Complete & In-Depth Guide to Online Slots 2023

Casino slots started their life in the United States of America. The first games of this type appeared in San Francisco, and they were an invention by one Charles Fey at the beginning of the 20th century. The very first slot game was named Liberty Bell based on its theme and symbols, and it featured three spinning reels. These reels featured diamonds, hearts, and spades, and there was just a single payline. The original slot can still be seen in Reno, Nevada, and it is a great piece of gambling history.

It didn't take long for slots to become hugely popular with the players. Seeing this, other individuals and companies decided to join the fray. Herbart Mills was one of these individuals who decided to add new symbols like cherries, plums, and lemons to the reels. Thus, Mills and Fey have hugely contributed to the concept of slots that we have today.

Advancements in technology helped the progression of slot games as well. It was in 1963 that the first-ever electronic slot was introduced under the name 'Money Honey.' The game was developed by Bally, one of the original gaming studios that still operate today. In 1974, the world saw the first video slot machine in 'Fortune Coin,' a game developed by Walt Freely. This was an important turning point for the future of slot machines, as they would start to spread like wildfire.

Casino slots reached the peak of their popularity at the turn of the 20th century. The UK, Australia, and the United States were the countries that played a huge role in this process. Then came online casinos, which made it possible for people worldwide to enjoy slot games in a virtual environment from the comfort of their homes. Today, there are new games developed and released almost every single day, featuring impressive 3D effects, hundreds and even thousands of ways to win, innovative and engaging features, and much more.

When you play slots, live or online, there are certain important terms you will need to know. Here are some of the biggest ones.

Bet - the amount you wager per spin.

Bonus Feature: A special feature triggered by landing a certain combination of symbols that usually increases your winning chances.

Free Spins: One of the most popular bonus features, giving players a certain number of free spins (usually 10 or more).

Gamble Feature: Most slots offer a gamble feature, where a player can risk their winnings from the previous spin or the bonus feature to double the winnings or lose the lot.

Jackpot: The highest possible amount you can win on a single spin.

Max Bet: The maximum amount you are allowed to wager per spin.

Payline: The pattern that symbols need to feel to qualify for a winning combination. Paylines on a slot can be horizontal, diagonal, zig-zag, etc. Today, there are slots featuring tens and even hundreds of paylines on a single set of reels.

Progressive Jackpot: A jackpot win not related to the actual slot pay table. It is accumulated by all players playing the game or, in some instances, playing different games across a large network of slots and casinos.

Reels: These are drums that hold all the symbols in a slot. In the first slots, these were mechanical, but today, most reels are electronic.

Scatters: Special symbols that pay wherever they land on the reels without needing to be on a particular payline. Scatters usually trigger a bonus feature as well.

Wilds: These are special symbols that substitute for other regular symbols and help create winning combinations.

Winning combinations: Different ways you can win playing a slot. Many games on online casinos today feature thousands of potential winning combinations in a single game.

Slots are the simplest casino games when it comes to rules. You don't really need to know much to start having fun. Things to pay attention to are paylines, wilds, win multipliers, and bonus features, all of which can differ greatly from one game to another. That said, even if you just press the spin button without knowing a single thing about the slot, you can still expect the same results as someone who knows everything there is to know about the game. The machine will take care of all the payouts, so you can sit back and relax.

That said, it's important to understand there are a few major types of slots, and these are quite different when compared to each other:

3-reel slots: These games are fashioned after original casino slots and have only three reels and, usually, up to five paylines (although some modern versions do have more).

5-reel slots: With five reels and the number of paylines anywhere between nine and several hundred (or even thousands), these modern slots also offer special bonus features.

Multiline slots: While there is no strict definition of what a multiline slot is, the term usually applies to slots with 25 paylines or more.

Progressive slot games: Any of the three types described above can also be a progressive slot. The progressive jackpot is added to the game, and it increases with every bet made by the players. Often, the game will offer several concurrent jackpots, making these slots very exciting but also quite volatile.

Casino slots are games governed by luck and randomness, which means there are no particular strategies players can use to increase their winning chances. That said, there are a few things you can actually pay attention to when picking the games to play to put yourself in the best possible spot.

Look for High RTP Slots

You should always look for slots that offer a high return to the player (RTP). In the modern gambling environment, you shouldn't settle for anything below 95%, and there are many games with an RTP as high as 98%+.

Pick Slots With Bonus Features

Slots with bonus features are a better option if you're looking for big wins. Once you trigger the bonus round, you'll have a free shot at a large payout, thanks to free spins, win multipliers, extra wilds, and many other perks.

Volatility vs Playability

Some slots offer frequent hits but lower payouts, while other games hit infrequently but have the potential to land massive wins. You need to decide what is more important to you. Do you prefer to play longer and have fun without big expectations, or are you willing to take on more of a risk but have a shot at a massive payday?

Know Your Limits & Stick to Them

It's very easy to get carried away playing slots, and this can cost you more money than you can afford. Thus, it is very important to figure out what your financial limits are and stick to them no matter what. There is no telling when a slot will produce a big win, so you should never chase your losses beyond your means. Stick to the predetermined bankroll to keep your online gambling fun and relaxed.