From the time the first slots were developed to the modern online slots, these games have been a consistently popular choice among gamers. In fact, the whole reason mechanical slots were invented was because the sudden popularity of their predecessors was making too much work for the bar owners who were trying to keep up with the payouts.
To understand the basics of slot gaming, it helps to remember that the original design was based on a poker hand, with players trying to spin the wheels to get a winning combination. Nowadays, the symbols have been simplified, so you no longer need to know whether a full house beats a straight (it does), but you are still trying to spin yourself a winning combination.
Physical slot machines come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from the traditional one-armed bandits to the more modern electronic slots seen in bars, clubs, and other entertainment venues all over the world. While the format may vary, the gameplay is usually pretty simple to grasp, making slots one of the easiest casino games to play.
Terminology
- There are a few different terms used in slots, and knowing what they mean will make it easier to understand the gameplay:
- Reels – these are the drums that spin vertically and have the symbols you need to match on them. The fewer the reels, the simpler the game, so beginners usually opt for three or four reel slots to start with as there are fewer symbols to keep track of.
- Rows – these are the vertical lines comprising one symbol from each wheel that show what the result of your spin is.
- Paylines – these are the various combinations of symbols that can win. There are usually at least a few horizontal lines, but many slots use vertical, diagonal, and zig zag paylines to create a variety of different winning combinations.
- Paytable – this contains everything you need to know about how the slot pays out with values for each of the symbols and a reminder of the paylines.
- Wild symbols – these symbols usually have some kind of additional feature or action that occurs when they are activated.
- Bonus symbols – these usually trigger either a bonus game or simply a straight prize bonus
- Scatter symbols – these symbols do not need to be lined up to trigger a payout. So long as you can see enough of them, it doesn’t matter if they are ‘scattered’ across the board.
How to play online slots
Their real-life counterparts’ popularity has conquered the digital realm, ensuring that online slots top the table for the most popular online casino games time and time again. The simplicity and speed of the game make it so easy to play slots that they are many people’s favourite both in land-based casinos and digital ones.
Slot machines use the power of random number generators to create the virtual spins in both land-based and online casinos, so players can test their luck in the hope that they will spin a winner. The random number generator can generate thousands of random numbers per second, each of which is associated with one of the thousands of combinations of symbols on the reels.
Once you have placed your stake, you press the button, spin the reels, and see where they land. Any bonuses or payouts will usually be triggered automatically if you have won, but sometimes you will activate a mini game or bonus round which you will get to play before the end of your turn.
Playing slots for the first time
One of the things that players enjoy most about slot gaming is the sheer variety of games available. From popular culture to ancient history, there are plenty of themed games designed to appeal to fans of everything from Stranger Things to the Ancient Egyptians.
But how can you narrow down the thousands of options available? In order to find the ideal game for you, there are a few things to consider:
- Only play at reputable casinos. Check their operator’s license, make sure the site is secure, and read online reviews before entering any personal details or payment information.
- Choose simple slots to start with so you can get the hang of the basics before embarking on some of the more complex options with mini games, bonus rounds, and specific targets.
- Take your time and don’t worry if things all seem to happen at once. Slots can be pretty fast-paced, but you don’t have to keep up with the machine.
- Check the paytable and paylines before you start playing so that you know what you’re trying to achieve once you get going.
Slots are designed to be fun first and foremost, and with a little research and planning, you can have a great time playing.
