Your Ultimate Guide to Online Slots in 2023

To truly understand online slots, we first have to dive into the history of conventional slots. The evolution of these and the features that accompany said evolution will help you get an unparalleled understanding of slot gaming.

The story of one-armed bandits started in 1895 when Charles August Fey invented the first mechanical slot machine, known as the "Liberty Bell", in San Francisco. It was comprised of three spinning reels featuring horseshoes, stars, and playing cards.

Slots evolved over the years and quickly gained popularity in bars, saloons, and cigar shops. They initially did not offer monetary prizes but rather gimmicks such as gum or cigars. This was done with the express intent of cheating gambling laws.

The 1930s gave birth to the first electric slot machine that replaced mechanical components with electric ones. This transition made gameplay smoother and more reliable.

The 1960s introduced video slot machines, which replaced physical spinning reels with animations on a screen. These were the closest ancestors to our modern digital slots.

Punters were always petrified regarding the fairness and randomness of slots, which was addressed by random number generators in the 1970s. These algorithms ensured random and fair outcomes, which increased trust.

1994 saw the launch of the first-ever online casino that came with the first online slot games. These were built on over the years, which led to progressive jackpots appearing in the 2000s. Slots then started breaking onto the mobile gaming scene with an unmatched quality of animations, graphics, and bonuses. Recent years have seen several VR and AR slot games appear, with more on the horizon. We believe that this incredible technology is the next chapter in the exciting history of slots.

There is nothing worse than joining an online casino game and being completely confused. Understanding the terms and phrases that govern online slots is crucial to maximizing your gaming experience, which is why we have prepared the following breakdown.

• Bet - A bet represents how much money a punter has wagered on his slot spin. You can usually manipulate this amount by changing the coin value and bet level.
• Bonus - Features Every slot game has different bonus features, with most featuring free spins, mini-games, wilds, and other interactive elements.
• Free Spins - These are your typical bonus feature, which allows you to spin reels without staking any funds. They come with special conditions, such as triggering via specific symbols.
• Gamble Feature - This feature allows punters to gamble their winnings for a chance to double or even quadruple them. You usually have to guess the color or suit of a hidden card.
• Jackpot - The highest possible payout that can either be fixed or progressive.
• Progressive Jackpot - The most sought-after type of jackpot that increases with each wager placed.
• Max Bet - The maximum wager a player can place on a single spin. It can be achieved by setting the max coin value and bet level.
• Payline - A line of the slot’s reels that has to be filled by specific symbols in order to produce a winning outcome. Classic titles usually have one payline, while modern ones have multiple.
• Reels - These are the spinning columns that feature symbols. Classic titles have three reels, while modern ones have five or more.
• 3-reel slots - This is your traditional slot variant with 3 columns of symbols.
• 5-reel slots - This is your modern slot variant with 5 columns of symbols.
• Multiline slots - These slots have multiple paylines, with some featuring 9, 15, 20, or even more playlines. While you have larger chances of winning, you also have to place larger wagers.
• Progressive slots - These slot games boast incredible growing jackpots that increase with every placed wager. Note that they are usually won in bonus rounds.
• Scatters - These unique symbols trigger bonuses and features regardless of their position on the reels. They often come with free spins, multipliers, and bonus games.
• Wilds - This symbol can substitute other symbols in order to form a winning combination. You can think of it as the “joker” of slots.
• Winning Combinations - These are combinations of symbols that produce winnings. Note that each slot has different combinations that produce different wins based on paytables.

Every online slot is slightly different because of bonus rounds, scatters, wilds, and the overall theme. However, the basic gameplay is standardized across the board. Your usual gameplay follows these steps:

• Setting a Bet - Before you can spin reels and accumulate winnings, you have to set a bet amount. This can be done by adjusting the coin value, number of coins, or bet level. The total bet is then calculated based on these adjustments.
• Selecting Paylines - Some slots have multiple pay lines, and it is up to you to choose how many will be active. Remember that each additional payline requires an additional bet.
• Spinning the Reels - The next step is to click the "Spin" button and start your game. Reels will spin, and various symbols will land on the paylines.
• Checking for Winning Combinations - Once the reels come to a halt, winning combinations are examined. Your actual payouts depend on the game’s paytable.
• Claiming Winnings - Winnings are automatically credited to your account, with the amount depending on the value of symbols and your bet size.
• Chasing Progressive Jackpots - Some progressive jackpots can be won entirely at random, while others require you to partake in bonus games. Check this ahead of time in your game's jackpot rules.

You will inevitably be tempted by slot strategies, as these often promise insane returns at the cost of minimal effort. However, strategies cannot overpower odds and force winnings. Check out the following breakdown of the most popular slot strategies and see what you can expect.

Playing Slots with High RTP

Return to player or RTP is a vital aspect of any casino game. The higher the RTP, the more funds punters get back during their gaming session. Slots with an RTP above 95% are considered optimal. Remember that RTP is based on a huge sample size of wagers, so you will not experience its full force.

Playing Slots with Bonus Symbols

Bonus symbols are part and parcel of online slots, with the most common ones being wilds and scatters. Wilds can substitute other symbols and forge winning combinations, while scatters trigger free spins and bonus games.

Using Bankroll Management Techniques

There are two predominant bankroll management techniques out there. These are the so-called “loss limit” and “win goal”. The former sets a maximum amount that you are willing to lose. Reaching said amount should result in your stopping your session and avoiding further losses. Win goals, on the other hand, are based on you setting target winnings and cashing out once you reach them.

Manage Your Bet Size

The size of your bet is incredibly important, especially if you have a limited budget. While lower denomination bets make your deposit last longer, they also rob you of certain bonus features. Larger bets enable every bonus feature and shoot for the biggest wins, but they also come with higher risk.