Online Slots
Slots, also known as Slot Machines, are gambling machines into which players insert coins into a narrow opening and then pull a lever. The lever causes the reels to rotate, eventually landing on specific symbols.
If the symbols match, the player wins. In the online version of Slots, players simply press a button instead of pulling a lever. Slots is a game of total luck, and yet, it is one of the most popular casino games of all time.
History
Slots is one of the only casino games to have a history beginning in America, not in Europe. Slots was invented by a San Franciscan mechanic Charles Fey in the late 1890s. The first machine was called the Liberty Bell, so called because it had an image of a cracked liberty bell, as well as three spinning reels and diamond, spade and heart symbols painted around each reel. History and gambling buffs can even see the machine today in Reno, Nevada.
Slots became an instant success and Fey’s invention spawned instant competitors. The first was Herbert Mills, a Chicago arcade machine developer who came up with the idea of including fruit symbols on the reels, which are now classic icons on Slot Machines.
With the advancement of modern technology, Slots advanced as well. 1963 saw the production of the world’s first entirely electronic machine, produced by Bally. The machine was called “Money Honey,” and it generated payouts to the players without assistance from attendants. (Today, it’s hard to imagine a Slot Machine that doesn’t do this!) Then, in 1974, the first video-based Slots called the “Fortune Coin” was invented by Walt Freely. This was the precursor to the hundreds of online video Slots games that are now enjoyed by internet gamblers around the world.
Online video slots are the latest in Slots technology, which includes 3D Slots, multiplayer Slots tournaments and Slots with 243 winning combinations! And due to the advent of internet gambling, Slots has become one of the most popular forms of gambling around the world, especially in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Terminology
The following are some of the most important terms for online Slots.
Bet: This means exactly what you think it means – the value of wager.
Bonus Feature: Bonus features are special features in Slots games that earn the player more money; there are literally hundreds of types of bonus features that differ from casino to casino, and from game to game. The main ones are Wilds and Free Spins.
Free Spins: A popular bonus feature in online Slots; many can include prizes of 15-20 free spins in one round.
Gamble Feature: This is a bonus round in which players can gamble their winnings on doubling, tripling and quadrupling - or losing their accumulated spins.
Jackpot: The maximum prize on a Slot machine.
Max Bet: The maximum number of coins you can bet per spin.
Payline: This is the line upon which symbols must line up in order to win. Paylines can be straight or diagonal, and the number of paylines varies from game to game, ranging from 5-100+!
Progressive Jackpot: A jackpot that is competed for by multiple players; it starts from a minimum jackpot and increases until one of the players strikes it. Some progressive jackpots become quite high, and can make millionaires overnight.
Reels: These are the rotating barrels on which symbols appear. The most basic goal of Slots is for the player to match the symbols on the reels (across the paylines).
Scatters: This is a payout that earns the player a win without the symbols lining up on a payline. Scatters usually activate a bonus round.
Wilds: A type of bonus feature; Wilds are symbols that substitute as all other symbols to complete a winning combination.
Winning combinations: The amount of ways a player can win, including lining up symbols across paylines, progressive jackpots, scatters and more.
Rules
The basic goal of any online Slots game is to match up symbols on the paylines. However, there are many other winning combinations, which is why it is important to always check the bonus features before playing any new Slots game. With Wilds, scatters, bonus games and other features, there are now many ways for players to win and see big payouts.
Because there are so many different types of Slots, players should try to learn as much as they can about the type of game they have chosen to play. The following are some of the most basic types of Slots that can be found on any online casino:
3-Reel Slots: The most simple, basic Slots; these usually have up to five paylines.
5-Reel Slots: Based on the newer Video Slots; these usually have a number of different features, including bonus rounds.
Multiline Slots: These usually include more paylines (25-30), have a higher buy-in price than regular Slots, and also have the possibility of higher payouts.
Progressive Slots: The actual game is similar to standard Video Slots, but the jackpot itself is what’s different. In Progressive Slots, the jackpot is fed by a number of players, and grows with each turn until someone hits it. Today, Progressive Slots can include up to four concurrent jackpots that can be won in the bonus round.
Strategy
Slots is a game of luck – not half luck/half skill – total luck. That being said, there are still strategies for playing that involve preparation, knowledge and flexibility. Below are some of them:
Before actually playing Slots, make sure to choose a game that is appropriate for your style and budget. There are specialized Slots games such as James Bond and Marvel comics – if you’re a big fan of a certain topic, chances are you can find a Slots game that features that topic. So choose a game that you will enjoy the most!
Other factors that can help in your decision to choose a Slots game: the payout percentage, minimum bets, maximum bets and jackpots. Once you have all the information, you can determine which game is best for you. If you have a larger budget, higher-risk games might be more your cup of tea; if you have a lower budget, you probably want to go for a game in which the payouts are less risky.
Remember that while each round of Slots is not very long, the bigger picture means that you can possibly win or lose a good deal of money. So do some research and find out which online casino suits your budget, spending habits and offers online promotions. You don’t have to spend hours researching the different casinos - you can find all the information you need on the Online Casino Reports website.
Tips
- Remember, Slots are random! And the laws of probability state that no one can win or lose 100% of the time. If you are on a winning streak, this means you should remember to quite while you’re ahead; if you are on a losing streak, this means that your luck can change in just one turn.
- In Progressive Slots, bet the maximum amount; otherwise you will not qualify to win the jackpot, even if you hit it.
- There are thousands of Slots games available on the internet; try out different ones and find a few favorites. You might find that sometimes you are in the mood for 3D Slots, and other times you want a very simple Slots game. Have a few go-to games that you know you will enjoy playing.
