Every industry has its own hierarchy. Looking at online casinos, slot machines are at the bottom of the ladder, prestige wise. They are considered as such for two main reason: the first, anyone can play slot machines; no learning curve.
Second, it is based solely on chance. Whether you, me or Michael Douglas plays has no influence over the outcome.
That’s a tough starting point for the slot machine. But worry not. Despite all the bad rep, the slot industry is laughing all the way to the bank – 80% of floor space, in every casino in the world, is devoted to slot machines. Deal with that roulette!
Joking aside, the slot machine is in a bit of a predicament. On the one hand, a massive, overwhelming success (it has hardly changed since its invention in 1891) but on the other, low self esteem.
So the question must be asked – are online slot machines the game you should play in online casinos?
Lady Luck & Mr. Skill
The simple answer to the above question is “Yes”. The more complex answer requires some getting into. And by the way, if you’ve never experienced online slots, you can play slots for free on SlotSpinner.co.
In order to do that we need to juxtapose the slot machine with other gambling games, let’s take poker. Why poker? Because it is considered the ‘highest form’ of gambling, the top of the hierarchy. This game, anyone would tell you, is not about chance, or even worse, luck. No sir. Poker players are skilled.
You want proof? Every year at poker tournaments all over the world the same players win over and over again. Anyone can name the slot machine world champion?
So before we go any further, let’s show our hand. If you think poker is a chance game, a card game that luck plays a significant role in it then you, most likely, don’t really understand how poker works.
It’s a Random World Out There
Slot machines on the other hand are, boy oh boy, the purest form of a chance-based game. Really. All slot machines, physical and online ones, are operating based on RNG – Random Number Generator. Numbers are spewed, randomly, numbers that determines when the reels stop. That’s it.
If you looked online, you could find tons of sites and forums and articles that explain how to win in slot machines, how to choose the ‘right’ machine and so on.
After years in the industry my best advice to you is this: to win in a slot game you need to sit on your left hand, wear two blue socks on your right foot and sing the Danish anthem, in Turkish. It works for me every time.
Three words for you people: random number generator.
Online Slot Websites are Changing the Game
Even with randomness accounted for, online slots still offer a very attractive option for online gambling. Here’s why.
Online slot games have an average of 91% Return to Player ratio. This means that a slot game will pay back, in winnings, 91% of the money betted. Not to you specifically of course, but on a whole. That’s already a good stat to consider.
Also, online slot websites and some online casinos will actually give you real money to play your first rounds. If you ever came across the phrase “no deposit bonus”, this is what it means – you get real money to play and you don’t need to deposit any money or even enter your credit card information. Try PrimeSlots’ free bonus slots to get an idea of how it works.
You will say, that’s a cheap trick to lure me in. I will say, grow up. You are getting money to gamble and you are complaining?
During the game, especially in the bonus rounds, you can win more perks, mostly free rounds that will allow you to spin more for the same money. Every extra spin basically increases the value of every dollar you initially put in.
Skill-Based Gambling vs. Pure Chance
Let’s assume you are not the best poker player in your country, or even city. If that was the case, you would be playing in high end tournaments and raking in lots and lots of cash. But you’re good. Last Saturday, with the guys, at Blake’s basement, you won and left with a cool $300. Nice.
But when you login to play online poker, do you know whom playing against? Nope. There are sharks out there, pro players that hang around online tables waiting to dupe ‘skilled’ players that think they can make a killing online.
As good as you are, there is always somebody out there better than you. Many of them. All of a sudden, the chance-based slot machine, with its high, high payout percentage and loads of giveaways starting to sound better and better, doesn’t it?