Testing the slot in demo mode before playing for money

1) Purpose of the demo test (what do you want to know)

RTP version is with your operator.
Volatility profile. Frequency of small payoffs vs rare major hits.
Frequency and average value of bonuses. Understanding where RTP "sits" - in the database or in freespins/features.
The cost of the game over time. How much an hour costs on average at your pace.
Style compatibility. Whether the slot is suitable for "grind," "frequent action" or "skid hunt."

2) Prep (to first spin)

1. Open "i "/Paytable:

• RTP (exact number) and availability of alternative profiles (e.g. 96/95/94%).
• Volatility (Low/Medium/High/Very High).
• Max Win (multiplier ceiling).
• Payment methods: lines/ways/clusters; cascades; multipliers; retryggers; Hold & Win.
• Ante Bet/Bonus Buy: rate premium, separate RTP for purchase (if specified).
• 2. Setting rates: maximum lines (if customizable), minimum convenient bet for a long sample.
• 3. Timer and log. Mark the time/spin limit in advance so as not to "float" into an endless test.

3) Metrics that make sense to count (in xBet and backs)

HF (Hit Frequency) - the share of spins with any win.
BF (Bonus Frequency) - average spins per bonus (or probability of a bonus per spin $ p _ b = 1/BF $).
ABP - Average Bonus Payout
EV of spin bonus: $ext {EV} _ b\approx\frac {ext {ABP}} {ext {BF}} $.
P (≥N×) - proportion of ≥20×, ≥50×, ≥100× outcomes (right tail character).
Max Drawdown - maximum drawdown of the balance in rates (valuation of the required bank).
Spin/hour - pace (needed for the "price of the hour").


4) Mini test protocol (30-60 minutes)

Stage A - base (no Ante, no purchases), 300-500 spins

Fix: HF, number of bonuses, total bonus payment (ABP), P (≥20×/≥50×), Max Drawdown.
Notes: how often "empty windows," whether there are "micro-features" in the database, session speed.

Stage B - with Ante (if any), 300-500 spins

Compare BF and EV\_ b/spin to Step A.
Mark whether the declared RTP has changed (sometimes not).

Stage C - Bonus Buy (if required), 20-50 purchases

Consider ABP and approximate RTP\_ buy ≈ ABP/C.
Compare with basic RTP. Rate the median (usually below average).

Bottom line: collect table A/B/C → select the mode for the goal: "grind" (even median), "action" (frequent features), "skid" (high P (≥100×) with an acceptable drawdown).

5) How to evaluate volatility by demo (fast)

"High" indicators: Max Win ≥ x10 000; rare bonuses (BF> 200); strong multi/sticky Wild; large Max Drawdown under normal HF.
"Low/medium" indicators: frequent mini-features/respins; cascades smooth the base; BF < 150; the median bonus win is close to average.

Bank volatility rule (valuation):

• Low: ≥200 -300 bets; Average: ≥300 -500; High: ≥500 -1000.

6) Interpretation of metrics (thresholds - heuristics)

HF:> 32% - softer; 26-32% - average; <26% - tougher.
BF: <120 - frequent bonuses; 120-200 - average;> 200 - rare bonuses.
EV\_ b/spin: the higher, the more value in bonuses (get ready for the base "at a distance").
P (≥100×): if you ≥5 -8% for a series of bonuses, the slot may be interesting for the "skid hunt."
Max Drawdown: Compare with your rate plan - if the drawdown "eats up" 30-40% of the estimated pot, reduce the rate/choose a different slot.

7) Ante and buying a bonus: When it makes sense

Ante: turn on if BF drops and/or RTP grows; otherwise, it is a pace fee. Confirm with A/B measurements.
Bonus Buy: rational if RTP\_ buy ≥ RTP\_ base or the goal is to save time/content. Always plan a series of purchases (not single purchases).

8) Go/no-go solution (before the actual game)

Go:

• RTP of your version ≥96% (or compensated promo).
• Volatility is consistent with bank/targets.
• BF/ABP give an understandable profile; EV\_ b/spin is not "microscopic."
• The price of an hour suits; the drawdown in the demo fits into your stop loss.

No-go:

• RTP below 95-95.5% when alternatives are available;
• BF is too big and bank/time is small;
• Frequent "zero" bonuses at high price (C) and weak RTP\_ buy;
• Drawdown regularly breaks through your limits even at a small rate.

9) Check list before the real bet (30 seconds)

1. RTP (the exact value of this operator).
2. Volatility and Max Win.
3. HF, BF, ABP, EV\_ b/spin (according to your demo log).
4. Decision on Ante/Buy and why.
5. Rate as% bank: 0.3-1.5% depending on volatility.
6. Limits: stop-loss 20-35%, stop-win + 40-80%, session timer.
7. Exit plan: when the limit is reached, we leave without exceptions.

10) Journal template (copy)

Slot/provider/mechanics (lines/ways/clusters/Megaways):

RTP (operator):...%	Volatility: L/M/H	Max Win: x...
Spin:...	HF:...%	Bonuses:...
ABP (xBet):...	EV\_ b/spin = ABP/BF:...
P(≥20× / ≥50× / ≥100×): … / … / …
Max Drawdown:...	Spin/hour:...
Ante: off/on (BF/RTP change:...)
Bonus Buy: C = x…	ABP = x…	RTP\_buy ≈ …%
Bottom line: grind/action/skid hunt	Go/No-go:...

11) Frequent demo test errors

Draw conclusions on 100-200 backs/2-3 bonuses. We need 300-500 minimum (preferably 800-1000).
Do not check RTP for this particular operator (different profiles).
Include Ante "out of habit" - without benefit in RTP/BF.
Cut lines instead of rate cut/line.
Ignore the hour price and time limit.
Consider that "it will be different in real life": for honest providers, the mathematics of the demo and the real match; psychology differs.

Conclusion

The demo is not a "warm-up for the sake of interest," but a decision tool: is the slot suitable for RTP, volatility, frequency and value of bonuses, the price of an hour and the risk of drawdown for your bank and the purpose of the session. Follow the A/B/C protocol, count HF/BF/ABP/EV\_ b/spin, check Ante/Buy, lock in limits - and move on to real bets only when the data confirms a comfortable and manageable game profile.