If you’ve ever entered a casino, you will have seen the slot machines lined up in neat rows throughout the building. Hundreds of slot machines, with players poised at the ready to enter their next coin. But it isn’t only inside brick-and-mortar casinos that we find this huge array of options. Online casinos will also leave you gasping at the numbers of games on offer.
For someone entering the casino for the first time slot machines can be a little daunting. There are so many different games, and the thought of learning all the rules could be off-putting. We have put together a beginner’s guide so that no matter which casino you choose to gamble in, you can be confident that you know what’s going on.
The odds
Every player goes to a casino with the hopes that they will win money, so the first thing to note would be your chances of that happening. For an online casino, the RTP will be visible, showing you the percentage of money a slot pays out for every pound or dollar it receives. You will also be able to find the RTP on slot machines in brick-and-mortar casinos but this may not be as well displayed. The higher the number, the higher your chances of winning are.
Some slots have progressive jackpots. Although your chances of winning this type of reward are much lower, it is always worth noting these as you search for a slot game. The Jackpot King from Paddy Power is one of the most popular ranges, showing you how far the jackpot has to go until it reaches its limit and must pay out.
What to do?
After you have made a decision on which slot you want to play, your next step is to insert money. With the results of a slot machine being completely random, there is no skill involved, just keep hitting the ‘spin’ button.
You’ll see the reels land on different symbols which all have different consequences. All you need to do is figure out which symbol is which – this should be displayed on the machine itself or in the online game handbook.
Standard symbols – These will come in all forms but traditionally are your high-value playing card symbols (Jack, Queen, King and Ace). The main thing to know about these symbols is that unless you manage to line them up on all the reels across a pay line, they are near enough useless to your money pot.
Bonus symbols – These types of symbols will trigger a bonus round. These can lead to a secondary mini-game, but most Slots will require you to land multiple ones across the pay lines to get any benefit from them.
Wild symbols – Again, you will find these in many different forms. But the most common type of wild symbol will replace other symbols on the reels, creating more winning combinations.
Scatter symbols – This type of symbol can be unpredictable from game to game. They can trigger a jackpot or bonus rounds, even free spins. It’s one of the best symbols to land in a Slots game because more often than not, it means some sort of reward.
Multiplier symbols – Doing exactly as suggested and multiplying your wins. If you land one of these symbols on a winning pay line, you could win up to six times your bet, maybe even more depending on the slot!
Sticky symbols – A modern type of symbol that can freeze that reel for a few spins. This increases your chances of winning for a few moments as you’re spinning one less reel.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a game that requires no skill but gives you a thrill while playing, then slots are perfect for you. You’ll find themes including game shows, TV and film, even your favorite sports, so there is something for everyone to enjoy. As the most accessible casino game, it’s no wonder people love to play on Slots.
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