Beginners to slot machines always have the same inquiry – how do slot machines work? Everyone has probably seen the standard layout of a slot machine, consisting of a screen that displays three or more reels that begin to spin when you start the action. Some slot machines still have the game launch lever that belongs to the old version of the game. Most of the slot machines that exist today work with interactive buttons and touch screens.
How Online Slots Work
Online slots are a computerized interpretation of the big slot machines. They are controlled by a central computer that uses a random number generator (RNG) program to determine the outcome of each spin. Online versions of slot machines are more advanced as they include more game elements, which we will describe in the following part of the article. As with traditional casinos, there are many different variations of online slots.
Computerized slot machines use motors to spin the reels and stop them at a predetermined point. The computer controls the digital pulsations that precisely drive these motors. The number of virtual reel symbols that digital technology allows you to spin is 256, while physical slot machines only have up to 20.
How To Play Slots
The main goal is to spin the reels. To expect success, all the reel images on the horizontal, vertical or other trajectories must match. Slot machines usually have multiple winning lines. When you place bets, you can decide how many win lines to include in your spins. The more winning trajectories included the more likely you are to win, but you will need to spend more on similar bets.
Chances to Win
There is always a chance to succeed because slot machines use a random number generator. Thus, each past spin does not correlate with the future one. On the other hand, depending on the game and house edge, the odds of winning can vary.
Tips
To win at slots – luck is not the only important factor.
Careful Choice
There are no similar slots because they are all unique, with exceptional themes, storylines, symbols, tunes, bonus features and RTP rates. Since the rate of return to the player varies depending on the game, before playing, check the slot’s market supply and RTP – the higher it is, the higher the chances of winning.
Free Casino Games
One of the most vital elements is to find sites for free casino games. They are incredibly usable if you are still learning how to play slots. With practice, it’s easier to understand the best nuances of slot machines, get a feel for them and learn about the different components of the game, such as multipliers, bonus contests, etc.
Gamblers can find several online casinos that offer slot games in demo mode where players can test their skills and apply their favourite slot strategy.
Read the Table of Game Values
All online slot machines have a table of payout values. This table highlights the worth of each symbol, so it’s easy to see which ones are the most profitable. The table shows the number of coins or credits the bettor will win for each combination of symbols.
The contents of the value table may vary depending on the complexity of the slot machine. While most have a single-page paytable, others have more than one page, especially slots with multiple paylines and higher risk levels. A typical payment table usually contains the following basic information:
- Winning paylines
- Betting requirements
- Symbol meanings
- Special characters
- Functions
- Jackpot details
Winning Paylines
Slot machine paylines are patterns in which winning combinations appear. Classic slot machines had a single horizontal payline, but modern online video slots have introduced more gameplay options. Always make sure you understand all the payline patterns beforehand. Otherwise, you will be disappointed when you believe that you have won but, in reality, lost. For instance, the symbols are arranged horizontally, but the winning payline is vertical or zigzag.
Betting Requirements
Most bonuses and free spins usually have wagering requirements. Even jackpot prizes depend on whether you meet the wagering requirements. There are usually two types of conditions for slot machines:
- Wagering requirements – many features can only be activated when you bet a certain amount for a spin.
- Bonus wagering requirements are the number of times you have to play before you can cash out your winnings. For example, if you deposit $100 and get a $100 bonus, you have $200 in your account for your game.
Now you have to bet these $200, and if the casino forces you to play 20 times, it is marked 20x – you can withdraw the winnings only then. All these calculations mean you must make bets worth $4000. One additional key aspect – be sure to read these terms and conditions at every casino you join, as most will differ from one another and will often try to hide this information in their terms and conditions.
Meanings of Symbols
Value tables help you understand what each symbol represents and how meaningful they are for the game. Older slot machines had icons such as bells, diamonds, and horseshoes. Later came fruits such as cherries and lemons or card symbols such as aces, jacks, queens, and kings. Modern slot machines have multiple characters, as the standard ones are cherries or sevens. Some slot machines even depict images of various famous movie characters.
Special Characters
Regardless of the other characters, some special symbols can add more excitement to each spin. These are the symbols that every slot player hopes to see.
- Wild symbol – can act as any other symbol to complete a winning combination on a payline. The goal is to substitute other game symbols and help make winning combinations.
- Scatter symbol – can appear anywhere on the reels to create winning combinations or trigger bonus features. It does the same thing as the wild symbol. However, it might also appear anywhere without following a specific linear pattern.
- Bonus symbol – can bring you closer to a grander win. There is usually a minimum number of bonus symbols required.
Some symbols can help complete a winning combination, while others can double your win rate. It all depends on the betting requirements.
Functions
All the mentioned stuff is as important as the functions – free and automatic spins. Most modern slot machines have an auto-spin feature that allows you to set a specific number of spins. After each stage, it will automatically spin again.
On the other hand, the free spins feature is an additional bonus to your games. Some gambling operators usually give a few free spins as a welcome bonus. You can also get free spins when you trigger the bonus by landing two or three Scatter symbols, depending on the rules of your slot machine.
Jackpot Details
Jackpots are practically the most crucial elements that attract players to spin several times in slot machines. Jackpots can turn a single spin into a huge win.
Casino Bonuses
It is time to come back to the tips of slots. The majority of online casinos offer attractive offers to new and existing players. Bonuses can vary – it might be free spins or bonus funds. Bonuses allow players to enhance their gaming experience and test the prizes of different casino games without risking their funds. Below, we present the most basic ones.
Free Spins
The free spins slot machine bonus rewards you with a specific number of free spins. The most paramount thing is that you will not lose money if you do not spin a winning combination during the free spin. In some free games, you can accumulate bonus symbols, and some slot machines even limit the number of slots you get in each round.
Re-Spin Bonus
When playing online, the re-spin feature is triggered by spinning special symbols. The essence of the re-spin is that while the other reels spin – the icon freezes. The re-spin feature has a button that you must press. However, this feature does not guarantee a win – it is just an opportunity to improve the likelihood. During the additional round of the bonus spin, the player also has the chance to spin again.
Difference Between Free Spins and Re-spins
They may appear identical, but they are two distinct elements. Players get free spins to the player for free, and re-spins can sometimes cost. It can happen when the slot machine has a re-spin button. As mentioned earlier, a free spin is a free bonus, and sometimes, a player can acquire it by spinning certain special symbols.
Small Bets
It’s vital to start with minimum bets when starting to play slots, as this will help you better understand the structure and volatility of the game. Later, you can decide whether to increase your betting amounts or not. 7bet hopes these slot machine tips are helpful, but now let us look at some straightforward strategies.
Slot Machine Strategies
There is no specific slot strategy, but here are some strategic manoeuvres a player can apply when playing online slots.
Search for games with a high RTP rating
The return-to-player option is one of the most critical things in this game. We recommend finding online slot games with the highest possible RTP rating. Although 95% percentage is a good indicator, an RTP of 98% is and will always be a better choice.
As a reminder, RTP is the percentage that the slot machine will return to the player over time, but it also depends on the amount they deposit into the game. For example, if a player deposits $1000 and the RTP of the slot machine is 98%, the player will earn $980. The other amount, the $20 left, will go to the casino. RTP is the house edge of slot machines. Players can find a game’s RTP by clicking the game info or checking online.
Games with the Highest RTP Percentage in 2023
These slot games offer the highest RTP percentage on the market. They are the most recommended games in the entire slot market.
- Mega Joker – 99% RTP
- Blood Suckers – 98% RTP
- Starmania – 97.7% RTP
High Payouts
It is not enough to just check the RTP of the game, as there is another gambling strategy. Slots with high payouts or high-risk levels offer the best chance of winning huge prizes, but this happens less often. There are two types of payouts.
- High-stakes slots that pay out bigger payouts in case of success – the chances of winning here are lower, but these games offer grander wins. However, the player has to play longer and spend more.
- Low-risk slots that pay out smaller payouts if you win – playing these games gives you a better chance of winning more often, but the winnings are much smaller.
Although slot machines require patience, everyone has to try high-stakes slots at least once.
How to Find Out Which Slots Pay High Bonuses
Most of the sites that offer slot machine services do not want to help you increase your chances of winning, so they only sometimes show the indicator of the payout level of the game. Regardless, a quick internet search will furnish all the answers. All you need to do is enter the game title and explore more about the aspects related to the game.
Slot Machines with Additional Symbols
The best online slots are the ones with lots of bonus symbols. Some symbols may include various winning combinations, doubling elements or re-spins. Marks can help you win big, but it is important to note that these symbols belong to the class of high payouts. If there are specific slot machine symbols that bring you luck, we suggest cashing out immediately.
Free Spins
Another popular slot strategy is to use online slots that offer free spins. Although these slot machines are high-payout games, they deliver more chances to win without paying. You can activate free spins in the slot game by matching certain symbols.
Withdrawal
The most indispensable strategy any player can apply is knowing when to stop. The aphorism that time is the casino’s friend, not the player’s, is more than true. Since these games are for the casino’s earnings, and the players believe they are the ones who win big, the casino will always remain the organization whose pockets will always be filled.
