What is the Hit Frequency of a Slot Machine?

The hit frequency is the percentage of the winning spins a slot game offers. If the slot pays out 300,000 times on an outcome of 1 million times, the hit frequency is 30 percent.

Therefore, slot players who play for real money can expect a winner on every 3rd spin. Smart slot players not only look at the slot machine’s RTP but at its hit rate too. It’s part of the slot game’s DNA, so to speak.

A slot game such as Play With Cleo has a hit frequency of 25% despite its volatility. The game features expanding wilds in both the base game and free spins and a jackpot of 630x. Despite being a high variance slot game with an RTP that’s below 96%.

Play With Cleo’s hit frequency of 25% makes it worthwhile since a winner pops up on every 4th spin. It’s just good economics when you risk real money on the slot.

Simply put, you can swing for the fences. So, the more line hits a slot game offers the higher the frequency. You can also examine the Par Sheets some slot manufacturers release of their games.

Is RTP and Hit Frequency the Same?

The short answer is, no. Hit frequency can’t determine a game’s payout percentage. However, online casino software providers calculate them over millions of spins.

Variance wise the RTP can take you on a jackpot trip or smash your bankroll.

Moreover, when providers craft new online slot games they have the hit frequency in mind. It’s part and parcel of the ingredients on the tin can.

Can We Link Hit Frequency to Slots Volatility?

You won’t see a slot with a high hit frequency that also has a high RTP.  But, there are exceptions to this rule. The more volatile a game is the lower the hit frequency.

Casual players must pick games with high RTPs and hit frequencies. That means more wins over the short term but the payouts tend to be small. Incan Rich from Rival Gaming is a low variance slot with an RTP of 95%.

Clearly, the hit frequency should be better than the RTP, right? After all, games with low RTPs should have high hit frequencies. Not always. Even if it’s a low volatility slot you will feel the difference over the long haul.

Use a Bonus If the Slot Has a High Hit Frequency

Online slot bonuses are great because they line your pocket with thousands of dollars in extra cash. Before you play pick a slot machine that has a high hit frequency.

Preferably ones with hit rates of 25% and above. Don’t forget to take the RTPs into account too. Ideally speaking you want to play slots with low RTPs and high hit frequencies unless you’re a high roller.

Keep in mind, that some slots offer big wins over the course of 60 to 100 spins plus. The prospect of landing a big win over the short term is good.

Verdict

Online slot vendors like Betsoft usually lower their RTPs and hit frequencies to up their jackpots. If you see a game with a big jackpot or low RTP it’s a volatile slot.

Heck, some online slots have hit frequencies as low as 10%, even less. Means you can have as many as 10 or so dead spins in a row. Avoid slot games with very low hit frequencies.

It’s best to play slot machines that are “in-between”. In other words, where their RTPs are just about right but their hit frequencies are high.

Betsoft gets it right with Rags to Witches. We say so because the slot has a cracking hit frequency of 31.59%. You’re looking at a payout on every 3rd or so spin.

On the other hand, the RTP is 95.95% which is slightly lower than the industry’s average of 96%. Put simply, when you decide to play slots online for real money the hit frequency is a great tell.

The higher it is the more wins you can expect. As a rule of thumb go for games like Rags to Witches. Their RTPs are low but their hit rates are high.