Top Slots Tips from Poker Pros
Poker and slot machines sit side by side in casinos, but they demand very different skills and mindsets. Yet over recent years, several poker pros have dabbled in slots and picked up some notable wins in the process.
With the upcoming myVIP World Tournament of Slots offering a $1 million top prize, now is the perfect time to bring poker players into the fold.
We've trawled the PokerNews archives to gather the best tips from poker pros for playing slots.
How a Poker Player Should Play Slots: 12 Pro Tips
If we're being real for a second, we know there is a huge difference between testing your card skills against other players and the random nature of spinning slots, and we know there is no way to 'guarantee a win' playing slot games.
But, that being said, there are some commonalities, and also some 'tips' you can take from some of the top poker players who have managed to hit a jackpot or two.
1. Keep Your Slot Bankroll Separate
Don’t dip into your poker roll, and instead treat slots as a recreational 'side game'. It's a good idea to set up a dedicated slots fund that you are comfortable staking on slot machines and online games.
2. Use Small Bets First to 'Feel' the Slot
Before hitting the max bet, play smaller denominations, which will allow you to gauge volatility, bonus frequency, and how the features are triggered.
Poker pros understand the value in observing early before committing heavily, and the same methodology should be applied with slots.
3. Play a Variety of Slot Games
It's important to get a sense of the types of games you like and those you'd rather avoid. You can learn how the features work and how to maximise your potential payout with the bonuses.
Michael Mizrachi AKA 'The Grinder' told the PokerNews Podcast how much he likes the variety of slots and playing in between poker games:
"Actually, I’m a big slot machine guy. I love slot machines, and outside of poker, I play a lot of slot machines."
Just like reading a tournament structure, inspect how specific features are triggered, whether there are progressive meters, and what your choices are during bonus rounds.
4. Be Smart When Picking Features
When slots give you options (like free spins or a bonus pick), the decision may change depending on how 'hot' the meter is.
Kyna England, host of the MSPT Podcast discussed her approach during an interview with the SlotsFans Podcast about her $234,000 jackpot on the Piggy Bankin' slot game:
"On 'Piggy Bankin', if the major is at a certain level, I always pick the free games when it's the banks. If the major is really high, I pick the pigs."
What to remember? Your choice is conditional on the state of the slot, not fixed.
5. Spot Which Meters Offer Real Value
Not every progress bar or meter is meaningful, and you'll find many games where these are just graphics aimed to engage the player. True value comes from persistent, cumulative meters that increase bonus size or improve odds.
Forums and Reddit threads are useful sources when determining which slots are worth it.
6. Be Disciplined
Like poker sessions, set clear session limits for your slots play. Decide in advance how much you’re willing to lose, and a target at which you’ll walk away.
Remember to stick to these predetermined limits, and it will help to balance variance and tilt.
Never chase losses
Always set limits
Take regular breaks
7. When the Meter is Big, Play Carefully
If you confirm a meter is meaningfully close to a full threshold, playing more until the bonus might improve your return, but only if your bankroll and session plan allow it.
As we've already mentioned, some meters appear as if they are filling up and ready to 'burst'. However, this is called perceived progression, and in many slot games has no bearing on how close you are to hitting the bonus, it's simply designed to entice you to keep playing.
8. Space Out Big Bets
Even with high progressive jackpots, don’t push maximum bets on every spin unless you have the bankroll to do so comfortably.
Alternate between moderate and high bets when you feel comfortable.
9. Don’t Chase Losses
Slots are heavily variance-driven, and as such, a bad run can empty your pockets. Poker pros are used to swings, and the same mindset should be adopted with slots. Never try to recoup losses by overstretching yourself with increasingly larger stakes.
Slots influencer Vegas Matt (who has also played a few celebrity poker games) has a positive mindset on the importance of variance:
"I hate losing. I love winning. That’s the fun of gambling. And it’s real. And we show our losses. We show our wins."
10. Use Free Games to Enter Slots Tournaments
A little niche tip here, but if you want to test yourself against other players in a slots tournament (like the World Tournament of Slots), playing free games and social casino apps like POP! Slots, or MGM Slots Live, can be a risk-free way to get involved.
Playstudios, the social games brand, recently gave away 500 seats to the WTOS for players who qualified through playing their free games. This is a low-risk way to get tournament experience before committing real capital.
Check out the free slots apps from Playstudios:
| Game | Download App |
|---|---|
| POP! Slots | Download |
| myVEGAS Slots | Download |
| MGM Slots Live | Download |
| myKONAMI Slots | Download |
11. Embrace Volatility
Unlike poker, slots have far less skill input, so your role as a slots player is choosing where/when to bet, when to stop, and which features to take. The rest depends on variance and the game's volatility.
12. View Slots as Entertainment
If you treat it purely as a money game, you’ll tilt badly. Instead, enjoy the action, amuse yourself with spins, and think of any big win as a huge bonus to your session.
We can't put it any better than poker pro turned slots jackpot winner, Allen Kessler:
"It’s relaxing to play slots after sitting at a poker table."
Slots Tips for Poker Players: Final Thoughts
If you’re a poker player curious about slot tournaments, this is a perfect moment to try your hand. Start small, use disciplined rules, and follow these tips from top poker pros.
Who knows, maybe you’ll find your next big score playing spins instead of hands!
