Never played a slot machine before? This step-by-step guide teaches you everything you need to know: how to insert money, place bets, understand credits, read the screen, and cash out your winnings.
Walking up to a slot machine for the first time can feel intimidating. All those buttons, flashing lights, and numbers on the screen - what does it all mean? Where do you even start?
I remember my first time at a casino. I sat down at what looked like a "simple" penny slot, put in a $20 bill, and immediately panicked when the screen showed "2000" credits. Wait, I just won $2,000?! Nope - turns out I had no idea what credits meant. Then I accidentally bet $5 on a single spin (so much for penny slots!) because I didn't understand the difference between "bet per line" and "total bet."
That embarrassing first experience taught me that nobody explains the basics. Casinos assume you already know, and honestly, they're happy to take advantage of confused beginners. So let me be the friend who actually explains how this works BEFORE you sit down and make expensive mistakes.
Never played slots before? Here's the 30-second version:
That's it! But keep reading to understand what's ACTUALLY happening...
Before we start playing, let's identify what you're looking at. Modern slot machines have pretty standardized layouts, though the exact button placement might vary:
The big display in the center shows:
Alright, you've found a machine that looks fun. Now what? Follow these exact steps:
Locate the bill validator (usually on the right side near the bottom). Insert your cash - most machines accept $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills. The machine will "eat" the bill and display credits on the screen.
IMPORTANT: The number you see is NOT dollars. If you put in $20 on a quarter machine, you'll see "80" on the screen (because $20 ÷ $0.25 = 80 credits). This confuses EVERYONE at first!
If you have the casino's rewards card, insert it into the card reader. This tracks your play and earns you comps (free stuff). It doesn't affect your odds or winnings - just gives you rewards for playing. If you don't have one, ask at the player's club desk.
This is where beginners mess up! Use the BET + and BET - buttons to select how much you want to wager per spin. Start small - I recommend 1 or 2 credits to begin with.
The screen will show your total bet. On multi-line games, this might be displayed as:
So even though you're betting "1 credit per line," you're actually betting 20 credits total (1 × 20 lines). This is why that "penny slot" can drain your money fast!
For your very first few spins, bet the MINIMUM the machine allows (usually 1 credit per line). This lets you learn how the machine works without risking much money. Once you understand what's happening, you can increase your bet.
Hit that big SPIN or PLAY button! The reels will spin and eventually stop. If you match symbols on a payline, you win! Your credits will automatically increase if you hit a winning combination.
Look at the screen to see:
If you want to keep playing, just press SPIN again. When you're done (or out of credits), press the CASH OUT button to print your ticket.
This is hands-down the #1 thing that confuses new players. Let me break it down clearly:
Credits are NOT dollars. A credit equals your machine's denomination. The denomination is how much one credit is worth in actual cash.
| Machine Type | Denomination | 100 Credits = | 1000 Credits = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penny Slot | $0.01 | $1.00 | $10.00 |
| Nickel Slot | $0.05 | $5.00 | $50.00 |
| Quarter Slot | $0.25 | $25.00 | $250.00 |
| Dollar Slot | $1.00 | $100.00 | $1,000.00 |
So when you see "500 credits" on the screen, you need to know your denomination to calculate the actual cash value:
Our free calculator instantly converts credits to actual cash value for any denomination:
Use Credits to Cash Calculator →Honestly? It's psychological. Betting "20 credits" feels less painful than betting "$5.00." You're less aware of how much real money you're spending. The casino wants you focused on credits, not dollars. Don't fall for it - always know your actual cash value!
The denomination is usually displayed somewhere on the machine's screen or on the glass/bezel around the screen. Look for text like:
If you can't find it, check the help screen or just ask an attendant. This is crucial information!
Alright, so you understand credits now. But how much should you bet? And what do all these bet options mean?
Old-school 3-reel slots: Usually have 1-5 lines. Simple and straightforward. If you bet 1 credit, you're betting 1 credit total.
Modern video slots: Often have 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, or even 243 "ways to win." When you bet, you're betting per line, and it adds up FAST.
This is where beginners lose money without realizing it. Let's say you're on a 40-line penny slot:
If you increase to 15 credits per line on that same machine:
See how "penny slots" aren't really penny slots anymore? At 600 credits per spin ($6.00), you could burn through a $20 bill in just 3-4 spins! That's less than a minute of play if you're not paying attention!
Before you press spin, know exactly what you're betting in real dollars:
Use Our Bet Calculator →Here's my personal rule for beginners: Your total bankroll should cover at least 100 spins at your chosen bet level.
Why? Because slots are volatile. You might go 20-30 spins without a single win. If you're betting too much relative to your bankroll, you'll go broke before you have a chance to hit anything good.
Examples:
Short answer: No!
There's an old myth that you need to "bet max to win." This is only true for progressive jackpot slots, where you must bet maximum to qualify for the big jackpot. On regular slots, betting less just means proportionally smaller wins - it doesn't change your odds.
That MAX BET button is dangerous for beginners. It might set your bet to 5 or 10 credits per line, which could mean a $10-$20 spin on a dollar machine! Only use it if you know exactly what you're doing and can afford it.
Every slot machine has a paytable that shows you what symbols pay and how much. This is critical information that most beginners skip!
Look for a button labeled "PAYTABLE," "INFO," "HELP," or just "?" - press it and you'll see detailed information about:
Paytables typically show winnings as multipliers. For example:
So if you're betting 2 credits per line and hit 5 cherries on a line:
A payline is a line across the reels where matching symbols count as a win. Traditional slots had 1-5 simple horizontal lines. Modern video slots can have:
Don't worry about memorizing all the paylines - the machine will highlight winning combinations for you!
Before you bet a single credit, spend 2 minutes reading the paytable. Know what the top-paying symbols are and what triggers the bonus round. This helps you understand what you're hoping for when you spin!
Not all slots are created equal. Here's a quick overview of what you'll find on the casino floor:
These look like the old-school mechanical slots with physical reels (though they're now digital). They typically have:
Best for: Beginners who want simplicity, or players who like traditional slots.
The most common type you'll see today. Features include:
Best for: Most players - entertaining and engaging with lots of features.
These machines are linked together, and a portion of every bet goes into a growing jackpot. Characteristics:
Best for: Players chasing life-changing wins who can afford max bets.
Not technically a slot, but often grouped with them. You're dealt 5 cards and can hold/discard to make poker hands:
Best for: Players who want better odds and don't mind learning strategy.
The denomination is 1 cent, but don't be fooled:
Best for: Players who understand the true cost and just want entertainment.
Want to learn how to pick the RIGHT type of slot for your budget and goals? Check out my detailed guide on how to pick slot machines.
Let me save you some money and embarrassment by sharing the mistakes I made - and see constantly:
We covered this, but it's worth repeating: credits ≠ dollars. I once thought I won $500 only to realize it was 500 credits on a nickel machine ($25). The opposite is also true - don't accidentally leave money thinking you're "only" leaving 50 credits!
This is shockingly common. People finish playing and just walk away, leaving credits on the machine. The casino LOVES this! ALWAYS press CASH OUT before you leave. Take your ticket to the cashier or redemption machine.
Remember the 100-spin rule. If you're on a $50 budget, betting $2 per spin means you could bust out in 25 spins (about 5 minutes of play). That's not fun for anyone!
You're down $40 and think "just one more $20 and I'll win it back!" This is how people lose their rent money. Set a loss limit BEFORE you start playing and stick to it no matter what.
You're spinning away on a game you don't understand. Maybe you're missing that you need 3 scatter symbols to trigger the bonus. Or you don't realize the wild symbol is key to big wins. Spend 2 minutes reading - it pays off!
Every spin is completely random. The machine doesn't remember what just happened. It's not "due" for a jackpot just because it hasn't paid in 100 spins. This is how people waste money on cold machines.
Slots can run 600-800 spins per hour if you're rapid-firing. Slow down! Enjoy the game. Take breaks. The faster you play, the faster you lose (on average).
Sitting down at what you think is a quarter machine, only to realize mid-session it's actually a $1 machine. Check the denomination BEFORE you insert money!
Alright, you're ready for your first real session! Here's exactly what I recommend for a beginner-friendly first visit:
You don't need to marry the first machine you sit at! Feel free to cash out and try something different if:
Stop playing when:
Your goal for the first visit is NOT to win money. Your goal is to learn how slots work, have some fun, and not lose your entire budget in 20 minutes. If you can play for 1-2 hours on your $50 and enjoy yourself, that's a successful first session - regardless of whether you win or lose!
You might wonder: "How do slots actually decide if I win or lose?" The answer is a Random Number Generator (RNG).
Here's what you need to know:
This is important because it debunks a lot of myths. There's no "system" to beat slots. No hot or cold machines. No lucky timing. It's pure chance, every single time.
When you're done playing, cashing out is simple - but crucial:
Important: Tickets do expire (usually after 60-90 days), so don't forget to cash them out before you leave the casino. If you do forget, the casino will usually honor them, but it's a hassle.
Before your next casino visit, bookmark these free calculators:
Credits to Cash Calculator | Bet CalculatorCongrats! You now know more about playing slots than 90% of the people on the casino floor. But there's more to learn if you want to play smarter:
Look, I'm not going to lie to you and say you'll win money playing slots. The odds are against you - that's how casinos stay in business. But slots CAN be fun entertainment if you:
My first time playing slots, I made every mistake in the book. I didn't understand credits. I bet way too much. I chased losses. I left frustrated and broke. I wrote this guide so you don't have to learn the hard way like I did.
Now you're armed with knowledge. You know how the machines work, what the buttons do, how to bet smart, and how to avoid common pitfalls. That puts you miles ahead of most beginners.
So go have fun! Pick a machine that looks entertaining, start with small bets, and enjoy the experience. And when that CASH OUT button lights up with a nice win? Press it and celebrate!
Gambling should be fun entertainment, not a way to make money. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose. If you're struggling with gambling problems, visit the National Council on Problem Gambling at ncpgambling.org or call 1-800-522-4700 for free, confidential help.