The slot has stood the test of time. Since its introduction in the 1880s, this game has grown into one of the favorites to play at both land-based and online casinos; it’s exciting, easy to learn, and has also enriched lots of pockets. So what exactly are slot machines, and how do they work? While slots may be popular and high in demand, we understand that newbies will have lots of questions in their hearts about them and how to play to earn huge rewards.
This article answers all the basic questions about arguably the most played casino game on planet earth:
Who invented slots?
It’s widely believed that the brain behind slots is Charles Fey. Slots were first developed in 1887 by Fey, who had recently migrated to the United States from his hometown in Bavaria.
The first machine led to the invention of other popular and more improved slots, like the Honey Bell, the first electromechanical slot developed in 1964 by Bally, and Fortune Coins’ video slots developed in 1976.
How did slots go global?
Charles Fey’s invention was named ‘Liberty Bell’ and was soon copied by many developers after it gained popularity. It began to feature in bars and casinos. Slot machines soon spread across the American border to neighboring countries like Canada and across Europe.
Now, with the introduction of the internet, online slots have become even more accessible to everyone.
What was the first online slot game?
Slot found its way into cyberspace thanks to the birth of the internet in the mid-1990s. InterCasino was the first known online casino and was launched in 1996. It featured varieties of popular land-based casino games, like roulette and poker. Slots were soon added to the list and quickly became the most demanded online casino games.
The first web-based slot machine looked more like land-based casinos, except that the side arm used for spinning reels at the brick-and-mortar was replaced with a ‘spin’ button feature. Online slot machines have become more enhanced today with added features, like additional reels, theme varieties, bonus rounds, and soundtracks to make it more exciting.
More than two decades after the first invention, online casino games now generate more than a third of the gambling industry’s worldwide revenue.
How do I deposit money to play slots online?
It all starts with opening an account at a licensed online casino. Once you’ve filled in your details, you’ll have a bettor or cashier’s account section where you can safely deposit money. The mode of deposit differs with each casino, although deposits via credit cards, debit cards, direct bank transfers, and e-wallets are most common.
If you have a preferred funding method, ensure to check if the casino you’re signing up with accepts this system. It’s always good practice to research before opening a web casino account.
What is a welcome bonus?
A welcome bonus is an online casino’s way of saying, “Thank you for choosing us!” Online casinos give new players monetary incentives after signing up and making their first deposit.
The value varies from one online casino to another, so you’re advised to find the sites that offer the best and most easily redeemable signup bonuses. Ensure to read the terms and conditions before making your first deposit.
Can I play games without betting real money?
The answer is yes. While real money slots are the more popular versions, most casinos have demo versions of their real money games that allow players to play for free. The essence of this is to help players gain enough experience before placing real money bets.
Players can take advantage of this offering to master how to play online slots by learning and practicing the different tricks or strategies of the game and getting more acquainted with the paylines and different symbols before risking real money. It’s worth noting that demo games don’t earn you real money rewards.
Do I have to download an app to play?
No. Some casinos offer browser-based or app-based options, while others have both. Therefore, you may choose to play games via a browser or download an app on your phone, depending on the casino you choose.
What is a progressive jackpot?
A progressive jackpot is one of the most interesting features of online slots. It’s a prize that accumulates until you meet specific requirements for winning. Some progressive jackpots are tied to just one single game, i.e., the prize pool only accumulates when you play a particular game. On the other hand, some are connected to multiple slot games in the same casino.
What is a payline?
A payline in online slots is a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line consisting of different symbols that extends from one side of your screen to the other. Slots aim to match the symbols under the payline in a required order after the reels stop spinning. If the symbols align, you win your bet; otherwise, you have to try again.
The experts will tell you that one of the ways to increase your winning chances is by betting on multiple paylines.
What are free spins?
Free spins are bonuses that online casinos offer players to help them increase their chances of winning. The number of free spins and what qualifies you for them differ among casinos. Most casinos will give you free spins for specific slot games when you sign up to their site for the first time, but others include them as bonus offerings during a betting session.
What is a paytable?
A payable indicates your potential payout on a wager for each payline. In other words, it tells you how much you will win when your bet hits. For example, a paytable may award you $500 when you bet $50 on a particular symbol to match.
What is a scatter symbol?
A scatter symbol is every slot player’s best friend. It’s a perk that unlocks many more rewarding features and bonuses on a slot game.
Scatter symbols can earn you free spins, extra deposits, and even cash prizes just by appearing on your screen. These icons are among the highest-paying symbols on a slot machine.
The scatter symbols for each slot game differ, so you’re advised to read the paytable before playing. By the way, not all slots feature scattered symbols, but you’ll find them mostly on 5-reel, 7-reel, and some 3-reel online slot machines.
What is a wild symbol?
A wild symbol is like the joker in card games; it can serve as any symbol value you desire. For most slots, this icon is particularly useful when you need to complete a winning payline. If, for example, you have two matching symbols and need three to complete a payline, a wild symbol can serve as the third match and help you win the bet.
Wild symbols don’t behave the same way on all slot machines and have different ‘powers.’ Always click the paytable to find all the information on the wild symbols of the game you want to play.
What are slot machines?
Slot machines are chance-based games that feature Random Number Generators (RNG). The RNG is a set of algorithms that select random numbers or icons at a rapid rate once you start spinning.
When you place a bet on a particular payline, you’re telling the slot machine to take a snapshot of the random symbol generated, which will appear on your screen. If the symbol on the screen matches the one on the payline, you get paid based on the amount on the paytable. Once you get credited, you can repeat the process by placing another bet.
Do all online slots generate random data?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. While random number generation is meant to be the standard for slots, some sites (which you should beware of) do not follow this rule. These scam sites have no license to operate and are all out for your money.
Before signing up for an online casino, verify that it’s licensed to operate in your location. A licensed casino would have gone through all the required checks by reputable auditors. The most renowned auditors in the world include; GLI, headquartered in the US, and eCOGRA, based in the UK.
Can an online casino change the payout on slot machines?
Yes, they can, and that’s why it’s extremely important to do your research. Play slots only in casinos under strict regulations. You can also opt for sites that provide payout percentage metrics. It will give you a clue on how much to expect in return in the long run.
How do I recognize the slot games with the best odds?
It’s not so straightforward as many factors determine your chances of winning at slots. But there are a few things to keep in mind. Usually, the more complicated the game, the lower your chances of winning, and vice versa. Also, the more money you bet, the higher your chances of winning big (don’t make the mistake of betting more than you can afford to lose).
You’ll always find information about volatility rate, house edge, and return to player percentage on online gambling review sites.
How do slots compare to other online casino games?
Slots are the most popular casino games on the internet, and it’s perhaps the game that can earn you huge wins from the smallest of bets. But winning slots is largely based on chance, which makes the house edge higher than other casino games. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a game for excitement purposes, no casino game compares to slots.
What is the best time of the day to play online slots?
There’s no such thing as the best time to play slots. Online casinos are open 24/7 and are filled with players all over the world. It means you can play and earn at any time.
Are real money online slots available only on mobile phones?
No. If you’re looking for a large screen experience, you can always play online slots on your desktop, video game console, or iPad.
Do online slots games vary?
Most definitely. There are different variants of online slots, and each bears its title, theme, and other features. The payout also varies, depending on the casino’s licenses. But generally, the rules are the same, and slots developed by the same gaming company usually have similar features.
Are online slots addictive?
Yes, and it’s where you should take precautions. Slots are the simplest casino games to play.
Betting sessions do not last for long periods since all you have to do is fund your account and place a bet on the outcome of your spins. As a result, you can go multiple rounds in a short period, especially when you’re not getting your desired outcomes.
The aesthetics and other features incorporated into slots are designed to keep you glued to your screen. Some online slots also show your progress between games to encourage you to give losing bets another shot or motivate you to win more rewards.
You can prevent slot addiction by planning your budget before betting. Don’t bet more money than you can afford to lose. And don’t be reluctant to walk away when you exhaust your fixed budget, even if you end up winning nothing.
What is the most you can bet on a slot game?
There’s no general rule on how much you can bet on a slot game. It all depends on the type of slot game and the online casino. Usually, smaller slots allow smaller maximum bets compared to larger ones.
You can always find this information on the casino website or app, so carefully read the rules of the game.
Summary
These are the most common questions people ask about slots. It’s a pretty straightforward game and requires no skill. I hope this article helped answer your questions. So are you ready to rock the slot? Good Luck!
Also read: How to Play Various Poker Games?
