Online slot games are some of the most popular games in any online casino. If you’ve ever played any, you’ll have noticed just how many different options you have available today, ranging from traditional fruit-themed slots to modern Megaways games and those with giant jackpots. If you’re looking to spin some reels for the first time, or you’d like to take your slot gaming to the next level, our guide to how slots work has you covered.
Slot Game Types
Slots are a game that uses a set of rotating reels to spin a set of symbols around at high speed. The aim is to make a winning combination of symbols when the reels come to a rest. There are several main categories of slot games, each catering to a different type of player:
- Traditional or classic slots: Slots that use fruit and numbers to resemble retro games of the 20th century.
- Video slots: These games take things to a new level with animations, bonus features, free spins, and even a storyline to follow.
- Progressive slots: Games with jackpots that gradually grow larger before they payout.
How to Play Slots
To play a slot game, you select the amount you’d like to bet and then hit the spin button. This sets the reels in motion before they slowly come to a stop. If you have a winning combination of symbols when they do, you’ll receive a payout. Here is a simple step-by-step guide you can follow to get started.
- Choose a slot game: Browse through the list of slot games available and choose the one that’s right for you.
- Check its paytable: It will show you how much each symbol is worth and which symbols to look out for.
- Set your bet and paylines: Most slot games let you decide your stake. Use the arrow buttons to select it. Choose the number of paylines you’d like to play. Use the ‘max bet’ button if you want to select all paylines at once.
- Spin the reels: Click ‘spin’ to start the game. If you win, the game will display your winnings and may offer a chance to gamble for bigger prizes through a bonus game.
- Mind your bankroll: Hit the spin button, but always monitor your bankroll to ensure you are playing responsibly.
How Slots Function
If you like the sound of all the different features that slot games offer, read the details below.
Random Number Generators
Modern video slots use computer code. To ensure fairness, online casinos use a random number generator (RNG) to create unpredictable results. RNGs and the code used in slot games are independently audited to further ensure fairness and transparency for players, so you can be confident the slots you play are legitimate.
Base Game, Reels, Symbols
All slots have a base game that uses a set of symbols, usually placed onto a row of three or more reels. These symbols vary across games, with pictures being the highest-value symbols and numbers being the lowest-ranked symbols.
The game will have a paytable that displays all the different winning combinations and how much they return if you land them. If a game has multiple paylines (most modern video slots do), you can make more than one winning combination with each spin.
Some special slot games use a cascade or waterfall mechanic to drop symbols onto a grid instead of spinning reels. However, the other principles remain the same.
Wilds, Scatters, Multipliers
Slot games also have special symbols called Wilds, Scatters, and Multipliers. If you land enough of these on the reels, you can unlock bonus features or bag bigger wins.
Wilds can be used to substitute other symbols, giving you extra opportunities to win, while Scatters can be used in a similar way or to unlock free spins and other features. Multipliers usually appear inside a bonus game and will pay out the corresponding multiple of your wager.
Bonus Features
Bonus features are usually unlocked by landing the special symbols on the reels, but some slot games also allow you to buy access to the bonus games if you’d prefer not to wait.
Each game has its own bonus offerings. These can vary from free spins of the reels with increased chances to land high-paying symbols to completely separate games, like the dogfight minigame in Top Gun Slot.
Other games have a game board-like mechanic that lets you move the character through as you keep spinning. The further you move up the board, the more you win.
Jackpots
Jackpots are a special type of slot prize that is much bigger than the normal wins you would expect. A traditional jackpot is simply a much bigger but very rare payout, but you’re more likely to come across progressive variants today. These are jackpots that start large and grow bigger and bigger with every spin before they finally hit.
Megaways
As you browse slot games, you’ll see many with the word Megaways in the title. These are slots with a special Megaways mechanic that varies the size of each reel to create as many as 117,649 different paylines. That means with each spin, there are 117,649 different lines on which you can match symbols to make a winning combination.
You don’t even have to do anything different while playing Megaways slots. This mechanic just works in the background so you can focus on having fun.
RTP and Volatility
When you play slot games, you will often see references to each slot’s RTP and volatility. These are measurements that seasoned slot players use to compare games and decide which one to play. Here is a breakdown of how each one works.
What is RTP?
Return to player, which is often shortened to just RTP, is a calculation of how much of your wagers you can expect, on average, to have returned to you when you play slot games. But it’s important to always remember that this metric is not a guarantee.
A slot’s RTP is expressed as a percentage and is almost always higher than 85%, especially so in more modern slots where the rate often exceeds 90%.
Note:A game with a 90% return to player rate would, on average, pay out $0.90 for every $1 that is bet on the game.
RTP vs House Edge
While RTP expresses how much of your wagers you can expect to be returned, the house edge is the calculation of how much the casino will, on average, keep from all bets placed.
Because the two are connected, it’s easy to compare how favourable slot games are to table games.
Note:A slot game with a 90% RTP has a house edge of 10%.
Volatility and Variance
Volatility and variance are metrics that explain how often you can expect to make winning combinations of symbols and how big the gap is between big and small wins. Variance is how often a game pays out over time, while volatility is the short term, showing the risks of big wins or losses.
If you like to take a slow and steady approach, a low volatility-low variance slot may be a better choice. Meanwhile, those who prefer the chance of bigger wins at longer odds are more likely to enjoy high volatility and high variance games.
The table below shows how variance and volatility affect slot games.
| Volatility/Variance | Average individual win size | Player risk | Frequency of wins |
| High | High | High | Low |
| Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Low | Low | Low | High |
Our Top Picks to Play
If you’re just getting started with online slots, it can be tough to know which games are worth your time. To help you out, here are five must-try slots that offer great gameplay. Explore our recommendations.
| Slot | Description |
|---|---|
| Book of Ra | Step into the mysteries of Ancient Egypt with the legendary Book of Ra slot by Novomatic. With a thrilling adventure storyline, 5 reels, and 9 paylines, this slot offers smooth gameplay and its RTP of 94.26% adds to the excitement. |
| Cleopatra | Immerse yourself in Ancient Egypt with Cleopatra, a 5-reel, 20-payline slot from IGT. It features a Free Spins bonus where payouts are tripled and a Wild symbol that boosts your winnings. |
| Wolf Run | This a 5-reel, 40-payline slot from IGT has animal-themed graphics and a hint of Native American culture. It offers features like Stacked Wilds and Free Spins. The game provides adjustable paylines and 94.98% RTP. |
| Extra Chilli | Turn up the heat with Extra Chilli Megaways from Big Time Gaming. This Mexican-themed spicy slot features up to 117,649 ways to win, a 96.82% RTP, and exciting in-game features like Free Spins, Multipliers, and the Bonus Buy option. |
Slots Tips and Tricks from Our Experts
Here are some simple tips to help you play smarter.
- Find a slot machine that fits your style: Pick classic three-reel slots for simplicity or go for flashy slots with lots of features.
- Utilise special features: Take advantage of features like Auto Play or Fast Play, which can speed up your game.
- Look for slot tournaments: They pit players against each other to get the highest score during a set time frame. If you’re one of the best, you win a prize.
- Consider high volatility slots: They don’t pay out as often, but when they do, the winnings are usually bigger. This is good if you enjoy big prizes.
- Play the max bet wisely: The “Max Bet” strategy is for high-rollers with big bankrolls. Be cautious with this approach.
