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Slot Machine Odds Explained & How to Find Slots With the Best Odds

Last Edited By

Ziv Chen

Jul 1, 2026

Online slot machine odds are the statistical chances that a slot will pay out over time. In this guide, we’ll show you what exactly the “best odds” in slots mean and how RTP and volatility can shape gameplay.

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What Are Slot Machine Odds?

Slot machine odds explain how a game’s house edge and RTP determine its value over time, not whether it guarantees wins. If you see claims like “best odds guaranteed”, they refer to slots designed to lose less in the long run, not a promise of winning outcomes.

Odds vs RTP vs House Edge

Odds show a fixed probability of symbol combinations landing during a spin.
RTP, or Return to Player, is a percentage number that shows how much a slot pays back over a long time, such as millions of spins. A 96% RTP slot returns $96 per $100 wagered over time, not necessarily per session.
House edge is a percentage of wagers that the casino keeps as profit. It is the reverse of the RTP, so you do 100% minus the RTP to get the house edge.
If you want a formula for a slot machine with the best odds, use a higher RTP + lower house edge, but remember that this formula won’t guarantee wins.

How Do Slot Machine Odds Work?

Learning how slot machines work is all about understanding the RNG, or random number generator, that controls every spin and decides the outcome. It determines the odds of winning slot machine games because every spin is independent and down to random chance. If you want to know how slots work and the odds they have, focus on randomness rather than patterns like win and loss streaks.

RNG explained

RNG is software that literally creates a random number for every spin. If you think spins can influence each other, this is a myth. All outcomes are decided after you hit the spin button, so the idea that slots can run hot or cold is not true.

RTP: The #1 Metric Behind Best Odds Slots

RTP is the best factor to consider when you compare slot machine odds. In fact, it’s more important than slot features, jackpots, and all other features.

What is RTP?

“What is RTP in slots?” is a common question our experts receive, and the answer is simple. If you take the percentage of overall wagers the slot gives back to players over a huge sample, that is RTP.

Example: Taking the average RTP of 96% for online video slots means that for every $100 wagered, the game gives back $96. This is taken from millions of spins and not just a single session that a player would normally go through.

What is a “Good” RTP?

A “good” RTP is when the slot gives back more and the casino keeps less over time. If you compare slots, anything over 96% is above average, but some games can go as high as 97%, 98%, or even 99%.

Volatility and Hit Frequency: Why “Good Odds” Can Still Feel Brutal

Volatility and hit frequency show why some slots that have good odds still give players long losing streaks and smaller payouts. If you select your slot machine with the best odds based only on RTP, you are not getting the full picture of how results really play out.

Low vs Medium vs High Volatility - Explained

Volatility is the factor that shows how often a slot pays out and how large the payouts can be consistently.

Low volatility slots, like NetEnt’s Starburst, give players more regular wins, but payouts are a lot smaller on average.
High volatility slots, like Book of Dead by Play’n GO, have dry spells with fewer wins, but when they hit, the payouts can be bigger.
Medium volatility slots, like Gonzo’s Quest, strike a balance between the two.

Hit frequency ≠ Volatility

Hit frequency is game-specific and shows how often a game delivers a win. It does not tell you how much wins are, just that the slot pays out at a certain percentage interval on average.

A 25% frequency means the slot lands wins every 25 spins out of 100. Volatility is what tells you how big the payouts are.

Slot games can still have a high hit frequency but be high volatility because the wins are small. That is why even if you choose a slot with a good hit frequency, you are not guaranteed to maintain your balance or make a profit.

What Slot Machine Has the Best Odds?

When looking at what the best slot machine odds are, any game with high RTP, clear rules, and volatility that matches your budget and playing style is a good option.

Best Odds Criteria Checklist

Use this checklist to find slots with the best odds:

RTP: Look for slots with RTPs above the industry average - 96%.
Volatility: Use low volatility for longer sessions; use high volatility for large-win targets.
Paytable Clarity: Choose slots with full paytables, published RTP, and clear bonus rules.

Best Odds by “Player Goal”

The odds of winning slot machine spins really depend on how you like to play games. Slot volatility plays a part, while knowing the RTP and house edge helps.

💡 If you’re looking for games that are ideal for longer sessions, consider slots like NetEnt’s Blood Suckers or Starburst.

💡 For players who want more features and games with more risk/reward, try Book of Dead, Bonanza Megaways, or Dead or Alive II. You won’t get the same win frequency, but if you do trigger wins, the payouts can be bigger.

Progressive Jackpots Odds

Progressive jackpot slots have lower RTPs compared to fixed jackpot games. This is because these games feature a prize pool that increases with every wager placed. Progressive slot machine odds change because you need to bet the maximum amount to activate the jackpot feature.

Still, progressive jackpot slot base game odds remain the same regardless of your stake. The RTP, RNG performance, and volatility remain the same and do not improve by wagering more. Remember that a small part of all your bets goes to the progressive jackpot, but the base game odds remain the same.

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5 Common Slot Odds Myths (and what’s actually true)

When it comes to slot machine odds, there’s no shortage of myths and misconceptions. From “hot” machines to being “due” for a win, many beliefs sound convincing but don’t match how slots actually work. Since every spin is powered by a random number generator, outcomes are always independent. Here’s the truth behind some of the most common slot odds myths.

Hot and cold slot machines do not exist because slots use an RNG for every spin, and the software does not take into account past results.
The time of day you play slots has no influence on the odds because the math behind games is always the same.
Machines being due a payout is a superstition because slots are not set to pay at any specific time, but instead rely on random results that occur after you spin.
It is better to wager the maximum bet on some slots, such as progressive jackpot games, but doing this does not improve the base odds.
Having a near miss and almost winning does not mean the slot is about to pay out. Because of the RNG, there is no way a slot can signal any winning potential.

Slot Machine Odds FAQs

What are the odds of winning on a slot machine?

There is no fixed odds system for slots because all game results are handled by an RNG and are random. But you can look at RTP, house edge, and volatility to see if the slot odds match your budget and playing style.

What slot machine has the best odds?

High RTP slots have the best odds because they return more in payouts on average over a large number of spins. But you will still need to weigh the RTP alongside volatility to see if the slot is really good value.

Does RTP mean I’ll get that % back today?

RTP is a percentage that shows how much a slot pays back, but not over a session. It is a number taken from millions of spins to show how the slot will perform over time.

Does max bet improve odds (or just unlock jackpots/features)?

Betting the maximum amount does not change the odds of the slot. This is because the RTP, volatility, and RNG performance are all fixed, and you cannot influence them.

Are slots random? What does RNG do?

The Random Number Generator (or RNG) is software that literally randomizes the results of online slot spins. It shows players that a slot is completely random.

Are progressive slots “worse odds”?

Progressive slots often come with “worse odds” because they usually have a much lower RTP than the online slot average of 96%.

Is there a best time/day to play slots?

There is no best time of day to play slots, and this is a myth. The RNG of slots is always random and never takes into account previous spins or apparent trends.