.

For instance, an online slot may require that you choose a certain bet amount, coin size or number of paylines to activate special bonuses. More importantly, the help screen will help you figure out how to navigate bonus rounds and come out a big winner.

The bottom line is that every online slot comes with unique instructions. And reading the help file is the most effective way to hone your winning skills and strategy for the game.

Mistake #3. Not Reading the Terms and Conditions of the Game

Each online slot comes with specific terms and conditions, especially those that apply to cashback, free spins, and bonuses. Unfortunately, most players won’t even give a second thought to the fine print. It’s a habit that can cost you dearly.

Most welcome offers give you a no-deposit or deposit bonus that you can use to play online slots. They often come with a small catch, which is indicated in the T&Cs. Often, they include terms like wagering requirements, minimum deposit, rollover, and types of slots that apply.

For example, an online casino may offer a 100% deposit bonus up to $250 on Starburst with $20 minimum deposit and 40x wagering requirement. That means the casino will match your deposit of at least $20 up to $250. However, the bonus will be only playable on NetEnt slot game of Starburst. You will also be required to bet 40 times the sum of the bonus and deposit before you ask for a withdrawal.

If you ignore these terms and conditions, you might have to forfeit your free spins and bonuses. Even worse, the casino can revert all of your winnings. This mistake will definitely leave you dejected and disappointed. Read the fine print!

Mistake #4. Not Knowing when to Stop

Even the best online slots players should realize that it’s crucial to know when to stop playing a slot. Remember every slot has a house edge, no matter how small it is.

Whether you’re on a losing or winning streak, it’s important to stay collected and don’t let emotions overrun you. As a rule of thumb, you should take a break when you hit and win a jackpot. Or, right after you have made a big winning, which is usually when most players start losing.

When you think you have made decent winnings or lost enough, it would be a great idea to quit playing the slot for a while. Go ahead and take a breather, and perhaps enjoy a pint or two to celebrate your windfall. Whatever the case, the last thing you want is to overplay an online slot.

Mistake #5. Not Having a Loss & Win Limit - And Sticking to It

This goes hand in hand with mistake #4. How else would you know when to stop playing? Veteran players know that having a win & loss limit helps immensely with bankroll management.

If you lose too much on a particular slot machine, you will run through your bankroll quickly. It is, therefore, paramount that you set how much you’re willing to lose before you call it quits. And, how much you want to win before you step aside from a given slot.

However, it isn’t enough to set these limits. You must also stick to them. If you indicated that you want to win $500 at Wheel of Fortune, be sure to log off your casino account or even step aside from your mobile, tablet or PC for quite some time.

As you might expect, this takes a great deal of self-control and discipline. Good thing, there are several tools and sites that can help you keep your gambling activity in check. BeGambleAware.org is a great place to start.

Mistake #6. Sticking to Only Major Progressive Jackpots

It’s true - progressive jackpots are the Holy Grail of the online casino universe. Hitting a big progressive jackpot is a dream come true for any slot player. The average jackpot win for Mega Moolah, for instance, stands at around $6.5 million. However, you shouldn’t set your eyes on only these large-figure jackpots.

You have probably read about players like Georgios M, a Greek gambler who scooped a whopping more than $7 million mega-jackpot while playing popular slot game Mega Moolah. There’s also Klaus E, a Finnish player who is reported to have walked away with over $5.5 million after hitting the Mega Moolah jackpot.

The truth of the matter is that these progressive jackpot wins are rare and far in between. While we admit that it can be tempting, it is a big mistake to only play online slots with big progressive jackpots. Remember, the jackpot amount you see splashed on the screen comes from the money that other players lost, and you could be next.

Instead of going after large progressive jackpots, choose online slots that offer a lower maximum credit limit. For example, you can target one that offers you 2000 max credits rather than 10,000 max credits for progressive jackpot slots like Mega Moolah.

Mistake #7. Playing Only Max Bets and High Denomination Slots

There’s nothing wrong with playing higher denomination slot machines. In fact, it is recommended that you place max bets so that you can get the most return from each spin. After all, the higher the bet amount, the higher the payout if you win. Let’s stress the last part … if you win.

Unfortunately, that also means that losing many max bets will burn through your bankroll in no time. If you’ve got a bigger bankroll, this might be the best way to go. However, don’t play higher denomination slots online under the presumption that you will win more money.

In a lot of cases, online slots with higher min bets present a bigger risk. So, if you think that you’re on losing streak, don’t hesitate to switch to lower coin sizes or choose a lower denomination slot.

Mistake #8. Not Keeping an Eye on your Bankroll

Bankroll management is everything when it comes to playing online slots. If you let your bankroll slide, you will be out of action sooner than later. That’s not to mention that you will lose money big time.

Not coming up with a solid bankroll management plan is a big mistake that you cannot afford to make. This is okay if you’re just having fun with a little bankroll of less than $50. But if you have uploaded hundreds or thousands of dollars to an online casino, you want to keep a keen eye on your bankroll.

As we’ve mentioned earlier, it is important to set a win/loss limit, as well as adhere to it. You must think seriously about your living expenses and other vital aspects of your financial health. This way, your bankroll won’t break the bank.

Mistake #9. Not Doing Due Diligence on the Casinos you Plan to Play At

Another big mistake you can make is to play online slots at a casino that you have no clue about. There are thousands of online casinos, and they come in all sizes and shapes. That’s not to say that you should avoid lesser-known or small, upcoming casinos. They may be worth your while.

However, it pays to take around 30 minutes to check out the casino from the top to bottom. Start your research from online casino review websites and player forums. Here, you will learn about the reputation, payouts, terms & conditions, and other aspects of the casino.

By researching potential casinos before you play, you will learn which site offers the best terms and bonuses for the slot you intend to play. You want a casino that boasts plenty of online slots, lucrative welcome offer, and ongoing loyalty programs. Of course, reputation comes before everything else.

Mistake #10. Not Testing Out Slots in Free Play Mode

Playing an online slot for free might seem like a waste of time for most players. But it is an essential step. If you go directly to playing using real money, every mistake you make means money lost.

Take some time to take the slot machine for a test drive. Change coin size, see how you can activate bonus rounds, and study what it takes to hit the jackpot. You have nothing to lose, and a lot to gain.

Wrap-Up

Online slots are fairly easy to understand and play. However, there are certain strategies that you need to keep in mind on what not to do when playing them. Watch out for the above-mentioned mistakes in order to take your online slots game to the next level. It’ll also help boost your likelihood of winning.