With a history dating back to United States in the 1890s, it would be fair to say that slot machines have stood the test of time as a mainstream entertainment activity.
Head to any land-based casino or amusement arcade across the world and you will be greeted by endless rows of slots offering you the chance to win a sizeable jackpot.
It is a similar story on the internet, with many of the top slot sites in the UK featuring hundreds of different games created by the leading software developers in the sector.
Advancements in technology have completely transformed online slots, helping them become multi-layered games which keep players engaged for hours on end.
If you have never previously played slots online, here are a few things you should know before parting with your hard-earned cash.
Reels, rows & paylines
As slots technology has become increasingly more sophisticated, developers have been able to push the boundaries by introducing more reels, rows and paylines to the games.
The days when most slots had a 3×3 grid with a single payline are long gone, with modern games now far more expansive than was previously the case.
Five reels and four rows of symbols are now commonplace on slots, while the number of paylines can run into hundreds on the biggest games.
Paylines can run in several different directions, further increasing the number of different ways that players can scoop a bumper jackpot.
Coin level
Online slots allow players to adjust the amount of money they are willing to risk on each spin, which is great news for anyone who has a limited budget to play with.
Players can change the coin value which determines your stake per spin and ultimately the total amount you can potentially win.
Some slots also have adjustable paylines which are controlled by the ‘Bet Level’ function. This increases the stake and the potential winnings combination.
Each element of this functionality can be adjusted on a ‘per spin’ basis – a factor which offers players much greater flexibility than traditional slots games.
Symbols
Every slot game features symbols – these are allocated different values and dictate how much you win when you hit the right combination.
Slots have evolved over time, with the earliest machines using symbols such as horseshoes and bells. Fruit symbols including cherries, oranges, watermelons and others subsequently became popular.
Fast forward to today and online slots have themes, with the symbols in the game based on whichever theme the developer has built the game around.
For example, the symbols in a movie-themed slot will be the key characters or imagery from the film. The accompanying music will also be taken from the movie.
Wild & Scatter Symbol
Wild and scatter symbols fire online slots into another stratosphere by increasing the number of different ways you can win on a game.
They substitute for any other symbol, helping you to complete winning combinations or opening the door to thrilling bonus levels.
These include free spins and mini-games – each of which could be the pathway to scooping the jackpot or even winning a progressive jackpot.
Wild and scatter symbols add to the excitement levels on online slots by adding a different dimension to the overall gameplay experience.
Bonus features
Online slots feature a wide range of bonus features, each of which are designed to add more excitement to your gameplay session.
As just mentioned, free spins and mini-games tend to be the most popular bonus features on slots and are triggered by landing a specific set of symbols on the reels.
Free spins give you the chance to rack up consecutive wins without eating into your bankroll. Some games even allow you to retrigger the feature during the bonus round.
Mini-games are effectively a game within a game, allowing players to embark on a journey around a bonus feature board for the chance to climb up the payout ladder.
Fixed Jackpot & Progressive Jackpot
A slots game with a fixed jackpot pays out a pre-determined account if you are lucky enough to hit a specific set of symbols on a payline. The amount never changes.
By contrast, a progressive jackpot increases over time. When you hit the right combination, the payout will be the amount displayed at the time this occurs.
Progressive jackpots can be linked to a single slots game or several other slots on the same online site. The jackpot value of the latter often increases quite quickly.
Some casino operators offer progressive jackpots which are linked across all of the sites under their umbrella and these have been known to run into millions of pounds.
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