How to Win Bigger Payouts on Video Slots. In almost every slot machine online, you win the biggest possible payout by filling every position on the reels with the highest value symbol. However, there are some features that can boost your payouts significantly, even if you don’t manage to fill the reels with the top-value symbol. The first aspect of reading a slot machine is to notice how many lines can be played on one spin. Some slots will have a single line, but most of the slots available these days can have up to 50. There will be a detailed description of how each of these lines is calculated to pay out. They don’t always go straight across or up and down. A reel slot machine can only hold up to about 20 symbols per reel, so possible combinations are limited. A video slot machine may have up to 100 reels and symbols. Without reading the actual odds on each video slot machine, it’s almost impossible to predict the probability of winning video slot machines.
Since the early days of gambling in brick-and-mortar casinos, players have been keenly interested in the art of picking winning slots. To this day, most people prioritize a slot’s payout potential above all else: visual quality, entertainment value, etc. That’s completely understandable given the nature of these casino games, which are designed to offer real prizes as opposed to standard video games where you just progress through a storyline or level up by amassing a certain number of points.
In order to be able to pick the best payout slots, you should first understand that these games work on complex mathematical algorithms. Casinos also contribute to this complexity by building an advantage (the so-called “house edge”) right into the rules of the game. Depending on these factors, different slots will have different payout percentages.
In this guide on slot game RTP, you’ll find everything there is to know about payout percentages. We go in detail on what they are, how they are influenced by the “house edge” as well as by progressive jackpots. Finally, for your convenience, we will present a set of 10 slot machines with the best payouts on the market, so you don’t have to spend any more time searching for them. With that all in mind, let’s get started!
What is the payout percentage (or RTP)?
The payout percentage of a slot machine refers to the amount of money that is returned to you as a player relative to the amount of money you wagered. For a better understanding, let’s take a practical example: you invest (wager) $100 into your favorite slot machine. If this slot has a payout percentage of 95%, you will receive roughly $95 back from the machine. The amount returned to the player isn’t always precise, but it is enough for you to get an idea of the average payout potential of the slot machine.
This percentage may also be found under the name RTP, which stands for Return-to-Player percentage, which is essentially a statistical average. So whether you search for high-RTP or high-payout slots, you will essentially be looking for the same thing.
Payout percentages on online slots
Not all slots are created equal and payouts percentages on online slots vary largely. Most slots have an average RTP of 95%, which is considered acceptable. However, players tend to gravitate towards slots with an RTP that is higher than average, going as high as 99.32% for the Goblin’s Cave slot by Playtech, as those are the best paying slot machines.
If you’re curious, a Google search can usually help you find a particular slot’s RTP, so you know what to expect once you start playing. Here on SlotsMate, the RTP of an online slot is pretty easy to spot. You’ll see in the screenshot down below where you can find it.
On your quest to find what slot machines payout the most, you might come across the terms “loose” or “tight” slots. A loose slot machine is an alternative name for a slot game with a high RTP, whereas a tight slot machine is one that pays out less, therefore comes equipped with a low RTP. Most winning slot machines, both online and offline (those in land-based casinos) are loose.
What about the house edge?
The house edge on online slots is also known as the casino advantage. This advantage is not specific to slots, it exists in all other kinds of casino games as well, such as craps, power, roulette or baccarat. It’s important to keep in mind that the house edge is embedded in the games themselves and not set by individual casinos. In the table below you can see how the house edge differs from one casino game to another.
The higher the house edge on a particular casino game, the less that game will pay out over time. It’s useful to have some knowledge about a game’s house edge. That way, you’ll have an idea which one you should play with extra caution or avoid altogether because they prove too disadvantageous to your budget.
Slot paylines in relation to house edge
Slots have some of the highest house edges on average, which is one of the reasons why they are so popular both in online and offline casinos. Any slot aficionado knows that in this type of casino game, you strike a win when the reels match to form a winning payline. Modern slots can offer up to 100 paylines. They may sound great at first but it is important to know that the more paylines a slot has, the higher its house edge is.
The explanation for this phenomenon is quite simple. By playing with 25 paylines as opposed to 50, for instance, your odds of winning are cut by half. Essentially, the more chances you have to lose the game, the more chances the casino has to make a profit from your play.
The thrill of progressive jackpots
Who can resist the promise of a million dollar win at a slot machine? Progressive jackpots are the textbook definition of a long shot and still, many players that search for the best slot machines to play are constantly drawn to progressive slots, hoping that they will get lucky and win big. Progressive jackpots are particularly appealing because they require little investment and just as little effort. Slots with this feature works just like any other, where the player has to place a bet and spin the reels. A progressive jackpot functions by taking a fraction of every bet and using it to build a prize pool that sometimes reaches as high as millions of dollars.
The odds of winning a ground-breaking jackpot are admittedly slim, but progressive jackpots are still a great opportunity to win smart. In slot machines with high payout percentages, in the end you only sacrifice a small sum for a chance to win regular prizes as well as a shot at the big jackpot.
A massive jackpot win of €18,915,721 set a new record for progressive slots back in September, 2018. The win was triggered by a player on Microgaming’s Mega Moolah slot. There are many progressive slots to choose from currently on the market, such as Pragmatic Play’s Dance Party, Red Rake Gaming’s Mother of Horus and NetGame’s Clover Stones.
Top 10 Highest Payout Slots
As promised, we will conclude this guide with a list of the top 10 highest payout slots, so you can get an idea which slot machines pay the best and start playing right away. The slots presented below, however, offer much more than generous payouts. They also come equipped with exciting bonus features, such as wilds, free spins and multipliers. Feel free to spin their reels to your heart’s content!
Beat the Bank by WGS - 99.17%
This staggeringly high-RTP online slot by WGS will have you gear up for an epic heist as a professional bank robber. As you spin the reels of this slot machine, you’ll unlock exciting bonus features that will reward you with generous prizes for all your efforts. You can expect wilds, free spins, as well as the special Beat the Bank feature through which you can double your bet and risk it all, hoping for a potentially massive win. Considering this is such a high payout slot, we’d say the risk is well worth it.
Ugga Bugga (Playtech) - 99.07%
With an intriguing name - a reference to the first words uttered by humans - and a refreshing theme, Playtech’s Ugga Bugga slot really stands out. As you enter the jungle, you will realize that this 3-reel retro slot functions a little differently than others from the same category. Players are given two spins at every turn instead of the standard one: a preliminary one, where they get to play with the hold feature to lock some symbols in place, and a second one at no additional cost.
Mega Joker (NetEnt) - 99%
NetEnt’s Mega Joker slot is a really sought-after title on the online gambling market which owes its popularity not only to its high payout potential but also its progressive jackpot and a few other bonus features. The slot features two reel sets. It’s up to you whether you prefer to play it safe or gamble your winnings in Supermeter mode. If you do, you might be in for some considerable prizes, depending on the number of coins you bet with. As for the progressive jackpot, it collects 3% of every bet you place, so if you’re lucky you might end up striking a big win during or after any gaming session.
Cosmic Quest: Mystery Planets (Rival) - 98.9%
This high-payout slot, a sequel to Rival’s Cosmic Quest: Mission Control, takes you on a cosmic adventure that will set you up for some epic prizes and an overall great time. As you spin the reels of this slot, you should expect to find space robots and beautiful planets, as well a whole range of bonus features, such as Expanding Wild Rockets, Scatterstronauts and the Jackpot Jetpack. Sounds like fun? Then let your cosmic quest begin!
Crystal Clear (Realistic Games) - 98.7%
Set against a beautiful starlit sky backdrop sit the reels of Realistic Games’ high-payout slot. This slot machine is a real treat for players who enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, even in an online game. Besides its high payout percentage and appealing design, Crystal Clear comes equipped with a wide bet range, as well as some pretty exciting features, such as wilds and bonus spins.
Golden Legacy (MultiSlot) - 98.25%
Stand against witches and wizards in this epic title by MultiSlot and you may emerge victorious, with a handful of prizes to show for it!. You can choose to play this slot for fun for as long as you want before switching to Live Mode, where you can play for cash. Besides a high RTP, you’ve got wilds, scatters and free spins to keep you entertained and keep the prizes coming.
Lucky Pets (Multislot) - 98.19%
This quirky little slot game designed by MultiSlot offers a great gaming experience that is made even better by its generous RTP. The game comes equipped with some cool features such as a bonus game (where little fish swim around) and cat biscuit scatters that triggers up to 15 free spins. Spin the reels of this colorful slot and you can unlock a wide range of prizes.
Pumpkin Patch (Habanero) - 98.18%
If you’ve always enjoyed the simple, blissful life in the countryside, this best paying slot machine is perfect for you. This lighthearted farm-themed online slot stands out not just thanks to its great RTP and refreshing theme, but also through its special features: wilds, scatters and not one but two types of free spins. Pumpkin Patch truly ticks all the boxes of a must-play slot with an excellent payout potential.
Wild Circus (Red Tiger Gaming) - 98.18%
Go on a trip to the local circus and see your favorite animals perform mind-boggling tricks for a fun experience and a solid chance to walk out with a handful of amazing prizes. Red Tiger Gaming’s title offers a set of features (wilds, multipliers, free spins and the Fire Breather mini-game) that will keep you spinning the reels of this slot for a long time and, considering the slot’s high RTP, we think that sounds like a perfect plan.
Golden Chief (Barcrest Games) - 98.14%
Barcrest spared no effort in designing this online slot based on Native American culture. Golden Chief comes equipped with a wide bet range and a variety of special features, like two types of wilds (one standard, one expanding), scatters, a Bonus Wheel and free spins. This is a great choice for players who prefer high-payout slots but also appreciate a well-designed theme and a great selection of bonus features.
Final thoughts
We hope that our guide has provided you with useful information on how to identify a high-paying slot so that you know which slot machines pay the best. By now you should know what a payout percentage (or RTP) is and how different factors such as progressive jackpots or the house edge influence a slot’s payout potential.
Above, we have presented 10 of the best-paying slots, but we have a lot more slot games available for free play here on SlotsMate. If you want to take your gaming experience to the next level, however, you can check out the online casinos displayed on our Real Money Slots page, open an account at one of them and have a blast playing your favorite games.
FAQ
Which slot machines pay the best?
The slot machines with the highest payout potential are those with an above-average RTP, preferably higher than 97%. If you’re interested in the best-paying slots, look up their RTP and if it is high enough, then you can expect generous payouts.
Can you tell when a slot machine is ready to hit?
There is no way to tell when a slot machine is about to hit. Don’t waste your time looking for patterns or clues that might indicate a possible hit, because they don’t really exist. Use that time to enjoy your favorite games instead.
What slot machines payout the most often?
Slot machines that payout most often are low volatility slots. Slots with low volatility offer frequent but small rewards, as opposed to the high volatility, where the rewards are fewer and farther between.
How to find the payout percentage on a slot machine?
Most online casino sites will display the payout percentage somewhere on the screen, usually below or to the side of the slot window. Here on SlotsMate, we include this information in the Game Info box just below a video slot.
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If you’re making the transition from a classic pub fruit machine to that of the online slot space – there is one subtle difference that you need to be made of – payout tables.
While pub fruit machines only offer fixed prize values, online slot games essentially allow you to set your own stakes. This is based on a ‘multiple’ system that multiples your bet size against the respective winning combination. Confused? In this article, we explain the ins and outs of how to read online slot payout tables – and why the online system outshines that of classic fruit machines.
The Old Way
Before we delve into the specifics, let’s clarify what system the classic pub fruit machine uses. As you likely know, the vast majority of machines give you the option of playing at 30p or 50p per spin. Some machines have since upped the ante and added in a third option – £1 per spin.
The main concept is the more you stake per spin, the more chance you have of winning. Alternatively, you might find that you land more bonus feature entries.
However – irrespective of how much you choose to wager per spin, one thing remains constant at all times – the payout table.
For those unaware, the slot payout table simply refers to the size of the payout on a winning combination. For example, while three cherries in a row might yield a win of £1, three red 7s might pay £15.
Either way, it doesn’t matter if you are playing at 30p, 50p, or £1 per spin – the respective prize will never change. This is why pub fruit machines are referred to as a fixed payout system.
As we discuss in the next section – variable payout tables facilitated by online slot sites offer significantly more flexibility for players.
Out With the Old, in With the New
The payout system is completely different when you play at an online casino. In its most basic form, online gambling sites use a variable payout table, meaning that the more you stake, the more you win. This is based on a multiple, which is then multiplied against your chosen bet size.
For example, let’s say that you are playing at 50p per spin. After a few spins, you land a winning combination of five bells on a single payline. As per the paytable, five bells amounts to a total prize of 20x.
So what does that mean?
Well, your win of five bells will pay 20 times your stake per spin. As you are playing at 50p per spin, this works out at a total prize of £10.
Here’s where things get interesting.
Let’s suppose that you are feeling extra lucky today, and so you decide to increase your stakes to £5 per spin. Once again, you managed to land five bells – which pays a variable prize of 20x.
As a result, your total win now amounts to £100 – as the prize is based on the size of your spin. This is something that you won’t find on a traditional pub fruit machine – which is why the space is slowly but surely dying out.
Reading the Slot Payout Table
So now that you know the basics of how online slot machine prizes work, you should have no issues reading slot payout tables. In other words, the key metric that you need to look out for is the ‘multiple’ of each winning combination. Once you find it, you simply need to multiply this against your stake size.
With that being said, online slot payout tables contain information other than just specific multiples. On the contrary, there’s a lot of other data that you need to have a firm understanding of.
This includes:
The Jackpot
How To Read Slot Machine Payouts Jackpot
Unless you are playing a progressive slot title, the only way that you will find out what the jackpot prize amounts to is to check the payout table. Once again, this will be displayed at a multiple. However, if certain terms and conditions surrounding the jackpot are in place, it is on the payout that you will find it.
For example, some online slot titles require you to play at maximum stakes to stand a chance of winning the top prize. This is why you need to spend a couple of minutes reading through the payout table when you play a new slot game!
RTP
One of the most important metrics that you need to look out for is the RTP of your chosen game. This stands for ‘Return-to-Player’, and it’s a key statistic that outlines your long-term chances of winning. In other words, it’s like the house-edge but in reverse.
For example, let’s say that the online slot game has an RTP of 97%. This means that over the course of time, the machine will payout 97% of what it collects from player stakes.
Now, the average slot machine RTP in the online gambling space is 94%-96%. With that in mind, you don’t want to be playing slot games that come with a win rate of less than this.
The only exception to the rule is if you are playing a progressive slot title that offers a multi-million-pound jackpot. Ultimately, the RTP is often displayed within the payout table of your chosen slot – so make sure you find it before playing!
Bonus Symbols and Slot Payouts
With thousands of online slot titles now in existence, it makes sense that there are various ways to land a bonus. For example, some online slot machines will utilize a bonus scatter symbol – where you need to land at least three in view.
Once you do, you’ll load up the main feature round. Some platforms require you to land the three symbols in a row – which is going to be more difficult to achieve.
In other cases, some slot machines utilize a random bonus system. This means that the main feature round can be triggered at any given time, so there is no need to land a bonus scatter symbol.
Once again, all of this information can be found from within the slot payout tables.
It is also important to assess the specifics surrounding the bonus game. This is because feature rounds come in a range of shapes and sizes. For example, while some bonuses offer a number of free spins alongside a multiplier, others follow a more traditional ‘board feature’ game. Either way, it’s a good idea to have a firm grasp of how the bonuses, features, and in-game specials work before playing!
Why the new Slot Payout Table System Excels
The overarching benefit of scrapping classic pub fruit machines for online slot games is that you can set your own stakes. As a result, the online gambling space is tailored to risk levels of all sizes.
For example, let’s say that you are more of a casual player – and you simply want to play with smaller stakes. As most online games allow you to play from just 10p per spin, you get to enjoy innovative slot titles without breaking the bank.
At the other end of the spectrum, let’s say that you are more of a high-stakes player. A number of online slot machines allow you to play at a whopping £500 per spin. Sure, that’s going to be out of reach for the vast bulk of us, but the option is there nonetheless.
Ultimately, regardless of how much you decide to play with, the payout table rarely changes. That is to say, if the top jackpot prize pays 10,000x – this is simply multiplied by your chosen bet size. As such, you are not penalized for playing at lower stakes – as you are chasing the same jackpot as a high-roller gets!
Paytable Checklist – What to Look out for
To ensure you get your online slot endeavours off on the right foot, below you will find a handy checklist that outlines some of the metrics you need to look out for in a slot payout table.
How To Read Slot Machine Payouts Free
Check what multiples are paid when you land winning combinations. Remember, the figures are displayed in the form of 2x, 3x, 4x, and so on.
Check what the jackpot prize amounts to, and whether you need to meet any conditions to be eligible for it.
Assess what each bonus system relates to, and what you need to do to trigger the main feature game.
Look at other in-game specials like scatters and wilds.
Be sure to explore what the RTP of your chosen game is. Don’t forget, you sometimes need to play at higher stakes to get the maximum RTP, so look out for this.
In Conclusion
How To Read Slot Machine Payouts 2019
In summary, the online slot arena utilizes a different payout system to that of classic pub fruit machines. Instead of being stuck with fixed payout prizes, online slot titles allow you to set your own stakes. As such, whether you are a casual low-stake player or a seasoned high-roller, you can play at a level that mirrors your appetite for risk.