Slots Hit Rate: A Key Factor in Slot Machine Payouts

September 5, 2024
7 Minute Read

Hit rate (also known as hit frequency) is an aspect of slot games that indicates the profit a player could theoretically make on the game’s payout.

In essence, slot machine hit frequency refers to how often a player could get a payout after each spin on a particular game. This article will explain the slots hit rate and how you can use it to extract more value out of your spins and slots gaming sessions. 

What Is Hit Rate in Slots? 

Close-up of a slot machine with colorful lights in a dimly lit casino, showing spinning reels and game screen

Every player should consider a slot game’s hit frequency, RTP, and volatility whenever they choose a slot game to play. Unfortunately, many players overlook the importance of a slot machine’s hit frequency.

The concept of slot machine hit frequency is fairly easy to grasp. Slot hit frequency (also used interchangeably with the term hit rate) simply refers to the likelihood of a slot machine landing winning combinations and payouts. 

Slot games are, after all, negative expectation games. The latter means that the player’s chances of losing are higher than winning in each round. Hit rates are calculated based on landing winning combinations or bonus features on a spin. This means payout clusters that pay out less than the stake wagered are also counted.

For instance, a round with a stake of $20 can generate a winning combination worth $10. While the spin technically lands you a winning payout, you’ll still end up sitting on a loss of $10. Nevertheless, the aforementioned round will count as part of the hit rate, even if you end up with a net loss on your stake wagered.

Knowing hit rates is important because they significantly impact the volatility of the best online slots games despite software providers rarely disclosing this information. Coupled with RTP and volatility, hit rates provide critical information about a slot game that can help players understand their chances of landing a winning combination and extracting more value out of every spin.

High Hit Rate vs. Low Hit Rate

As mentioned earlier, a slot machine’s hit rate takes every winning spin into account regardless of how small the payout is, and bonus games and free spins are also factored in hit frequencies in slots. 

As you might infer, slot machines with a higher hit frequency mean players can expect a more consistent level of seeing returns. On the other hand, a slot machine with a lower hit frequency means that players are more likely to burn through more spins without landing a return. Low hit frequency slots, however, tend to pay out bigger payouts whenever they hit compared to high hit frequency slots that tend to pay out less.

Slots Hit Rate vs. Return to Player (RTP)

A slot’s hit frequency indicates how often you are likely to get a win. However, it gives no indication of what kind or what size the win is. 

Return to Player (RTP), meanwhile, tells you the estimated return on the money you could win on a slot game represented as a percentage. For instance, an RTP of 94% means you could theoretically receive $94 back on a gambling spend of $100 with a 6% house edge.

On the other hand, a slot game with a 30% hit rate will pay out less often than a slot game with a hit rate of 35%. At first look, most players would choose a game with a higher hit frequency because it pays out more often. However, taking RTP into consideration, the slot game with the 30% hit rate has a 95% RTP, and the game with the 35% frequency has a 93% RTP.

This means that the slot with the 30% hit rate gives out higher payouts in the long run, while the slot with the 35% hit rate pays out more frequently at a relatively lower overall payout. Understanding the hit slots rate helps you set goals and strategies whenever choosing a type of slot machine to play.

Volatility and Slot Hit Rate

Hit rate also plays a major role in a slot game’s volatility and is one of the most common term in the slot machine glossary. Volatility indicates risk; high-volatility slots offer few wins but higher payouts, while low-volatility slots offer more wins but less significant payouts. 

Since slot hit frequency indicates how often a slot game pays out, it is inversely related to slot variance. Mainly, high hit rates indicate low volatility and lower risk, while low hit rates indicate high volatility and higher risk.

Paylines and Slot Hit Rate

One of the most significant factors that affect hit rates in online slots is the number of paylines. Other factors include design, mechanics, number of slots symbols, reels, bonus features, pay tables, symbol distribution, and publisher-specific settings. Whenever you play slots, you spin reels, and the outcome is either a win or a loss. As we’ve established, hit rates refer to the probability of winning after each round (regardless of the size of the win), whereas paylines often influence hit rates.

For instance, fixed paylines mean the percentage of winning remains static since you cannot change the number of winning paylines. Slot games in casinos using this option won’t affect your hit rate since your chances of winning remain the same. 

Adjustable paylines, on the other hand, can drastically change hit rates. Therefore, slot games that increase the number of winning combinations increase a player’s chances of getting a payout after each spin. While the probability of winning on every spin increases when you add paylines, the RTP percentage remains the same since your stake tends to increase as well.

Why Understanding Slot Machine Hit Rate is Important

View of two slot machines with a bright '777' symbol displayed, set against a vibrant background of a lively casino.

One of the most important slot machine tips is to understand slot machine hit rates because they help players develop strategies, goals, and some structure to their play style. For instance, players who enjoy high-risk, high-reward slots are more likely inclined to play low hit rate slots.

On the other hand, players who prefer to play conservatively would be better suited to play high hit rate slots. The slot machine hit rate informs players of which slot games to choose suited to their playing style, budget, and goals.

Choosing the Right Slot Machine

It’s important for players to understand hit rates, volatility, and RTP before choosing which games to play. While iGaming publishers seldom publish the hit rate, a good rule of thumb is to choose slot machines with higher RTPs and hit rates to expect more chances of landing a winning payout. 

In general, players with a more limited bankroll should opt for higher hit rate slots due to the lower risk involved with more frequent albeit lower payouts, and players with larger bankrolls who have a high risk appetite could afford to go for lower hit rate slots due to their larger potential payouts. The decision of whether to play slots with high or lower hit rates all boils down to you. It’s all a matter of your own playing style, budget, and financial goals.

Conclusion— Play Slots with the Right Hit Rate at Lucky Block Casino

Understanding hit rates plays a significant role in determining the outcome of slot games and your chances of winning on each spin on every slot game you choose to play.

They help players make more informed decisions on playing slots rooted in hard numbers relative to their goals, bankroll, and playing style.

Ready to put your knowledge to the test? Dive into thousands of Bitcoin slot games and experience top-tier gaming at Lucky Block Casino today!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are slots 100% random?

Yes, slot games are considered to be 100% random due to their use of Random Number Generators (RNGs) that create an unpredictable sequence of numbers that ensure the randomness of outcomes.

What is the success rate of slot machines?

The success rate of slot machines refers to the Return to Player (RTP). RTP is expressed as a percentage that indicates the average amount of money a machine “returns” to players over time. For example: a slot machine with a 92% RTP means that it will pay back $92 for every $100 wagered. RTP varies on every slot game and is set by iGaming publishers. Most slot machines have an RTP ranging from 90% to 98%.

Is slots all about luck?

Slots are indeed a game of pure luck where every spin’s outcome is determined by pure chance. While there are some strategies and techniques players can employ, such as choosing higher hit rate/RTP slots and managing their bankrolls, these factors do not guarantee a winning result.

What is the hit rate in casinos?

Casino hit rates refer to the overall rate at which customers win money in the casino, taking all games and players into consideration. This can vary wildly depending on the game setting, player skill, and casino house edge.

Tom Middleton

Tom is a crypto gambling expert with more than a decade of experience in the industry and Master’s Degree in Journalism. He has written thoroughly researched guides and reviews for several major publications.

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