Online casinos come with an epic video slots portfolio but, sometimes punters find it hard to pick a good game. There are hundreds if not thousands of slots produced by high-end or new software providers at the best gambling platforms. Even for a veteran punter, the choice will be difficult. Below you can see some of the most important criteria you should consider before betting with real money at any slot at an online casino.

Theme matters

Wondered what type of slot you will fancy? Taking a closer look at the themes is a great starting point in selecting a slot. Your favorite TV shows, live game shows, movies, games, legends, or childhood stories are present in lots of slots. Add to that the classic red-sevens and fruit-inspired games, the Megaways impressive selection, and you’ll see that there is a game for everyone.

For example, some people try their luck on Jumanji in hopes to trigger the random features while others pick Mega Moolah just to win the jackpot. Once you figure out what theme will suit you, it should be the perfect moment to make your selection and verify the payout potential. See what is the maximum win, and what is the symbol payout. You can find all of this information by hitting the information button (often represented by the “i” icon).

Bigger RTP, bigger chances to win

Yes, the payout rate is the most important criterion that leads you to pick a good slot! A game that has a payout rate of over 94% has a pretty good potential to pay, and it may be profitable for you. We will even take a concrete example to help you understand how an RTP works. A 95% payout rate should pay back 95% of the money the players played in that game in time. This amount of money is calculated even for tens of thousands of spins and will later be paid to players who are lucky that day.

We can also take the example of the famous Mega Moolah slot (crafted by Microgaming) which has a very low Return to Player Rate. Although many players avoid it, others try their luck just for the grand jackpot that pays millions of dollars. Its rate is 88.12%, and the winning spins are quite rare. However, you never know when the jackpot game can be randomly activated.

Verify the volatility

The slot volatility is an important element every gambler should consider. Note that the variance reflects the frequency a slot makes its payouts. A slot can have a small, medium, or high volatility. Small volatility slots will pay often, but the winnings are quite low. Then, medium volatility slots can pay you much money but not too often. Lastly, high volatility slots have impressive payouts, but they are caught rarely.

If you are the type of player who wants a big win, you can opt for the high volatility games but, make sure to keep your bets in control. In most of the cases, you will like to play on the biggest stakes just to trigger the jackpot or to claim an epic win. Be careful and use the bets that will not consume your budget too fast. Please note that these types of games are excellent for those who have larger budgets.

Try new games with bonuses

Licensed casinos battle up in special bonuses that attract new punters on their platforms. Some of them offer tens or hundreds of free spins at registration, while others reward money. Most of these rewards are credited the moment a punter passed the KYC verification process. Note that each promotion has an entire list of terms and conditions, along with turnover requirements punters should complete to withdraw winnings.

If you happen to play at an online casino for the very first time and wish to test some game first and see the real payout potential, a bonus will be good for you. There will be a small selection of slots you can bet on with the money bonus or just a game to try out with free spins.

The RTP, volatility, and special features count more than you think at an online slot. Try to select the game that appeals to you the most and analyze the rest of the criteria described above. Maybe using a free spin bonus or a deposit offer will also let you test a large selection of slots and will make your choice easier.