Learn everything there is to know about slots. This guide and our sub-guides discuss online slots, free online slots, slot terminology, slot strategy, and more.
Because slots are the most popular casino game in the world, we thought it would be a good idea to dive into this simple and engaging form of gambling. Whether you’re looking for more information about in-person slot machines or how to increase your odds of winning a progressive online slot, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about slots.
There are thousands of slots at casinos and online, with new slot titles being dreamt up all the time. While millions of people enjoy these games, few know how they work behind the scenes. On this page, we explain how slot machines work and the essential playing concepts that can make a difference for your bankroll.
Slots have evolved drastically from the first mechanical three-reel devices. These days, most slots are electronic, showing animated symbols on HD screens. Many have elaborate themes, some tie-in with popular music, TV or movie franchises. Bonus games might vary widely, though the underlying technology based on random number generator (RNG) software is standard for all games.
Below, you’ll find out more about how RNG software works, key factors like return-to-player (RTP) percentages and the many varieties of slots available.
Also, we share how to take advantage of bonuses and loyalty schemes to get the best bang for your bucks from slot play. If you’re looking for a spot to play slots online, we recommend the list below. Most of the casinos offer games similar to those you find in your local casino.
The Birth of Slot Machines
It’s widely known and accepted that Charles Fey is the father of modern slots, creating the Liberty Bell (or first “New Nickel operated machine”) in 1887 in San Francisco. Slots became an instant hit, and the inventor was able to open a production factory to manufacture slots. These machines do not differ much from modern ones, with similar reels and symbols.
How slot machines work?
Slot machines generally have three or more “reels,” each of which has a number of symbols. While physical slot machines may have 20 or more symbols per reel, digital technology allows them to have many more—some have 256 virtual symbols—with millions of possible combinations. The combinations of symbols that pay out if you bet on them are called “paylines.”
Slot machines contain random number generators that can generate thousands of numbers per second, each of which is associated with a different combination of symbols. Whether you win or lose is determined by the random number generated in the exact instant you activate each play—if it matches a payline, you win. Since each spin is independent, random and unrelated to previous or future spins, it’s impossible to predict what will happen on each play.
There are many different kinds of slot machines. Some allow you to choose how many paylines to bet on per play, and how much you want to bet. Before you put your money in, figure out the cost per play, the odds, the paylines, the return to the player, and anything else that will help you make the right decisions for you. Look for pay tables on or near the machine that explain everything you need to know.
Types of Slot Games
You can play all the same types of casino slots you can play in person.
- 3-reel Slots– These are also known as traditional or classic slots. Just like classic slots, these have three reels and fewer features than video slots.
- 5-reel Slots– These are the most common type of slot machine. These use multiple paylines and have features like bonus games, free games, multipliers, and more.
- Progressive Jackpot Slots– These games have jackpots that grow as people play them. They payout when you hit the right payline, during a bonus game, or at random.
- Vegas Slots– These are online slot machines based on games you used to be only able to play in Las Vegas casinos. Vegas slots are among the most popular games.
- Fruit Machines– These are like the traditional 3-reel slot you’d find in pubs. Fruit machines use fruit symbols and have strategy-based features like nudges and holds.
- 3D Slots Machines– These are slots with three-dimensional (3D) graphics and cutscenes. If you get motion sickness, you might want to steer clear of this type of slot game.
- Bonus Slots– These slots have games you can trigger either by getting enough of a specific symbol or at random. The games vary but include things like free spins, pick me, spinning wheels, and more.
These are just a few of the many types of slots you can play. We’re barely scratching the surface here.
Every online slot casino we recommend has a large selection of slots with different themes and features. You should have no problems finding the slots games you enjoy playing the most.
That is due, in part, to the software providers our recommended real money slot casinos work with.
How does the RNG software work on a slot machine?
Each time you press the spin button, the slot machine will generate a random sequence of numbers that determine the outcome of that spin. The RNG happens independently every single time you play.
While it can seem that sessions go in streaks, this is not the case. Each spin is an independent and random event. If you had hit the spin button a split second later, the RNG would have given you a different outcome. Both online slots and live casino slots use RNG software.
Auditing companies test the software to ensure the spins are fair and that (over the long run), the returns from each game are equal to the published amount.
Mechanical slots use a different system, which involves “stops” on each reel. Lower paying symbols will have a lot of stops, which means they occur (along with blanks) more frequently. Those with higher-paying, jackpot symbols will have the lowest number of stops, making it rare to line them up.
How to Choose Which Slot Games to Play
As we already mentioned, there are many kinds of slot games. Thanks to advances in digital technologies, both online and land-based casinos have a vast range of slot machines to choose from.
So, how do you know which games to play?
Slots fall into various categories, such as themes, features, and jackpots. All the top-rated online slot casinos enable you to filter their games by category, meaning you can find the best games based on your personal preferences.
If you’re unsure about which slot games are best for you, we recommend asking yourself the following questions.
What Kind of Themes Are You Interested in?
The range of slot themes in this day and age is almost endless. Software providers are constantly coming up with new and exciting themed slot games, so you are bound to find something that tickles your fancy.
Some of the most popular slot themes include movies, Egyptian, fairy tales, video games, and Ancient Rome. But that is merely the beginning. With hundreds of themes on offer, players can easily track down games that suit their needs.
Each game has unique symbols, storylines, and music that relate to the specific theme. For example, an Egyptian-themed slot might have King Tut, Cleopatra, and pyramid symbols, while an Ancient Rome slot might be set in a Colosseum with gladiators and swords.
The choice is yours!
What Features Seem Most Exciting to You?
Slot machines are always fun, but special features can take the excitement to a whole new level.
Essentially, slot features are all the key components that make up a slot game. You will often come across basic features such as free spins, wild symbols, and bonus rounds. Other games have more complex features like cascading reels, cluster plays, and megaways.
Different features offer different perks and benefits. Some multiply your winnings, while others present more ways to win. We recommend researching slot features and how they work in order to discover the best features for you.
Do You Want Progressive Jackpots, Branded Slots, or 3D Graphics?
If you want the chance to win life-changing sums of money, look for slot games with progressive jackpots. These games have jackpots that continually grow with every bet, dishing up giant payouts to lucky players.
On the other hand, many gamblers enjoy playing branded slots based on popular culture. You can play TV show-themed games such as The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones, or you can enjoy slot games based on iconic music artists like Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra.
Oh, and did you know that there are also 3D slots? These games bring the reels and symbols to life with cutting-edge graphics, creating an immersive experience for slot players.
Progressive jackpots, branded slots, and 3D graphics are all popular features that are available in many slot games. The good news is you don’t have to choose between one or the other. There are plenty of games that include a combination of these characteristics.
What Denomination Do You Want to Play With?
Whether you want to play for pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, or dollars, you won’t struggle to find a slot machine that suits your bankroll.
Low-cost penny slots are perfect for people who want to enjoy the thrill of gambling without spending a fortune. On the flip side, there are slot games for high-stakes gamblers who aren’t afraid to part ways with sizable wagers.
However, it is important to realize that penny slots typically cost more than one penny, and you can easily spend $10 per spin on a quarter or dollar machine. The denomination refers to the number of coins you can play per line. Some games have adjustable pay lines, but you should always play the maximum number of lines anyway. So, if you play a penny slot with twenty pay lines, plan to bet $0.20 per spin.
Be sure to follow the link below to learn more about slot machine games. This page contains reviews for hundreds of slot games and covers even more information about jackpots, features, and denominations.
Final thoughts
Slots are elaborate machines these days. Many have multiple on-reel features, impressive animations and second-screen bonus games.
When you strip away all the fancy features, slots work similarly. RNG software generates a string each time you hit spin, and this determines how the symbols land and how much you win or if you win at all. Returns are calibrated in advance to hit a specific percentage of the money put in.
The payout percentage is usually between 90%-97%. Games are tested over millions of spins to ensure that the real returns match the percentage that is published. What is harder to judge is the variance of a game, which describes whether the payouts come in bigger though less frequent chunks or smaller (more regular) ones.
There are a lot of slots to choose from in live casinos and online. Furthermore, you can enjoy playing many slot games online for free. With plenty of competition between the studios to create the next big thing, those of us that enjoy these games can only benefit.