Slot machines are one of the most popular games in casinos. Millions of people enjoy playing them because they are easy to play and offer a variety of themes, bonuses, and features.

Before you begin to play slots, make sure you know what your main goal is at the casino: fun, entertainment, or cash? Then pick the right machine to suit your needs.

Payout Percentage: Check the small print on an advertisement for a slot machine’s payout percentage. A higher percentage may mean you’ll win more, but it might also mean you’ll be sitting at a slot that’s too loose to be worth your time and effort.

Variance: Low variance slots land wins frequently but they are usually small. High volatility slots can pay out big jackpots but they are much more risky and require patience.

Bonuses: Some slots have bonuses that boost payback or increase hit frequency. But these bonuses are not always worth it, especially if the odds are very poor.

Hidden Buy-A-Pay: Some slots have a hidden buy-a-pay feature that requires you to play enough coins to activate it. This increases the payback and the number of hits on a particular line, but it can be a gamble that you might not win enough to make up for.

When you’re choosing a slot machine, be sure to test its payout rate first by putting in a few dollars and seeing how it pays back. If you’re not breaking even within a few bets, move to another machine.