Welcome to the World of Online Slots
Slot games make up the majority of games at British online casinos, and at first glance they appear to be very simple. Click a button, and if you get lucky, you win money – hurray! But soon enough, you’ll run into head-scratching situations.
How do paylines work? What do options like “coin value” do?
In this guide, we’ll explain slot terms, go over game mechanics, and answer common questions from the players.
How Do I Win At Slots?
To win in some casino games, you need to play perfectly. For example, if you stand when you should hit in Blackjack, the house will win more in the long run. Slots are not one of those games.
You don’t need to make the right play every time when you play slots.
To win at slots, you need only hit the spin button and hope for the best. You get paid if the reels make a winning combination. It’s that simple!
Key Online Slot Terms
If you’re new to online slots, their terms can be confusing. As you encounter them, look them up in this handy table:
| Term | What It Means |
|---|---|
| ?? Bankroll | Money set aside to play casino games. |
| ?? Bonus Round | A special game within a slot title. Usually triggered by spinning enough scatter symbols, it gives you a chance to win some significant cash. |
| ?? Coin Value | The real money value of a slot credit. You can adjust this amount to increase/decrease your wager. |
| ?? Credits | Points that determine the score in a slot game. These points have a monetary value assigned by you (see coin value). |
| ?? Free Spins | A bonus that allows you to take extra spins for zero cost. When awarded in-game, the proceeds are usually in the form of real money. But when awarded by the casino, anything you win will be credited as bonus cash. |
| ?? House Edge | The advantage a gaming site has over you. |
| ?? Payline | Winning combinations of symbols on a slot machine. |
| ?? Payout Table | A resource that tells you what each symbol is worth. The rarer the symbol, the more you could win. |
| ?? Progressive Jackpot | A continually growing prize pool that slot players contribute to. In progressive jackpot games, you (and everyone else) funds the jackpot with a small percentage of every wager made. |
| ?? Reels | Columns that contain symbols like fruit, numbers, anchors, or things related to the theme of a game. |
| ??? Return To Player Percentage (RTP) | The percentage of wagers you should get back over a defined period. For example, after wagering ￡1/spin over 100 spins on a slot with an RTP of 96%, you should get back ￡96 (of the original ￡100). |
| ? Scatter Symbols | AKA scatters, they are symbols that grant entrance to a bonus round. Typically, these symbols do not need to line up – as long as you get enough anywhere on the reels, they will trigger the bonus. |
| ?? Slots | A game that features symbols on reels. To win money, players spin these reels in an attempt to create winning combinations. |
| ?? Spin | A game round in slots. Taking a spin rotates the reels – if they form a winning combination when they stop, you win money. |
| ?? Symbols | Pictures on the reels. Line up enough of them on a payline, and you win money. Wins can vary greatly depending on the symbol, the number of consecutive symbols, and the number of paylines involved. |
| ??? Wildcard | AKA wilds, they represent any symbol that will get you the best possible win. |
How Do Online Slots Work?
When you hit the spin button on an online slot, its software uses a random number generator (aka RNG) to determine the stopping position of the reels.
On every spin, the RNG generates a random sequence of numbers. Each symbol has numbers associated with them. If the RNG calls their number in a specific position, they appear on the reel.
After a spin, the software checks paylines for winning combos and pays you out if you’ve hit any.
Which Online Slots Have The Best Odds?
Always check the RTP (return to player percentage) when choosing a slot. The higher the RTP, the lower the house edge.
The RTP of slots varies widely from one game to another. On one hand, games like Book of 99 give back 99% of wagers. Then, there are progressive jackpot slots like Mega Moolah that offer a low RTP (88.12%). In return, you have a chance to win massive, seven-figure windfalls.
Find out more in our guide to the highest paying online casinos.
Are Online Slots Rigged?
No. If you play in a regulated online casino, third-party agencies regularly inspect slots. This ensures the game’s RNG produces genuinely random results.All the casinos we recommend are fully licensed by the UKGC and annually tested by eCogra for fairness.
Apart from that, remember that all casino games have a built-in house advantage. Gaming is entertainment – in the long run, it is impossible to profit from playing slots.
How Do I Play Online Slots?
Now that we’ve reviewed this game’s key terms, let’s walk through an online slot round together.
- Place your bet. Adjust the coin value (how much each credit is worth) according to your appetite for risk.
- Hit the spin button. Cross your fingers and toes, then click the spin button.
- Win money. If the symbols form winning combinations once the reels stop, you win!
Casino bonuses are a great way to get more out of your playing experience. We have an up-to-date list of the bonuses from the best slots sites in the UK. You can get extra money, or free spins, when you deposit anything between ￡1 to ￡1,000.
