Disclaimer: The house will always have the edge. Players should never try to recover losses by gambling more. The outcome of the games is always entirely based on luck.
Online players in Ontario cannot get enough of online slot games, which leads to the question; what is the best Ontario slot strategy for players? In today’s article, we’ll be exploring different strategic elements that you should incorporate into your gameplay to maximise the fun when playing Ontario slots. Keep on reading to learn more.
Understanding Slot Mechanics
To develop a slot strategy you first need to develop a fundamental understanding of how slots work. This includes dispelling common myths and understanding important statistics and terminology. While the basic aim of the game is simple; to form a winning combination of matching symbols, there are a few more fundamentals to be aware of.
One of the biggest misnomers in the online slots world is the assumption that slots run 'hot' and 'cold' and that players can spot a slot which is 'due to pay out'. However, at the core of all online slot machines is a nifty piece of software known as a random number generator (RNG). This software generates fair and random results with unpredictable patterns, meaning there is no such thing as a slot which is due to pay out, so you should discount any of these preconceptions when developing your slot strategy.
Understanding what the Return to Player, House Edge, and Volatility of slot games mean as this information quickly outlines the type of slot experience the player can expect from their chosen slot game.
The return to player (RTP) of a slot indicates how much, in the statistical long term, the player can expect to achieve back on their wager. In slots, the RTP percentage usually ranges from 94-97% with 96% being the market average. The remaining percentage is known as the 'house edge' and is why we have the saying 'the house always wins'.
Secondly, when developing a slot strategy, players need to know about volatility. This indicates the type of experience a player can expect. High-volatility games are slots which tend to pay out less frequently, but at higher amounts, while low-volatility games will tend to pay out frequently but at lower values. Therefore, understanding volatility is essential when forming a slots strategy as you'll want to pick a slot whose volatility best suits your playstyle and preferences.
Bankroll Management
Bankroll management is an essential part of any casino strategy, whether it is at a real-world casino, or online casino, or if you’re playing table games or slots. Bankroll management refers to how you budget your funds. Before playing any casino game, consider your budget carefully. Remember, there is no way to guarantee wins in any casino game, so you should never wager more than you can afford to lose. Playing slots is about having fun and (hopefully) leaving with a little more than when you started and is not meant as a money-making opportunity.
By carefully considering your budget, you can make a more educated decision on the slot that is best suited to you. For example, there are plenty of slots which are called ‘penny slots’ which can be played for as little as 1 cent per spin. These games are great for those on a tight budget who want to make the most of their playtime.
Alongside setting a budget, another vital part of bankroll management is setting a time limit for your play session and sticking to it. Online slots can be very immersive and you can spend more time than you intended to play; not ideal if you have a busy schedule. A useful tip can be to set an alarm on your phone, that way your stop time is clear.
Choosing the Right Slot Games
Online slots make up the majority of the games featured at an online casino in Ontario, Canada. Most casinos will have hundreds if not thousands of games to choose from, so if you’re new to slots you’re spoiled for choice.
However, so much choice can be overwhelming, especially if you’re a brand-new player or not the most tech-savvy. Luckily, there are plenty of handy tips and tricks to use to help you find the right slot for you; maybe not the first time around, but that’s all part of the fun!
When picking your top slots, consider the following:
- What is your budget? There are slot games for almost every budget with games costing a few cents per spin to those with upper limits of tens or hundreds of dollars. You can find the betting range for prospective slots on their game information page.
- High or Low Volatility? In the online casino world ‘volatility’ refers to the gameplay experience offered. Low volatility slots offer a gameplay experience where wins are more frequent, but smaller in value, while high volatility slots offer reduced win frequency, but wins of great value. As you’ve probably guessed, medium volatility is the middle ground between these two.
- Who Are You? Don’t just think about who you are as a player, but who you are in general. Think about your likes and dislikes. Are you a sports fan? Do you love nostalgia? Do you like immersive storytelling like fantasy or sci-fi movies? With thousands of online slots out there, there is quite literally a theme to suit everyone, and considering this can help narrow the field of options.
- What Do You Want? Consider what slot games appeal to you. Do you want a high-octane experience with lots of features at every turn, or do you want to keep things simple and enjoy the humble fun of watching those reels spin in the hope of a winning outcome?
- Which Game Has the Best RTP? RTP, as we learned earlier, refers to the statistical average of funds you can expect to receive back from your session. The higher the RTP the lower the house edge, and the more the odds are in your favour, so if you’re stuck between a few slots that appeal to you, look at the RTP statistic and start with the highest one.
Maximising Bonuses and Promotions
All Canadian casinos offer loyalty programs. The Players Advantage Club in Ontario and Encore Rewards at several BC casinos span entire provinces. Others cover individual casinos or group locations run by the same company. It is worth checking if the online slot site you've selected is affiliated with any loyalty programs as these can reward you with bonuses and benefits tailored to your playstyle.
Alongside this, the online casino you play slots with will have offers of its own such as:
- No Deposit Bonuses: Many online casinos offer Canadian players bonus play for signing up, allowing them to play multiple slot games with reduced financial risk.
- Bonus Spins: These can be a no-deposit or welcome bonus. Players are awarded a predetermined number of spins usually on a specified selection of slots.
- Matched Deposit Bonuses: Casinos may match 100% of your wager up to a certain value, These bonuses usually apply to all games, and while table games will only contribute to 10% of the wagering requirement needed to complete the promotion, the great thing about slots is that 100% of the bet value contributes instead.
- Reload Bonuses and Promotions: The best online casinos will award returning players with exciting promotions and reload offers. Promotions can include extra spins, double points, slot tournament entries, or special seasonal celebrations.
As you can see, being smart with promotions can allow you to make the most out of every cent you wager, and maximise your slot gameplay experience. However, these promotions aren’t without drawbacks, and you should read the terms and conditions carefully.
One thing all slots players should be aware of is the wagering requirements (WR) or playthrough requirements (PR) of the promotion. This will be displayed in the terms and conditions and refers to the number of times you’ll need to wager the bonus value before you can withdraw any funds raised from using them. Sometimes players will have an allotted time in which to use their bonus. The average WR for a welcome bonus is around 30-35x, but particularly generous bonuses might stretch to 50-60x, however, anything around this amount or above should be fully considered before diving into.
Practising Responsible Gambling
We’ve already touched upon the importance of practising responsible gambling as part of a top slot strategy when we discussed the importance of bankroll management, but fully responsible gambling involves more than monitoring your funds and playtime. Remember, slots are meant to be played for fun and not as a way to make money. Gaming online should act as a fun side hobby and not an all-encompassing obsession. If you notice during a session your mood sours or your interest wanes, then cut the session short early and walk away.
Choose an online Ontario Casino that advocates for responsible gambling, as a true top casino not only cares about entertaining and exciting their players with new games and promotions, but also cares about the wellbeing of their members. Legitimate Ontario casinos will offer easy access to resources such as:
- Self-Exclusion Tools: Players can take a break from gambling thanks to a selection of helpful tools and services. This self-exclusion can help you immediately stop problem gambling behaviours and give you time to reflect upon your relationship with gambling.
- Deposit Limits: It can be tempting to have just one more spin, leading to players topping up their balance more frequently than they probably should. Deposit limits help players keep within their budget.
- Access to help: Legit online casinos will be affiliated with and provide easy-to-access links to problem gambling help services and support systems such as helplines, counselling, and informational websites.
Conclusion
Developing a smart slot strategy for playing at Ontario casinos is all about knowing who you are as a player and what you want from a slot, making the most of promotions, and ensuring that responsible gaming practices are the framework for your gameplay experience.
The best strategy for online slots is not about finding any ‘hacks’ or ‘exploits’, it's as simple as being smart with your time and money. Promotions are a great way to explore a range of slot games without impacting your bankroll too greatly, and once you’ve found your favourites, all you need to do is set a budget and a time limit for play and stick to it and you have the optimal strategy.
At Spin Genie we’re advocates for responsible gambling and are slot aficionados with frequent new releases and top-tier promotions. Sign up and play today.
