by Matthew Gover | Date of Publishing: 30 May 2023
Hit frequency is an essential parameter in slot games that help players estimate the profit they can make. Hit frequency refers to how often casino players can secure a winning after each spin. It gives the probability in percentage form and typically ranges between 20 to 40%.
A slot machine’s hit frequency, RTP, and volatility must be considered when choosing a slot machine. However, the slot machine hit frequency tends to get overlooked by many slot players. The hit frequency of a slot machine significantly impacts volatility, but software providers rarely disclose the value. With the RTP and volatility, hit frequency can provide valuable information about a slot machine which will help players understand their chances of better landing winning combinations and potentially earning more money.
A machine’s hit frequency takes every win into account, no matter how small, and bonus games and free spins are also counted as wins. As you might expect, a slot machine with a high hit frequency means that players are likely to see some return consistently. In contrast, a slot machine with a low hit frequency means that players are likelier to go through more spins without seeing any return.
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Hit frequency in slots is calculated by dividing the total number of possible winning combinations by the total number of outcomes. For example, in a three-reel slot machine with 20 stops on each reel, if there are ten winning combinations and a total of 8000 outcomes, the hit frequency would then be 0.125% (10/8000).
While hit frequency is an important factor to consider, it is important to note that it alone does not provide a complete understanding of the gameplay experience. The likelihood of winning is influenced by other key factors, too, such as payout amounts, volatility, and the RTP. Taking all these factors into account can provide a more accurate assessment of the overall gameplay and chances of winning.
A slot’s hit frequency will tell you how often you are likely to secure a win but will give no indication of the size of that win. Return to Player (RTP), on the other hand, can tell you the estimated return on the money that you will get from a slot game. This value is also given in percentages, and an RTP of 95% means you will theoretically receive £95 back from a slot if you spend £100 on it with a 5% house edge.
For example, a slot with a 30% hit frequency will pay out less often than a game with a hit frequency of 40%. At first glance, players would prefer to choose the latter as it pays out more often. However, if we analyse the impact of RTP further, the slot with a 30% hit frequency has a 95% RTP and the casino with a 40% hit frequency has a 90% RTP.
This means that the first slot has higher payouts in the long run, but the second slot has the potential to payout more frequently. When analysing these metrics, remember your specific goals before playing slots or other games.
Hit frequency has a significant impact on the volatility of slot games. Volatility is a measure of risk; a high volatility slot game provides few wins but high payouts, whereas low volatility slots games provide several wins, but the payouts are more likely to be less significant.
Since hit frequency tells you how often a slot pays out, it is negatively related to slot variance. A higher hit frequency means low volatility and lower risk, and a lower hit frequency means high volatility and higher risk.
Behind the scenes, slot developers play a very important role in creating games that offer variating volatility levels and hit frequency in slots. They carefully design the mechanics and features to provide an engaging experience for players, and the casino management normally collaborates with these developers to ensure they can provide a diverse line of games for their users.
JeffBet has a diverse collection of low to high hit frequency slots. The most popular ones are listed below.
The most popular low hit frequency slots at JeffBet include:
The most popular medium hit frequency slots at JeffBet are:
The most popular high hit frequency slots at JeffBet include:
Depending on a game’s hit frequency, there are several strategies that players could adopt. Some of the most efficient ones are discussed below.
Bankroll management is crucial when you play slots because it protects you from the dangers of problem gambling and allows you to limit your losses. For a high fit frequency slot, players should use a game strategy of placing smaller bets because there is a high chance of recouping losses quickly. For medium hit frequency games, the bet sizes should be moderate, and players should set a maximum loss limit and a target profit limit. For low hit frequency slots, players should go for smaller bets, however, it should be noted that these games are only suitable for players with a considerable bankroll.
Adjusting your gameplay according to hit frequency and volatility is also crucial. For high hit frequency games with low volatility, players should opt for consistent betting strategies so that they can capitalise on big wins and minimise the impact of losses. For low hit frequency games with high volatility, players need to be careful and adopt a measured approach. They should be prepared for long stretches without wins and need to maintain good discipline.
It is important to find a balance between risk and reward to ensure a reasonable chance of winning without excessive risk. Avoid excessive risk to keep your bankroll maintained. For low hit rates, the amount of risk taken should be minimal so that bankroll isn’t jeopardised. Naturally, if a machine has a high hit frequency with a high RTP, you could potentially bet a larger percentage of your bankroll.
The concept of hit frequency in slots is the same in both online and land-based casinos, but there are a few key differences. Online slots offer a wide range of payouts compared to land-based casinos in Las Vegas, leading to different hit frequencies. Since online slots are more flexible than online slots, the hit frequencies can differ due to bonus features, cascading reels, progressive jackpot slots, and expanding symbols.
Also, the RNGs used in online slots are much more advanced than land-based casinos, which leads to variations in hit frequencies. The gambling industry regulations on online slots and land-based casinos can differ, leading to different payback percentages.
Several factors can affect hit frequencies in online slots. The specific design and mechanics of online slots, like the number of symbols, reel strips, bonus features, and paylines, can have an impact on the slot hit frequency. Other factors include the paytable and symbol distribution, game providers and settings, and the volatility of a slot.
To choose a game from the many slots available online, players need to keep certain goals in mind. Players who prefer high risk and high reward games are likely to prefer slots with low hit frequencies, whereas those who want to play safe should stick to high hit frequency slots. Don’t forget to keep your financial goals in mind. Players with a more restricted bankroll should opt for higher hits because there is less risk involved with a low payout. Players with a large bankroll and who do not mind a bit of risk should go for low frequencies as there is potential for a high payout.
It is important to understand the concept of hit frequency in slots and volatility so that you can play the machines of your choice. Some gaming providers do not disclose the hit frequency, but make sure you select a slot based on its RTP and volatility. It is better to play slots with high RTPs and hit frequencies to expect a high payout.
Hit frequency in slots can have a significant impact on determining the outcome of games. It can determine the probability of achieving winning combinations, and each winning combination keeps players engaged.
Players can make more informed decisions by understanding hit frequency. Even if you only play for entertainment, ensure you do not lose too much of your bankroll. Remember that hit frequency is just an estimate and never a guarantee of winning.
Author: Matthew Gover.
After graduating, Matthew began working as an English teacher abroad, initially in Spain and then Vietnam before finally coming back to the UK to settle. Matthew has always had a love for writing and an even bigger love for the igaming industry... Read More
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