Slots are one of the most entertaining games in the betting industry. They generate random symbol combinations on the reels, and if you match them, you win. Whether playing online or at casinos, slots offer a vibrant gaming experience on a budget. Slots vary in exciting themes, symbols, numbers, the pattern of pay lines, and many more.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to play slot machines!
1. Understand How Slots Work
The first step is understanding how to play slot machines. Slots operate on random number generators (RNG), which means every spin is random and fair. This also means that every player has an equal chance of winning.
Furthermore, slot machines have return to player (RTP) and volatility indicators that can affect your win (GLI). RTP is a percentage indicating how much a slot machine is expected to pay out in the long term. Usually, the baseline starts with 75-85%, and slots above 93% RTP are great.
Volatility shows the riskiness of slots, where high volatility slots have high payouts and vice-versa. We recommend that you read our “Slot Machine Odds & Winnings” article about slot operations.
2. Choose a Slot Machine
The next step in playing this casino game is choosing the slot machine. Due to their significant demand, slot machines can be found at casinos or online. The famous types of slot machines are video slots, penny slots, and traditional and progressive jackpot slots. Many types of slots can differ depending on their prize size, themes, and features, but their operations are the same.
Yet, understanding the game rules increases your chances of winning!
3. Understand how to play slot machines & the game rules
Pay lines
Slot machines can have up to 150 reels, depending on their type. Also, this game can have one or multiple pay lines, also known as winning lines. The pay lines can have various patterns, such as zigzag, horizontal, vertical, or other. Sometimes, you can win by matching symbols on multiple pay lines at once. Here, we present some possible pay line patterns that a slot machine can have. In real life, you can find this information on any slot under the pay lines button inside the game rules.
Symbols
Symbols influence your wins and prize size. Each slot game defines its unique winning symbols under the game rules. It is crucial to note that payout size can be connected to symbols. This means that some symbols may result in bigger prize sizes compared to others. For example, by matching the 7 symbols on the pay line, you can win a bigger prize than matching cherries.
Bonuses in Slot Machines
Wilds
Wild symbols can match with any other symbol on the pay line and mark a win. There are various types of wilds that add to the exciting gaming experience. For example, expanding wilds grow more and more on the reel and create more winning chances. Sticky wilds stay on the same spot on the reel for consecutive rounds. Walking wilds that change their positing per spin. There are also stacked wilds that come with a group, and if you manage to stack them horizontally, you win. As you learned, there are many variations of the wild symbol, and to know which one you have in your slot, go to the game rules.
Wilds add to the increased winning odds and fun during the game. For instance, in the figure below, a wild creates a horizontal win by substituting for the third cherry. Also, we note that a wild created a double win diagonally with lemons.
Scatters
Scatters are extra symbols that activate bonus features, free-spins, or progressive jackpots. Unlike other symbols that need to be placed in a specific spot on the pay line, scatters can be anywhere on the reel. So, when you see scatters anywhere on the screen, you can unlock bonus features or prize awards.
Multipliers
Multipliers are special bonuses that increase your prize size by 2, 5, or 10 times. If you hit a win on a pay line and you have a 2x symbol anywhere on the reel, your win size will double. For example, if you marked a $10 win on a slot with a 2x multiplier, your total payout will be $20. Multipliers are a great way to enhance the gaming experience and the slot rewards.
Free Spins
Free spins are popular bonuses that allow gamblers to have a certain number of spins on the slot for free. Scatters or other features can unlock free spins. During the free spins, players can mark wins, unlock additional features, and have fun. Free spins are a favorite bonus feature among gamblers since they can have spins and even win for free.
4. Place Your Bet
First, you understand how slots work, then choose a slot machine and learn about the game rules. The fourth step is actually placing your bet: in casinos, you can either bet with in-store coins or cash. The minimum bet in slot machines starts with one cent in penny slots. Usually, slot machines will give you several betting options, from low to high. When you start playing slot machines, you will notice the “max bet” and “same bet” buttons. If you have inserted $20 into the slot, the maximum bet will be your total wager – $20. While the winning odds stay the same regardless of your wager size, with “max bet,” you can unlock features. For example, most of the time, to win jackpots or trigger progressive jackpots, you will need to bet max. Also, you can unlock bonuses, such as free spins or multipliers with maximum bet.
We already discussed that slots operate on RNGs, and everything is fair. Yet, if you hit bonuses on the pay line, you may not win it. Why? Many slot machines define their game rules, and sometimes, to mark a win with bonuses, you need to put in a maximum bet. Another instance is that you cannot increase your bet size for the same round if you win a multiplier or another bonus. These are some tricky game rules that gamblers need to know for the future.
Conclusion
To conclude, these are the steps how to play a slot machine
- Understand how slots work
- Choose the slot machine
- Understand how to play a slot machine & the game rules
- Place your bet
- Play and have fun!
- Get your win, if any
Always remember that all players have equal winning chances and slots operate fairly. Yet, understanding how to play slot machines, the game rules, special features add to your win. Make sure to be conscious of your bet size and budget and balance it with having fun.
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Have you ever encountered any challenges while betting? Please share your gambling experience in slot machines in the comments below.