Out of all of the games that can be found at casino sites, the most popular ones are undoubtedly online slots. There are good reasons why they enjoy that status too.
For one thing, they are by far the most accessible casino games. Whereas the card games blackjack and poker feature a lot of arcane rules and complex strategies, slots are simple.
That does not mean there are no rules or terminology involved, but what there are can be learned very quickly. That ensures a new casino customer can start playing slot machines almost immediately.
They are also quick fire games, ideal for spare moments in the day. That makes them appealing to casual casino users – who are the majority of them.
In this article, we will outline everything you need to know about slots in case you fancy trying them out.
Slot Terminology
There are certain pieces of terminology related to online slots that you should know and understand before playing them. Unless you grasp what they mean, you will be unable to choose a good game.
- RNG
RNG is the acronym for Random Number Generator, which is the software that slot games run on. It produces random sequences of numbers on a constant basis and is designed to ensure that the results of slot games are completely fair.
- Volatility
What this term refers to is the frequency with which slot games produce wins. High volatility games are known to produce very infrequent wins – but when they come they are often large payouts.
Low volatility games offer more frequent wins, but of lesser amounts.
- RTP
RTP means Return to Player and it provides an indication of the percentage of bets that a slot will return in wins. It is usually somewhere between 95% and 98%.
- Pay lines
An online slot will always have pay lines – although the actual number varies a lot. You activate a line by betting on it and if you get a matching row of reel icons on an active line, you will win a payout.
What to Think About Before Starting to Play
Once you are up to speed with those terms, you can start to play a slot game. There are some things you should consider before doing so though.
- Is the casino site safe?
It is vital to make sure that the casino will preserve your data security. Only play at properly licensed sites and take a look at the security page before signing up.
- Is the slot suitable?
There are thousands of slot games to choose from, so take your time when searching. Wait until you find one with a theme that interests you and some enticing bonuses.
- What can you afford to bet?
Work out a reasonable budget to play with before starting and never exceed it. Calculate your monthly income and costs to arrive at a slot gaming budget you can afford.
How Slot Gaming Works
The basic format of a slot game is incredibly simple. The whole idea is to land a matching row of reel icons on a pay line that you have activated.
When you decide on a game, you will be greeted by a menu explaining how it works. It is true that there are some playing variances between different slots, but the ultimate goal is always the same.
Before you can spin the reels, you will have to decide how many pay lines you wish to bet on. Each game will have minimum and maximum betting amounts per line.
Slot Gaming Tactics
At this point it should be emphasized that there is nothing you can do to affect the outcome of a slot game. The results are determined solely by the RNG software.
But there are still some moves you can make to help your chances. The first is to bet on as many pay lines as possible – that is just straightforward math.
Another tactical step you can take is to pick a slot game with a high RTP. Look for one that is around the 97%-98% range.
You should also choose a game that has plenty of helpful features. Pick a slot with Wild and Scatter reel icons – as they both boost your winning chances. The same goes for a Free Spins feature. A Free Spins feature is offered by most slot providers and enables players to play without using their own credits.
However, it is important to note, that none of this means that you are guaranteed to win a payout, because the whole point is that you are gambling.
Now you should have all the knowledge you need to start playing online slots. There is nothing to stop you from going for a spin.