If you gamble, you probably know about slot machines. The slot machine can be played in a brick-and-mortar casino or online casinos. The online slots, however, offer a variety of benefits that the land-based slots do not. Whether you have never played or have played a million times, this guide will provide helpful information.
Basic Information about Slot Machines
Frequently, slot machines are the most popular game in a casino, whether online or land-based. This popularity is probably because slots allow you to win big without spending a lot. When playing the slots, the object is to line up matching symbols on a pay line.
Each symbol is worth different amounts and has various functions associated with the game. The paytable of a slot machine explains how much each symbol is worth and the required symbol combinations that will return a payout. Most slot machines will also have diagrams of each of their pay lines.
You should remember that slot machines are a game of chance. You deposit money, place a bet, spin the reels, and hope you win.
The bet amount will determine the number of pay lines available for each spin. The first pay line is the one across the center, and then more are added with each bet increase.
Slot machines do not require specialized, knowledge-based skills like other casino games. Blackjack, video poker and other games require you to understand a core strategy to be able to win.
You can enjoy slot machines without any previous knowledge and still win. Slots' payout percentage range typically from around 95% to about 99%. These rates are not bad for a casino type game. Players will also often look for the highest volatility slots for the biggest payouts.
Strategies will not improve this rate, nor will they increase the odds. Many people find playing slots to be relaxing. The biggest advantage of slots is they can be fun, relaxing, and they are easy to play.
They also have great returns and can be an excellent way to de-stress after playing a few rounds of blackjack, video poker, or any other focus-intense game. You can win a lot of money with a small amount of preparation or money.
History of the Slot Machine
The history of the slot machine dates back to the 1880s, with Charles Fey being credited as the creator of the first slot machine called Liberty Bell. Some believe Sittman and Pitt made the first slot machine in 1891 because the Liberty Bell wasn’t completed until 1895.
Even though both machines were called slot machines, they were different in design. The Liberty Bell machine had three reels and five symbols which were a spade, diamond, a heart, a horseshoe, and a Liberty Bell.
The Sittman and Pitt machine had five spinning drums that had ten cards on each one. The drum would stop, and five cards would be showing. These drums create a five-card poker hand that determined any winnings.
Both machines required you to pull a lever to start the reels or drums going. This lever is why slot machines were called one-armed bandits. These two machines were just the beginning of the slot machine.
In the 1940s, the popularity of slot machines skyrocketed. It was originally supposed to keep the women busy while the men played the tables, but the profits from slot machines soon overtook the amount earned from the casino tables.
In the 1950s, all slot machines were still mechanical, but by 1960, electro-mechanical machines were introduced. Big Bertha was the first with its five-horse-powered motor. Money Honey was launched in 1964, and it was the first to depart from the design of Fey’s machine.
With the introduction of electromechanical machines, you could play multiple coins and bigger jackpots. The 1980s saw the beginning of the digital age for slot machines. Sircoma created the first video slot machine.
With this era of computerization, a wider variety of games and options became available. During this time, bonus features and huge jackpots were introduced. Slot machines make up over 30% of a casino’s revenue today.
Land-based slot machines and online slots have split into different types. Land-based casinos cannot come close to matching the variety of slots that online casinos offer. Online slots typically have bonus features and jackpots not offered in land-based casinos.
Since the beginning of online casinos over a decade ago, this vast array of slot machines has become available to anyone who can legally access them online.
Types of Slots
With so many slot machines out there, we can sort them with a number of elements. One factor in differentiating the slot machines is the denomination accepted. Land-based machines may accept a variety of denominations.
Some land-based slot machines only accept pennies. Others can take nickels, quarters, or dollars. Most slot machines these days will only accept $1 bills or higher. It is less common to find actual penny slots now. Online slot machines will generally take the big card companies such as Visa or Mastercard and many have moved to accept cryptocurrencies (e.g. Bitcoin).
Another way to consider differences in slot machines is the number of reels. The reels are the spinning symbols on the front of the device. Land-based and online slots, typically, have three reels, five reels, six reels, or seven reels. Most machines today have three or five reels, but the prize reels allow for higher jackpots.
With the invention of online slots, a variety of variations was introduced. The main types include classic slots, video slots, pokies, 3d slots, awp slots, and fruit machines.
Many states/jurisdictions classify slot machines into two classes. Class II slot machines are typically found in states that only allow casinos owned by Native Americans. These types of slots are similar to bingo or lottery games where you play again other players instead of the house.
Class III slots are typically found in large gambling areas such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and Reno. The reels determine the outcomes of these slot machines, and each spin is independent of the other spins.
You can also categorize slot machines into tight or loose machines, also. Loose machines are supposed to pay out more often than a tight machine. This category is subjective because you cannot determine a payout percentage just by visiting a casino.
Slot machines are also differentiated as land-based and online. Online slots are played via a computer or mobile device using the internet. All revenue is handled between you and the casino through the web.
Bonus feature online slots offer a unique bonus game when you hit a particular combination of symbols. A classic online slot machine has three reels and only one pay line.
Regular multiplier online devices do not offer any bonus for playing the maximum bet where a bonus multiplier online machine will provide a premium for playing the highest number of coins per spin.
The last category of online slots is the five reels online slot machine which is the most popular category. The five reel machine can have over 240 pay lines, increasing your chances of winning.
Slot Machine Features
In the beginning, slot machines did not offer any features, but more features were introduced as the machine developed. Today, slot machines have various features to interest new players.
A progressive jackpot can be offered where each bet adds a small amount to the top prize. The odds for this type of slot are tougher than a fixed jackpot machine, but the jackpots can climb into the millions of dollars.
One of the most attractive features for online slots is the availability of 1024 ways to win. This feature allows you to win on any left-to-right combination of symbols. A similar feature to the 1024 ways to win is the win both ways.
Win both ways allows you to win both left-to-right and right-to-left symbol combinations. Another feature of these types of slots is the autoplay. The autoplay feature allows the machine to play spin after spin without stopping.
The machine will show you each spin's results but continue playing until you stop the autoplay feature. This feature provides stress relief after playing at the tables.
Unlike some of the other features, the classic nudge feature has become almost obsolete because it would allow you to move the reel down once or a few times to form a new combination of symbols for winning.
A gambling feature is available during some bonus games of an online slot machine. This option is available in various forms, but the most common form is where you can predict the color or suit of a playing card on the screen.
If you win, the machine doubles the amount of the winnings associated with the bonus game. If you are wrong, all of the winnings are forfeited. The bonus game feature is an extra game unlocked when you hit a certain combination of symbols.
Most slot machines also offer a premium symbol. The bonus symbol can be used in the place of any symbol, and this symbol typically unlocks the bonus game. Multiplier symbols are similar to bonus symbols except they multiply the total amount of winnings.
A scatter symbol does not have to land on a pay line to create a payout for you. The scatter symbol is the most popular symbol with many players. Many online machines also offer free spins, and they just give you a set number of spins at the current wager without charging you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Best Online Slots
Playing slots online is different than playing in a land based casino because online slots offer thousands and thousands of options. If you are a new player, the amount of choices can be overwhelming. It can be intimidating and confusing to find the perfect game for you.
However, this issue does not have to be a problem because most online games have similar features. If most of the features are the same, the only choice is the theme or unique features of the slot machine. Many online casinos allow you to play for free before playing for real money, so trying out various games is possible.
These slots are just a few of the thousands of many online casinos offer. Slot machines are divided into classic three reel slots and five reel video slots. Many casinos offer over 5000 variations of these two slots, so choosing a machine by theme or features is easier.
Another thing to think about when choosing an online slot machine is Return to Player Rate or RTP. This figure is typically given in percentages. For example, if a casino offers you an RTP of 90%, you will receive 90 cents for every dollar you wager. The house edge, in this case, would be 10%.
Online casinos do not publish this information on their website, but it can be found for the individual slots. You should also look for the volatility of the machine. A low volatility game has lower risks and lower payouts, and high-volatility games have higher risks but higher payouts.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]The following slots are considered some of the most popular online slots.
Slot Machine Tips
Slot machines are games of pure chance, and nothing can increase your odds of winning. With that said, some believe there are ways to maximize your chances of winning while enjoying the game. Below are some tips to help you accomplish this maximization:
• Many sites will tell you to determine the amount you plan to wager and the amount you can afford to lose and then stick to those numbers.
• The payout odds of the online casino should be verified before making any deposits online. The payout odds can be extremely different between each online casino.
• You should also check the payout odds on the individual game because some games with higher coin requirements come with higher odds.
• When deciding between three and five reel machines, you should remember that the best odds are with the three reel machines, but five reel machines have higher payouts.
• You should also understand the rules of the game.
• If you want to activate all the pay lines, you must bet the maximum wager on the machine.
• Each casino has wagering requirements for bonuses, and slot machine wagering can count towards these requirements.
• Slot machines utilize the Random Number Generator (RNG), so lucky game and other superstitious ideas are impossible.
• One popular tip is to develop a pattern when betting. An idea is to bet lower amounts when you are losing and higher amounts when you are winning.
• The most important tip is to know when to quit.
After exploring a variety of online slot machines, the following three games have been identified as having the best software powering them:
• Temple of Iris by Eyecon Gaming is a five reeled online slot machine that has 25 stake lines that can trigger massive rewards.
• Powered by NetEnt, Berryburst Max is a five reel online slot machine with a Cluster Pays format that lets you claim a prize whenever you get a cluster of five symbols.
• Another NetEnt game is Dead or Alive II, a sequel slot to one of the most successful Western-themed slots by the developer.
Online Slot Machine Terminology
If you want to understand online slots, you must first have a working knowledge of the terminology associated with online slots. Some of these terms are:
Active Pay line: This term means a pay line that is in play and will pay out if a winning combination appears on the line.
AutoPlay: Keeps the reels spinning without having to push a button
Bet Max: the maximum betting amount to activate the maximum amount of pay lines.
Bet Per Line: the amount you are betting for each line
Classic Slot: refers to a traditional slot machine with one pay line and three reels
Fixed Jackpot: the jackpot pay out the same amount of coins
Hit: a spin that wins
Loose Slot: high payout percentage slot machine
Pay-line: the line that will pay when a winning combination is present
Payout Percentage: the percentage of the amount that a slot will pay out
Pay Table: shows all possible combinations and what they are worth
Progressive Jackpot: a jackpot that grows as the game is played
Random Number Generator (RNG): the computer randomly decides where the reel will stop
Reels: online slots use a virtual barrel where the symbols appear
Stacked Wilds: a variety of symbols that are wild that is stacked on top of each other.
Symbol: The themed images that appear on the reels to indicate a winning combination
Tight Slot: low payout percentage slot machine
Video Slots: does not include physical reels only virtual ones
Wild Symbol: can replace any other symbols on the reels
Winning Combination: symbol combinations that result in payouts
More About the History of Slot Machines
Before the 20th century, slot machines are synonymous with vending machines, but everything changed when casinos started to appear in the early 20th century. Slot machines were first used in gambling during the late 1800s in the United States, wherein a horse race would commence once a coin has been put in a slot. These machines attracted some spectators who are also curious about the device. These are placed inside bars, and winners can take cigarettes or drinks, or to some extent, checks. It was in 1888 when machines dispensing money as a prize was introduced, and it has spawned a new generation of gamblers. These machines can spin circularly, and when it stops on the jackpot, the winner can take the prize money home.
Modern slot machines were developed in San Francisco in 1894. The inventor, Charles August Fey, developed the machine in his home’s basement, and it resembles the slot machines found in modern casinos. The machine called Card Bell has three reels, and the three should match to win the jackpot. It also has an automatic coin releasing mechanism, and a lever to start the motion. His next invention was the Liberty Bell, which reached the popularity he never expected. His machines were used inside bars, and are highly popular among bar patrons. Sadly, only a few of his machines survived when the San Francisco earthquake hit in 1906. His competitors soon copied the design of the machines, and they became prevalent across the United States.
The church started to issue bans with slot machines because they are promoting gambling. The city of San Francisco also banned the creation and use of slot machines, resulting in the industry moving far away to Chicago. More than 3,000 slot machines in San Francisco were either confiscated or destroyed. Some tried to find loopholes in the law prohibiting the creation and use of slot machines and decided to create slot machines without coin slots, and with a mechanism that would give them a token instead that can be exchanged for prices, but it didn’t work either.
Some slot machine manufacturers tried to circumvent the law by replacing the old card suit marks with fruit symbols. They explained to the authorities that the machines dispense chewing gums and are not used for gambling. Other slot machine manufacturers copied the idea of putting fruits on the reels, and these slot machines slowly gained traction. After the Second World War, the government needs to find alternative ways on how they can earn taxes. In the United States, the government finally allowed the use of slot machines, just for them to collect enough money to rehabilitate territories destroyed by the war and to add something in the government funds. This made way for slot machines to become a global phenomenon, signifying its importance inside casinos.
Popular Online Slots Themes
Online themes are increasingly used for online slots to attract and enhance their appearance to gamers. Note that there is much more to online slots than just the mechanics and mathematics that goes with the slot game. Much is involved in making an enriching experience for the customers. One of these ways is the use of themed slots. Players of slot machines feel more comfortable with familiar themes, and as a result, they have become increasingly important. Its popularity has increased use of online slots and the changing times have also caused their adoption. Themed online slots leave a player with a more rewarding experience.
Several favorite themes get favored by individual players, and different players will prefer different online slot themes. The use of modern-day superstars is a theme that has gained a following. These superstars comprise of those involved in sporting activities. The development of such themes gets attributed to the involvement of young youthful male generation in gambling. This new generation of gamblers was unlike in the past when slot machines were the preserve of old female players. This theme has found a following majorly due to increased betting on sports. Many people may often associate windfalls with the superstars in the various industries.
The use of magic and legends is another theme that is known to be very popular. These themes give the players the confidence to rely on certain mysterious forces to grant them victory in the slot machines. Stories of mythical characters like Cinderella is used to represent success and riches. Other fairy tales are also used to conjure up childhood nostalgia, associating it with success in the game.
In addition to this, other themes are associated with different cultures that were characterized by riches and luck. There is a tendency to believe that players often associate such cultures with success. These include themes of China whereby there are slots based on many icons representing superstition and lack. Ancient Egypt and Ireland cultures get associated with luck in certain respects. Developers use common symbols representing such as ankhs and scarab beetles.
Money and wealth is also an exciting theme for online slots. The slot themes tend to encourage richness and much wealth. Popular titles associated with such include cash splash and mega fortune.
The theme of adventure and treasure is also among the favorites. Such will often use brave warriors to associate with luck and success. The players in this category perceive themselves to be in some struggle. Consequently, the view of a struggle causes players to chase a win with some form of tenacity. It is this perception that explains the reason why the theme is favorite.
Although there are several favorite themes for online slots, whichever that works for a person is purely their preference.
For instance, those who love China will likely go for those with Chinese themes. Another person will like the Egyptian culture and find confidence in the themes associated with the Egyptian culture. As online slot games use increases, developers are taking advantage of the same. They are exploiting the subconscious dreams or desires of the players to make them participate in their favorite theme. Nevertheless, the use of themes has changed the experience of players of online slot machines.
Free Online Slots
Free slots are games of luck that are hard to beat. However, you can always improve your chances of winning and lower the house's odds over the player especially by playing free online slots. This instructional guide is designed to help you master the game of slots and potentially make money doing so. You'll learn how to maximize your odds of winning and will hopefully make a little bit of money in the process.
Bankroll
The first step in the slots guide is to know your bankroll. With slots, you will lose way more times than you will win. Usually, you have to rely on hitting a big spin in order to make money and cover your losses, but this can take dozens of spins to do so. With this in mind, you'll want to use slot machines that use no more than one percent of your bankroll each spin to maximize your chances of hitting a big spin. You should also set a limit so that if you lose enough you get off the machine and either stop playing or switch onto a different game. Just because you've lost a ton in a row doesn't mean your odds of winning the next spin have improved at all.
Payout Odds
Online casinos make it really easy to check the payout odds on their machines. If you aren't able to find this information then don't play that game. A small marginal difference can be huge, so play on the slot machines that offer the best odds for you. Games with higher betting requirements will typically have better odds so that is something to consider, but this also means that you have a greater potential to lose more money. If you are going to play, try to use machines with higher minimum bets due to the payout odds favoring you.
Types of Slots
The number of reels on a game has a big influence on your chances of winning. Generally speaking, slots with three reels will have the best odds but this may not always be true. Also, keep in mind that slots with progressive payouts will typically have better payouts than slots that don't, but they also give you more losses and will require more spins in order to hit that payout. Your money will go much faster, so make sure you have a big bankroll before going onto a progressive payout slot machine.
Know the Rules
It's important to know the rules of the slot you're playing on to ensure that you are making the most out of your spins. Some slots may only offer jackpots if you're betting a certain amount or might have weird bonuses that require a bit of strategy. This is especially common on online slot programs because computers give the player more control over their actions. This will also help you understand the various paylines and can contest an incident if there is a glitch and you aren't paid for a win. Some slots will require you to bet on certain paylines, which will improve your chances of winning but at the same time it will increase your overall bet. It's usually a good idea to bet on all paylines because that will be the only way you have a chance at getting a jackpot or big payout.
Know the Minimum Cost Per Spin
You should be quite aware of the minimum cost per spin before playing on a machine. Nothing is worse than losing a couple of spins only to find that your bankroll is completely gone already because you were betting much more than you intended. Slot games can be confusing, and if you aren't 100 percent positive make sure you check your bankroll after the first spin. You should also be careful not to unintentionally adjust your bets by hitting a button by mistake. Keep a constant eye on your changing bankroll.
Don't Raise Your Bet Often
The biggest mistake people make is they raise their bet after a winning streak because they have a higher bankroll, which often leads to them losing it. While a winning streak may be nice and you feel like you can't lose, the odds are still against you and raising your bet means that you can burn through your bankroll fast. Instead, you should take your luck and either run with it or try to win a little more without losing the winnings you've already earned. A common strategy is to subtract your starting bankroll from your current bankroll and just play with your winnings if you're ahead. This way, you either go home a big winner or at least even in the worst case scenario.
Have Fun with Slots
Having fun is essential with slot machines. If you're playing solely to make money than you are going to get angry when you lose and will make mistakes such as putting in big bets. Keep a clear head and go into each game as if you're just spending the money to play the game and it's already gone.
Know When To Quit
Knowing when to stop playing is an important part of gambling, no matter which game you play. Players will often get caught up in their winnings and make large bets to go big, or may get angry when losing and will make large bets to redeem their losses. Sometimes you will win and other times you will lose, typically losing more times than you actually win money. It's just how gambling goes. Know when to walk away and don't gamble more money than you can afford. If you find yourself getting angry at your losses, than stop playing and take your remaining money and come back another time. After all, if you're playing online slots they will always be available to you so it's not like you have to go very far to play again. The best gamblers are able to stay calm while winning or losing and can make the most of their profits or stop their losses early.
