When is the best time to play slots?

Known by many as one of the easiest and most popular forms of gambling, slot machines are enjoyed by millions around the world. They can be played both online and in land-based casinos, where theirThere are occasions when we here at ReadyBetGo want to bring you interesting facts about the gambling industry  When something catches our eye, we will publish it for your enjoyment. 
  intense graphics, immersive themes, and alluring prize pots continue to attract players. Whilst slots can be enjoyed by many anytime, those looking to maximise their winnings often find themselves asking, when exactly is the best time to be playing slot machines to win the biggest prizes? Is it all just chance, or can players tactically tap into certain times of the day or week to have a higher chance of success? 

How do slots work?

Before delving into any tactics or strategies that may change depending on your timing, it is important to work out how exactly slots work. All slots, no matter if they are traditional land-based ones or online video slots, are powered using RNG (Random Number Generator) technology. This means that RNGs work on a completely chance basis and ensure that every single spin on a slot is random. This means that what happens on a slot is not remembered or programmed to happen, and typically means that no matter what time of the day that you are playing slots, you won’t have any better statistical chance of better odds. 

Does timing matter?

The use of the RNGs and the way that slots work means that the time of when you are playing slots has no impact on your odds of winning any money whilst playing slots. RNGs are completely random, no matter if you are playing at midnight or midday. 

Despite this, there are certain methods of playing slots which does make slight differences. Playing the best payline slots, which offer the best promotions and prize pots for gamblers, is a good place to start. In addition to this, other differences, such as psychology, player traffic, and personal perception of the games you are playing, do matter. Whilst the mechanisms of slots don’t change their odds, there are ways to try and maximise your chance of winning from a player's perspective.

Off-peak play time

Whilst many will swear by the idea that playing slots during the nighttime is the most profitable time for winning those larger prize pots. People will tell you that playing slots between 10 pm and 2 am is likely to pay off with the biggest rewards, but this is not due to the odds of winning. Indeed, the odds remain the same throughout any time of the day. What does have a slight variance on slot players' playing experience is that during off-peak times, there is less traffic, which could increase your chance of winning. This is because with fewer people on the server, games run smoother, the experience can be more relaxed for players, and you are more likely to have access to your favourite slots, which you are most comfortable on. With fewer people about, players can find their groove and therefore boost their personal odds of winning prize pots. This improvement of your overall experience does not boost the statistical odds but may increase your chance of winning prize pots. 

Weekend versus Weekday

The same sort of fallacy of timing is true for many people who believe that playing on the weekends is more likely to churn out better chances of winning than when playing during the week. This is because many seem to think that, due to more players playing on the weekend, there is a higher chance of payouts happening. The simple logic feels like it should make sense, as with more people playing, you would assume that there is a greater chance for there to be more regular payouts. But the random numbers that slot machines run off ensure that these payouts remain completely randomly generated. As such, there is no evidence to suggest that players are going to get more regular payouts on slots at the weekend. The only exception to this is progressive slots. Progressive slots could see larger prize pots at the weekend as more players pool into certain games, increasing progressive jackpots and offering a bigger prize for winners. 

High Jackpots

When jackpots are higher then the value per spin increases. This means that players are more likely to get more money for the slot machines that they are playing. Many will say that playing slot machines that have higher jackpots offers you a higher chance of winning the prize pots due to them being ‘due’ a payout, but because of the random nature of slots, this cannot be true, as the RNGs ensure that the payouts remain completely random. However, what is true is that players are essentially getting more bang for their buck, as with higher prizes available, they have a better chance of winning the jackpot. This means that if you are playing a slot machine for a $2 million prize compared to it usually being $1 million dollars then your value per spin increases, but the odds of you winning this prize do not. 

Personal Timing

One of the best ways to increase your chances of winning slots is down to your play style and personal timing. By operating at times that you have identified are more productive for you, you are likely to get the best results. Players can track their gambling activity and identify times or periods of the week when they are likely to play better and have a higher chance of winning. Playing when you are most focused and alert is a good way to ensure you are operating optimally. Whilst this may seem negligible and is, in all likelihood, a coincidence, there is merit in playing when you are at your best. This allows you to create an environment favorable to your personal preference, which does not increase your statistical odds, but does mean you are going to perform to the best of your ability.