Understanding Slots: Everything You Need To Know
Slot games used to be at the bottom of the barrel in casinos. The jackpots were small, and so were the payout percentages. Slot players weren't given the same complimentary bonuses commonly given to table players. However, in the last decade, the face of the casino industry has changed. Sports betting and online casinos are growing rapidly and are becoming the go-to for all gamblers, pushing slots to the forefront of all casinos.
How Do Slot Machines Work?
Before you can dive into the world of slots, you need to understand how they work and some of their basic features. Slots come in a variety of themes with a plethora of icons and graphics, but in most cases, the display will present a set number of symbols on a fixed layout. Once players place their bet, random symbols will roll down or across the screen, and these will award players based on their rarity and value.
The best way to understand the rules is to go through the layout of the slot. Most slot machines are made of reels with rows of symbols, pay lines, and a paytable.
Reels: Reels are the vertical columns of symbols. Most slot games have five reels, while playing a slot game with a different number of reels is not uncommon.
Rows: Rows are the horizontal symbols on the screen. Standard slot games will have three rows of symbols, but most games will have four rows or more.
Paylines: Paylines are set patterns that go across the screen, from the leftmost reel to the right. The pay lines can host winning combinations or matching symbols. The number of available pay lines depends on the game, with most five-reel games with three rows having around 20 pay lines available and the maximum being 243 pay lines.
Payout Table: Before players place their bets, they should use the slot's payout table. The Payout table will show players all of the available symbols and the payout for each symbol, as well as details on special symbols, like wilds and scatters, and information on any available bonus features.
Return to player and Volatility
The return-to-player rate, also known as RTP, is an indicator of how much a slot machine pays out on average over time. This is based on a large number of spins but can represent the amount players can win. The volatility of the game is another factor to consider. Volatility refers to the way the payouts are allocated.
A game with a high volatility rate will rely on large wins, while a lower volatility means that players will receive smaller wins more frequently.
The main features when playing slots
When playing slots, certain features create a more enjoyable game. Some features can provide users with an exciting experience, and knowing how they work can be key when learning how to play slots. Some main features include: wilds, scatters, bonus spins, and progressive jackpots.
Wilds: Wilds are one of the most widely available features, as most games have at least one wild available. This symbol can substitute for any other symbol required to form a winning combination with other icons on the screen.
Scatters: Scatters are given their name because the symbol can award payouts regardless of their positions on the screen. They don’t need to be on the same line or in adjacent positions to win.
Bonus Spins: Bonus spins are rounds where players don't spend any money, instead, the spins are played at the triggering bet size and can come with added perks to increase the payouts. In most cases, bonus spins are triggered by landing three or more scatter symbols on the screen at the same time.
Progressive Jackpots: These are prizes that increase after every bet is placed. Once the amount is won, it resets to the starting level, and the process can begin again. Winning a progressive jackpot can be done randomly by simply playing the game, landing a specific combination of symbols, or within a dedicated bonus round.
Dropping Symbols: Known as Tumbling Reels, Avalanches, Rolling Reels, Cascading Symbols, or other similar terms from various developers, this feature allows winning symbols to disappear from the screen and make room for other symbols to fall in their place from above. This can result in more wins during the same round.
Choosing the Right Slot Game
Learning about all the mechanics and bonus features can seem a bit overwhelming, but the truth is that slot machines are some of the easiest casino games to play, especially online. Once you know the basics when it comes to slots, you can try out any new slot game and enjoy the range of games online casinos have to offer. If you're still feeling unsure about what slot games are to your liking and want to test out a few without any consequences, then be free to check out the demo mode in most casinos.
With this in mind, let's take a look at three key factors you should take into consideration when choosing any slot game.
Theme: In most cases, the theme of a slot game is the main selling point. Developers try to cover almost every theme when making a slot game, from popular characters, cartoon aliens, dragons, and outer world galaxies to candy lands and Egyptian worlds. With modern graphics, detailed animations, and immersive sound effects, the theme of a game can make or break your gaming experience, so be sure to try out the demo modes first.
Features: Different games offer different features, and sometimes, too many features may become overwhelming when you are just getting started, so finding the right balance can be important. Keep an eye out for games like wilds, scatters, and bonus spins, and if you're chasing a larger jackpot, then progressive jackpots are the right feature for you.
Availability: Not all casinos offer the same games and providers, so if you're looking for and certain game or a specific provider, then you may have to browse through a handful of online casinos till you find the right provider for you.
Placing the right bets when playing slots
One of the most important aspects of playing slots is placing the right bets. Some slot games accept bets starting below $1 upwards to around $250 per spin. It is a large range, and while it may seem appealing because the payouts increase when the bet price does, it's important to stick to your budget and not chase your losses.
Final Thoughts
Understanding slots is essential for enjoying the exciting experience they provide, whether you're playing at a physical casino or spinning reels online. You can boost your gameplay and make more educated decisions by becoming familiar with the mechanics, different types of slots, bonus features, and betting tactics. While luck certainly plays a large role, knowledge is power, and knowing how to navigate the various game elements can lead to a more enjoyable and rewarding experience.
