Slot gaming is one of the most exhilarating ways to get involved in casino gaming, whether you are playing online or in a brick-and-mortar casino. Whether you are a fan of classic games like the Eye of Horus slot, or you like to play several different slot games in a session, there are some classic mistakes that players just like you make – and that you should avoid.
Before we investigate that, let’s take a brief look at where the slots we know and love came from.
Charles August Fey
As humans, placing bets on the outcome of events has been part of our history – even back to our hunter-gatherer heritage. But it wasn’t until the late 1800s that our technical knowledge came up with a way to gamble on a random outcome – and that was what a mechanic from San Francisco called Charles Fey came up with in 1894. This machine is the forefather of the modern slot machines that still line casinos today, and while it might not have had all the bells and whistles, the next one he invented did. This was a 3-reel machine that also had automatic cash payouts.
Not satisfied with that, he also produced the landmark Liberty Bell machine – an invention so groundbreaking that it was copied again and again by his competitors.
Despite the move into more pious religious times – and the prohibition of gambling in the US – by the time the law changed in San Francisco in 1909, there were more than 3000 slot machines in the city.
IT wasn’t until the end of WWII that slot machines had a revival. This was when governments realised that they could generate revenue.
By the 19650s, electromechanical slots were all the rage, and in 1975 video slots were introduced in Las Vegas. 1986 saw the first electronic systems that linked slot machines in different locations to create shared ‘Super Jackpots’.
By the end of 2010, there were 830,000 physical slot machines operating in the US, creating 70% of gambling revenue in America.
So, now we know a little more about slots, lets look at the common mistakes that players like you are making.
Wrong Casino
You might play slots in a physical casino, but more and more people are choosing to play online – and that means you need to choose the right place to play. Look for an online casino that offers a wide range of slots and other games, has a range of payment options, and has good reviews from customers, too. Make sure they are regulated to offer gambling services in your area – for British players, that means the UK Gambling Commission.
Not Understanding the Rules
Slots are simple, in theory. You press a button, the reels spin, and if the symbols land in the right way, you win. Modern games are rarely that straightforward, often offering wild and scatter symbols, multipliers, free spins, and even bonus games. Make sure that you read the rules before you jump in.
No Strategy
For chance-based games, strategy might not seem important – but if you start chasing losses and spinning randomly, you could be cheating yourself out of a good result. Stick to your gameplan – whatever that is – so you don’t lose out in the long term. Even a strategy as simple as only spending a certain amount on one game, or having a certain number of spins, will keep your gameplay on the straight and narrow.
Staking Too High
While the riskier strategies might earn the opportunity for a higher reward, if you stake too high you run the risk of burning through your bankroll and having to stop playing before you are ready too. Find your own risk appetite and remember that if you aren’t getting that lucky streak, you can always play another day.
No Breaks
Spinning reels can be mesmerising. It’s no surprise that players can seriously lose time when they are playing slots, but this can be a bad idea for many reasons. Not only can you miss out on time doing other things, but you can also risk spending too much.
Chasing Losses
It’s already been mentioned, but when you are on a losing streak it can sometimes feel like the next spin will be the one to hit the jackpot. This is a common fallacy for players, even in other games like roulette – and if you keep chasing those losses looking for a win you could end up wiping your cash out completely and running your fun.
Remember to Have Fun
Whatever game you are playing, you will be wanting to have fun, to relax, and to enjoy the excitement. Ultimately, playing slots should be fun – so avoid these common mistakes and keep spinning those reels.
