The Best Slots to Wager Your No Deposit Bonus On

No deposit bonuses are the smartest way to bet online thanks to the zero risk of loss and the chance of winning real cash. But this does then present a question: which slots are best for this sort of promo? Read on for an explanation of the types of slots you may find most advantageous, as well as numerous examples of specific games that could see you win some real money.

Consider the Terms Before Deciding

The terms and conditions of real money no deposit bonuses can vary somewhat, but they do tend to be broadly similar. The fine print is something that should always be considered both when deciding whether to opt into a particular giveaway and, afterwards, when picking what games to play.

Generally speaking, free slots are linked to just a single game, whereas free cash can be used on a much wider variety of games, including many slots and table games as well. Most of the time slots will contribute to the wagering requirement at a rate of 100%, whereas table games are often lower (commonly around the 50% mark). This does create a big incentive to focus on slots, although some table games such as blackjack and roulette have very low house edges that present a great opportunity to fulfil the wagering requirement (the total sum that must be wagered prior to withdrawal) and having cash still left at the end of it.

Withdrawal caps are another near universal condition, a strict upper limit on the bonus cash and related profits that can be withdrawn from a free spins offer or no deposit promo. Often around one or two hundred dollars, this means playing high jackpot slots is usually daft because if you actually won a seven figure sum the withdrawal cap would swallow almost all of it. That's another reason why high RTP (return to player) slots and low house edge table games are a significantly better bet. In addition to this being a good idea generally some specific games will likely be prohibited by the casino, so it's always wise to just check and see so you don't end up accidentally voiding your bonus by playing a game on the forbidden list.

One more condition to consider, which isn't always present, is that a casino may impose minimum and maximum wager limitations on each individual bet. Check to find out and make sure you adhere to these thresholds otherwise your promotion may be annulled.

Top High RTP Slots to Play

Slots are a popular pick for players both with their own cash and when using no deposit slot promos. In addition to opting for games that have a high RTP, many like to go for lower volatility slots that deviate less from the mean average return than higher volatility games. Most slots have an RTP of around the 95-96% mark, but some can be substantially higher.

1429 Uncharted Seas

1429 Uncharted Seas is an intriguing game not only for the high RTP of 98.6% but its idiosyncratic style. Developed by the small but high quality software studio Thunderkick, 1429 Uncharted Seas has a standard 5x3 reels arrangement but in almost every other area stands out from the crowd. The 25 paylines of this slot are laid over a charmingly nostalgic nautical map. A compass points the way to treasure, as getting at least three of this bonus symbol will see the player rewarded with free spins (between 10 and 50). The central three reels may also have the wild symbol (a boat) appear, with the reel covered by an ocean serpent if the boat features on a winning payline. The graphics are delightful and the RTP is quite fantastic, plus it's a straightforward game ideal for both newcomers and those who like to keep things simple. At certain times of the year you can sometimes get a chance to play this slot with no deposit at Woo Casino.

Blood Suckers

Those who take a more sanguine attitude might prefer to indulge in Blood Suckers, by software developer NetEnt. The game is endowed with a bloody good 98% RTP, making it a top pick for no deposit promos when it comes to satisfying the wagering requirement. As with the previous slot, there are 5 reels, 3 rows, and 25 paylines, but this time the theme is vampiric rather than piratical. The reels are festooned with supernatural symbols such as garlic, holy water, and so forth. Get a trio of scatters (the vampire bride) to win not only 10 free spins but a multiplier of your bet as well. Wins during the free spins bonus feature get automatically tripled, and if you get another trio of scatters then the free spins can recur for even more chances to win. Plus there's a bonus game activated when you get three or more bonus symbols on the first three rows. This involves picking coffins to slay vampires for cash prizes, but pick a bat-filled coffin and the bonus ends.

Mega Joker

You may just find yourself laughing all the way to the bank if you choose to play NetEnt's Mega Joker slot at Betway Casino, as this slot has an astonishingly good RTP of 99%. It's worth noting this game does have a progressive jackpot which can sometimes be indicative of a slot not being permitted, but the potential rate of return is very good indeed. The betting limits are on the low side, which isn't usually a problem when playing with promo cash, and there's an air of a fruit machine about it with just 3 reels, 3 rows, and 5 paylines. If you happen to win then the Gamble mechanic enables you to try and multiply your winnings, if you feel like taking a risk.

Ooh Aah Dracula

Returning to the world of vampires, Ooh Aah Dracula by Barcrest offers players an impressive RTP of up to 99%. Once again featuring the standard 5x3 reels arrangement, this game, based on the most famous vampire of them all, has 10 paylines. On top of the sky high return to player there's also a couple of bonus features that help keep things interesting. A dagger through the heart is the scatter, and landing three of them gifts the player 15 free spins. They also activate the Heart Attack mechanic, locking free spins symbols on the reels with one of them becoming wild until the free spins end, dramatically increasing the chances of winning combinations. Should a player get four scatters, the Stake it or Leave It game begins, which features the 15 free spins as before but follows it up with a choice of playing a second round with 10 free spins and two wild symbols. Get five scatters and a third round, with five free spins and three wilds, becomes an option. The player can also choose to follow the Best Strategy Indicator, or decide otherwise.

When Things go Awry - Higher Volatility Slots

Slots are the single biggest attraction at online casinos today and players regularly gravitate towards them. High RTP games offer the best chance of being able to meet no deposit bonus wagering requirements and making enough winnings that there's cash left over to withdraw at the end. But average results are just that, and it's entirely possible for things to go wrong and luck to desert you. Should that happen, or if you just prefer a riskier approach, here are a few slots with solid RTPs but a greater volatility that offer the chance to bounce back.

Jokerizer

Jokerizer by Yggdrasil actually has an RTP good enough that it's worth playing whether you like your volatility high or low. It comes with a high degree of volatility and an RTP of 98%, offering a great chance of strong returns for players seeking to turn no deposit slots promotions into money in the bank. High quality graphics help to turn this old but reliable theme into a modern game with a few little extras. It's reminiscent of old school fruit machines with classic symbols such as bells, 7s, and so on, with the Joker being a very good icon indeed. When three or more Jokers show up on the reels the player benefits to the tune of 1,000-6,000 coins. After a win, the game enters the Jokerizer mode, enabling the player to retain their winnings or continuing to play in the mode. In the Jokerizer mode only a pair of Jokers are needed to receive a mystery prize of up to 6,000 coins (a prize of 1,000 coins or more ends the mode). If some players are lucky they can claim a free bonus at GunsBet Casino to play this slot.

Jackpot 6000

Created by NetEnt, Jackpot 6000 is a high volatility slot that has an RTP between 95% and 98.9%, presenting players with a chance to enjoy a purple patch, or sustain a dry spell. Somewhat similar to Jokerizer, Jackpot 6000 harks back to the classic fruit machines of yesteryear with 3 reels, 3 rows, and 5 paylines. Lemons, berries, cherries, and more old school symbols fill the reels, with the Joker acting as the wild. Whenever a win is achieved there are two potential bonus options. One is to engage Supermeter mode by moving to the reels at the top of the screen in the search of big wins. In Supermeter mode getting a pair of Jokers unlocks a mystery prize from x50 to x100 the bet, and getting three means 6,000 coins. The alternative bonus mechanic is a straightforward double or nothing bet courtesy of the Double Up feature. Players need only pick whether a coin will be heads or tails, and can do this up to half a dozen times. But get it wrong once and you're out of pocket. The higher RTP of 98.9% applies to playing in Supermeter mode.

Mercy of the Gods

Mythology has always been a popular pick for slot themes, with Egyptian, Greek, Norse, Arthurian, and more from which to pick. NetEnt's Mercy of the Gods went for Egyptian, and created a game with a decent RTP (96.46%) and high volatility that can be found at BGO Casino. The graphical style of the slot is high class, both in terms of the symbols and main set of reels (which are arranged 5x3 and feature 20 paylines) and the two bonus games. Statues of the god Anubis flank the reels. The wild symbol can appear anywhere and replace almost any icon, with Gift of Life wilds triggering automatic re-spins (which see the wilds descend one row each spin). When an existing wild has another land on it, they expand to fill a reel which can pave the way to significant wins. Not only that, during these re-spins any bonus symbols (coins) get transferred beneath the right hand statue of Anubis, and if you get three or more then the Gift of Wealth jackpot mini-game comes into play.

This involves three rows of five coin spaces each (the coins a player already has being automatically distributed for small sums). A player has three spins to add a coin, and the number is reset if one appears. Fill one row to win the minor jackpot for x20, fill two rows for a major jackpot of x100, and if you fill all three rows then the progressive mega jackpot is yours (although if you have a withdrawal cap that will certainly exceed it). Another bonus feature is granted when three or more Eye of Horus symbols appear to grant free spins (5, 8, or 12 depending how many show up). Mercy of the Gods is a fun game with plenty of volatility and the scope for tasty wins.

That polishes off our NoDepositWow.com list of great slots for no deposit promos, as well as the factors that should be considered when picking what to play. And, as always, always read the fine print before deciding if a no deposit bonus is right for you.