Online slots make up the largest proportion of games at most online casinos and the majority of casino fans have spun their reels at least once or twice. For many online slots are where they start their online casino journey and with a mountain of choice regarding theme, form, or function as well as their user-friendly nature, it's a smart choice.
In today’s article, we’ll be teaching you how to play online slot machines in 3 easy steps. Keep on reading to learn more.
Step 1: Select Your Slot (Check the Stats.)
There are a lot of online slots out there, and most online casino sites will have hundreds or even over a thousand games to choose from. Firstly, don’t get overwhelmed and use the available filtering tools to reduce the search criteria.
A top tip for picking your perfect slot is to consider your interests outside of the casino world. Are you an avid angler, do you love fantasy and folklore, have a specific fandom you love, or love a dash of adventure? One of the best things about online slots is the huge range of titles out there, meaning that if you can think of a theme or genre, there’s probably a slot out there for you.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, take a look at the game information. Basic information such as betting limits and RTP (return to player) will be displayed on the game page, but for more detailed information load the slot and check out the in-game information and paytable.
In general, an RTP of 96% or higher is a good indicator, and if you are a complete beginner a low-volatility slot with limited bonus features is a smart move; just until you know the ropes.
Step 2: Place Your Bet (Responsible Gambling)
Now you know what slot you want to play, you will need to make a wager. Online slots can have a huge range of betting ranges, starting from just 1p per spin up to £500 or more in some cases. With such a broad spectrum, it can be tempting to place the largest bet possible to reap the highest possible rewards.
This is where responsible gambling practices come in. Slots are meant to be played as a fun hobby and not as a money-making opportunity as all outcomes are random and nothing is guaranteed. Therefore, before wagering, set yourself a budget and a time limit for your session, and only wager what you can afford to lose. If you are just starting, stick to small, conservative wagers.
With your budget decided it’s time to set your bet. The controls vary by slot game, but typically follow one of three formats:
- The simplest interface displays the bet size and stake buttons to adjust it.
- Other games require players to make wagers as coins. The interface for these games will feature a coin value to enter, either with a slider or +/- buttons or pre-set options to click. Some slots have a bet level instead of a coin value, but wagers are formed similarly.
- Lastly, some slots will feature unfixed paylines. These allow the players to pick how many lines they’d like active. As a result, the betting interface for these games will require players to enter a line bet. The line bet entered will be multiplied by the number of active lines to form the total wager.
Step 3: Spin!
Finally, now you’ve chosen the perfect game, learned the rules, and set a sensible wager, it's time for the fun part - spinning the reels! Simply click the spin button - or tap it if you’re playing on a mobile device - to set the reels in motion.
Regions outside the UK have access to features like autoplay which has the reels spin automatically, and turbo spins which have the reels spin and stop more quickly. However, due to changes in recent gambling laws, these are removed.
After a short time, the reels will come to a stop. In most online slot machines, winning combinations are formed of three or more matching symbols across an active payline starting from the leftmost reel. All outcomes have been determined at random by RNG or ‘random number generation’ technology, ensuring that outcomes have no predictable pattern and are therefore always fair.
However, some games such as cluster pay games will award payouts for matching symbols grouped in clusters, while other games will have a few special symbols which award payouts for just 2 of a kind, and scatter symbols will either award payouts or bonus features when 3 or more of them land on the reels in any position within a single spin.
Winning combinations will be highlighted to the player, often with some form of fanfare. All payouts are made per the paytable, and once any winnings have been paid out and/or any bonus features have been resolved you can spin the reels again.
Is There a Difference in How to Play Online Slots Online?
With such a huge array of titles available at online casinos, there are bound to be differences and subgenres within the online slot world. The majority of slots can be split into 3-reel and 5-reel formats. The first, often termed as ‘retro slots’ have a 3x3 reel set up and between 1-9 paylines on average. 5-reel slots are called video slots and have a 5x3 reel set up. The paylines available in these games can vary hugely from 1-243 or more.
While overall, many of the key features and mechanics remain the same such as reels, symbols, winning combinations, and user interface formats, over the years many developers have added twists to their online slot releases. Just some of these are listed below:
- Megaways Games: The Megaways game system was created by Big Time Gaming in 2016. It combines a changing reel set with cascading symbols which allow for chain reactions of wins and winways of up to 117,649.
- Progressive Jackpot Games: These slots are part of a progressive network. The most well-known is the Jackpot King system where three prize pots accumulate in value over time until they are won by a lucky player.
- Cluster Pays Games: In cluster pays slots, matching symbols only need to be grouped in certain quantities to award payouts. Often cluster pays slots use a cascading reel system similar to Megaways games.
- Expanding Reels: Some online slots will display an active reel set with additional reels that are locked. The reels will expand upon winning combinations and contract at the end of the turn, or will only expand during bonus features.
- Multiplier Slots: In multiplier slots, such as DoubleMax games, a win multiplier doubles after each successive winning combination.
Takeaway
Starting on your online slot journey is pretty exciting! There are so many fantastic titles to explore and with our three simple steps, you can be safely spinning the reels of a slot that’s suited to you in no time - just remember to not let your excitement cloud your judgement. Always gamble responsibly, take breaks, and avoid excessive risks.
To discover more about the world of online slots and start spinning the reels yourself, sign up and play today at Prime Casino.
