HOW TO PLAY SLOTS ONLINE – A TOTAL GUIDE ON PLAYING SLOT MACHINES

The amount of slot machines sprouting everywhere, from the flashing lights of the Las Vegas strip to the best online casinos around, is staggering. Their timelessness is the ultimate proof of how firmly they have caught the attention of casino players. With themes ranging from fly-fishing to a haunted asylum, there is no shortage of slots to play online.

Just because they’re part and parcel of the online casino experience doesn’t mean they are all that easy, though. Slot machines can be knotty, especially when you start getting into more advanced mechanics. Read this guide for a primer on how to play slots, filled with all the tips, tricks and truths you need to aid your journey into the world of slots!

HISTORY OF SLOT MACHINES

It’s easy to take slot machines for granted when there are so many new, exciting titles coming out to join a stellar back catalogue. However, the story of slot machines goes way back, all the way to 1891. Sittman & Pitt, a company based in New York City, had just invented what is now known as the first-ever slot machine, comprising five drums and a total of 50 playing cards.

We know what you’re thinking; what are playing cards doing in a slot? This might have something to do with the popularity of another casino game you might have heard of — poker! The 10 of spades and the jack of hearts were left out to prop up the house edge. A player made a bet and pulled the lever; if they lined up a poker hand, they won. That could be where the name ‘pokies’ comes from.

The first automatic slot machine wasn’t invented until around 1895, though, by the ‘father of slots’ Charles Fey. The original poker cards were replaced with five symbols on only three reels. They evolved gradually until 1976, when Fortune Coin Company created the first video slot reels, leading to slots’ flourishing into what they are today.

HOW TO PLAY SLOT MACHINES

In their infancy, slot machines made use of mechanical reels. Now, video slots are entirely digital, placing bets and dispensing winnings through digital credits in a secure online payments system. They changed the gaming industry; taking up no physical space, their proliferation at breakneck speed at a fraction of the cost electrified casino operators from Las Vegas to Seoul.

An average slot experience would go something like this:

• Choose a slot machine that appeals to you and open it on your chosen device. You will see a special display introducing you to the slot when the game loads.
• This is the time to take a look at the paytable. The paytable contains valuable information about the game, such as the worth of each symbol, the paylines for winning combinations, and so forth. The information screen contains information such as the game’s RTP and can be found anywhere on the screen, depending on the game’s design.
• Start your game. Choose how much you’d like to bet according to how many paylines you’d like to go for. The bet level function, accessed via the on-screen buttons, allows you to change the stake amount.
• Click the ‘Spin’ button to spin the reels. When you land winning combinations, the game will indicate your winnings. Some games offer a gambling option where you can take the opportunity to potentially win bigger prizes via bonus rounds.
• Repeat the previous step and enjoy the game! Always watch your bankroll to ensure that you stick to a tight budget.

SLOT SYMBOLS

Playing online slot games seems to be a simple process. As we mentioned, the paytable ought to be checked before enjoying the gameplay, so you may know what to expect from your slot reels of choice.

One crucial component of this is the value of slot symbols. There are standard symbols you will recognise right away after spinning the reels a couple of times. The traditional fruit symbols are ubiquitous in the media representation of slots, although some games prefer using card symbols.

Paylines are formed according to specific patterns. However, many slot games feature bonus symbols that affect the reels in various ways.

Let’s identify some of the most common ones you can expect to encounter:

WILD SYMBOLS

Ever heard the phrase ‘wildcard’? Wild symbols are the resident wildcards on the reels. Like the joker in a card game, a Wild symbol can take the place of any other symbols to form a winning combination when they land. This may be favourable for a player’s potential outcomes.

SCATTER SYMBOLS

Scatter symbols are a unique breed of symbol, appearing on the reels sparingly compared to other symbols. Scatters can appear anywhere on the reels, and are often used as a way to activate the slot’s bonus round.

MULTIPLIER SYMBOLS

Another highly attractive symbol is a Multiplier symbol. As its name suggests, this symbol multiplies the player’s winnings when it lands. The increase in the number of winnings is down to the game’s makeup, though they can be 2x, 4x or even 6x! Multipliers also tend to be rarer than Wilds, similar to Scatters.

STICKY SYMBOLS

Sticky symbols influence the gameplay by ‘sticking’ to the reel they land on while the rest of the reels keep spinning. Therefore, were a player to land a Sticky symbol for a three-symbol payline, it would only take two more to hit that line. Since they mean advantageous conditions for the player, they can sometimes be a little tricky to land, depending on the slot game.

BONUS SYMBOLS

A bonus symbol is a symbol that triggers a bonus game. Bonus games may include a special Free Spins feature, for instance. Bonus symbols, similar to Scatter symbols, activate bonus rounds under strict conditions. A bonus payout could be handsome, but bonus rounds are always reliant on luck, so don’t pin your hopes on them!

STACKED SYMBOLS

Stacked symbols will hold more than one position on a reel for a regular symbol. This gives the player better odds of matching symbols. A variation highly sought-after is a Stacked Wild symbol, which combines the function of both Stacked and Wild symbols.

TYPES OF ONLINE SLOTS

Now that we’ve covered symbols in slot machines, let’s zoom out a little to look at the different types of slots. Slot games are distinguished in kind by their number of reels. With that in mind, there are three main types of online slots.

CLASSIC SLOTS

Also known as three-reel slots, this type of game is the classic variation of online slots. You may also encounter them under the name “one-arm bandits”. This name comes from the traditional slots in land-based casinos where a lever was pulled to get the reels spinning.

Their traditional approach makes them a mainstay with seasoned players while also being great for beginners. The simplest way to grasp how slot machines work is with classic slots, with three matching symbols forming a winning combination. They have the best payout percentages of all slot types.

VIDEO SLOTS

Video slots are classic slots but with an upgrade. They’re also known as five-reel slots and have impressive in-game graphics and excellent design. They’re the most played slots at online casinos with eccentric themes and mood-setting motifs (like musical cues that indicate what’s happening on the reels).

Naturally, five-reel slots come with many more paylines. The chances of forming winning combinations increase, and so do the potential winnings. Video slots also benefit from additional features, like free spins, making the game more exciting.

PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT SLOTS

A type of slot game that you’ve undoubtedly encountered before, is a progressive slot machine. It’s highly likely that of all the famous jackpots you may have come across before, many of them were progressive jackpots. Progressive jackpots are prize pots that ‘progress’ with further gameplay, so the slot takes a piece of your wager and adds it to the prize pot. Not just your wager, though — it does this with every eligible wager by every player in the world who spins that slot! That is, if it forms part of a network.

As you can imagine, these jackpots grow to astronomical levels, hence their popularity. The payout is inversely proportional to your chances; the more players try their luck, the more money there is to win, and the lower the odds are for you. To qualify for such a jackpot, you might be required to wager the maximum bet in a game. They are undeniably a staple in online casinos, but they are not the end-all of slot machines.

THE ODDS OF A WINNING COMBINATION

The odds of slot games don’t change, unlike any other casino game. Each slot’s paytable will describe the game’s features and rules, which ultimately are determined by the game’s software provider and vary from game to game.

It is tricky to figure out the odds of a specific symbol combination, and that reason pushes some players onto casino games like video poker instead. That being said, the appeal of slot machines is not to be underestimated. The construction of slot games, with their themes, aesthetics, gameplay and bonus rounds, is done in such a manner that maximises their entertainment value. The reputation of some titles crystallises this.

PAYOUTS OF SLOT MACHINES

Regarding payouts and their odds, there are things to look out for that can improve your chances when you play online. For instance, games with high RTP percentages are much more likely to pay out than those with lower payout percentages. A game with an RTP upwards of 95% (sometimes known as a loose slot machine) is a good candidate for this.

Remember, though, that for ultra-high payouts, you’ll have to try your luck on slots with a lower RTP. Winning combinations in high RTP slots pay out more frequently, but they do so in smaller amounts. And, despite their reputation for frequent payouts, there is no way to predict when a slot will pay out in precise terms.

Every player must understand this before attempting to spin to win a jackpot, especially in progressive machines. Information is key to making savvy decisions with your funds, and the information section in an online slot machine will tell you what you need to know to make your choice.

However, it may be that information such as RTP might be a little thorny to find on the game screen. Not to worry, though! A quick search online will reveal various reviews for the game in question. They always contain payout percentages and other details you might be interested in.

One more thing to bear in mind is the bigger your bet, the more you stand to win. Therefore, it’s crucial to have a clear idea of what your limits are and to follow a considered budget. This ensures that you’ll know how to make the most of the best slot machines on-land and online slot games.

SLOT MACHINE ETIQUETTE

When looking to play slot machines, we must consider a legitimate issue of etiquette. While this doesn’t apply to online slots in an online casino that much, brick-and-mortar slots necessitate a standard of behaviour that players would do well to abide by at all times. 

To ensure you know how to behave around others when you play slot machines, follow these little norms:

Don’t be a lurker

Do not sit or loiter around machines you are not playing. By taking up that space, you’re getting in the way of another player who might be interested in that machine. Also, don’t lurk around machines you’d like to play when players use them. Every player has favourites, but slots are single-player by design. It is prudent to look for an available slot or sit in a designated area and wait. The thrill and excitement of playing slot machines are somewhat lost when a player is hanging behind you and breathing down your neck!

SAVING A MACHINE

If you need to take a break from gambling for a little while, you can save your machine. Try not to make the interval longer than 15 minutes at a time. Slot attendants can tell you the venue’s policy on saving machines if you ask them. Be prepared for the possibility that there is none, though, meaning you’ll have to go for other machines.

If, on the other hand, there is a policy allowing saving a machine, any valuables should be taken with you. Likewise, never leave credits unplayed on a slot, as you can’t get them back if a player uses them up. In the case of a policy permitting saving, always ensure that the slot you’re about to sit at is available and not being saved by someone else! Ask an attendant to help locate a free machine if you are unsure.

DON’T BE GREEDY

You can use more than one machine at a time, and some gamblers like to straddle multiple reels simultaneously. Bear in mind that if the casino is busy, this can impact other players’ experience. Once again, make sure the slot you’ve chosen is available and not saved. Players who play multiple machines at once go back and forth between machines, so an empty seat does not equal a free machine necessarily.

KEEP YOUR COOL

As previously mentioned, slot games are entertaining! They are meant to be enjoyed, so don’t let a losing streak detract from the overall experience. Stop playing when you get increasingly angry, frustrated, sad or bitter. Take a breather and return to it when you’ve settled down, or the game will only make you feel worse.

Don’t take out your feelings on other people present, like other players and casino staff. Please don’t take it out on the machines, either, as that could cost a lot more than you had in mind!

BE READY FOR THE SLOTS.

Having a positive mindset from the get-go is an excellent tool for any player about to try out a slot game. If you’re not excited or feeling negative in any way about winning, there’s a high chance you won’t enjoy yourself. Look after your physical and mental health to make the most of the slots because without either of those in check, you’re at the mercy of the heat of the moment.

SLOT MACHINE STRATEGIES

Can you approach a slot machine with a strategy to win? While having a strategy is essential for casino classics like blackjack and poker, the same can’t be applied to slot games. Slots come with Random Number Generators in-built. A Random Number Generator, or RNG, is a complex algorithm which generates millions of potential outcomes per second. The numbers generated are then translated into a particular combination, enabling the results to remain completely random.

With this in mind, it’s impossible to analyse and predict the result of slot games. However, there are some things to consider when approaching a slot machine that will aid you in covering your bases when you play slots.

While there is no strategy one can adopt to win,  you’ll find a simplified breakdown of some tips and tricks. 

THE MULTIPLIER

As we’ve mentioned, the Multiplier symbol multiplies your winnings. This is why multipliers are not available on all machines. Research is your best bet to take advantage of the multiplier strategy. Some Multipliers appear on the reels in the main game, while others only appear in bonus games or during free spins. Once again, research gives you a clear idea of how to use multipliers in a given slot.

Multipliers can vary from 2x right up to 1000x a bet! They also come in variations that alter the symbol’s effect relative to the game. For instance, a Wild Multiplier might appear. With a regular Wild, a possible win is triggered with just two matching symbols, and the Wild takes the third position. However, if a Wild doubles up as a Multiplier, matching symbols generate winnings and multiply them! Of course, landing such symbols is down to luck and luck only, but it doesn’t hurt to be aware of the winning possibilities in a slot that houses Multiplier symbols.

THE BUY-A-PAY

A buy-a-pay slot is a slot game that allocates how much of a potential payout you have access to, according to your wager. An example would be a slot that unlocks benefits from the middle line of its reels when wagering one coin to win combinations in the middle payout. 

Betting two coins then unlocks the higher line along with the centreline in the reels, and three coins unlock payout potential on all three lines. Another example might be a slot that unlocks more symbols according to your wager.

Buy-a-pay machines are a tough sell for some players, and they are certainly not to be taken for granted; you might land three of the highest-ranking symbols in a slot, but unless your wager unlocks the symbol or its line, you win nothing. Despite this, there is a relative strategy with buy-a-pay slots. A calculated risk to bet the maximum stake grants a more comprehensive range of possibilities, increasing the potential to generate winnings.

THE PROGRESSIVE

You can always choose the bet level you’re comfortable with and keep to that limit. Nevertheless, the full spectrum of features in progressive slots (like eligibility to win the jackpot) can only be unlocked by placing the maximum bet. These prizes grow very large and sometimes very rapidly depending on the slot’s popularity, particularly for online slots.

While going for progressive slots without prior knowledge and experience is not recommended, keeping an eye on the jackpot is an excellent way to monitor its progress and let it grow as big as possible. You can never be sure when it will hit, as the RNG keeps that random, but you can watch the activity around it to see whether it is expected to hit soon or not.

THINGS YOU NEED TO CONSIDER WHILE PLAYING SLOT MACHINES — TOP TIPS

Maximising your chances of winning while playing slot machines are more a case of critical thinking than a set of moves to follow to beat the machine. Notwithstanding, you’d be surprised how many players dive in unprepared, thinking most machines all work similarly. While the central concept is the same, the individual stats and additional features in every slot can significantly impact you and your bankroll in subtle but significant ways.

There are a few little tips that we can give you for you to insulate yourself with. We’ll keep it brief here, but there’s a whole article dedicated to ‘Slot Machine tips” with the full breadth of these tips and tricks on how to play slots, so keep an eye out for it!

VOLATILITY

Volatility, sometimes referred to as variance, relates to how often you may win and how large your winnings can be. A low-volatility machine offers smaller wins that are more reliable. High volatility games, conversely, pay out more money but not as frequently. Medium volatility appropriates a balance between the two extremes. Some slots have a volatility setting that the player can change, so look through the settings in your game in case it is an available feature for you.

BUDGET

Setting a budget is tantamount to keeping your bankroll in tip-top shape. A budget works to keep your online gambling manageable, and sticking to it will make your gaming experience much smoother and sweeter. Plan ahead, do your research and step back if you find you’ve reached your limit sooner than expected or if you become emotional during play.

DEMO VERSIONS

Many online casinos have free versions of their slots available for your perusal. A slot’s demo mode essentially allows you to get a feel of the slot and protects your bankroll by wagering virtual funds instead of real ones. If you’ve been curious about a particular slot or you’re looking for something new, demo modes are your friend! Test out any slots you can, whenever you can, to know precisely what you’re dealing with before betting real money. It should be noted that, as you are betting virtual funds (non-existent funds for demo play), you are not entitled to any real winnings when playing in demo mode.

In the end, there’s only so much you can research and read! The best way to understand the course of the slots is by getting your hands dirty and spinning reels. Stick to the handy tips provided in this article and the adjacent articles to deepen your knowledge further. Then, apply what you’ve learnt when searching for slots at online casinos, and you’ll quickly develop your unique taste for slots! Furthermore, never forget that games of chance are fundamentally out of your control, and the best thing to do is always to be responsible and play for fun, not to win.