Slots
From the classic Vegas slot machines of the past to the online slots we have today, games have evolved a lot, offering better prizes than ever before.
Online slots explained
Online slots are the virtual equivalent of the old Vegas slots machines that we all know and love, they are a set of games that function based on mechanical and mathematical principles. Or, more simply put, they are based on luck and the random occurrence of wins.
Don’t get discouraged, however, there are still plenty of reasons to try an online slot yourself and plenty of people who have become millionaires after playing them.
A typical slot construction involves reels with different symbols that spin once you start the game and a number of paylines you have to bet on – your goal as a player is to find the right combination of various symbols to trigger a winning combo.
Types of online slots
Online slots can be split into many categories, depending on structure, theme, number of paylines and number of reels. Most popular types are classic or fruit slots, progressive jackpot slots, movie-themed, 3D, multi-line etc.
What you also need to remember here is the volatility level of a slot – the higher it is, the more substantial the wins are, but they occur rarely. On the opposite end, you can also choose a slot with low volatility level that triggers smaller, but more frequent wins.
It all depends on your style of playing.
How do I start playing online slots?
Because the iGaming industry has evolved so much, it’s easier than ever to start playing online slots. You can play these games for free or register to play with real money. To register at an online casino, you need to be at least 18 years-old.
Remember – there’s no such thing as the right casino, only the right casino for you. If you’re a beginner, we highly recommend looking for a trusted, licensed operator in your country. It’s important for your online safety to only play on a casino platform with a good, established reputation and a license that you can verify.
Casinos that operate without a valid license can be shady and you run the risk of having your data stolen, so keep this extra caution in mind as well.
After selecting the casino, you will need to sign up by providing an e-mail address and a name for your player account. The registration process also involves additional personal information such as address, ID or phone number because the casino will have to verify your identity.
After passing all identity checks, that’s it – you are ready to play and you can also get a no deposit bonus.
Do I need to download any software?
Not in all cases. There are some casinos that involve downloading software for an improved player experience or additional features, but most allow instant browser play from all devices (desktop, mobile, tablets and more.).
For example, slots that use Java or Flash technology can be played immediately for free in the demo version on most online casino platforms. Just open the game window and you’re good to go.
Some casinos might also have a dedicated mobile app that you can download if you prefer to play on the go.
What casino should I choose to find online slots?
Like we mentioned above, always look for a trusted one with a good reputation – you can judge this by general player ratings, games selection you find on their website, license, payment methods allowed, customer support (if it’s responsive or not and when support is available.).
Another very important differentiator to look out for is how attractive the welcome bonus is – take it this way, the first bonus you get is your first point of contact with a casino’s offer. If you’re not received well, then your future experience probably won’t be very good either.
Also, the offer is always more attractive if that particular bonus is easy to get, it has accessible wagering terms and conditions or it comes with extra things such as free spins.
And, if you’re still confused, some top casinos that we recommend if you reside in Canada are: Spin Palace, Jackpot City, Ruby Fortune and Betway.
Is there any recipe to win at online slots?
We hope we won’t disappoint you by saying this but there is no fixed, single recipe to always win at any slot, mostly because they are largely based on luck and a great deal of strategy and experience.
However, there are some rules and principles that you can follow that can increase your chances to win – things such as choosing the right game, taking full advantage of a no deposit bonus at an online casino and always keeping an eye out for various promotions that are awarded at slots specifically (for example free spins).
Here are some five easy steps to follow before betting:
- Play the demo version…a lot –especially if you’re a beginner, the free version of a game gives you plenty of room to learn the ropes, rules and game construction without investing a single dime.
- Set up a budget and stick to it –when you’re ready to invest real money, make sure you have a fixed budget and don’t go over it, even if you have just had a winning streak.
- Take full advantage of casino promotions and bonuses –always keep an eye out for the best a casino has to offer, especially things such as a no deposit bonus. Any advantage will be great to have – also don’t forget to check out the wagering terms to determine if that bonus is really attractive to you or only made to sound that way.
- Choose your slot and bet wisely –some things to keep in mind when choosing your slot are profitability (a good RTP score to look for is 95% or above), number of paylines, the frequency of payments and the software provider.
- Bet on all paylines –betting on all paylines increases your chances of winning big bucks all at once. Set your lines to the maximum bet allowed, if it’s within your budget.
So…do I get a fair shot at winning?
Yes. Even if online slots are mathematical, the industry standard for return to player rates is about 95%. That means the house advantage is typically only 5% so you get more than a decent shot. In some cases, that rate can go up to 99%.
We should also mention that modern slots have evolved a lot in terms of safety, ensuring randomness and preventing fraud and data theft.
Most use what we call RNG technology (Random Number Generator) that guarantees a fair chance and a random combination on each spin at all times.
Symbols to look out for
We can’t talk about what you need to do to win at online slots and not mention special symbols. They are the ones that usually complete a winning combination and help you take the big prize home.
Symbols can differ depending on the slot but, usually, two types are found in almost every title, classic or modern:
- Scatter symbol – 2-5 anywhere on the screen award a prize, even if they are not on a winning payline.
- Wild Symbol – the most valuable one, it substitutes all of the other symbols aside from the scatter.
Why do you need to pay special attention to them, you may ask? Because they usually help you get additional prizes, from cash to free spins and bonus games.
Using them to your advantage can help get Lady Luck on your side more frequently, not to mention some wild symbols also have special properties such as becoming expanding wilds (taking over an entire reel) or being sticky (staying in one place while the reels spin again for added win potential).
Popular or less-known slot?
If you’re a beginner, we highly recommend choosing a popular slot because you will always find more player guides and strategies related to it so it’ll be easier to learn the ropes. If you’re well versed in the casino world, you may want to search for lesser-known titles to improve your overall experience.
If you’re looking for inspiration, some of the most popular online slots worldwide are Mega Moolah, Starburst, Wheel of Fortune, Avalon, Gonzo’s Quest, Reactoonz and Book of Dead.
The bottom line
Online slots are a great way to spend your afternoon and cash in on some substantial prizes. With the right tools in mind, anyone can improve their chances at taking home record-winning cash prizes (we’re looking at you, Mega Moolah winner of €17 million).
They are easy to learn and accessible to beginners and high rollers in Canada and across the world and there is never a shortage of titles on the market. Providers keep coming up with modern 3D graphics that are sure to keep you busy for hours.
That can only mean good news for you – keep those reels spinning and those prizes coming but don’t forget to always gamble responsibly
