How to Understand Slot Machine Odds
How to Understand Slot Machine Odds
Step onto the board and you’ll discover a vast collection of new, classic, and all-time great online slots here, each moving a little differently under the hood. It’s not just the features or themes that differ; it’s the slot machine odds forming part of the package.
What are slot machine odds? They’re the key to finding out how likely a game is to pay out. The higher the odds, the better your chances of winning a slot game. So, it pays (quite literally) to know your odds.
Here, we’re laying it all out on the table, from how slots odds work to slots with the best odds and how to pick the right game for your style.
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What are Slot Machine Odds?
Online slot machine odds are effectively shown by the return to player (RTP) percentage. This doesn’t show you the likelihood of winning on every slot spin like sports odds. Instead, it’s the game’s payout rate calculated over time.
Slots odds work like this because of how online slots work: Every single spin is wholly randomised by the game’s random number generator (RNG). That means it isn’t possible to exactly predict the odds of each individual spin paying out.
There are a couple of factors that are considered when building the mechanics of a slot game. One is the need for it to be possible for the slot to pay out both in larger and smaller sums than any bet to create a variety of returns. The other is that, to function as a viable online casino option, slots need to guarantee that, overall, only a small percentage of total bets will be kept for the game, while the rest will be paid back out in different sizes at random.
So, what RTP means in slot machines isn’t exactly a prediction of your next spin. Instead, you'll find that a higher RTP shows you games that are programmed to pay back out a higher percentage of the money bet by everyone over time. If that makes your head spin, don't worry. We dive into the details below.
How Do You Calculate Slots Odds?
Because of this randomisation and the sheer number of players who spin each online slot, an RTP of 94% doesn’t mean that a £100 bet guarantees you £94 back. It’s calculated across a massive sample of spins, allowing the game to make those big payouts possible in high volatility slots, for example.
You can read it as a percentage that players win back, or flip the script to read it as a house edge. Essentially, a 95% RTP slot gives a house edge of 5% over the duration of the game’s run.
It’s because of this potential that high RTP slots have become the properties of choice at MONOPOLY Casino & Sports.
How Demo Mode Slots Can Help Teach Odds
Before you play online slots for real money, it’s always good to try the demo mode version. Demo slots let you get a hands-on understanding of the game's flow, so you can learn how the game works and experience the slots odds first-hand. Plus, some will let you activate bonuses on demand so you can see if they’re a good fit for you.
Top 5 Slot Machines with the Best Odds
At MONOPOLY Casino, we have a huge, curated range of different types of slot machines to suit every player. Within your selection here, you’ll find plenty of slot machines with the best odds. From those, these are the five high RTP slots we think offer you the best experience.
At MONOPOLY Casino, we have a huge range of different types of slot machines to suit every player’s style. Here, you’ll find plenty of slot machines with the best odds. Check out five high RTP slots that we’re big fans of:
1. Marching Legions
Uncover the ancient fortunes of the great Roman Empire in the Marching Legions high RTP slot game. Ranking top here for its slot machine odds, Relax Gaming has made this with a 98.12% RTP and a hefty 10,000x top prize.
Core to the Marching Legions experience is the Marching Re-Spins. If you hit a full reel of Legionary symbols, it’ll become a Sticky Walking reel, triggering Re-spins to try to land more Legionaries and bigger wins as they march.
2. Money Cart 2
A high volatility game with the hit Hold and Win feature, Money Cart 2 has become one of the most reliable games for its online slot machine odds. Also from Relax Gaming, the Old West-style slot has a 98% RTP.
The top win on the reels is 5,000x, found within the Re-Spins feature. You can also encounter nine modifier symbols that boost symbol values, collect, or even enable used symbols to payout again.
3. Blood Suckers Megaways
A spin-off of one of the all-time greats by NetEnt, Red Tiger brings you massive payline potential and vampire action with Blood Suckers Megaways. It’s a high volatility slot with a hefty top prize of over 20,000x.
Importantly for its slots odds, Blood Suckers Megaways has a 93.79% RTP. You can work this payout rate across up to 117,649 paylines, the Reactions mechanic that pops winners to drop in more, and the iconic Feature Coffin.
4. Gorilla Gold Megaways
Easily the best way to win at slots (add link to Online Slots Guide: How to Win at Slots) is to just spin one. In Gorilla Gold Megaways, you get four at once. Each has six reels and a horizontal top reel, piling up the 117,649 paylines in each up to a potential 470,596 ways on any spin.
This is how Blueprint welcomes you to the jungle. The fun and games begin with the cascading reels, wild symbols, mystery symbols, and the Gorilla Gold Bonus. Hit four or more scatters, and you’ll enter a free spins mode with an unlimited win multiplier.
5. 9 Masks of Fire
Since 2019, 9 Masks of Fire has been an ever-present among popular slot sections online. The African tribal theme is unique, but also helping it is the slot machine odds of having a 92% RTP. Being a medium volatility slot with a 2,000x top prize and free spins that have 2x and 3x multipliers, the payout regularity helps you to feel the slot’s odds on more spins.
Slot Machine Tips: What is the Best Way to Win at Slots?
Online slots are completely unpredictable. Each spin is as random as a roll of the dice, regardless of the stakes. So, as far as slot machine tips go, the best way to win at slots is to understand that there are different ways to define a ‘win’.
The RTP and slot machine odds are solid indicators that the game generally pays out competitively. From there, it’s about enjoying the ride and taking a chance on different themes, features, or mechanics. Above all else, online slots are there for the fun of the play, which is why there are so many different types of slot machines for you to spin:
Penny Slots: Big win potential with low minimum bets.
Mobile Slots: Tap instead of click on the MONOPOLY Casino & Sports app that’s free to download and filled with incredible mobile slot games.
Low vs High Volatility Slots: High volatility slots have become the most popular, but what does volatility mean in slots? Volatility, or variance, generally tells you how much and how often a slot will payout on average. Low volatility pay out more regularly in smaller amounts, while high volatility slots pay out less regularly but in comparatively larger sums. Low variance games may be better if you want a higher chance of winning on low stakes or a smaller balance.
Can You Play Free Slot Machines to Win Real Money?
Looking for a way to win real money on slots without checking the odds? Free games may be for you. Available to play for free, these games mean you aren’t placing a wager on each spin, so the returns are always going to be better.
Play at MONOPOLY Casino and you can take a chance on the free MONOPOLY slot games and get even more free play through the welcome bonus, ongoing casino promotions, and more.
Always Gamble Responsibly
Even if you know the slot machine odds and play on the highest of high RTP slots, you’re not guaranteed to win. It’s always wise to activate responsible gambling tools before playing online slots as they’ll help to stop you from betting beyond your means or chasing losses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are slot machine odds and how do they work?
Slot machine odds refer to how likely a game is to pay out over time. In online slots, these odds are represented by the Return to Player (RTP) percentage, which shows how much of the total wagered money a game is programmed to pay back to players over a long period.
Is a higher RTP better for winning at slots?
Yes, a higher RTP typically means better long-term value. For example, a slot with 98% RTP is programmed to return more to players over time than one with 92% RTP. However, high RTP slots don't guarantee short-term wins.
What is the difference between RTP and house edge?
RTP and house edge are two sides of the same coin. RTP (Return to Player) = Percentage paid back to players over time. House Edge = The percentage the casino retains. For example, a 95% RTP slot has a 5% house edge.
Do high volatility slots have better odds?
Not necessarily. Volatility and RTP measure different things. High volatility slots pay out less frequently but can offer larger wins, while low volatility slots pay out smaller amounts more regularly.
Can you improve your chances of winning on slot machines?
While you can’t influence individual spin outcomes due to RNG technology, you can improve your overall playing strategy by choosing high RTP slots, understanding volatility and managing your bankroll responsibly.
Ready to take your chance? Sign up to MONOPOLY Casino today to spin our brilliant collection of online slot games and see if you can bank a win.