Written by #1 – How To Play Slots
Ever wondered how slot games are played online?
Most video slots work in much the same way as offline slot machines. Symbols are arranged on vertical spinners called ‘reels’. The reels spin and stop to show a random series of symbols arranged on the payline. You a chance to win at slots by hitting different winning combinations and patterns of symbols.
Want to learn how to win big in the long run?
Read on to learn how to play slots at online casinos, random understand random number generators (RNGs), payback percentages, maximum bets, popular slots online and more.
How Do Slot Machines Work?
Symbols
Each game usually has 10-12 standard symbols. In addition to these regular ones, there are also special symbols like “Wild”, “Bonus”, and “Scatter”.
Paylines
The line that connects the combinations is called a payline. Some machines can have 25 or more paylines that zigzag all over the screen.
Bet level
This is the basic unit you’ll use to bet. Then you can choose how many coins to bet on each payline and how many total paylines you want to play.
Progressive Jackpots
In these games, a tiny bit of each bet goes towards the jackpot which keeps growing until someone wins it.
Bonus Rounds
Hitting a bonus round not only unlocks special mini-games within the main game, it’s also a great way to rack up winnings.
Return To Player % (RTP)
RTP refers to the casino’s statistical advantage in a specific game. The bigger the RTP, the better the game is for the player.
What Are Paylines?
There’s a big difference between playing one payline and playing 25. The more paylines you play, the more often you’re going to win and hit special bonuses. You also have more chances to hit a jackpot. It comes with a price, however, since you have to place a separate bet on each payline you’re playing.
Single
Multi
A lot of players like choosing a lower denomination coin that allows them to max out the paylines while keeping the total bet at a manageable level. Other people prefer to play a smaller number of paylines with a bigger bet riding on each. The truth is, it’s more exciting to hit lots of winning combinations which is why you see new machines pushing the limits with more and more paylines.
Slot Symbols & Meanings
Wild
Wild symbols can substitute any regular symbol to complete winning combinations.
Scatter
Scatter symbols give you a winning spin when two or more of them are showing regardless of whether they’re on a payline or not. In lots of games, Scatter symbols trigger bonus rounds and other special prizes.
Bonus
Bonus symbols can unlock bigger prizes, second-screen mini-games, and other valuable bonuses.
Multiplier
Multipliers are 2X, 3X, or 4X and it will literally multiply your prize by that number.
#2 – Playing Free Slots
Whether you want to play purely for fun or you want to research new games and online casinos before signing up, there are tons of options for free play on most of our recommended casino partners.
Money isn’t the only reason slots are some of the most popular games in the entire casino. A lot of the enjoyment for people has to do with the game’s story, characters and the thrill of spinning the wheels. You can get all of that without risking a dime by checking out the free play casino games sections of most casino websites.
Another big benefit to being able to play for free is to research a new site before signing up. Different casinos use different game developers so it’s great to be able to actually play new titles before going through the process of opening an account and depositing money.
#3 – Jackpot Slots
Million-dollar jackpots are the dream of every self-respecting player. Everyone gets to win hundreds of dollars, and lots of people get to win thousands, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to hit a truly big jackpot.
The jackpots that get the biggest are called “Progressive Jackpots”. That means a small part of each wager is added to the jackpot. It keeps increasing until someone hits it. Until someone wins it, it just keeps growing and growing.
Massive progressive jackpots aren’t available on all games, and usually, you have to be betting a certain amount in order to qualify. If you want a chance at them, make sure to research the games and the qualification criteria to make sure you’re eligible. Here’s a look at some of the biggest online progressive jackpot slots on the planet.
Massive Winners
There have been tons of seven-figure slots winners over the years, but the biggest wins will blow your mind. Imagine playing on the internet for pennies and winning a prize so big it changes your life forever.
- €17 million – Mega Fortune
In 2013, one lucky winner from Finland won over €17 million on a €0.20 spin. It holds the record for being the biggest jackpot ever. - €18.9 million – Mega Moolah
September 2018 saw one player claim €18.9 million at Grand Mondial Casino, smashing the previous Mega Moolah jackpot record. - $20 million – Mega Moolah
In January 2019, the Mega Moolah jackpot surpassed $20 million. The winner played at Zodiac Casino. - €13.2 million – Mega Moolah
British Soldier Jon Heywood won €13.2 million in 2015. He was just 26 at the time and was betting 25p per spin.
#4 – Slot Game Tips
Choosing Your Online Game
There are several key factors that can guide your decision as far as which game to play. The first step is identifying your priorities and then finding the games that are in line with them.
Value for money
By looking at a game’s RTP, you can find the titles that offer the best statistical value.
Big jackpots
Usually, progressive jackpot games have a lower RTP because you can win massive prizes. Make sure to account for that if you’re hunting big jackpots.
The entertainment factor
Pick a game with great graphics, plus a theme and story that appeals to you.
Special promotions
Online casinos promote different games at different times, so be sure to stay up to date with the latest promotions and giveaways associated with different games.
Top 5 Best Rated Online Slots
1. Mega Moolah
| Software | Reels | Max Coins Per Line | Min Coins Per Lines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microgaming | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| Free Spins | Playlines | Bonus Game | Game Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 25 | Yes | 50 |
Mega Moolah is one of the most popular progressive online slots. It is known for awarding massive jackpots and it holds the record for the biggest progressive jackpot awarded online with a prize of over $21.5m. It’s general RTP is 88.12%.
Mega Moolah is a fun slot that features an African theme with various wild animals as symbols. The lion is the wild icon and it also doubles the win, while three or more scattered monkey symbols will award 15 free spins with tripled pays. The bonus game with four progressive jackpots can be triggered randomly on any spin.
2. Cleopatra Slots
| Software | Reels | Max Coins Per Line | Min Coins Per Lines |
|---|---|---|---|
| IGT | 5 | 500 | 1 |
| Free Spins | Playlines | Bonus Game | Game Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 20 | No | Video Slots |
Cleopatra remains an iconic slots machine worldwide. It was popularized in Las Vegas casinos by IGT and it was later offered online. Now, the developer has multiple Cleopatra slots in its portfolio, including a MegaJackpots version where players can win progressive jackpots of over $500,000.
The standard online slots game features various elements from Ancient Egypt as symbols. The Cleopatra logo is wild and substitutes for other symbols, while also doubling the win. Three, four or five pharaoh symbols will trigger 15 free spins that have tripled payouts. All of this adds up to an RTP of 95.7%.
3. Gonzo’s Quest
| Software | Reels | Max Coins Per Line | Min Coins Per Lines |
|---|---|---|---|
| NetEnt | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| Free Spins | Playlines | Bonus Game | Game Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 20 | No | Video Slots |
Gonzo’s Quest is a fan-favorite slots game for online and mobile gaming. This superb creation features a detailed theme that is set in the deep South American jungles. It follows the Spanish explorer El Dorado on his search for lost treasure.
The game shows five stacks of blocks with various symbols on them. When they form a combination, the blocks disappear and other symbols take their place. The process is known as cascading reels and multiple wins increase the multiplier. Players can benefit from wilds and win free falls from three scatters, while enjoying a general RTP of 96.0%.
4. Monopoly Slots
| Software | Reels | Max Coins Per Line | Min Coins Per Lines |
|---|---|---|---|
| NetEnt | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| Free Spins | Playlines | Bonus Game | Game Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 20 | No | Video Slots |
SG Interactive has quite a few Monopoly slots in its collection, powered by Bally and WMS. Each one comes with something special while incorporating various elements from the iconic boardgame. They are also some of the best and most entertaining free online slot games.
One that stands out is Monopoly Millionaire, with an RTP of 95.40%. It displays symbols on a 5×5 grid with 40 paylines and comes with many bonus games. Players can get community chest bonuses, free games, mystery symbols and so much more. In addition, every spin has a chance to trigger the fixed $1,000,000 jackpot!
5. Zuma Slots
| Software | Reels | Max Coins Per Line | Min Coins Per Lines |
|---|---|---|---|
| NetEnt | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| Free Spins | Playlines | Bonus Game | Game Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | 20 | No | Video Slots |
Zuma Slots is an online machine based on the popular arcade puzzle game Zuma. The five-reel slot shows three rows of symbols and players can have up to 20 lines active. The stake can be as low as $0.01 per line and as big as $25. The symbols depict the famous frog, multiple Tiki bosses and several card icons.
Free spins are triggered by three scatters and there are mini bonus games to determine the number of rounds and the multiplier for the payout. Players can expect great returns in this online slot game given the theoretical RTP of 95.74%.
Online Slot Strategy
A lot of people assume that there’s no strategy in slots. They’re only partly right. While the advanced gameplay strategy is limited, there are lots of decisions that will affect your chances of winning and having a positive experience playing.
Choose Slot Games With High RTP
In terms of value, the biggest decision you get to make is which game to play. If you want the statistically best chances of winning, always pick the games with the highest Return to Player percentage. These games have the lowest house edge and give you the best chance of coming out in the black.
Use Free Spins
Casinos give away free spins so promote new games, reward you for playing or as part of a larger loyalty scheme. Make sure to research your options and take advantage of them when they’re available.
Use Bankroll Management
The key is to understand your goals and what you’re comfortable with. If you like to take risks and gamble, making big bets in relation to your bankroll can mean huge wins. It can also mean having to reload sooner. If you like slots for entertainment consider betting small compared to your bankroll to make sure you get your money’s worth.
Hunt Big Jackpots
The odds of hitting the winning combination stay the same. That means by keeping an eye on which jackpots haven’t been won lately, you can get a lot more value out of your spins.
Our Top 4 Online Tips
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Sign Up At A New Casino
A lot of online casinos juice up their welcome bonuses with free spins which are great for slots players.
If you have a favourite game, don’t worry, lots of different gambling sites use the same software developers and offer the same games.
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Diversify Your Games
Some slots players stick to one game and we think it’s a mistake. It’s okay to focus on a small number of games but you should make sure you’re covering all your bases.
If you’re only playing one game you might be missing out on jackpots, multipliers, bonus rounds, free spins and other promotions that are only available in other games.
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Max Out Paylines
It’s way more fun when you’re racking up winning combos on every spin and accessing the bonus games regularly.
That’s why we recommend lowering the value of each coin and maxing out the number of paylines you’re playing on each spin.
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Sign Up For Loyalty Programs
Most casinos have loyalty programs but not all of them sign you up automatically. Make sure you’re registered, then make sure you’re keeping track of which games offer the best rewards.
Loyalty programs are one of the best ways to swing the odds in your favour.
Offline Strategy
Slots were around long before computers or the internet and while there are a lot of similarities between online and offline, there are some important strategies that only apply to brick and mortar casinos.
Hot And Cold Machines
The idea of a “hot” machine, one that’s due for a win and therefore more likely to pay out, has been around for a long time.
The truth is you’re way better off choosing a machine based on its actual odds since they’re not supposed to change regardless of how often they’ve been won.
Comps And Freebies
Slots are an easy way to get comps for free restaurant meals, nights in the hotel, or entry into special events like tournaments and giveaways.
Make sure to sign up for the rewards program and enter your card every time you start playing.
Progressive Jackpots
Live casino jackpots aren’t usually as big as the biggest prizes found online but they can still reach into the millions of dollars.
Make sure to keep an eye out for the machines that advertise big progressive jackpots and take a shot at winning life-changing money.
Play In Tournaments
Lots of casinos host slots tournaments and they’re a blast.
We’ll explain the ins and outs of tournaments, including the different kinds, a little later on but for now, if you have an opportunity to play in one we highly recommend it.
Our Top Offline Tips
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Play For Fun
The best way to play is for fun because you’re always a winner. Whether you’re meeting a group of friends at the casino to hang out and play or you just need a break.
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Play Within Your Bankroll
Play within your limits. You should never feel stressed out over losing money or regret your decision to play. Only play with money that you can afford to spend.
#5 – Slot Tournaments
Much like poker tournaments, slots tournaments are a way to compete against lots of other players all at once and potentially win huge prizes. They’re available online and in brick and mortar casinos. There are different variations but far and away the two most common are single-level and multi-level tournaments.
Types Of Slot Tournaments
Single-Level Tournaments
In a single-level tournament, everything happens within one set amount of time.
Everyone starts with the same number of credits and generally maxes out the coin denomination and number of paylines. The strategy is to win big or go down in flames.
To win a slot tournament you have to get lucky but you also have to risk disaster to do it.
Multi-Level Tournaments
At the end of each level a certain percentage of the field is eliminated.
For example, the tournament could start with 500 people and the top 10% of winners advance to the next round. Now 50 players compete in a new level and the top 10% advances to the final round where the last five players compete for the biggest prizes.
Usually, multi-level tournaments have bigger fields, more play and bigger prizes.
How Slots Tournaments Work
Tournaments are really exciting to play, especially live. Imagine a room with hundreds of people trying to get in as many spins as possible. Tournaments often come down to the wire with people cheering on the final players and they always come with great cash and prizes. The best part is they’re really easy to understand.
- Each player gets their own machine and starts with the same number of credits.
- There’s a time limit, during which everyone tries to play as many spins as they can and win as many coins as possible.
- When the time runs out, players are ranked according to how many coins they won.
There are variations of this structure that reward different things like how many spins each player was able to make and how many bonus rounds they finished successfully. Whatever the case, the prizes are agreed upon beforehand and usually pay out 10-15% of the total field.
#6 – Bonus Slot Games
Within most games are mini-games, also called bonus games or bonus rounds. You trigger them by hitting three special symbols like Bonus or Scatter. Different games work in different ways but the one really common bonus is a set of free spins. The game will auto-spin 20 times, for example, and you get to keep all the winnings. In other games, a second screen will appear and let you spin a wheel or play a new game to win special prizes.
- Pick ’em Bonus
In this bonus round, you’re presented with a choice of icons to click. When clicked, each icon will reveal a coin amount, multiplier, or other special bonus.
- Match Bonus
In this game, however, you have to click on two or more and hope that they match. If your choices match, you win the amount shown or the prize that corresponds to the symbol.
Slot Machines With Bonus Games
Mega Moolah’s Jackpot Wheel
The grand-daddy of all online progressive jackpots, Mega Moolah has awarded some of the biggest prizes in the history of online gambling.
That includes the €17,879,645 jackpot won by 26-year-old John Heywood in 2015 that we mentioned earlier.
100 Free Spins On Zeus
Greek mythology-based classic Zeus has a deceptively simple bonus round but it’s helped make this title a legend both in online slots and on the internet.
Players can win up to 100 free spins in the bonus round which almost always means big cash prizes and an exciting gamble as the spins play out.
Bonus rounds are a highlight for people who love slots and we always recommend games that deliver the very best. Make sure to spend the time exploring new titles and old ones you might have missed for the most exciting bonus games.
#7 – Random Number Generators (RNGs)
Real-life slot machines were originally 100% mechanical, the outcomes decided by complicated machines. Then came electrical circuits and eventually computer chips. That was when virtual random-number generators were first used in gambling.
What is a Random Number Generator?
The random number generator is a computer algorithm that constantly produces complicated runs of numbers that are used to decide the outcomes slots and other casino games. While they’ve been proven to fall short of true randomness in a mathematical sense, they’ve been accepted to be more than adequate for online gambling.
How Do RNGs Work?
Online casino software has the RNG built into every single game and it’s always running. The RNG creates numbers between 1 and 10 digits long, hundreds of times every second. Each of the numbers corresponds in a certain way to a symbol and possible position on a reel. When the player hits the spin button, the game chooses the numbers created that millisecond to decide the game’s outcome.
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RNG
The computer algorithm is constantly spinning, producing numbers every millisecond.
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Casino
The player triggers the spin button on a slot machine, for example.
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Outcome
The numbers chosen correspond to a certain game outcome which decides whether you win or lose.
RNGs have been in use in slot machines for decades and they’ve improved rapidly alongside computer technology in recent years. Nowadays they perform better and are more secure than ever before.
#8 – Types Of Slot Machines
We’ve already covered a lot of ground but another important distinction to make is between the main kinds of slots you’ll run into both online and in brick and mortar casinos.
- Penny Slots
In the past, Penny Slots often referred to games that were more basic compared to the fancier machines that cost more money to play.In the world of online games, however, you can play tons of the best titles for whatever stakes you want, even as low as a penny.
- Video Slots
If Penny Slots make you think of an old-fashioned coin-operated machine, Video Slots should make you think of sleek animated graphics and exciting stories and characters.
Nowadays slots have evolved far beyond the days of cherries and gold bars. In many cases, they’re a lot more like video games.
All the online slots casinos we recommend offer huge catalogues of games that include both traditional games and modern video versions. That means you can try them all to decide which ones you like the best.
Slot Machines VS Video Slots
In most online casinos you still have the option of playing more traditional-style games. These are simpler and let you focus on the spin and hitting more straightforward combos. It’s a huge contrast compared to the fast-paced animations and stories we outlined in the last section. In the end, it all comes down to personal taste.
Old Fashioned
These games are easy to understand and a lot more relaxing to play than some other more modern titles. They include:
Modern Games
Modern video slots are big on the visual experience as well as more complicated stories, gameplay and bonus rounds. They include:
We recommend switching it up and trying different games and styles. Sometimes you might be in the mood for more fast-paced action while other times you might want something more relaxed that takes less of your concentration. There’s a lot to choose from so don’t be afraid to try a new title.
#9 – Slot Cheats
When most people think of rigged slot machines they usually worry that a casino might be manipulating the game in their favour to win more of your money. In reality, the opposite is far more common. History is full of examples of players cheating the casino out of millions by hacking or compromising the slot machine’s ability to function properly.
Cheating At Slots
Ron Harris
If you’ve seen the movie Oceans 11 you might be familiar with this story, even if you didn’t know where it originally came from.
Harris was a computer programmer that worked for the Nevada Gaming Control Board. His job was to find bugs in slot machine software and fix them. Instead, he rigged them to pay out jackpots when a certain number of coins were inserted in certain sequence.
His story has also been featured on numerous TV shows including Breaking Vegas and Vegas Cheaters Exposed.
Dennis Nikrasch
This famous slot cheat reportedly cheated Las Vegas casinos out of more than $15 million in the 1980s.
Nikrasch was a master locksmith and successfully developed ways to manually trigger jackpots. He was caught and the story goes that he traded some of his secrets in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Tommy Glenn Carmichael
Carmichael famously developed a thin piece of metal that could be inserted into the coin slot to set off a win.
As technology improved, Carmichael developed his tool into a light-emitting wand that was able to hack more modern machines. He was in and out of prison until becoming permanently banned from all casinos in the early 2000s.
He still works in the gaming industry, however, helping casinos catch cheaters.
You`re very unlikely to cheat a slot machine. Hacking a mechanical slot machine from the 1980s is one thing but cracking the advanced security used by today’s online casinos is entirely another. And let’s be honest, none of us would even be able to hack a slot machine from the 1980s. There are a few key reasons you have zero chance of successfully cheating:
#10 – Offline Slots Play
Long before anyone had even heard of a computer, let alone the internet, people loved gambling on slot machines. Even though they’ve become way more advanced, people loved old-school slots for the same reason people love online slots now: They’re exciting, easy to play, and offer the chance to win big.
The Online v Offline Debate
Arguing that online or offline slots are better is a lot like arguing that a dog is a better pet than a cat. The truth is, they can both be great and you don’t have to choose one over the other.
That said, there are differences that may appeal more to different people. Let’s look more closely at the most important pros and cons.
Online Slots
People love to play these games online for lots of reasons but these are the biggest:
Offline Slots
There’s a certain allure to live machines but that’s not the only reason people love them:
Vegas Slots
Tens of millions of people visit Las Vegas every year and for those of them that love slots, it’s heaven. These are the biggest reasons why:
Endless Games
Sin City might as well be called Spin City because every casino is jam-packed with the world’s best slot machines and other games.
You could spend a week in Vegas and not even come close to playing them all. Check out the modern machines on the strip or venture downtown for the old-school experience.
Bonuses and Comps
It’s fun to check out lots of casinos but when you gamble, it’s best to stick to properties that share the same rewards program.
Sign up for a VIP card and stick it in the machine every time you play. You’ll get free hotel nights, buffet tickets and lots more just for playing the games you love. You can also earn your way into special slots tournaments.
There’s a time and a place for both online and offline slots but the best part is, you don’t have to choose between them. There are tons of great reasons to play both.
#11 – Video Poker
A close relative to the slot machine, video poker is another game that’s easy to play, lots of fun and offers a chance at big jackpots. It’s also another example of a game that successfully made the jump from brick and mortar casinos into our favourite online gambling sites.
What is Video Poker?
Video poker machines feature games like Jacks or Better, Double Bonus Poker and Deuces Wild, to name just a few. The most common games play like a five-card draw.
You win based on how big a poker hand you make according to a pay-table posted above the game. Each hand the player receives five cards and then has the option to trade zero to five cards for new ones.
We’ll get to the ways video poker is similar to slots but there are a few key differences, most importantly it usually requires more skill and strategy. Make sure you understand the rules of the game you’re playing and don’t treat it like a slot machine.
How it’s Similar to Slots
There’s a lot of crossover between slots and video poker and if you like one, chances are you’re going to like the other two. Some of the biggest similarities include:
- A private gaming experience where you can relax and play your own game.
- An exciting gambling game that offers the chance for big wins with relatively small risk.
- The ability to play at both live and online casinos.
Our Recommendations
There are so many games out there it can be overwhelming, but don’t worry. We’ve tasked our experts with recommending a few choice titles based on other games you’ve probably already seen.
If You Liked…
Mega Moolah
If you like jackpots, hopefully, you’ve heard of Mega Moolah.
It awarded the biggest jackpot in history when the UK’s John Heywood won £13,209,300 betting just 25p per spin. With a super-fun safari theme and tons of prizes, there’s a reason this is an all-time great game.
Snow Business
This classic game features a really fun North Pole theme and, best of all, a jackpot that regularly gets into the multiple millions of dollars.
The game actually features four different jackpots that can be accessed in a special bonus round that lets you spin the bonus wheel to see which prize you’ll win.
Then You’ll Love
Mega Fortune
If you’ve been around slots for a long time you’ve definitely heard the name Mega Moolah.
If you’re new to the game, we can’t risk you missing out on this one. In 2017 the jackpot was hit 12 times, the most ever, with an average prize of over $5.7 million USD.
Jackpot Giant
If you’ve never played it, this game is too good to pass up. It combines a fun and original theme with some of the biggest progressive jackpots around.
At the time of writing this article, the Jackpot Giant grand prize is worth an astounding USD$12.1 million! Make sure to add it to your list of games to try.
Play Real Money Casino Games
Find the best online casinos offering your favorite games by clicking below. Each page also offers a simple guide on how to play.
