Last updated: January 01, 2024
If you’ve spent time playing slots at an online casino, you’ll know that there are a range of factors that determine your odds of winning. We investigate whether time is one of them and whether playing slots during specific periods of the day and month can impact your chances of winning the jackpot!
People often ask us whether there is a perfect time to play online slots. Since these games are available to play 24/7 and players all over the world are constantly winning, it’s hard to imagine that there is a certain time window when you’re most likely to hit a payout.
Some people believe that slots are more likely to pay out in the morning, while others swear by only spinning the reels at night when hundreds of wagers have already been placed throughout the course of the day. Then there are players who will only place a bet when they can see a jackpot has hit a certain amount or has remained at a specific threshold for some time.
There is a whole heap of speculation about the best time to play slots, but there is no concrete evidence that supports whether playing at certain times increases your odds of winning; hence, anything you hear will only be based on theory. Nevertheless, if you have an optimistic attitude towards gambling like us, you’ll still want to explore these theories and maybe even put them into practice!
Logically speaking, the best time to play online slots and increase your odds of winning is to play when other players are online. This is because online slots run on complex algorithms known as random number generators (RNG), which is a software that randomizes the results of every spin to ensure they remain unpredictable and the games stay profitable. Therefore, it makes sense that if a high number of players are all playing the same slot at the same time, the odds of hitting the jackpot are higher because the RNG balances out the number of players winning against the ones who are losing.
Some progressive slot games are programmed to pay out when the jackpot reaches a certain value, while other types, like must-drop jackpots, must be triggered and paid out by a certain deadline. As there is no way of knowing the minimum value or when the deadline is, this is another reason to make sure you’re online when others are most likely to be too. Most gamblers agree that the peak time for playing slots is somewhere between 8 PM and 2 AM.
According to statistics, the number of wagers being placed on slot games is 2 to 3 times higher towards the end of the month than at the beginning. This is probably due to the fact that most people get paid in the last week of the month; therefore, this is when the volume of players online is higher, and the prize pool is usually at its fullest.
Just because you might get lucky at the end of the month, it’s never wise to take out a loan so you can afford to play since you’ll lose anyway in the interest charges. It’s much better to play slots when you have covered all of your expenses and have some disposable income to spare. Playing slots in the hopes you’ll be able to win it back by playing at the so-called “best time of the month” is not a valid reason to jeopardize your finances.
The holidays are particularly good times to play online slots because people are spending more time at home with little to do. April and December are usually the months when online casinos release new slot games themed on Easter and Christmas to get people in the mood for these occasions. As there is a higher number of players online during these times, your chances of winning are more favorable because the prize pools are larger, and it takes less time for jackpots to be triggered.
Another reason to spin the reels during these months is that most online casinos run promotions to entice more people to play in the lead-up to the holidays. These seasonal deals can include dozens of free spins to use on a range of slot games and greatly improve your chances of winning!
We should also mention that July and August are pretty good months to play online slots as well. Most are making the most of the warm weather outside during these times, which means there are fewer people online. So what measures do casinos take to attract more players? Yep, you guessed it: bonuses! Whether the deals are free spins, deposit bonuses, or cashback offers, these can all greatly improve your chances of winning on slots because they all add more bulk to your bankroll.
There is no right or wrong time to play online slots since there is no actual evidence to show that you’ll win more or that they pay out more frequently at certain times. It really comes down to personal preference, how much you can afford to bet on these games, and how persistent you are with playing.
Despite this, we’ve compiled a list of top tips to help you maximize your chances of winning the jackpot regardless of whether you’re a daytime slots player, a night owl, or someone who only plays during the seasons when casinos dish out the best bonus offers.
Play when you have a set budget – Bankroll management is one of the key principles followed by all successful gamblers. Regardless of what you believe is the best time to play online slots, setting a budget for every session is crucial to ensuring you don’t spend more than you can afford and consequently end up chasing losses. Don’t be fooled by a huge jackpot and buy into the belief that just because no one has won for a while, it warrants you to put your finances in danger. Set yourself a deposit limit, then stick to it.
Play when the jackpot is already high – If you’re playing a game that houses a huge jackpot, you’re naturally going to want to try and win the grand prize over a series of small payouts, right? That’s why opting to play slots when the jackpot is already high is a much better move than playing ones that never had the chance to reach their full potential. Of course, there is no way of telling how big the jackpot will get, but it’s better to play when it’s at a high figure, just in case you do end up being the lucky individual that triggers it!
Play when the jackpot hasn’t been won recently – Like the previous point, there’s no telling when the jackpot will be triggered in slots because they are won at random. However, if you can see the jackpot hasn’t been won in a while, the law of probability indicates that it is only a matter of time before there is a winner. After all, every jackpot needs to be won eventually!
Play when you’re in a good mood – When is it not the best time to play online slots? If you’re feeling angry, upset, or just in a generally low mood, this is a terrible time to play. Even though many players view gambling as a form of release and use it to decompress from their hectic lives, it is not recommended because emotions cloud our judgment and lead us to act impulsively. Slots are very fast-paced casino games, and it can be easy to lose track of your bets and end up losing a ton of money if you’re not playing with a calm and collected mindset.
Play when it suits you – If you’ve reached the end of this article and still want to know if there is a best time to play slots online, we’ll tell you upfront – any time you feel like it! Not all players have the time or money to play all the time, nor during the supposed “peak times” when jackpots are easier to win. Play when it suits you and your budget, and more importantly, don’t forget to have fun!
For more tips and tricks, take a look through our in-depth guide on how to play slot machines, and check out our other game guides for more casino game strategies.
Do slot machines pay out more on certain days?
All online slots utilize random number generators that determine what symbols fall onto the reels. These are always random events, which means no strategy you apply or amount of money you bet will influence these results. The time of day or week you choose to play them will not make a difference, either.
Is there a way to tell when a slot will pay out?
RNG algorithms make it impossible to know when a slot is going to pay out. The machine doesn’t keep track of who has won or who has lost, so winning is based entirely on luck.
Can I win playing slots during a certain season?
No, online slots will always generate random results regardless of the season. What may help increase your chances of winning online slots are seasonal bonuses. These are deals that online casinos use to promote a new game and help attract players during the holidays when traffic is quiet. No deposit bonuses and match bonuses are common, as are free spins offers.
When does the jackpot prize pool get full?
There is no time limit on how long it takes for a prize pool to become full in slots. However, some slots do have a “must-fall” deadline, where the jackpot must be won by a specific date, even if the amount is not high.
Jerome oversees our editing and content team and absolutely loves blackjack. So much so that he was a professional player for more than a decade before joining us at Casino Today. He’s written several books, mostly on the subjects of card counting and the different blackjack systems he employed over the years. He also runs a successful YouTube channel where he showcases different blackjack scenarios with beginner tips on how to beat the dealer.
