Slots are among the most popular casino games in both land-based and online casinos. They are incredibly easy to play and offer players the chance to win huge sums of money from their tiny investments. However, while they might seem simple, slot machines have a lot more to them than meets the eye. They are based on probability and the fact that every spin is random means that they have different odds for each player.

Whether you are playing slots at a live casino or an online casino, it is essential to understand how they work in order to maximize your winnings and minimize your losses. This is especially true if you are planning to make multiple deposits and want to get the most out of them. Luckily, most casinos provide players with a range of helpful tools to help them with this goal.

One such tool is the RTP calculator. This allows players to see how close they are to breaking even, in theory, at a particular game. It is important to note, though, that the actual return to player percentage will vary depending on where the machine is played and the software that powers it.

Another handy tool is the slot optimizer, which lets players change the size of their bets during a session to take advantage of hot games that are paying above average. This is particularly useful during losing streaks as it can help mitigate losses.