Slot machines are by far the most played games on both online and brick and mortar casinos. They are exceedingly easy to play as they don’t require skills or experience. They can also be profitable, especially if you win progressive jackpots.
But how do they work? Are they worth playing? Stick around for a comprehensive guide into the exciting, albeit risky world of slot machines.
An Overview
Whether you play a physical slot machine or an online version, the games work nearly the same. You place a bet, hit ‘spin’ and hope to win. The games come in many varieties, however. The early versions of slots, known as the classics, have three reels and mainly use fruits as symbols.
Classic slots are considered riskier than modern video slots because of their limited features and low payout rates. The current versions, on the other hand, come with multiple bonus rounds, advanced graphics and hundreds of ways to win.
Regardless, all slots are games of chance. They depend on random generator software to determine when you win and lose. And because they feature a high level of programming, you almost can’t cheat a modern slot machine.
Why Play Slots?
If slots are games of pure chance, why play them? The chance aspect of slots is surprisingly why so many casinos and players love the games according to experts. Gambling companies can always depend on slots to bring in profits when people lose.
Players, on the other end, know they have a shot at winning just about any slot in a casino. The games also accommodate people from all walks of lives. The only requirement is to have some money to wager and know how to press physical or virtual buttons.
Additionally, slots are curiously captivating. If you find an exciting game, it could hook you for hours as you repeatedly attempt to multiply your profits. Of course, you would need a large chunk of money to play multiple hours.
But even on a $20 budget, you could last at a thrilling slot machine for quite a while. There are multiple things that make slots attention-grabbing. Their melodious soundtracks put you in the mood to play. Their simple missions keep you active while their small wins motivate you to continue to play.
Choosing the Right Slot Machine
Before you place your first bet at a slot machine, you must pick the right game. Read a comprehensive slots guide about selecting slots to know what you should look for in a good computer. Also, learn a few tricks to increase the odds of winning.
All in all, you need to consider these factors when choosing a slot machine to play:
- Type of Slot
Is it a classic, a video or Megaways slot machine? Classics could help you cure nostalgia if you loved slots in the 80s or 90s. But if you want to get the best experience, select video slots. You can choose 3D slots to cherish ultra-realistic graphics or VR slots for an entirely immersive gaming experience.
Megaways are relatively new in the industry but are getting popular pretty fast. They feature five to seven reels and offer thousands of ways to win. It’s not unusual for a Megaways slot to have 100,000 ways to win.
- Software Provider
Most casinos don’t developers the games they provide. They lease them from independent game developers. In the online casino world, Microgaming, Netent, Play’n GO and BetSoft are the most established developers.
Their games stand out in gameplay, graphics quality, originality, payout rates and bonus features. Knowing what games these developers create can help you find the right slots for you quicker at online casinos.
- Payout Rate
Also known as the return to player rate, a slot’s payout percentage describes its frequency of producing winners. A 90% RTP slot pays out $90 for every $100 played. A 99% game pays out $99 for every $100 wagered. Obviously, you want to play the highest paying games.
- Bonuses
Some of the best slots at casinos feature bonuses you could exploit to magnify your profits. A game like Gonzo’s Quest has a ‘Free Falls’ feature which grants you ten free spins if triggered. Again, the feature also activates a multiplier that could increase your bets up to 15 times.
Mega Joker, which has a 99% RTP, comes with a random bonus worth up to 2,000 your bet. It also features a multiplier that can magnify your stake 50 times.
- Casino Choice
Your choice of a casino is as important as the slot you pick. That’s because the house determines several vital factors: the device you use, bonuses you receive and payment methods. The best casinos let you play slots on both mobile and desktop devices. They accept all popular payment methods and provide regular bonuses.
Unfortunately, it can be challenging to find the right casino. As such, dedicate your time to research multiple casinos, their licenses, customer support and security before you select the right platform.
Random vs Progressive Jackpots
If your end goal of playing slots is to win huge sums of cash, consider playing jackpot slot machines. These games operate like most slots but have massive cash prizes with regular winners.
Random jackpots are relatively smaller than their progressive counterparts. They tend to feature in every modern video slot but can only be won by people playing the specific game.
By comparison, progressive jackpots have bigger cash rewards. They also increase in size every day that goes by without someone winning them. Another feature of progressive pots is that they are not limited to one machine.
A progressive jackpot organized by a software provider could allow players from multiple casinos to compete for the same pot. Considering the prize pools increase periodically, the potential winnings can peak tens of millions.
To Conclude
Slots are games of chance, and most players know that. But it doesn’t stop them from playing the exceptionally engaging games in the hopes of winning life-changing money. Before you start playing slots, however, use the tips shared above to find the right game.
