Online slots 101 – A beginner’s guide

There’s just something about online slots that makes them instantly attention-grabbing. Whether it’s the flashing reels, the captivating graphics and animations, or the multi-million jackpots waiting to be won, it’s no surprise that slots are by far the most popular and well-loved online casino game. That’s because when it comes to simplicity, variety, and sheer entertainment value, they can’t be beaten!

But what about if you’re a complete beginner? Can you play slots if you’ve never placed a bet before? And where do you even start?

That’s where our guide to online slots comes in, helping familiarise you with the different types of slots games out there, decoding important terms like RTP and volatility, and giving you practical tips to get the most out of your slots experience. Ready to spin and win? Then let’s go!

What are online slots?

Let’s start right at the beginning – what even are online slots? At their core, they’re digital games based on the real-life versions of old-school fruit machines or one-armed bandits – the type of slots you’d find in land-based casinos round the world.

In the online versions though, instead of pulling a lever you’ll be hitting a button. And instead of watching mechanical reels go round and round, you’ll be watching animated digital reels whirl, controlled in the background by a Random Number Generator – a sophisticated computer algorithm that ensures every spin is completely independent and random.

If the symbols on the reels line up in a specific way on a payline then you’ve won. And depending on which symbols they are and how the various special features of the slot work, the top payout could end up being yours!

That’s how simple online slots are – one bet, one spin, and one jackpot waiting to be won. These aren’t your ordinary run-of-the-mill slot machines. These are games packed with bonus features, immersive graphics, themed music, storylines, and huge payouts too! They’re the epitome of thrilling digital gambling, and they’re endlessly exhilarating from start to finish.

Types of online slots explained

Before you go diving right into online slots play (we’ll get there soon, we promise), it’s important you understand the various types of slots out there, and how they differ from each other. Once you know more about the categories available, you’ll be able to choose the type of online slot that suits you best:

Classic slots

If you’ve ever played a traditional fruit machine in a pub or casino, classic online slots will be the closest match you’ll find. Taking old-school slots as their inspiration, classic slots most often feature 3 reels and familiar symbols like BARs, bells and various types of fruit. If you like your slots play simple and no-nonsense, these are the best pick for you.

5-reel video slots

When it comes to the most common types of slots available at online casinos, 5-reel slots are it. Look out for fully immersive visuals and sound effects, as well as bonus features like wilds, free spins, and pick-a-prize rounds for extra thrills. 5-reel slots typically offer more paylines (often 20 to 50+), and are the foundation on which casino excitement is built. If you become a slots fan, here’s where you’ll likely spend most of your time – so get comfy!

3D slots

Looking for a completely immersive slots experience? Then 3D slots are your game! Think video slots but more in every way – slicker graphics, cinematic effects, a storyline and even interactive bonus games too. It’s online slots play but in a whole other dimension.

Progressive jackpot slots

These are the moneymakers, and they’re every thrill-seekers’ favourite. If it’s the multi-million jackpots you’re after, here’s where you’ll find them, along with completely absorbing slots entertainment too!

Why are they called ‘progressive’ slots? Because every time a bet is placed on them, a portion of that bet goes into the jackpot pool, which grows progressively with every bet placed. That’s why the payouts stretch into the multi-millions, and that’s why a single spin on one of these could be literally life-changing.

Megaways™ slots

We love online slots with innovative mechanics, and that’s exactly what Megaways™ slots are – games that offer you hundreds of thousands of ways to win in one single spin. Thanks to varying the number of symbols that land per reel and often adding an extra horizontal reel at the top of the game area too, Megaways™ slots offer huge potential winnings and neverending excitement as well!

Branded slots

Want to incorporate your love of TV, movies or music into your slots play? That’s what branded slots are for! From Game of Thrones to Guns N’ Roses, branded slots bring a wealth of fan favourites to the reels, offering themed music and graphics, electric bonus rounds, and another way to enjoy your much-loved hobbies, interests and likes while playing slots at the same time.

Slingo and hybrids

If you’re looking for something a little different, Slingo might be your game! A unique combination of slots and bingo, it’s a completely new way of enjoying online casino gambling, and getting the best of two games at the same time. That’s what slots hybrids are – unique games that combine slots mechanics with other features such as table games, puzzles, or adventures. So if you want to switch up your gaming but still stick with slots, you’ve got plenty of options available!

How good is your slots terminology?

Online slots are simple enough to pick up as you go along, but there are a few terms associated with them that you might not be familiar with. Here are some of the most important words and phrases you’ll need to know to help you get ahead in the game:  

1.       RTP (Return to Player)

This is a number expressed as a percentage, and it represents the theoretical amount of money a slot is expected to pay out over time. So, for example, if a slot is advertised as having an RTP of 96%, in theory it should pay out 96c for every $1 you wager. The higher the RTP, the better for your bankroll – just remember that this is a theoretical number, however, and not a guarantee.

2.       Variance/volatility

These two words mean the same thing, and are important when it comes to understanding when and how a particular slot will pay out. Low variance = frequent small wins, while high variance = fewer, but potentially bigger wins. Neither is better or worse than the other – it just depends on the type of experience you’re looking for from your slots play.

Check to see whether a slot offers high or low variance before you place your bets on it, and make your decision based on your playing style and your bankroll.

3.       Paylines

If you want your slots play to pay out, then you’ll need to land enough matching symbols on a payline. From horizontal and diagonal to zigzag too, paylines are the lines that criss-cross the game area giving you opportunities to win. The more paylines a game has, the more chance you’ll land a winning combo – and with some modern games offering 243 or even 117,649 ways to win in Megaways™ slots, there’s even more chance of hitting on a payout!

4.       Wild symbols

Despite their name sounding a little out there, these are symbols you want to find in the game area. Think of them as the joker in the pack – not only do they pay out when you find enough of them on a payline on their own, they’ll often substitute for other symbols as well, helping you to complete winning combos when they land

Popular wild variations include:

·         Expanding wilds (wild that expand in size to cover an entire reel)

·         Sticky wilds (wilds that stay locked firmly in place for a set amount of time)

·         Shifting wilds (wilds that move across reels with every spin)

5.       Scatter symbols

As the name suggests, these are high value symbols that you’ll find scattered across the game area, and depending on how many land at the same time, they could unlock various features like free spins or bonus games. Finding at least 3 is usually enough to activate any extra levels a slot might have, so cross your fingers that the scatters land for you!

1.       Multipliers

Want to boost your slots wins? That’s what multipliers are for! These bonus symbols can land during bonus rounds, free spins, or sometimes even in the base game too. When you find them, they’ll usually have amounts assigned to them, like 2x, 5x, 10x or more, meaning that your winning total will be multiplied by their value, giving your winnings a very welcome boost. Even better, find more than one multiplier and usually their value will be combined for even bigger wins!

2.       Bonus games

We love bonus games in online slots and we know you will too. When it comes to bonus games, these could be anything from free spins rounds to pick-a-box games, wheel spins or more. Look out for these where you can as they’re often your opportunity to hit the top jackpot. If Lady Luck is on your side, who knows what kind of winnings a bonus game could bring you!

Top tips for beginner slot players

First time spinning the reels on online slots? You’ll be glad to know there’s no strategy involved! Since slots are purely a luck-based game, it’s all down to random outcomes and chance. However, there are a few important points you may want to bear in mind to help you get the most from your online slots experience.

·         Choose high-RTP slots: Anything 96% and over is a good bet. You’ll get better long-term value from your money, and you’ll be able to manage your bankroll more efficiently.

·         Consider volatility: It’s always best to match a slot’s volatility to your playing style. Are you someone who’s all about high risk, high reward, or are you more cautious with your decisions? Choose your variance accordingly!

·         Manage your bankroll: Always set yourself a gambling budget and stick to it. Make sure you never spend more than you can afford in any one gaming session, and always walk away once you’ve reached your self-imposed limits. And NEVER chase your losses!

·         Play for free first: Did you know that demo mode was a thing? Most online casinos offer free or demo versions of their games, allowing you to play with virtual credits and zero risk attached. As a newbie, it’s always a good idea to play for free first and familiarise yourself with the casino environment without spending your own money. Once you feel more confident in your decision-making, that’s when you can upgrade to real money bets.

·         Read the paytable: Want to know how wins are calculated and which features to look out for? The paytable will tell you. Take a look at your slot’s paytable before you start spinning, and make sure you know when and how your slot will pay out.

·         Check the terms and conditions: If you’re claiming a slots bonus (or any kind of bonus) always make sure you read the terms and conditions first. That’s where you’ll learn about your bonus’s wagering requirements, and any other important fine print that may affect your cashout.

Common myths about online slots (that you should ignore)

There’s a lot that gets said about online slots and when and how they pay out – and not all of it is true. Make sure you’re able to separate fact from fiction when you play, and your decision-making will always be on point.

1.       “This slot is due for a win.”

It’s really not – and that’s all down to the RNG controlling every spin and every outcome. With the RNG algorithm running the show, every spin is independent from the last, meaning there’s no such thing as a ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ machine. Just because a slot hasn’t paid out in a while doesn’t mean it’s ‘due’ for a win – and similarly, just because it’s paid out big on one spin doesn’t mean it won’t again on the very next one. That’s the beauty of the RNG in action!

1.       “Autoplay changes your odds.”

Again, same thing – it’s all about the RNG. Whether you choose to hit the spin button manually, or let the casino auto-spin for you, your odds will always be the same. So if you want to sit back and watch while the casino does all the work then go for it – it won’t affect your outcomes in any way.

2.       “Casinos can rig the results.”

They absolutely can’t, and there are multiple checks in place to make sure this doesn’t happen. All licensed casinos are obligated to use certified RNGs, and most submit to regular audits as well, to ensure that they stay compliant with their licensing regulations and that their outcomes are always fair and random. Check to see whether your casino is licensed and audited, and if so, you can trust it to keep your best interests at heart.

3.       “Stopping the reels at the right time helps.”

Thinking like this might help you feel like you’re more in control – that the outcome is completely dependent on when the reels stop. What you might not know, however, is that the outcome is already determined the moment you hit spin – so it’s all about the start, rather than the finish. Don’t let worrying about stopping the reels ruin your enjoyment of the game – just play and have fun!

Enjoying your online slots play

We’ve literally just said it – online slots are all about having fun. Whether you’re a fan of nostalgic fruit machines, wild sci-fi adventures or millionaire-making jackpots, playing online slots is the ultimate in online casino entertainment, and deserves to be enjoyed.

So don’t get caught up in complex strategies or persistent slots myths – play smart, play for fun, and if a win happens to come your way, so much the better. Ready to get those reels rolling? One, two, three, spin!