Casino slots strategy guide. Play online slots with a plan

Before embarking on a slot machine voyage, it pays to know what is on offer. From the first humble 3 reel machine from Charles Fey in the late 1800's, we see the evolution to newer, bigger, and much more diverse slots games. Some casino slots offer up to 20 pay lines today. Obviously your strategy when playing this variety must have a solid footing or you will simply lose your money without a plan. Here is a brief summary of the slot machine types out there:

1. The classical 3 reel, 1 line machine. You simply spin away until you get 3 winning symbols in alignment. The payout is set out in a table on the machine.
2. The 3 reel, 3 line slot. Your coins purchase you 2 extra lines, i.e. the top and bottom line thus giving you 3 chances at winning. Still the same look as the 3 reel 1 line machine.
3. The 3 reel 5 payline slots machine merely takes the diagonals into account as well, this giving you even more chances of winning.
4. The 5 or more reel slot. With these, you tend to find larger variations of paylines with zigzag like patterns also giving a return. These slots eat up your coins but big wins are the order of the day. Our favourite game is Super Diamond Mine (RTG featured). Save up 100 Diamonds and go for Gold!
5. Progressive Machines. A network of machines are connected and all contribute to the Jackpot prize. These are the "millionaire" machines like Major Millions (microgaming).
6. Bonus slots. A newer innovation with the advent of video slots is the bonus game feature. My favourite is Genies Gem (Microgaming).

In terms of a strategy, the VERY FIRST THING is money or bankroll management. You need to determine what you are prepared to spend and then gamble accordingly. We really don't want to see anyone lose more than they can afford! Here is a very simple casino slots money management system that works for me:

• Assume the following: 10 spins per minute at 3 coins per spin with a return of 95%
• 10c gives you a spend rate of $9 per hour
• 25c gives you a spend rate of $22.50 per hour
• 50c gives you a spend rate of $50 per hour
• $1 gives you a spend rate of $100 per hour
• $5 gives you a spend rate of $500 per hour

During your play, what you are hoping to do is NOT throw away the projected spend rate but of course you want to win a progressive jackpot or similar "Big payout". When you do, you cash out and walk away a winner. You don't stick around and lose everything back! You must also realize that BIG wins are not common and you really should stick to a good budget plan and be quite happy to walk away even if you have not won. Simply put, when you reach your budgeted spend, walk away, no more "just one more spin".

What we suggest as a base strategy is to first play the "flat rate" machines and thereafter move onto the more meaty, higher paying (with a higher risk of losing) machines. We suggest playing through a max barrier of for example $100 and then cashing out any winnings. Only then do you proceed onto the progressive type machines. The golden rule though is to always play the maximum coinage. If you look at the pay tables, you will see that the "jackpot" doesn't just grow on a 1, 2, 3 basis, it grows something like 1, 2, lots and lots! Just think of the disappointment of hitting three 7's and only using one coin! Just think of the disappointment if the jackpot is paying over $100 000! I heard of it happening to a friend. Believe me, you don't want to go there! Rather play a smaller denomination machine for maximum coins. You may just get lucky.