Pop into seemingly any online casino in 2024, and you’re almost certainly going to find a top selection of slot games. What you’ll also notice is that almost all of them can be played for free or with real money bets if you prefer. Of course, if you play for free, you won’t be able to win any real cash prizes. Why on earth would you decide to play free slot demos, then?
As it happens, there is a very good reason for doing so. In fact, over the years, I’ve discovered many top reasons to have a crack at slot machines for free. Sure, you can’t win real money, but what you get (for absolutely no expense on your part to boot) is a wealth of experience that you can take to the table when you do bet with real stakes.
Let me walk you through these key things below and help you understand why you should always play free casino game demos when given the chance.
Does The Slot Speak to You?
Most free casino games are slots. Given that slots tend to come in an array of themes, you’ve got ample choices about what you can play. There’s no point playing a slot which doesn’t speak to you since the objective when playing is to win but also to have fun.
For instance, you may not wish to play the Fluffy Favourites slot at casinos if you’re not a fan of cute and cuddly games. If you want blood and guts, sports, or even adult-themed slots out there, you can find them if you browse around. Playing free slots is a great way to determine if you’re interested in what a slot has to offer before you splash your cash on it.
Practice Makes Perfect
The most valuable thing you’re going to get from playing free slots online is experience. The more you play a game, the more you’ll understand how it works. Obviously, if there are trickier elements to master, or if you fancy playing something with different gameplay mechanics than you’re used to, such as NetEnt’s Reel Rush slot, then it’s better to learn these before you start losing money on a game.
Playing free slot demos gives you the window to take as long as you need to master a game’s mechanics before you start risking your own cash.
Balance Your Budget
It is exceptionally easy to get carried away and start blasting cash on a game that you like, especially if you’re playing at one of the established and best high stakes gambling sites. Playing free slot demos will teach you how to balance your budget and be mindful about what you wager and when.
Whenever you start any free slot demo, you’re always given a massive budget. That could be £9,999, £99,999, £999,999 or more. It doesn’t matter because it isn’t real money. What does matter is that you can use these “funds” to practise betting and learn which is the best betting strategy for your budget before you find out the hard way. Don’t worry about running out of free funds, either. Just reload the game, and your balance will be restored to the maximum amount. Again, there’s no time limit on how long you can practise this technique.
Decisions, Decisions
We all love a slot that gives us choices. However, sometimes, it isn’t apparent which path is the best one to go down. If you’re playing a slot that lets you pick your own bonus from several options, what do you do?
Should you opt for the conventional free spin bonus or the instant win game? Should you spin a fortune wheel? Should you gamble your winnings in a 50/50 game of chance, or what do you do if you can choose from several free spin rounds, but each has different numbers of spins, multipliers, and varying features?
The answer is simple – you fire up the game in a demo mode and practise playing each of the bonus rounds in turn. Eventually, you’ll have an idea of which bonus round suits you and which delivers the best results over time. You can then take that knowledge to the casino when you want to play for real stakes.
To Bonus-Buy or Not to Bonus Buy?
Lastly, in recent years, I’ve spent a great deal of time playing free slot demos to better understand bonus-buy options. Of course, I know how they work, as I’m sure you do. However, some can offer value for money, and some really aren’t worth your time. By playing free casino game demos, you can experiment with these features switched on or off and see if it truly is worth it to splash a few extra quid on these mechanics.
Furthermore, if you play at a UKGC-licensed site, you won’t have been able to use the buy-a-bonus options before. However, if you’re thinking of joining the best non-UK licensed casinos, you can make use of them. Discover what you’re missing by playing free slot demo games first.
Which Games Can’t I Play for Free?
Admittedly, I’ve mainly covered slots in this blog. That’s because the greatest variety of online casino games are slots, and almost all slots can be played for free as demos. However, many instant win and RNG table games also have free-to-play demo options. There are, however, some casino games which you can’t play for free. These include:
- Progressive Slots: Technically, you can still play many progressive jackpot slots for free, but the progressive features will be switched off. This is a pain if you want to understand how jackpot bonus rounds work.
- Live Casino Games: Live dealer internet casino games are not playable as free demos for obvious reasons – they are played over a live video stream. However, many have like-for-like RNG counterparts, so it is always worth having a stab at those instead to get an idea of what you’re in for in the live casino world.
- Some Crypto Games: Because they run on the blockchain, many crypto-specific casino titles aren’t playable as demos, either. Again, though, there are usually clone-based games which are crypto-friendly, and I should point out that not all crypto-centric titles are off-limits. Some, especially crash games, can be played as free demos.
Play Free Slot Games Online Today
I strongly advise any player, rank amateurs and experienced, seasoned veterans alike, to make full use of free-to-play casino games. The experience and information you can get from doing so is invaluable. If you’re new to the concept, though, where do you begin?
You can always head to the websites of the casino software providers behind the games you want to play. Most support free-to-play games. However, I’d personally recommend playing them at the casino you want to join or are a member of.
If you’re not yet a member of any site, then I encourage you to choose one of the many reputable non-GamStop casinos. They not only support free-to-play slots and games but also house the real money versions, which is ideal when your time practising free-play slots comes to an end, and you fancy having a crack at the real deal to win cash money.