Slot Machines - How to Play Safer

Slot Machines - How to Play Safer

As slot machines are the most popular form of gambling by far, it’s important to understand how you can engage with them as safely as possible.  Outside of near misses, there are some other hidden risks to keep in mind.

In this lesson we’ll explore a few things to be aware of when playing slots, and a few tips on how to better manage the risk.

Approaches to Managing Risk While Paying Slots

Risk: Fast Gameplay and Autoplay

Slot machines often have fast-paced gameplay, allowing you to make rapid bets and spins.  Additionally, some machines have an autoplay feature, allowing players to keep playing without interruption.  It’s important to keep in mind, the faster you play, mathematically, the faster you lose your money.  Continuous and quick betting cycles can lead to excessive play and significant financial losses.

Practical Tip - Set a Limit

Set a limit for your session before sitting down at the slot, and stick to it.  One great way to do this is to only carry the cash you want to gamble with in that session in your pocket.  Leaving your additional cash or ATM card in the hotel room, your car, or the hands of a trusted friend while you play will build in a forced break if you lose what you have on you.  Many times, that 5 minute walk away from the table can help push the reset button, and keep you from gambling impulsively.

*To accomplish this when gambling online, we encourage you to explore responsible gaming tools available through your operator, such as deposit limits or session limits.

Risk: Multiple Paylines + Betting Options

Slot machines can have multiple paylines or betting options, increasing the number of possible winning combinations.  The complexity of paylines can lead to confusion and make it challenging for players to track their spending.

Practical Tip  - Read the Fine Print

We know that playing slots may seem easy, all you have to do is push the button, right?  In reality, slot play can be surprisingly complex.  It’s always worthwhile to hit the “info” button before playing a new slot and taking a quick tour of the paylines, payouts, etc.

Risk: Near-Miss Effect

The "near-miss" effect can deceive players into thinking they were close to winning and encourage them to keep playing.  For more on this, and the dangers it presents, check out our lesson on Near Misses.

Practical Tip - Repeat the Mantra, Random is Random

We hate to break it to you, but the fact that you keep almost hitting the jackpot is not because you’re getting closer and closer, it’s by design of the game.  Don’t chase your losses on a slot because you think “you’re due” or “you’re getting closer”.  When you’ve hit your limit, get up and walk away.  Living to fight another day is always the right move.

Risk: Stop Spins

Some slot machines or other electronic gaming machines have features that allow the player to stop the spin though the hit of a button.  This “stop spin” feature is there for a reason.  It gives players the illusion of control.  They think by controlling when the reals or wheel stops, they have some control over the outcome.  However, this stop spin feature has nothing to do with the outcome.  The outcome was determined as soon as they hit the play button and a random number was generated that determined the outcome.

Practical Tip - Repeat the Mantra, I Don’t Control the Outcome

The control you may feel when stopping the reels manually has nothing to do with the actual outcome.  It is simply an illusion.  Don’t fall victim to it and play past limits you are comfortable with.

Bonus Buys

Many online slots, and some casino slots allow you to “Buy a Bonus”.  This special option allows players to purchase direct access to the game's bonus round or free spins feature without having to wait for it to trigger through regular gameplay.

The cost of buying the bonus varies from one slot game to another.  It can be a fixed amount or a multiplier of your total bet. For example, it might cost 50x your total bet to activate the bonus. Some games even offer different buy-in options with varying rewards.

While buying the bonus can be more exciting than regular gameplay, it comes with increased risks.  Not every bonus buy will lead to significant wins, and it's possible to spend a lot of money without getting a substantial return.

It's essential to consider your budget and the potential rewards before using this feature.  Otherwise, you may find the money you intended to gamble with depleted much quicker than you originally intended.

Let's Reflect

Consider the strategies you currently use to control your slot machine gambling. Are there any areas where you could improve your risk management practices?

Think about the warning signs that indicate you may be taking on too much risk while gambling on slot machines. How can you become more aware of these signs and take action to mitigate potential harm?

Closing Thought

Slots are the most popular casino games for a reason.  They require the least amount of skill, can be designed to appeal to just about any interest, and are full of ingenious tricks to keep you playing.

Managing the risks of playing slots is essential for maintaining a healthy and sustainable approach to this activity. 

By recognizing the potential pitfalls and implementing effective strategies to mitigate these risks, you can better safeguard yourself against gambling harm.

If you’re having a hard time controlling your behavior, or experiencing negative consequences from your gambling, it may be time to take a break.