20+ years in the gambling industry including 13+ years playing and reviewing slots.
When it comes to playing at online slot sites, myths and misunderstandings are everywhere. From tales of ‘cold machines’ to strategies based on timing, these misconceptions can confuse new players and frustrate experienced ones. My guide breaks down the 10 most common slot myths, explains the truth behind them, and helps you play with better knowledge and realistic expectations.
Whether you play online or in a land-based casino, arcade or betting shop, understanding how slot games actually work is key to avoiding costly mistakes. I begin with the most common slot myth:
1. Slot games are rigged against you
This myth mixes truth with misunderstanding. Yes, slot games are designed to have a house edge: that’s how casinos make money. But they’re not ‘rigged’ in the sense many players think.
Slots use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to ensure every spin is independent. Regulated slot games are tested for fairness by bodies like the UK Gambling Commission and eCOGRA.
Payout percentages (RTPs) are publicly available for most online slots, so you can make informed choices. If you want to find out more about RTP rates and how to find them, read my Best Payout Slots guide.
Slots aren't ‘due’ to win or lose: they’re random. Fair doesn’t mean favourable.
2. A slot game that hasn’t paid out is due for a win
This is the classic gambler’s fallacy. Players often believe that a game must pay out soon if it hasn't in a while. In truth:
- Each spin is independent, regardless of how many times the game has been played.
- Slots don’t track history to determine future outcomes.
- It’s entirely possible for a slot game to go long stretches without a major win, even one with a high RTP rate.
Example: A game like Money Train 4 (by Relax Gaming) may seem ‘cold’, but it’s just volatility in action, not a deliberate pattern.
When (and if) you win is all down to chance/luck.
Some progressive jackpots are guaranteed to pay out by a certain time each time or by a certain amount. Relax Gaming's Dream Drop jackpot slots offer 3 guaranteed daily jackpots as well as 5 progressive jackpots. The Mega Jackpot is guaranteed to be won by €2 million.
Dream Drop Jackpot Slots Guide & Winners
3. You can time or control slot wins
Slot games spin at lightning speed: RNGs generate hundreds of numbers per second. This means:
- Pressing spin at a slightly different moment could produce a different result.
- But there’s no way to predict the right moment to press.
- Stop buttons and Autoplay features don’t change outcomes: they just speed up play.
Myth busted: You can’t ‘nudge’ or time your way to a win. The result is already decided before the reels stop spinning.
4. Online slots pay less than land-based slots
In fact, it’s usually the opposite. Online slot games often offer higher RTPs than their land-based counterparts.
The absence of physical space costs and staffing allows online casinos to offer better player returns. Many top-rated online slots regularly feature RTPs of 96% or higher whilst they can be significantly lower in land-based venues.
🏆 Check out the list of the best RTP slot games which range up to 99.07%. In land-based casinos, arcades and bookie shops, RTP rates are typically lower (in the 70-80% region).
👉 Check OLBG’s list of no wagering free spins offers to play the most popular online slot games: what you win is yours to keep!
Online slot games offer a higher chance of winning than land-based games.
5. Sites can change RTP rates at any time
You might wonder whether a slot site monitors how games are performing, leading them to adjust the RTP rates if a game pays out too much or too little over a specified period. Most slot games these days come with multiple RTP settings.
NetEnt’s Starburst slot has 6 RTP settings with the highest at 96.1% and lowest at 90.5%. The highest 96.1% RTP rate doesn’t mean you’ll win 96.1% of your bets back: this is an average over millions or billions of spins.
Some online casinos and gambling sites do jump between RTP versions at busy periods meaning you will theoretically win less when playing at certain times/days.
It’s important to know a slot game’s RTP rate and see where it’s highest so you have a better chance of a return. If you take MrQ Casino for example, they offer the highest RTP rates on all slot games.
Myth Confirmed: online casino and slot sites do change RTP rates during busy periods. Whatever the RTP rate, it’s not a guarantee you’ll win that % back.
6. Always play the max bet
Playing at the maximum bet levels doesn’t guarantee an automatic win, but it does give you a higher chance of winning. Whilst the maximum win (or jackpot as it’s referred to) can be achieved playing at the minimum stake, your odds increase when playing at higher stakes.
Raising your stake to the max bet level is not advisable with the chances of losing much more likely. Always play at the level you can afford so it remains enjoyable.
Find a balance between playing responsibly and a bet level you're comfortable with.
7. Progressive jackpots only hit at max bet
This one depends on the slot game:
- Some progressive jackpot slots do require max bets to qualify for the jackpot (e.g. Playtech’s Jackpot Giant).
- Others, like Microgaming’s Mega Moolah or NetEnt’s Mega Fortune, let you win at any bet size: though higher stakes will boost your chances of winning.
If the jackpot slot requires max bet and you’re not comfortable risking that amount, it’s better to choose another game that suits your bankroll.
Always read the Paytable or game rules before playing a progressive jackpot game.
Check out the best jackpot slots with reviews and information on how to win the jackpots available:
Biggest Jackpot Slot Games
8. Slots are hold or cold
This belief implies slot games go through cycles where they’re more or less likely to pay out. While it’s true that slot volatility can produce streaks of wins or losses, there’s no built-in hot or cold cycle in regulated slots.
- The perception of a ‘hot’ machine is just coincidence.
- The software doesn’t track its own wins/losses to adjust future outcomes.
If you take Nolimit City’s Tombstone Slaughter, it’s an ‘extreme’ volatility slot game with a 9.39% hit frequency rate. The latter means a winning combination will land every 1 in 10.65 spins on average. Whilst this is very low, it comes with 500,000 x bet max wins (the highest of any online slot game!).
Reality: What feels like a lucky streak is just volatility/variance, nothing more.
Slot Volatility Explained: How Risk Levels Impact Your Slot Play
9. Slot tournaments and bonuses are a scam
Slot tournaments and bonuses can offer great value, but only if you understand the terms.
- Some free tournaments have prizes with no cost to enter, making them great for casual players.
- Bonuses often come with wagering requirements, so it’s important to check the fine print.
- Legitimate casinos promote fair promotions: shady practices are usually the exception, not the rule.
Check the T&Cs of any promotion, offer or tournament before playing.
💡 Use OLBG’s casino reviews to find trusted sites with clear terms and fair free spins offers.
10. You can beat the slots with a strategy
Slot games are chance-based. There’s no guaranteed winning strategy, but you can improve your experience by:
- Choosing high-RTP slots
- Understanding volatility (high vs low variance games)
- Setting loss limits and managing bankroll (remember to always gamble responsibly!)
While strategic play can extend your sessions and make the game more enjoyable, it won’t shift the odds in your favour long-term.
Final Thoughts: Knowledge Is Power
Slot myths persist because they tap into how we wish games of chance worked. But understanding the truth behind these slot misconceptions is a huge advantage. It helps you:
- Avoid false expectations
- Choose games that match your goals (i.e. low volatility, jackpot slots or high max win potential)
- Always play responsibly and enjoyably
Whether you're spinning for fun or chasing that dream jackpot, knowledge is your best bet.
