If you’re new to playing fruit machines, there’s no need to be daunted by all those flashing lights and bonus features – even most experienced players learn just by playing new titles when they are released.

Remember that fruit machines should always be fun, so as long as you’re having a good time, don’t be afraid to lose along the way until you get to grips with your chosen machine.

Of course, a big win is the aim for many players, so there are a few tips and tricks to making sure you’re in with a chance of the biggest pay-outs.

Tips and tricks for bigger slot machine wins

Most modern fruit machines will tell you what the previous player won – often by pressing down one of the hold buttons, but look for the scrolling text display to tell you how to display the last win.

It’s a handy way to see if the jackpot has just paid out. Fruit machines typically aim to pay out a certain percentage of total stakes over time, so while there’s some randomness involved, you might feel like you’re in with more of a chance if the previous win was small.

Many machines let you play for several different stake amounts – e.g. 25p, 50p or £1 a spin – and while you’ll get more spins for your buck at the lower levels, remember that the biggest jackpots and some of the juiciest features are restricted to that £1 stake.

By pitching your stake sensibly depending on the machine and how primed you think it is to pay out a big win or jackpot, you can focus on big pay-outs from fruit machines that are ready for a win.

How to play fruit machine features

Fruit machine features can have a lot going on, so take your time and familiarise yourself with all the options.

Look for a hi-lo reel, as this can sometimes give you a second option rather than accepting whatever is happening on the main feature board.

Check the location of the ‘game over’ and ‘bonus’ or ‘chance’ squares on the feature board. In many cases, ‘bonus’ will include the risk of an immediate game over, so if you have the option of a decent prize, it might be worth cashing out at that point.

Finally, know whether you have more than one life and/or the chance to earn extra lives, as these can keep you in the game even if a chance or bonus square doesn’t go your way – and have fun, whether you win or lose!