What Is the 5 Spin Rule in Slots? Strategy Explained

The 5 spin rule is a strategy that is being increasingly used by slot players who believe it can quickly determine whether a machine is ‘cold’ and therefore a waste of time playing. Made popular by YouTube gambling channels, such as Brian Christopher Slots, the strategy essentially involves playing five spins on a chosen game and then moving on to another if it doesn’t spin in a single win. 

As with most strategies, the 5 spin rule is not a magic formula that guarantees you’ll win. None of those exist as results are random and heavily tilted in favor of the casino. Instead, the theory behind it is to identify cold slots so that you can cut your losses rather than sticking around and wasting your bankroll. By saving the money you would have used, your gambling sessions are alleged to last longer. 

How Does the 5 Spin Rule Work?

The concept is about as simple as it gets, and we’d imagine most of you have figured it out already. However, to use the 5 spin rule when playing slots, you: 

1. Choose a slot machine (can be online or land-based).
   
2. Play up to 5 spins on that machine.
   
3. Leave if you don’t win or trigger a bonus feature
   
4. Pick a new game and repeat the process.

The players who believe in this strategy claim that a machine that does not land a win in five spins is currently in a ‘cold’ state, and it could be any length of time before it starts to warm up. Therefore, playing a different game stops you from wasting your bankroll while waiting for that to happen. 

By moving on quickly, you spread your budget across multiple games and potentially increase your chances of hitting something early on a new machine.

We should also mention that there have been other variations of the 5 spin rule over the years. Some players leave a machine if they do not trigger a bonus within five spins. 

Is There Any Truth to the Strategy?

Nobody likes to be the party pooper, but we have to be clear that the 5 spin rule will not change your odds of winning. Results are determined by an RNG, which ensures every result is random and independent of any other. Whether you spin just once or one hundred times, the odds stay exactly the same. 

So why do people swear by the rule?

Because it is another gambler’s fallacy that they believe. There are others, such as believing RED is due to hit at a roulette table when it hasn’t for several coups, or they themselves are due to land a big win as they’ve been on a losing streak. 

Unfortunately, as games of chance are random, none of the above are true and nothing but superstition. 

When Might the 5 Spin Rule Help?

While the 5 spin rule has no bearing on a game’s outcome, the strategy can bring positives. For one, it teaches players to stick to a plan, rather than needlessly pumping money into a slot without any kind of strategy. That can help players who want to gamble more responsibly. It’s particularly helpful for players: 

• Who are budget-conscious and want to make their money last.
• Who enjoys variety by hopping from game to game without getting stuck on one.
• Who tend to chase losses and need a structured rule to help them stop.

The best way to think about it is as a mental trick rather than a winning system. It keeps you engaged and curious, but most importantly, in full control. 

Common Myths About Slot Strategies

Getting back to those gambler’s fallacies we touched on earlier, let’s talk about some others that slot machines have spawned over the years. 

• Machines near the entrance pay more. – Nope.
• It’s better to play at night. – Not true.
• Winning machines go cold after big payouts. – RNGs don’t work like that.

While the 5 spin rule is another fallacy, we wouldn’t necessarily class it as bad as those. We’ve already mentioned the good habits it encourages. As long as players understand it is not a magic formula, we’re more than happy to recommend they use the rule when playing slots or any other casino game, for that matter. 

Should You Try the 5 Spin Rule?

If you can accept that the 5 spin rules bring control to your gambling habits, rather than a guarantee of winning, it might be worth giving it a try. Just play a game to see if it pays within a set number of spins and move on rather than trying to chase what you’ve already lost. You might just land a big win on the next slot you move to. 

The best part is you can try it across thousands of titles here at mBitcasino. Plus, if you grab a bonus, some of your bets will come with no risk at all.