You've probably heard someone argue that there's a best time to play online slots. Some players swear by specific times — the most common ones being 8pm - 2am or 12am - 6am, and others dismiss it as superstition. Others argue that slot outcomes are entirely random and unaffected by the hands of the clock, but what really is the truth, and when is the best time to play online slots?
In reality, the time you choose to play your slot game has no impact on your odds of winning. Every slot outcome is determined by a Random Number Generator (RNG). RNGs ensure that each spin you make is independent of the previous one, which makes it impossible to predict or influence the outcome with timing.
If timing could affect anything, it’d be the player's experience and consequently, what they believe actually works for them. For instance, during peak hours, many players are competing for the same jackpot, which could reduce a player’s confidence in their odds. It may lead them to believe the odds have somehow decreased because there are just a lot of people competing.
Some players also believe they're more alert during certain times of the day, which could help them make better decisions and approach the game more strategically. But none of this actually affects the outcome of the round of slot games you just played. Nir Eyal, the author of ‘Hooked,’ believes that “The thrill of the slot machine is not just in winning, but in the anticipation of what might happen with each spin.”
In essence, it's more about the luck of winning than the time you play the game. It doesn't matter whether you're strumming the slot machine at 2am midnight, or you’re playing free online slots in Canada at 2pm in the afternoon; every spin result you get is independent and unpredictable.
While timing won't influence your gaming outcome, there are other factors that you can consider when playing slot games to enhance your winning chances:
Return to Player (RTP) is a percentage that shows how much a slot machine will pay back to players over time. If a slot machine has an RTP of 95%, you can expect to win back $95 of every $100 you wager over a long period.
RTPs are calculated over a significant number of spins, so you’d have to look at long-term winnings rather than a guarantee for individual sessions. You may win or lose more than the RTP suggests in the short term. The best tip for winning at slots is to go for games with higher RTPs. They increase your chances of winning back a larger portion of your wagers over time.
Volatility measures the risk that comes with a slot machine. It tells you the frequency and size of payouts you’ll get in a game. There are three major types of slot volatility, and they are:
Low volatility slots: They offer smaller but more frequent wins. You’ll win more frequently, but you won't hit higher winnings. It's perfect if you have a small bankroll and you're just playing for the fun.
High volatility slots: These slots have larger payouts, but they offer less frequent wins. If you're playing high volatility slots, you’d get fewer payouts, but they’d be large when you eventually get them.
Medium volatility slots: These titles strike a balance between high and low volatility slots in terms of frequency and size of payouts.
Your bankroll should determine the volatility you go for. David Schwartz, who wrote Roll the Bones: The History of Gambling, has this to say, ‘‘Slot machines are the most popular game in the casino because they offer the promise of a big win for a small investment.” The bottom line is to choose high volatility slots if you're a high roller, and low volatility titles if you're a low roller.
Many slots offer bonus features to players which they can use to enhance their gaming time and boost their chances of winning. Research and get familiar with the different kinds of bonuses you can get from slots platforms. Some of the bonuses available are:
Free spins that you can use to spin the reels without using your own money.
Bonus rounds— mini-games that get activated when you match certain symbols that appear on the reels.
Multipliers to multiply your winnings by a specified amount— could be from 2x to 100x or even more.
Choose games that you understand and enjoy. The more familiar you are with a game, the more informed your decisions will be. When playing a familiar game, you know what to expect and possibly all the tips you need to play the game. This can be all you need to win more.
You can play slots whenever and however you wish. Don't limit yourself to a certain time of the day— focus on choosing the best slot machines and titles to improve your game. You should also work on your gaming strategy to improve your chances of winning. This will help you win more rather than focusing on a specific time in the day to play.
