Playing slot games is a great way to get your heart pumping.

But one question remains unanswered: which is better, online slots or real machines?

For convenience: online slots.

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of playing online games is the ability to play anywhere, anytime. Avoid the hassle and expense of travelling to an actual casino and instead enjoy easy access to your favourite slots on your laptop, tablet or mobile.

Being able to play slot games on your phone also helps you spend much less than you likely would in a real gambling venue. You can easily stop and log out when you’ve reached your budget, rather than feeling a need to keep on playing simply because you’re stuck inside a casino and the night’s still young.

For gameplay experience: real slots.

Realistic graphics, exciting soundtracks and engaging bonus rounds are just some of the features of online slots designed to capture a player’s attention. Just like book lovers who prefer real pages between their fingertips over e-readers, many argue the tactile feel of playing on an actual slot machine makes for a more immersive gameplay experience. This is further improved by the new technologies available for land-based machines. Take the game Sphinx 3D for instance. It offers a totally 3D experience for an unrivalled level of realism, not to mention a connected multimedia chair to provide convincing sound effects and authentic motions.

For new players: online slots.

Casinos carry an undeniable sense of excitement in the air. It’s almost impossible to create the same kind of thrill and glamour in your own home.

But if you’re a new player looking to find your feet in the slot world, all the ringing bells, flashing lights and hardcore gamblers could prove daunting. Playing online is an easy way to get yourself into the slot scene without being overwhelmed.

What’s more, many sites allow you to play some of their slot games in demo mode for free. This helps you to pick up the basics before risking your own cash.

For game choice: online slots.

Land-based casinos often have new game titles not yet available online. However, space on the casino floor is always going to be limited. Old games are frequently removed to clear space for newer models, meaning your go-to favourites are always at risk of being replaced.

Online casinos are different. Not only are they able to offer a more extensive selection of slots, but they also make it easier for you to browse the games available. There’s no need to walk up and down the casino floor to find your favourite title. Simply type it into a search bar and – hey presto! – you’ve found it.

For winning potential: online slots.

Before your start spinning on any slot game, it’s a good idea to check the Return to Player (RTP). The RTP refers to what you can expect to get back playing the game over time. For example, if you’re spinning on a slot with a 96% RTP, for every £100 in £1 bets you place over a given period, you can expect to get back £96; so, though it’s not an exacting science, you’ll theoretically win more on games with a higher RTP.

The difference between the RTP of online and actual machines is quite substantial. Land-based slots typically offer 70% – 80%, whilst their online counterparts are usually in the region of 93% – 98%.

For bonuses: online slots.

All casinos want to keep you playing.

Real casinos do this by offering membership to returning patrons. This provides you with a few extra perks or bonuses, but it’s little compared to what you can get on the internet.

To stand out in a crowded market, where players can quickly and easily sign up to competitors in just a few clicks, online casinos know they need to provide generous welcome offers, frequent promotions, loyalty rewards and bucket-loads of free spins. This is great news for you, as it means there are always a great selection of generous sites to choose from.

Our verdict

Whilst the occasional night out in a casino is exciting, if you’re a more regular slot player, we’d recommend online slots at bgo over real machines. You’ll benefit from a greater selection of titles, easier access to games and (most probably) better pay-outs.

The game is changing in Las Vegas. There are still plenty of incredible ways to enjoy the place if you’re a high rollers, but now the low rollers are arriving in droves. They love to party and hit the clubs, but they’re really not into gambling that much. Time has a story focusing on the new trend.

Vegas is packed again, but the casinos aren’t making the gaming revenues they saw in past years. We’ve discussed this many times, as the trends have been obvious.

One issue is that the casinos don’t cater to serious gamblers like before. The new corporate entities are so obsessed with maximizing every inch of the casino that they are flooding them with slots. Blackjack doesn’t get the attention we saw in the past, but this is one of the games that attracts people who like to gamble. The casinos have played with the rules way too much.

It’s harder for a group of guys who want to gamble as a group to find a table in the best casinos that will satisfy everyone in the group. Limits are too high, so while a casino might not want guys who play the $10 tables, their friends might be the ones who bet $100 per hand.

I think casinos need to think about catering to guys who love to gamble, and that will help create environments that attract more high rollers.

Slot machine. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Through all of this excitement about slot machines, there has been a great deal of speculation surrounding their function. Some people have a misconception that the house has “rigged” the slot machine to eat more money than it gives away in jackpots. As a result, there are many myths floating that can supposedly increase your chance of winning. In most cases, these “myths” are simply a waste of time.

For the most part, success in slots is a combination of luck and a few basic elements that will ensure you do not waste your time and hard-earned money. Below are a few of these elements to incorporate into your slot playing.

Determine What Kind Of Slot Will Suit You Best

There are a variety of slots available at most casinos. These slots range from penny slots all the way to slots that take multiple dollars per round. As someone who is just beginning, going the route of small change slots are your best bet. This ensures you do not feed too much money into learning the process of playing slot machines. Similarly, trying your hand at slots on no deposit required casino sites is another viable option.

Know Your Betting Limits

Ensure you know your financial limitations. Set a limit prior to playing and monitor that limit accordingly. When you find that you are approaching that limit with few winnings to show, it might be time to break and move to another machine.

Manage Time At Slot

Time management is a commonly overlooked tactic in slots. Generally, you want to spend an average of 15 minutes per machine. When you reach that time, you should have a good idea of how the machine is performing and whether or not it is time to move.

In all, there are many myths surrounding the slot machine. However, aside from a little luck, all you need is a few simple guidelines to ensure you play smart. In doing so, you will eventually win without having lost too much.