Casino Mythbusting: 10 Online Slot Myths

Online slots are one of the most popular casino games by number of players. When scrolling through any casino site, spinners tend to dominate. With so much interest in these games, fancy ideas about gameplay and whether it’s possible to get an edge have cropped up over the years. In this piece, we’re going to examine some of these slot machine myths and put your knowledge to the test.

1. There Are Hot And Cold Slots

One of the most prevalent slot machine myths out there is the notion of hot and cold games. This is interpreted by the Gambler’s Fallacy which states that “something that hasn’t happened for an extended period of time is more like to occur in the future”. So, if a prize has not been paid out for a while, is a slot more likely to drop some payouts?

FALSE: This is not the case with randomised casino games like online slots. Just because you’ve not hit a winning combination in 10 spins doesn’t mean you’re more likely to win on the eleventh.

2. There Are Proven Strategies To Beat Slots

There are ways to play strategically with games like blackjack: whether it’s adjusting the way you make bets, when you hit or stand or how you use certain in-game features, there are things you can do to shift the odds in your favour. So, if it’s possible in blackjack and other casino games, surely it’s true when you play slots online?

FALSE: Blackjack is completely different from slots. You can control certain variables when you play slots such as the amount you bet or the amount of paylines, but only before you hit the Spin button. Once you spin, the result is completely random. There are no proven strategies for “beating” online slots.

3. It Doesn’t Matter What Time Of Day You Play

Another popular slot machine myth involves time. There’s a school of thought which states that the later in the day you play, the better. Under that logic, online slots are best played in the evening when activity is at its peak. But there are those that don’t mind what time it is. Which type of person are you?

TRUE: The thought that time affects the likelihood of a slot paying out goes back to the Gambler’s Fallacy. Yes, during certain times of the day there will be more people online. This, in turn, will mean online slots are getting more attention. However, each game is played in isolation. Therefore, it doesn’t matter how many people are playing, it won’t affect your chances of winning.

4. Casino Owners Can Adjust The Odds At Will

Slot machine myths – in fact, all casino myths – are often based on the idea that casino owners can control everything. Does this power extend to changing the odds of online slots at will?

FALSE: Casino operators can control things such as the betting limits, bonuses and the type of games they offer. However, they can’t tinker with the game’s RNG. The theoretical payout percentage or RTP of any one game is also decided by the developer. This is then rigorously tested by independent bodies to make sure everything is fair. Although there may be certain ranges within which an RTP can fluctuate, casinos can’t just change the odds to suit them.

5. High Rollers Have A Better Chance Of Winning Than Low Stakes Players

If you spend more money, you’ll stand a better chance of winning. That seems fair, right? If you’re putting more into the pot than everyone else, you should have a better shot at unlocking the prize.

FALSE: The size of your bet doesn’t determine how likely you are to win or lose. All slot payouts are based on multipliers. This means the size of your prize will be a multiple of your bet. This system ensures everyone has an equal chance of winning, regardless of the amount they wager.

6. You Can Improve Your Odds By Betting Faster

Online slots are all about speed. Based on this, it seems logical that hitting the Spin button as fast as you can will improve your odds.

FALSE: Betting faster will enable you to place more bets per hour. Based on the randomness of each single spin, betting faster doesn’t improve your odds.

7. Bigger Is Better When It Comes To Online Slot Jackpots

When a slot offers bigger prizes, surely it’s always best to choose that one. However, does it mean you’re more likely to win if the payouts are better? Or, is it the case that bigger prizes are just bigger prizes?

FALSE: This essentially relates to slot machine volatility: the slots that payout more regularly typically do so in smaller amounts, while bigger bonuses can be few and far between. Which game is best to play comes down to the player’s preference.

8. Not All Online Slots Are Created Equal

Many believe that online slots are all pretty much the same. You bet, you spin, and you may or may not land a winning combo. Well, if you play online slots at LiveRoulette.com, you’ll quickly start to question this notion.

TRUE: It’s true that not all online slots are created equal. Yes, they all operate using a few set rules, but there are numerous features, different values of maximum payouts and bonus features.

9. Larger Progressive Jackpots Are More Likely to Drop

Under this slot machine myth, progressive jackpots are like bubbles: once they reach a certain size, they’re more likely to burst. Is this the case? Is a larger jackpot more likely to drop than a smaller one?

FALSE: When progressive jackpots are large, more people start playing because it’s attractive. With more people playing, the likelihood of someone winning increases. However, the odds of an eight-figure progressive jackpot paying out are just the same as a five-figure one – if it’s the same game. So, size doesn’t matter!

10. You Have More Choice With Slots Than Any Other Casino Game

In the casino world, there are plenty of options to suit every type of player. However, when it comes to online slots, there’s more choice than any other type of game.

TRUE: Online slots are extremely varied. From classics with three reels to jackpot games and five-reel video slots and even grid slots, there’s so much diversity. Add to this the different themes, mechanics and bonus features and you’ve thousands of possibilities to play online.

How many of these myths did you manage to bust?


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