Whether you’re a huge slot machine fan or a total novice, there’s always something to learn when it comes to playing online. In this online slots guide, our team of experts will show you how to play and give you an exclusive insight into the best online casinos to play at in 2024. With detailed information on the different aspects and variations of the game and a few handy tips, you should see your chances of winning improve in no time.
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How to Play Slots for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide
Slot machines are perfect for online gambling as they’re quick and easy to get the hang of, and great fun to play. Even if you’re new to online slot machines, follow our step by step guide below and you’ll be playing like a pro in no time.
Step 1
Choose your preferred online slot machine and open the game on your chosen device. The screen will fill with the reels of your slot machine and operating buttons such as ‘spin’ and ‘max bet’. You’ll also see your bankroll in the corner of the screen.
Step 2
Take a look at the game’s paytable. This will show you how much each symbol is worth and let you know which ones you’re on the lookout for.
Step 3
Choose what you want to bet and how many paylines you’d like to play. Use the ‘max bet’ button if you’d like to select all paylines at once.
Step 4
Click ‘spin’ to spin the reels. If you have won, the game will display your winnings and offer you the chance to gamble. This gives you the opportunity to win bigger prizes via a bonus game.
Step 5
You can continue spinning the reels for as long as you wish, but don’t forget to keep an eye on your bankroll.
Online slot machines are increasingly complex, as developers seek to create new games that are each more exciting and engaging than the last. One of the key changes in modern online slot machines is the addition of new symbols such as wilds and scatters.
Whilst they may sound a little off-putting at first, wilds and scatters can actually be hugely beneficial to your game, as long as you know what to do with them! So, let’s have a look at what these symbols mean.
What Are Wilds?
Wilds is a term which is used across many different games, so the chances are you’ve heard it mentioned before, if you’re into your online gambling. Often you’ll hear the term ‘wild card’ used to mean a card which can be substituted for any other card the player might want it to be in order to make a win. With slots, the meaning is just the same.
Wild symbols are used in slot machines to offer players the chance to create a winning line, by substituting their wild symbol for whatever symbol they happen to be missing. So, it’s easy to see how the addition of wild symbols in a game is highly beneficial for players.
In slots, wild symbols can be either static or dynamic. They can also have other uses. For instance, in more complicated video slots you might find that a wild symbol triggers other events, such as expanding symbols or even bonus rounds, all of which could lead to more winnings for you.
What are Scatters?
Video slots are increasingly including another type of symbol, and this one goes far beyond the basic fruits of the old one-armed bandits.
Scatter symbols are unique in that they don’t need to appear on the win line in order to score you points. In fact, it doesn’t matter where you see a scatter symbol appear on the screen. If you see it - you could win!
With scatter symbols, the prizes aren’t simply coins. Scatter symbols are regularly used to signal the start of an interactive bonus round, where you might be able to unlock a bounty of free spins as well as cash prizes. You could even be in with a chance of securing a progressive jackpot! To see a return on your bet, you’ll often need a certain number of scatter symbols to appear at once.
What are Multipliers?
A popular feature with many online slots players, multipliers offer you the chance to quickly increase your wins by two, three or even over ten times their actual value. These symbols, like scatter and wild symbols, can appear at random on the reels, and are sure to intensify the excitement of the game, even for players who have put down a relatively small bet.
Although most often found in bonus and free spin rounds, multipliers can occasionally appear in the base game as well. In some cases, scatter and wild symbols can also act as multipliers at the same time, increasing your winnings even further. In addition, multipliers don’t always just increase your win on a payline, but can also increase your line or total bet to offer even more winnings!
What Are Bonus Rounds?
Offered in most games, bonus rounds are additional rounds of the game that you can unlock, which give you an extra opportunity to increase the winnings you’ll be taking away, and of course make the game that bit more exciting.
Bonus rounds can take various forms, such as free spins, mini-games and gambling/risk options, to name a few. They are usually triggered by the appearance of bonus symbols, and as with combinations of winning symbols, are set to appear to players completely at random, unless unlocked by achieving certain game-specific goals. Here at Casino.org we’ve tested, reviewed and compiled a list of the online slots offering the best bonus rounds.
How to Beat Slot Machines: Our Top Tips
Having changed considerably from their physical counterparts in land casinos over the last decade or so, the most popular slot machines at online casinos now often feature either 25 or 50 paylines, five reels and a wide variety of symbols. There are also bonus rounds, free bonus games, random jackpots and so much more. So, nowadays if you really want to be a pro at winning online slots, you’ll have to do your homework. However, with some key strategy, there are still a number of things you can do to improve your odds and take a real shot at the top prizes. We’ll start with the four golden rules of slots:
1. Bet on as many Paylines as You Can
If you're on a budget, lower your bet amount instead of the number of paylines you want to play.
2. Check the Rules before You Play
Winning some bonuses and jackpots requires a minimum bet amount. Check the rules before playing so you're not left disappointed.
3. Make Use of Special Features
Many modern online slots come with features like Auto Play or Fast Play to help speed up your games, so that you can gain winnings faster.
Practice with Free Games
Many real money online slots have free slots options to play so you can learn the rules without risking your own cash, without downloading or registering. This is also a great opportunity for more experienced players to test out their strategies.
How Do Slot Tournaments Work?You might come across slot tournaments when you play online. These are competitions for players to compete against each other to win real money or a prize such as a holiday. To be the winner, you need to rank top of the tournament leaderboard by hitting big .A tournament will take place within a window of time – players might play against each other live in this time, or can play at any time but need to rank high to get on the leaderboard. Sometimes tournaments have heats where the winners all progress to play each other for a grand prize. There might be an entry fee for a slot tournament, always check beforehand.Our top tips on how to win a slot tournament are as follows:1. Use the auto-spin feature, or spin non-stop if this isn’t available2. Play on as many paylines as possible3. Make use of the max bet feature
Now you’ve heard all the tips from our experts, it’s time to put your skills to the test! Take a look at our recommended online slot machines to get started. Remember, there’s no such thing as a foolproof slots strategy, but there are ways that you can improve your chances. It’s just a case of knowing your game. If you'd like to find out more, check our guide to how to win at slots and our top 10 tips pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are online slots games?
Online slots games are computerized versions of the classic fruit machines you'll find at all good casinos. With online versions of these much-loved games, there are additional features such as wild symbols and scatter symbols, as well as interactive bonus rounds and much more.
How do online slots pay out?
Online slots pay out when a player lines up winning symbols. Depending on the game chosen, there will be a certain number of paylines (often 25 or 50) and certain combinations of symbols which will trigger a payout. Higher valued symbols equal a greater return on your bet, whilst other symbols, such as scatters, might lead to a monetary prize.
What are paylines on slot machines?
To get a payout on an online slot machine, you need to line up winning symbols on something called a payline. Each individual slot game has different numbers of paylines, which usually run from left to right across the screen. Details on paylines can usually be found in the menu of each game.
How can I win online slots games?
It’s impossible to truly improve your chances of winning online slots games. They are, in essence, a game of chance. However, you can maximize your potential winning power by following our simple tips. From learning how to choose the best slot machines to knowing your stuff when it comes to wilds and scatters, every little helps when it comes to winning online slot games.
Are online slots really random?
Yes, all regulated online slot machines are completely random. Make sure you use sites that audit games for fairness and stick to vetted and approved online casinos, such as the ones listed on this website, and you can be assured of a completely fair and random chance of winning.
How do you tell if a slot machine is loose?
A loose slot machine is one which has a higher RTP (return to player) rate than other similar games available at the casino. You should be able to check this on the machine before you play, it will be noted as a percentage figure. In terms of how to win jackpots on slot machines like this, always look for high percentages and avoid multiple payline slots.
How do slot machines work?
Whether you hit spin in online slots or a Vegas casino, the concept is the same. The reels spin and players hope that they’ll match up the symbols and win. Every slot game outcome is completely random. Online, a random number generator (RNG) is used. In a casino, mechanisms can spin or there are digital RNGs within the machine which determine the outcome.