When Is the Best Time to Play Online Slots?

Slots are the top choice for many casino players, thanks to their versatile themes, innovative game mechanics, and huge payout potential. But while the appeal of these titles is no secret, whether playing at a specific time influences your chances of winning remains a debated topic.

Is there a best time to play online slots? If so, how can you use it to your advantage? Let’s delve into how slots work, their odds, payout structure, and whether there really is a theory that can boost your winning chances.

How do online slots pay out winnings?

Before we delve into the mystery of the best time to play slots online, we must be on the same page about their mechanics. 

Online slots are designed to simulate the gameplay of old-school mechanical slots. However, the workings behind these simulations are based on technology and math.

All online slots rely on one key element to produce completely random outcomes: the random number generator (RNG). This algorithm is programmed to generate a continuous stream of random numbers, each corresponding to specific symbols or reel positions.

Once you press Spin, this algorithm locks into a random number, determining the outcome of this spin, i.e., the winning symbol combination. The RNG doesn’t consider the results of previous spins or follow any patterns — every selection is independent and arbitrary. The only preset factor that it does account for is the game’s volatility.

Volatility, or variance, governs how often a slot will pay out. In low-volatility slots, the RNG is tuned to produce more frequent winning combinations but keep the rewards modest. Conversely, in high-volatility games, the RNG creates longer dry spells interrupted by occasional big wins. 

The way the RNG and volatility work together is reflected through another vital element of how online slots pay out winnings. This is known as the Return to Player (RTP).

Return-to-player (RTP)

Return-to-player percentages tell you how much a slot is expected to pay out over a long period of time. It’s a value that’s calculated theoretically, so it doesn’t guarantee a specific return in the short term. Let’s look at an example to make this point clearer.

Imagine you’re playing a slot that has an RTP of 96%. This percentage implies that the game will pay $96 for every $100 wagered on it, with the remaining $4 going to the casino. Yet, that doesn’t mean every $100 you bet will give you exactly $96 back.

An RTP value is an average spread out over millions of spins. It doesn’t tell you how often you’ll win or how quickly you’ll see returns — if it did, it would imply a predictable pattern. The RNG prevents that by making sure every spin is completely isolated and random, keeping the game fair. 

What is the best time to take advantage of slot RTP?

The existence of the Return-to-Player percentage might provide some insight into how to win on online slot machines — just wait for the game to be “due” to pay out to maintain its RTP. In reality, it’s not that straightforward.

To try this, you’d need to know the payout history of the game. But since RTP is calculated over all its recent spins (not only yours or those of your fellow casino players), it’s not something you can track. 

Online slots are featured in thousands of online casinos worldwide and are played by millions of players regularly, with every spin contributing to the same calculation. They don’t factor in whether someone is on a long losing streak or has just hit a jackpot.

Therefore, it’s possible you could land a huge win right after someone else has done the same, or hit a cold spell even if the game hasn’t paid out in a while — it’s all about luck.

Common myths about the best time to play online slots

The popularity of slots has sparked various timing-related theories and strategies for winning. While we’ve covered the main points, let’s explore some myths surrounding the topic.

#1. There is an ideal time of day to play online slots

There are several hypotheses about the best time of day to play slots circulating the internet. The following two stand out:

‣ Morning over evenings — Some strategies suggest that early mornings are the best time to play because casinos are less busy. This lack of other players means less competition and, thus, better chances of winning. There’s also a belief that, after a night of heavy play (and losses), morning slots are ‘due’ to pay out. 

‣ Nighttime over daytime — Others recommend playing very late at night, claiming that casinos “loosen” their slots’ RTP during these quieter hours to draw in more players. It supposedly makes the odds more favorable for the same reason (fewer contenders for the reward).

Unfortunately, both ideas are based on myths. For one, slot games are played across different time zones, so the time of day doesn’t really matter. Plus, the RTP doesn’t change depending on when you play or how many people are spinning the reels — it’s fixed. (4, 5.1)

#2. Slots pay out more during a specific time of the year

If you frequent iGaming forums, blogs, and community pages, you might come across an online slot strategy or two related to the time of year. 

For instance, a popular theory maintains that holiday seasons aren’t ideal for playing slots due to higher traffic. Players play slots more during these periods to relieve stress or take advantage of the promotions casinos offer. 

Some players believe the casino wants more players to enjoy a positive experience, so it ‘spreads out’ wins to more players. However, this reduces single payouts, making it less likely for any individual to hit a jackpot. Essentially, the extra spins create more chances for smaller wins to occur and push larger payouts further apart.

Still, these ideas are easily debunked with the same reasoning as before. Casinos can’t adjust the RTPs based on player traffic or the time of year due to strict gambling regulations set by licensing authorities. 

#3. Newly released slots have higher RTPs

Another theory discussed in online communities concerns the release dates of slots. It claims that the best time to play online slots is right after they’ve launched. It’s based on the assumption that new games have higher RTPs in order to attract players, although this doesn’t hold up.

Yes, the best online slot sites might offer bonuses or promotions to encourage players to try their new titles. However, the winning odds for these games remain the same whether the release is brand new or years old. Once the developer establishes a game’s RTP, it stays consistent.

What are the best online slots to play?

Since timing won’t help you win on online slots, your best strategy is to focus on game mechanics. Choose slots that fit your preferences, bankroll, and playing style. Here’s a quick overview of common slot categories to help you make the right call.

Classic slots

Players who enjoy simple, vintage-inspired games will probably find classic slots ideal. These games typically feature smaller grids with a few fixed paylines, allowing you to jump right in without dealing with complex mechanics.

They usually stick to the classic fruit and gem themes and minimalistic visuals, meaning you won’t be distracted by intricate backdrops, animations, and sound effects. Additionally, classic slots have fewer bonus features, so you won’t have to spend time deciphering the Info section before playing.

Video slots

If you’re all about bonus features, online video slots might be your perfect match. 

Like classic slots, these games stick to simple structures and payout mechanics. Most use a 5×3 grid with fixed paylines and a left-to-right format. However, these slots offer much more variety in themes and special features.

Video slots explore pop culture, adventure, mythology, holidays, and other storylines. They also incorporate wilds, scatters, free spins, and multipliers to make the gameplay more exciting and enhance your winnings.

Megaways slots

Megaways slots are games that feature a unique payout mechanism. Instead of a fixed reel/row combo, these switch the number of symbols per reel on every spin.

This system can offer up to 117,469 ways to win, or even more in specific Megaways titles. Many also include a cascading reels feature, where winning symbols disappear and are replaced by new ones, creating the potential for consecutive wins from a single spin.

Bonus buy slots

Bonus buy games let players trigger the bonus round for a set fee. The cost usually ranges from 50x to 500x your base bet, depending on the slot.

These games are the perfect choice if you want to skip the wait for the biggest payouts, which are often locked in the bonus round. But they’re not for the risk-averse players. Buying your way into a bonus doesn’t guarantee a profit and could drain your budget if you suffer successive losses.

Jackpot slots

Jackpot slots are the ultimate thrill for players seeking life-changing wins. They are designed in two different ways:

Fixed jackpot slots usually include three to four pre-set multipliers whose value changes depending on your bet size. For example, a Mini jackpot of 10x or a Major jackpot of 100x.

Progressive jackpot slots feature reward pools that grow based on bets placed on them independently or across a network of slots from the same developer. The latter can produce world-record payouts in the millions.

Needless to say, these games are made for players chasing big wins. However, to balance the huge payout that will inevitably land at some point, the RTP of the general base game is lowered. This means you may have to sustain plenty of reel-spinning (and patience) without hitting a win before a jackpot is triggered.

Conclusion

There’s no such thing as the best time to play online slots. Whether it’s morning or night, the start of the month or the end of the year, your chances of winning are the same. Even if you pick out a brand-new release or one that’s overdue for a win, nothing will change the outcome. Random number generators ensure that the results are unpredictable every time.

The only thing you can do to boost your winning chances is to play the slots that fit your gaming style and offer a high RTP. You’ll enjoy the gameplay and stretch your bankroll for a shot at higher rewards.

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