The truth is that the online gambling world nowadays cannot be imagined without the presence of the addictive flashy slots that bombard players with their vibrant sounds and immaculate design. Truthfully speaking, there is no casino site, no matter whether land-based or online, that does not offer a broad selection of slots among its gameplay options. In fact, slots have probably become the most popular type of game at any casino. So the question we would like to pose here is what is so special about slots and why do people enjoy spending time and money on them. The truth is that they are both profitable for the casino and entertaining for the players, especially those who want to make a quick buck just by pressing a button. But are they easy to play? You do have to know some basic rules and specific language terms before tasting the waters, but once you finish reading this text you will be all ready to roll.
How They Work
Throughout the years, as online gambling’s popularity was witnessing a craze, slots features and gameplay have altered so much that today`s best online slots are considerably different compared to the ones available in the mid-1990s. For instance, if the norm in the past was just one payline and a few reels, today you can find 3 reels and 5 reels slots with 1,024 paylines and expensive animated sequences. On the other hand, no matter how much they have changed over time, the outcome of every bet has since always been ultimately determined by random numbers. This means, that the winning chances for every spin are the same and the outcome is predestined the moment you press the spinning button. Every spin is random and it functions independently of all other spins. Randomness is the basic feature of every land-based/online slot.
Symbols, Winning Combinations and Paytable
Except for being totally random, all slots have symbols which determine winning combinations. The symbols are the pictures, the numbers or the letters on the reels which typically contain imagery which mirrors the theme on which the whole gameplay is based. Let’s say you are dealing with a bank robbery themed slot: the symbols will probably be a thief, a detective, loads of cash, suitcases, guns and additional numbers and card symbols. Card symbols are usually present in the online slots, however this does not necessary mean that they are obligatory. Most slots usually feature more than 25 symbols on the reels and when combined with so many reels you get millions possible winning combinations.
Before choosing which slot to play, always check its paytable. A paytable is an obligatory chart which displays all rules and winning combinations. A typical paytable consists of a list of all symbols and the coins you win by getting three, four or five identical symbols. The paytable is different for every slot, so before spending your money it is advisable to check the rules.
Coins, Bets and Paylines
The best thing before you play with real money is to try before you buy. The best slots offer a free available version for the potential customers to get a real feel of the game. However, if you would like to skip the free play step or if you are past that phase, you need to understand three important slot-related vocabulary terms.
Coins come in different value when playing slots. Before making a spin you will have to select the coin value which determines the stake on the spin. The coin value shows how much you want to spend on each payline in the game. The available coin values may range from £0.01 up to £2. To make it clearer, if you use a coin value of £0.01 and play a 25 payline slot, the total stake on your spin will be £0.25 i.e. £0.01 for each line.
The bet value gives you a freedom to personalize your stake. For example if you choose Bet Value Level 2, this means your coin values will be multiplied by 2. When it comes to paylines i.e. combination of symbols on the reels, you can bet on one payline or on the maximum available. You can check all paylines on the slot’s paytable.
Special Symbols: Wilds and Scatters
When being a newbie in the field of online gambling, slots’ special symbols can be quite confusing and sometimes even irritating. In simple words, except for the regular symbols which generate winnings when appearing identical three or more in a line, there are other symbols which generate additional winnings or bigger prizes that otherwise weren’t there. The most popular special symbols available on almost all best online video slots are the Wild and the Scatter. Some slots offer both a wild and a scatter, some feature only one of the two and there are others which feature more than 2 special symbols.
The Scatter symbol is the most important symbol which is available only in video slot games. It can never have a negative influence on your winnings since their general function is to bring rewards when appearing on the reels. If two or more scatters appear on the screen you usually receive additional coins and get an exclusive opportunity to join a bonus round which will be discussed later. If you are spinning for free and a scatter symbol appears you receive additional free spins. Before discussing wilds it is important to note that the scatter is not an obligatory symbol and although it is present in most video slots, there are still some without one.
The Wild on the other hand has a special function to stand in for every other symbol (except the scatter). In simple words, the wild substitutes all other symbols apart from the scatter and the bonus symbols and it combines with other symbols to form winning combinations. The highest jackpot prize is usually won when five wilds appear on the screen. Wilds can also double, triple or quadruple the rewards. Once you get a wild on the reels, you are just looking for two more identical symbols to be sure that a winning is guaranteed.
Bonus Rounds and Free Spins
Bonus Rounds and Free Spins are additional features which make the slot game more compelling. Top slots often use them as marketing tools to lure more potential players. The more interesting the bonus round, the more players will play the slot. The same applies to the free spins feature.
Bonus Rounds are a special mode of game where you can either win free spins or you are given a mini game to play. They are usually activated once you get three scatter symbols on the reels. If you get a bonus round in the form of free spins they can often be retriggered. This means that if during the free spins you trigger three scatters you will win a free batch of freebies repeatedly.
The mini game Bonus Round is often featured in a separate window and it appears in the form of a short task connected to the theme of the slot. By completing the task you win additional cash coins or prizes. This means that there are two types of Bonus Rounds: cash-based and prize-based. Modern slots tend to offer a variety of Bonus Rounds and they can be activated not just by hitting three scatters but also by getting three other identical symbols. In terms of the format, bonus rounds can either range from little to no player interaction to some sort of player interaction. Some of them are based on pure luck, while others include players’ expertise. Experienced players and those looking for brain activity usually choose the second type which is featured only in the best online slots.
Double Up Feature
Once you have generated certain winnings, most available slots offer an exclusive option for you to double up you money. The only thing you have to do is guess if the card is black or red or if it is higher or lower. It is true that this feature is an easy way to increase your winnings, but most players describe it is a total waste of time and money.
Better Payouts: Land-based vs. Online Slots (RTP)
Online slots have without doubt a better payout percentage when compared to land-based slot machines and here are a few things to prove this notion: land-based slots have to pay rents, they have to pay employees, they have other costs such as lighting, entertainment and engineers. Having in mind these costs, they reduce the payout %. For instance, the usual payout percentage for a land-based slot varies from 70-90%, while the typical payout percentage for online slots ranges from 92-97%. The easiest way to check the payout percentage of a particular slot is to look for the RTP (return per player) indicator. If a certain slot has a 96.75% RTP it means that out of 100 coins, 96.75 go back to the real cash slots player over time.
Convenience and Accessibility
Playing slots online is often described as more convenient and an easier to be accessed process than playing land-based slots and to be honest there is some truth in it. In terms of convenience, you need nothing else but a device with an internet connection. Recently, mobile slots have become so popular that software providers develop mobile exclusive slots and mobile applications of the best casino slots on the market. This means, you can play whenever wherever. Online casinos are open 24/7 and you can play them in your pyjamas while resting at your home, or you can spin the reels while sitting in the bus. Plus, you can skip the dress-code procedure required by some land-based casinos.
Promotions
Online slots are usually available at most online casino sites which by definition offer a generous welcome package to its new users. This means that you can enjoy the casino’s welcome bonus on slots. The usual offer is 100-500% your first deposit. This means that if you deposit £10 you can play with £20-£60 additionally. Make sure you check the wagering requirements before using the bonus money. Check for reload bonuses too.
How to Find Best Casino Slots
The most popular slots are usually available at any active online casino site on the market. However this does not mean that you will get the same experience on different sites. Be careful before choosing where to register and check the slot selection in advance. Some popular casino sites offer exclusive slots nowhere else to be found. The most popular software providers are Microgaming, Playtech and NetEnt and they introduce new slots very frequently.