A newcomer to online slots games will have a host of questions and while it’s not practical to attempt to cover all the possible questions a slots newbie could ask, we have included most of the frequently asked questions and offer clear and concise answers.
- What are online slots?
- How Do Online Slots Work?
- What are the best slots for beginners?
- What kind of different slots are there?
- What’s a Reel?
- What’s a Payline?
- What are Wild Symbols?
- What are Scatter Symbols?
- What’s the Difference Between Video Slots and the Traditional Slots?
- What does RTP stand for?
- How Do I Know Online Slots are Truly Random?
- Can I Play Online Slots on my Mobile Device?
- What Makes a Slot Machine Fair and Safe to Play?
- Are There Strategies to be Used for Online Slots?
- How many different types of slot games are there?
- Are online slot games really random?
- What exactly are progressive slots?
- What are the benefits of progressive slots?
- What does Volatility mean?
- What are slot pay-lines?
- Why are online slots a good option?
- Do I have to use real money to play?
- What is a paytable?
- Are all slots available in all countries?
The slots not only take up the majority of the casino floor, they’re also irresistible with their flashing lights and up beat cheerful music. They’ve been ranked as the easiest casino games to learn and play and offer the type of entertainment we all crave after a tough week. Even so, we get asked a lot of questions about the slots, no doubt because they’re so popular.
And finally, slots keep us happy! From the very simple three reel slot games with bells and cherries to the multi-reel video slot games with all their bonus features, Wilds and Scatters, slot games just keep getting better and better.
We list reviewed and regulated online casinos that offer thousands of the very best slots designed by super powerhouses like Microgaming, NetEnt and Evolution Gaming. Have a read through our slot game FAQ’s and perfect your slot gaming so that you can accumulate big wins while still enjoying the best fun and thrills that only a slot machine can offer.
What are online slots?
Online slots are virtual versions of traditional land-based casinos, which allow players to enjoy their favourite games from the comfort of their own home.
How Do Online Slots Work?
Essentially, slots are machines with spinning wheels. In recent years, we’ve moved away from the mechanical gears and levers. Instead, we’re watching through a computer screen and depending on a random number generator (RNG) to promote a fair game.
Now, we press a button to release the game, and while the spinning reels are just for effect, they sure add an element of excitement! Each ‘reel’ has a symbol on it, and a combination of specific symbols will determine a winner.
Now, we press a button to release the game, and while the spinning reels are just for effect, they sure add an element of excitement! Each ‘reel’ has a symbol on it, and a combination of specific symbols will determine a winner.
What are the best slots for beginners?
The best slots are the ones that provide you with fun for your budget. Take a look through our in-depth slot reviews to find titles you want to try today.
What kind of different slots are there?
There are a range of slot types, including 3-reel classic slot machines, 5-reel slots, progressive slots, mega spin slots, multipliers, multi-payline slots and mobile slots.
What’s a Reel?
The reel is one of the most vital elements that make up a slot machine. These are the features that spin to release a (hopefully) winning combo. Whether it’s a physical machine at a land casino, traditional slot machine, progressive or video slots, it’ll feature some reels. Most importantly, the reels will determine whether or not you win or lose.
What’s a Payline?
Originally, a payline was the line that stretched from one end of the screen to the other. As the reels stopped spinning, the symbols beneath this payline must match in a particular order to result in a win. There’s no longer just one payline, instead, you can expect to see different lines zigzagging throughout the screen. Symbols don’t necessarily need to fall horizontally. Ultimately, betting on many paylines will increase any chance of winning.
What are Wild Symbols?
The concept of the Wild symbol was taken from the ‘wild card’ in a game of Poker. If a Wild appears, it’s to replace another card and help you create a winning combination. This Wild needs to appear on the correct reel for it to lead to a win. Some games allow you to get more than one Wild symbol at a time, which can increase your chances of winning and the amount you can earn.
What are Scatter Symbols?
Online casino gamers love the Scatter symbols. Its presence will result in a win regardless of its positioning. If you have a certain number of these symbols on the screen anywhere, you’ll receive a pay-out. Scatter symbols are relatively new and tend to feature in the modern video slots machines.
What’s the Difference Between Video Slots and the Traditional Slots?
You can expect to come across more video slots nowadays, as they’ve become the kind of default slot machine. The video reels are typically much flashier. They emanate flashing lights and obnoxious sounds and features to make for a very exciting game. You’ll often see themed video slots, with your favourite pop culture characters making an appearance.
Traditional slots are much more basic, and typically offer one payline and between three and five feels. Bonuses are few and far between at the traditional slots, unlike video slots.
What does RTP stand for?
Return to Player, or the RTP definition is a term that online casinos use to describe the percentage of wagered money that a particular slot game will pay to players over time.
How Do I Know Online Slots are Truly Random?
If you choose a reputable and reliable online casino that holds SSL encryption and is certified and authorised by recognised organisations, your gameplay will be safe, secure and fair. A trustworthy online casino will have an RNG in pace, which means each result is random. It uses a mathematical algorithm to determine a winner. This piece of software is used across the board for all slot machines, from traditional to video slots and progressive slots.
Can I Play Online Slots on my Mobile Device?
Each casino is different, but 9 times out of 10, you can. Many casinos will offer a specific mobile app or will be mobile friendly via your internet browser. Bear in mind, when playing mobile slots, there might not be as much variety to choose from. Over the years, developers have worked to ensure mobile casino users get a flawless experience. Even though your screen is smaller, you’re enjoying the same crystal-clear features and interface that’s found on desktop.
What Makes a Slot Machine Fair and Safe to Play?
When you land on a casino you like the look of, scroll to the bottom of the site, where you should find everything you need to know. If a casino is reliable, they’ll wear their certifications and authorisations like a badge of honour. Organisations and Authorities like the UK Gambling Commission and eCOGRA guarantee the site is following stringent rules that are in place to protect the consumer. This means the site must promote fair gaming, through the use of an RNG as well as a safe and secure environment to play.
How many different types of slot games are there?
There are several types of online slots. Some of the slots include video slots, classic 3-reel slots, multi-payline slots and progressive slots which accumulate with every player that wagers to reward one lucky player with a massive jackpot.
Are There Strategies to be Used for Online Slots?
This is typically the reason you don’t often see professional gamblers playing slots at either online casinos or its land-based counterpart. The strategy you can use is minimal. Some say the only forms of strategy one can use at a slot machine is whether to bet high or low, bet once and move on or keep wagering. Many books over the year have been written that suggest possible strategies, but when you’re up against a RNG, there’s really very little you can do.
Are online slot games really random?
Whether you prefer to play 1 cent slots, 10 cent slots or progressive slots, every online slot depends on a random number generator (RNG). This is a computer programme that generates completely random numbers connected to a game’s symbol. The slot reviews we conduct rate slot machines that are regularly tested for randomness.
What exactly are progressive slots?
When you play a progressive slot, a part of every wager is added to the main prize pool. The pot keeps increasing until a lucky winner lands on the specified combination of symbols. Take a look through slot news to find the highest paying progressive games. Read more about progressive slots in our guide.
What are the benefits of progressive slots?
Progressive slots mean that the potential prize increases each time the game is played, and this can lead to a massive payout to the lucky winner that hits the Jackpot, this could be you!
What does Volatility mean?
Volatility, in terms of online slots, references just how much risk is involved when playing a particular title. It’s a way of telling players how often you can expect the slot to pay out and how much you can expect to receive on a big payout.
What are slot pay-lines?
These are the lines along which the symbols run. There is one pay line on each reel. You need to activate the pay lines before spinning the reels and this all depends on how much you wager.
Why are online slots a good option?
Online slots give players the chance to enjoy a host of popular games – both new and old – from the comfort of their own home, no matter where in the world they are playing from. Online slots don’t require much skills but have some potentially good wins.
Do I have to use real money to play?
No. most major online casinos have a practice mode where you can just learn the games on the site and understand the rules. This does not cost any money, however, you don’t get to win any rewards as well. Once you are ready to play the real stakes, you can invest money.
What is a paytable?
This is a chart where all the bets are outlined with the winning amount. So, if you bet $/€10, the paytable will show you the amount of money you will get if you win the bet. Every slot machine has a unique paytable, so make sure you study it before playing.
Are all slots available in all countries?
It all depends on the legal gambling age by country and whether or not online gambling is legal in a particular country. If it is legal to gamble online, and you meet your country’s legal gambling age, chances are you have a plethora of slots to choose from at online casinos.