Find out how slots actually work | We tell you secrets
Understanding How Online Slots Games Work
Get ready for an electrifying experience as we take you on a journey through the thrilling world of online slots! From the brick-and-mortar casinos of yesteryear to the cutting-edge digital casinos of today, one thing has remained constant: the enduring popularity of slots machines. And for good reason – slots offer a simple and intuitive way to win big cash prizes.
But with the advent of online gaming, slots have evolved in ways that are truly breathtaking. Imagine colorful and captivating virtual slots machines, with dazzling graphics, mesmerizing animations, and engaging storylines that transport you to a world of endless possibilities. With multiple reels, pay lines, and bonus features, these modern online slots games offer a level of excitement and engagement that is truly unparalleled.
Don’t let the complexity of these new and innovative slots games intimidate you. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the mechanics of online slots games, breaking down the basics of the spinning reels, exploring the different types of online slots games, and detailing the bonuses and features that can help increase your chances of winning big. So come with us on a journey to discover the exciting and rewarding world of online slots!
How slots operate
To the uninitiated, playing online slots may seem like a simple matter of hitting the ‘Spin’ button and crossing one’s fingers in hopes of landing a winning combination of symbols. However, there is a significant amount of mathematics and technology at play behind the scenes of a slots machine.
The odds of hitting a winning combination on a slot machine are determined by a number of factors, including the number of symbols present on a specific reel and the speed at which the reels spin. This is why a slots game may have a large number of symbols on display, but only a select few of them are considered winning symbols.
The frequency at which a particular symbol appears is also an important factor. This is where the use of an algorithm called a Random Number Generator (RNG) comes into play. RNGs are used to randomly assign the occurrence of symbols on the reels, ensuring that the outcome of each spin is truly random and unbiased. This ensures a fair gaming experience for players while also giving the operator of the slots game a statistical edge.
In addition to the RNG, other mathematical algorithms, such as the statistical algorithm and probability theory, also plays a big role in the design, and daily operation of online slots games. The combination of these algorithms work together to determine the probability of a player hitting a winning combination and the payout that would be associated with it.
Random Number Generator (RNG) Technology
Commonly referred to as an RNG, this is one of the most important building blocks to any online slots game. A Random Number Generator is a computer program that has been designed to churn out random sequences of numbers. When you click on the ‘Spin’ or ‘Start’ button on the online slot game, the Random Number Generator is automatically put to task to calculate a random combination of numbers. These numbers will then determine the kinds of symbols displayed on the screen when the reels stop spinning. So if you are playing on a five-reel online slots game, the Random Number Generator will generate a sequence of 5 different numbers, one for each reel.
This means that the slots machine will give a randomized outcome. It is important to note that the results of a random number generator are not determined by previous outcomes, and the program does not consider previous results. All results from an RNG are independent. This means that the program does not care whether you have had a winning or losing streak.
The Random Number Generator also comes into play in determining various other factors on online slots games such as progressive jackpots and the occurrence of special symbols such as Wild and Scatters. We will explain more about this extra feature shortly.
To help get rid of rogue online gaming sites, an RNG system testing mechanism has been put in place. Reputable online casinos will publicly show that their RNG system has been tested and audited by the Technical Systems Testing (TST). It’s important to look for this! Make sure you see these audit certificates. They should be readily availed on the online casino’s website to assert its credibility and fairness.
Online Slots Features
Before you begin playing at an online slots machine, you need to get a grasp of the features you will find on the game’s interface. These features might vary in appearance from one game to another, but the basic concept generally remains the same. We will highlight the core features you will find in any online slots game.
From the classic reels at brick and mortar casinos that featured a mechanical lever to the modern virtual online slots, the game of slots has remained the same concept to winning – matching symbols and patterns. These symbols, the reels upon which they are laid, and the pay lines form an integral part of any online slots game interface.
Online Slots Symbols and what they mean
These are the unique characters that appear on the spinning reels. In traditional slots machines, common symbols you will stumble upon are the lucky 7s, golden bells, and red cherries. Online slots games will feature more symbols. These symbols are designed in line with the game’s theme. As such, you can expect to find slots symbols based on superheroes or even famous movie characters.
In online slots, you will have a special category of symbols other than the regular ones involved in forming pay lines. Such special symbols include Wild and Scatter symbols.
A Wild Symbol is a special type of symbol that appears randomly on the screen. The wild symbol has key distinguishing features, and therefore you can tell it apart from the regular gameplay symbols. What makes it special is that it can appear anywhere on the reels to help you complete a pay line. For instance, if you get land two lucky 7 symbols and a wild symbol, then you win.
A Scatter Symbol is another unique symbol that you should be looking out for in an online slots game. Scatters, just like the wilds, will appear at random intervals to boost your chances of winning. The difference with scatters is they tend to have a variety of outcomes such as offering free spins, bonuses, and free coins, rather than simply completing pay lines. Additionally, unlike wild symbols, scatter symbols are not limited to appearing along a pay line for you to get the bonuses. With most slots games, you will get the bonus features provided you land 3 or more such scatter symbols on the screen at any point.
The number of symbols and patterns to follow will vary greatly, depending on the type of online slots game you are playing. With classic slots, you need to match three symbols across the middle row of three reels. With online slots, well, it’s a whole different game. The symbols could appear in several randomized patterns referred to as pay lines.
Online Slots Paylines
A pay line, as the name might suggest, is the layout or pattern in which the symbols should form for you to win. This layout could be a straight line running either vertically, horizontally or diagonal on the screen. In many online slots games today, the pay lines can zigzag across the screen in any particular and pre-determined form. Such slot games can be found at popular online casinos like Fair Go Casino.
Online slots games can feature 5 or more pay lines. Some slots have been known to offer even upwards of a hundred pay lines. In most online slots machines, you are offered the option to activate a limited number of pay lines, according to your preference. This means if the game is offering say a hundred pay lines, you can choose to play on 15, 20 or 30 pay lines. But it is important to note that adjusting the number of pay lines will determine the number of coins you are staking. This has an overall effect on your total bet. So if for instance, you choose to play on 30 pay lines, then you will be staking 30 coins for each spin.
Now you might be wondering how you can keep track of all these patterns? No need to worry as each game has a gaming guide section that explains the symbols to watch out for and the payline patterns.
Online Slots Reels
The online slots machine interface would not be complete without the reels. These are the spinning columns upon which the symbols are displayed, and pay lines are formed. With online slots, since the game is played in a virtual world displayed on a computer screen, these reels are virtual. With the help of good animations, the reels are designed to resemble the actual reels you would find in a land casino slots machine with the same spinning effect.
Over time, online slots machines have been developed to have transformers-like virtual reels that can change mid-game and be replaced by some other mini-games, adding to the thrill of the usual slots. This is particularly common with video slots games.
Online Slots Coins
In as much as online gaming is for the adrenaline, winning some good money adds to the thrill, right? Well, this you can do with the help of the slots virtual coins. Different online slots games will offer virtual coins in different denominations, which could range from half a coin to even a hundred coins. You might have seen some at online casinos like Fair Go Casino.
It is important to note that due to the global nature of the clientele any particular online casino handles, the term coin is applied to eliminate the confusion that might ensue with the fluctuating exchange rates. This means that if you are playing at a US dollar casino, 1 coin would be attributed to 1USD.
The game’s coins are your tool to influence the amount you wager and the possible win from each spin. From the online casino game’s interface, you can adjust the value of coins to use. With some online slots games, you will even have the chance to choose the number of coins to use in each spin. The more coins of higher value you stake, the higher the payout will be from that spin.
Online Slots Control Buttons
The last important component you should check out is the game’s control buttons. Now since online slots are virtual games, you obviously will have virtual buttons. Depending on the game’s interface, the controls can be attached to your computer keyboard or mouse.
With most online slots games, you can easily control the game using the mouse. The screen will display the buttons to adjust the number of pay lines, coins, start and stop the reels. In some online slots, the computer keyboard can be used to control as well, with the spacebar generally designated as the Start/Stop button.
Choosing an online slots game
Having gone through the fundamentals of how online slots games work, it is now time to understand how to go about selecting the best machine to play and wager on. Quite a number of factors should be considered when selecting one slots game over another.
For instance, you should consider the type of slots game, the software company behind that particular slots game, the type of bonuses and loyalty programs offered, the machine’s Return To Player (RTP) rate and its hit frequency rate.
We will break down and explain in more detail each of these factors in the sections below.
Online Slots Casino Games Software
A key determining factor of how a particular online slots game works are the software company behind the slots machine. The software company is responsible for the design and operations of these online slots games. In many instances, you will find the software company also determines the types of bonuses and payouts the slots game has.
Over time, quite a number of developers have joined the online gaming industry as software providers. However, some of the most established slots software brands that you should be looking out for include IGT, Microgaming, Playtech, Net Entertainment and Realtime Gaming (RTG).
These are software providers that have been in the game for more than a decade and seem to quite understand the nitty-gritty of online slots. Also, companies such as Realtime Gaming, Playtech and Microgaming go a step further to provide the platform upon which an entire online casino is built, thus offering even more games in other categories such as table games.
These software companies have also built a reputation for offering some of the best payout rates, bonuses and progressive jackpots that run up to millions. As such, before you begin wagering on a particular slots game, it is important to check out if the brains behind the spinning reels are from a reputable iGaming software provider.
Return to Player Rates
A game’s return to player or RTP rate can be explained as the average percentage payback rate that the machine yields. A game’s RTP is calculated based on the machine’s long-term record, and not for a particular gaming session. This is an important element to consider when choosing an online slots game since it determines your overall probability of winning.
Every reputable online slots game will have its return to the player rate displayed on the game’s interface. If you see a slots machine with an RTP of 92%, this means that of all the money wagered on that game, it pays back 92% to players.
Type of Online Slots Game
Online slots can be broken down into a number of categories by using either the number of reels or types of bonuses.
1) Classic Online Slots
These online slots are designed from the traditional mechanical slots machines you would find in land casinos. Classic online slots games feature only 3 reels and a limited number of symbols, normally the classic red cherries, golden bars, and lucky 7s. Classic 3 reel slots usually have a single pay line, which is right across the screen.
2) Multiple Reels Online Slots
Also referred to as video slots, these are the more advanced versions of classic slots. Video slots have gained popularity since they are more versatile and offer more features. For instance, online video slots can have 5 or 6 reels and offer more paylines. Multiple reels slots have been upgraded to offer another category referred to as 3D slots, which feature more animations and video effects.
3) Progressive Jackpot Online Slots
This is a category of online slots that offer a shot at a jackpot figure. As the term progressive suggests, the jackpot money keeps on building up over time. Progressive jackpots can either be stand-alone jackpots, network progressive jackpots in-house jackpots.
No Deposit Offers
This is another important factor to consider when choosing an online slots game. Online slots no deposit bonus offers will allow you to have a free ride on the online casino’s slots machines and have a feel at the general feel of the design and features before you can commit your money to the games. Such offers can also be of much help to beginners who are still working around their way on the myriad features of an online slot game.
With most online slots games, the no deposit offer is packaged as a number of free spins. In some instances, you can even withdraw any wins from such free spins, provided you make a limited amount of deposit.
Casino Loyalty Points
One last factor to have in mind is how the casino treats you as a regular gamer. When selecting an online slots game, you are looking for something that you can keep on playing over time. As such, a good online casino should have a good loyalty program for such regular visits.
In some online slots games, these loyalty programs are structured as VIP programs. From such programs, you can claim your loyalty points and withdraw them in exchange for free spins, betting coins or even actual money.
Conclusion
Having a good understanding of how online slots games work is important when choosing your online casino. You should read a detailed review of the casino’s bonuses, pay-out-rate and types of games software used, as these will determine the nature of your adventure in the online slot world.
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