Complete & In-Depth Guide to Online Slots 2023

Welcome to the world of online slots. This guide will teach you all you need to know about casino slots, from basic terms and game rules to useful tips and tricks. Discover different types of slots, from classic games over Megaways titles to progressive jackpots and learn about various symbol types, bonus features, and more. Play the best slot games for free and find the best casinos online featuring real money slots, ranked and reviewed by our expert team.

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Overview

Slots are, by far, the most popular genre in the online gambling industry. As online casinos continue to grow and develop, these games are becoming even more popular. The number of slot developers is growing by the day, and they all try their best to keep up the pace and come up with better, more entertaining, and more enjoyable games.

Casino slots had very humble beginnings, but they've come a long way, morphing into a colourful and engaging game variation featuring different themes, exciting in-game dynamics, and massive potential wins. It's been quite a journey for games that started off with three simple reels, a single payline, and a few fruity symbols.

Slots are very entertaining and super easy to play. You put in a coin to place your wager, press a button or pull the lever, and wait to see if your luck is in.

The best gaming studios out there come up with new titles and fresh ideas on a daily basis. They focus on coming up with innovative ways to make their games more entertaining and attractive to the huge player base. Advancements in technology have opened up a world of new possibilities for slot makers.

Gaming studios combine the power of new technologies with their creative talent to design enjoyable new slots. Whatever your taste and preferences might be, you are guaranteed to find at least a few online slots to enjoy. From colourful and relaxing games featuring cute animals over the ones based on pop culture to fully original concepts you won't find outside of the gambling world, there is truly something for everyone. Many top-tier game providers have even partnered with big-name movie studios and music brands to create branded titles for players to enjoy.

Nice visuals and powerful sounds are just one side of the coin, though. Modern-day slots have also come a long way in terms of the actual gameplay. They offer a variety of special features like wilds, win multipliers, free spins, jackpots, and much more - all designed to provide more entertainment and potentially produce massive wins.

As we move on, we can expect the slots to become more advanced and engaging. Today already, there are many slots that look and feel much more like proper video games, offering comprehensive gameplay with interesting characters and a background story that you unlock as you go.

Whether you enjoy these modern games or prefer classic fruit machines, you will find plenty of information on different types of slots in this extensive guide. We will also provide you with some historical information, expert tips for finding the best slots out there, and some strategy advice to give yourself the best winning chances.

With so many titles to choose from, it can be tricky to find the best slots, especially if you're new to the world of online gambling. Luckily, this guide gives you all the info you need to get started, offering extensive advice on how to pick your slots wisely and stay on the safe side of gambling. After reading this text, you'll have all the knowledge you need to get started right away.

Pros & Cons

Pros
Great number of options on offer
Many entertaining features
Big prizes up for grabs
Cons
Wins can be volatile
Slot games can be addictive

Slots History

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.


Key Terms

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.


Slot Rules

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.


Slots Strategy

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.

Tips for Playing Slots

For those new to online casino slots, here are a few simple but useful tips to help you get started in style.

How to Get Started

If you're ready to get in on the action, follow these simple steps to get started with online slots. After that, check out our extensive guide on how to do it the right way.

1 Pick Your Casino

The first order of business is finding a quality online casino where you can find a great variety of slots and be sure the games are fair and random. We recommend you check out our list of top-rated online casinos to get you started.

2 Deposit Some Money

After registering your player's account, visit the cashier section and make your real money deposit using one of the available methods. There will usually be a welcome bonus of some sort on offer, so read through the terms and take advantage of it if you like what you see.

3 Pick the Game You Like

Browse through the slots section to see what the casino has to offer and pick the game you like. There will be hundreds or even thousands of titles to choose from, but you can take as long as you want - there are no time limits.

4 Check Out the Pay-table

Once you pick the game and load it up, you'll be itching to start playing. But before you do, take a moment and check out the pay-table and game rules. This will give you a good idea of what to expect and if this is the type of slot you're likely to enjoy.

5 Start Playing

If you like what you see, it's time to get spinning. Pick the amount you want to bet (we suggest starting small at first) and press the spin button or set the game in auto-play mode to start having fun.

Terms

Those new to slots may not be familiar with different terms commonly used by experienced players and casinos. We are bringing you an extensive list of the key slot terms you should know.

Slots Glossary

Types of Slots

These days, there are many different types of slots you'll encounter at online casinos. Your options range from classic slots with just one payline to the latest releases featuring hundreds of thousands of win ways. Here's the overview of the most popular slots types available online.

Classic Slots

Games in the classic slots group are generally the simplest ones out there. They are similar to original slot games, offering a small number of paylines and no special features.

Video Slots

Video slots represent the next generation of slot games. Powered by modern technologies, these slots offer superb graphics, entertaining in-game features, and many different ways to win.

Fruit Machines

Fruit machines, or fruities, are a subset of classic slots. These are also very simple games, often featuring only three reels and a small number of paylines. You won't find many bonuses in these games, either.

Pachinko Games

A special type of gambling machine, pachinko combines pinball and slots. These games enjoy a lot of popularity in Japan and often have an element of skill attached to them, although they are primarily luck-based.

3-Reel Slots

As the name suggests, these are slots that only have three reels (instead of five, which is much more common these days). While they can have any theme, they are usually fruit machines with a limited number of paylines.

5-Reel Slots

Five-reel slots are by far the largest group of casino slots. There are thousands of these games featuring all sorts of themes, gameplay features, bonuses, and much more.

Progressive Slots

Progressive slot games offer a shot at winning a jackpot that increases over time with every bet players place on the game. The jackpot is usually triggered randomly and can drop at any time, which is what makes these games so appealing.

Interactive Slots

The latest type of casino slots, these games offer superb graphics and audio features and also allow players to get involved with the storyline, taking the gaming experience to a whole new level.

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FAQ

Getting started with slots is really easy, as there are no complicated rules to learn. Simply pick a game you like, make sure the bet amount is set properly, and you can start spinning away.

Yes, slots on reputable online casinos are perfectly safe and fair. These games are powered by a random number generator (RNG), which ensures the games are completely fair and random, and this software is regularly tested and verified by third parties.

Yes, like with any casino game, you can win real money playing online slots. You just need to match some winning combination on the reels or win a bonus feature.

There is no way to tell when and if a slot will pay, as every spin is completely independent. The only thing you can do is look for slots with a high RTP and lower volatility, as these games will pay more and more often in general.

Since slots are governed by a random number generator, outside factors like the time of day have no bearing on your results whatsoever. You have the same chances of winning if you play early in the morning or late in the evening (or anywhere in between).

No, the speed of spins doesn't influence the game results in any way. The result of each spin is calculated at the very start, so how fast or slow the reels spin makes no difference. This is just a matter of personal preference, as some players prefer faster gameplay, while others want to see as many spins as possible in the least amount of time.

Yes, of course. New slot titles are designed so that they work across a variety of desktop and handheld devices, which means you can play your favourite slots on many different phones and tablets without any problems and without having to install any additional software.

Yes, many providers offer tree versions of their slots that you can play on game developers' websites or on the casinos using the free play feature. Either way, playing for free doesn't cost you any money and will let you check out the slot features, gameplay, and other important aspects.

There are many different casino bonuses and promotions you can claim when gambling online. A majority of these bonuses are geared towards slots players, so you'll have many options available to you. Additionally, there are many offers that are exclusive to slots, with free spins being the most popular one.

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