Many people argue that slots really aren't a game of skill and there are no strategies that can be effectively used to increase your chance of winning. Others will argue, often with high winning percentages, that there are ways that a player can work to enhance the changes of winning a bit payout on any type of online or in-house slot machine.
Playing The Game
Regardless of which side of the issue you may be on, it is hard to argue that knowing the rules and payouts of your particular slot game is going to make your experience more pleasant and likely more profitable. Knowing the rules and the paytable of your preferred slot game will only add to the excitement of the game and perhaps help you select a "loose slot" machine that may end up paying out big.
Paytables
The paytable is found on the bottom part or section of every online slot machine game. Typically it is located just under the reels. Depending on the number of reels, the lines that can be wagered on and the rules of the game the paytable may be very extensive or relatively simple and straightforward. Knowing the paytable, which is the symbols needed to win specific amounts, helps you to know if the machine you're playing is paying out well or if it is not as loose as you would like.
Rules
The rules of the specific slot machine or game will be found in a tab on the paytable or on the bottom of the reels, again depending on the complexity of the game and the design layout. Typically five and seven reel slots with bonuses will have the most complex rules and also the most complex paytables since there are options for betting up to 15 lines or more. Scatters, which are symbols that can appear in a specified number on any space on the reel also provide options for free spins and bonus games.
Rules for games will also include the information on the bonus game that can occur with the right combination of symbols on a spin. These bonus games are typically a great diversion from the slot game itself but always stay in the theme. Quick cash is always possible in the bonus game, making it a real bonus in every sense.
Payout Percentages
Payout percentages simply refer to how many times a specific series of symbols have occurred on the reels to win. This will vary from online game to online game but is fairly consistent over the life of a game. Knowing what the payout percentage is helps to determine if you have a keeper game or you need to keep looking for that sometimes elusive loose slot.
