In the competitive online casino world, there are many games you will come across. But few would match the popularity that accompanies slot games. These games have been there since the inception of gambling, and over time, there has been a transition from land-based to online. Today, you can play slot games on your desktop or even while on the move. But what makes slots stand out? There are many aspects and below we will look at the main ones.
But with many slots exhibiting the above aspects, one may have trouble determining the best online slots. But worry less, as we are going to guide you on how to determine what slots you can play. Some of the parameters to check include checking the return to player (RTP) percentage. As mentioned, slots with high RTP have better chances of winning and are profitable in the long run. We define high RTP slots as those above 96.5%. In addition, you can look at other aspects like volatility, bonus features, and themes.
Another aspect to consider is player reviews. Reading reviews from those who have played the game will help you make an informed decision about whether to play the slot or not. Of course, the more the player’s popularity, the better the option. But there is more. If the slot has scooped an award, it automatically means that it is highly rated and a perfect choice for you. We also insist on checking the provider behind the slot. Playing slots from reputable providers guarantees that you play high-quality games, offering an immersive experience and fair results.
Presently, there are thousands of free slot games that come in different types, themes to choose from, features to activate, bet options to consider, and game studios to opt from. So what are you waiting for? Immerse yourself in the world of online slots to find that which you prefer. This guide will come in handy if you wish to know more about slots and the best slot sites to consider.
As mentioned, one of the factors to consider while choosing online casino slots is the game providers. Behind each slot game is a manufacturer, and like slots, they are vast in range. These providers are spread all over the world, and the beauty of online gambling is that you will find them collated in one site, giving you the option to choose all slot types from classics, video slots, 3D, branded, jackpots, and more. These providers are responsible for the themes, graphics, soundtracks, storylines, bonus features, RTP, volatility, and the bet options you have on your preferred slot game. In simple terms, there would be no online casino slots without game providers.
But while you have encountered some or not, how do you determine the best game providers? Some of the parameters you can consider are:
With countless online slots available, selecting the right game can be overwhelming. Before diving into specific tips, it is crucial to understand your preferences in terms of themes, gameplay, and risk level. Knowing what you enjoy will help you make informed choices. This guide aims to simplify the process and enhance your gaming experience.
Allow us to get technical to explain the different aspects associated with slots and what you can consider while selecting your preferred slot machine games:
The online gambling scene is an ever-growing industry, and as experienced providers look to continue dominating the industry and new providers come into play, so do new slots emerge. With each new slot release comes anticipation. Let’s face it: some are subpar and may never make our lists, but most come with unique game mechanics that ensure you can enjoy a fresh gaming experience.
With no limit set on a provider of how many slots they can produce, you can expect new slots on a daily. Keeping up with such might be close to impossible, but that is why we are here. Besides the themes they may bring up, features they incorporate, bet sizes, and winning potential, some incorporate the latest and innovative technology as far as VR/AR, 3D metrics, and other game mechanics to ensure there is an upgrade on effects, graphics, sounds, and features.
We are now seeing a transition in technology, and some of the latest trends and innovation trends incorporated by providers on slots include:
Innovative Bonus Features
While wilds, free spins, and multipliers contribute to the winning potential, many software developers are going past them to incorporate innovative and unique game features. You may find features exclusive to a specific provider or unique ones like megaways, megaclusters, win both ways, and cascading reels to have the players more engaged.
Mobile Gaming
Mobile gaming is now popular, but the trend keeps on growing. As more people use smartphones and tablets, playing online slots becomes more accessible, and this is one field the developers have looked to tap into by bringing in mobile-optimized slots. They tailor the games in a way that they can fit smaller screens without compromising the quality and gaming experience.
Virtual Reality
Besides mobile gaming, slot developers have hopped into virtual reality (VR), another exciting innovation trend. Through VR, you can experience an immersive experience that takes you out of this world virtually. It is now possible to step into a virtual casino and experience the slots with sounds, lights, and sights as you would on a normal casino floor, thanks to VR.
Artificial Intelligence
Further from VR/AR, another trend that is slowly creeping in is the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creation of slots. Today, it is becoming easy to personalize slots based on your preference and behavior while also being used to tackle issues like fraud and problem gambling.
Blockchain Technology
With the current trend of cryptocurrencies, providers are also incorporating blockchain technology in their design stage to ensure their games guarantee fair results and promote transparent transactions. In addition, the technology guarantees that as you play slots online, your identity remains anonymous.
As you explore the world of online slots for free or real money, it is important to understand how they work. The highlight is that while they may have different reels, paylines, themes, bonus features, RTP, and volatility, most work the same way. Once you launch the slot, you will have a layout with the number of symbols, and once you place the bets, these reels spin. Once the spin comes to a stop, you will know if you have made a winning combination.
To understand how they work, let us get a bit technical on what you expect in a slot:
With the above knowledge on how they work, you can proceed to find one that you prefer on our best online slots sites and begin to spin the reels!
But where did it all begin? Let us take you through the history of slots to where we are now:
Slot machines are popular globally. Even with names like pokies in Australia, puggies in Scotland, fruit machines in England, and slot machines in other countries, the history is the same. The history of slot machines traces back between 1888 and 1895 when Charles Fey and San Francisco, California, devised a Liberty Bell slot machine. The machine had three reels, with five symbols: Liberty Bell, horseshoes, spade, diamond, and heart symbols available on each reel. A spin that would result in three Liberty Bells in a row would trigger the biggest payoff, which was a total of fifty (50) cents or ten (10) nickels.
But Charles Fey would not stop at that, and as time went by, he introduced more gambling machines like the Three Spindle, Klondike, and the Draw Power. The year 1901 saw him introduce the first draw poker machine. As the demand for the Liberty Bell went high, Charles Fey was unable to keep up with the market, which saw the rise of its ‘knock-offs.’ Herbert Mills, a Chicago-based arcade machine manufacturer, entered the scene in 1907 and produced the Operator Bell. This was the first machine to introduce the concept of fruit symbols, as it had lemons, cherries, and plums. By 1908, you would find bell machines all over brothels, barber shops, and cigar stores.
The growth continued until 1963 when Bally introduced the first electromechanical slot machine. The slot machine was called Money Honey, and its game mechanics made it the first machine to have a bottomless hopper and offer automatic payouts of 500 coins. It marked the start of many other electronic games, with the lever in slot machines going extinct.
In 1976, the first video slot machine came into existence in Kearny Mesa, California, by Fortune Coin, a Las Vegas-based company. The first units went to the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel for trial and were later approved by the Nevada State Gaming Commission after some modifications. The parent company and the video slot technology would later be purchased in 1978 by International Gaming Technology (IGT).
The birth of the internet traces back to the early 90s, and as it was the beginning of a new digital era, it opened more doors for developers to explore its possibilities. The internet enabled these developers to create digital games, and in 1994, Microgaming created its first online casino, The Gaming Club, that featured several games, including the first online slots. In 1998, Microgaming launched Cash Splash, the first online progressive jackpot. Since then, many providers have gotten into the fold, and today, there are thousands of online slots you can play at many gambling sites. The transition has seen online slots evolve technologically with advancements in aspects like graphics, gameplay mechanics, themes, sounds, and more to what appeal to us today.
Ever since their introduction, slot machines have constantly evolved, and today, you can find different types of online slots to play in the market. What is constant is that the mode of play is almost similar. Here are the popular slot types you will find as you play online:
While the name classic evokes old and traditional, it is not entirely true when it comes to classic slots. But they feature aspects like ease of play and a retro look. Classic slots are also referred to as three-reel slots or fruit machines and feature a traditional design inspired by the slot machines in land-based online casinos. While you might find a modern twist in the modern-day classic slots, they still borrow inspiration from the old ones, with symbols like fruits, bars, sevens, a bell, and jokers also present.
Other key aspects defining classic slots are as follows:
Video slots operate differently from the traditional slot machines, where instead of mechanical reels, they use virtual reels on a computerized display. Most video slots feature at least five reels and a variety of symbols that go beyond the sevens, bells, and fruits in classic slots. Here are other key aspects defining video slots:
3D slots are among the new trends and innovations in the slot industry. As you would imagine, these slots feature stunning, high-quality visuals in three-dimensional aspects and impressive audio effects. With 3D slots, the focus is more on player entertainment through 3D animations and immersing them right into the action and not on aspects like bonus features or payouts. Besides the 3D effects, you would expect standard bonus features, paylines, reels, and gameplay as a typical video slot. But 3D slot machines are less common compared to classic and video slots, with a few providers like Betsoft and Playtech offering them.
Just to recap the aspects that define 3D slots:
Progressive jackpot slots are different from regular slot machines. This is because they have a special jackpot that players contribute each time they bet on the game. With progressive jackpot slots, the jackpot prize increases each time the game is played with no winner recorded. Well, let us break it down further. Each time a player plays the game, a small percentage of their money contributes to the jackpot, explaining why the prize keeps on growing. The grand prize keeps on growing until it is won, and only then it resets back to the starting prize.
Progressive jackpots first came into existence through the Mega Moolah slot from Microgaming, which remains a popular game to date with records of players who have won millions of dollars. While you play at your favorite online casinos, you might come across different types of progressive jackpots. They include:
But even while you will find different types of free demo slots or online slots for real money, they mostly operate similarly and feature similar aspects. We will take you through common aspects you can expect in many slot machine games:
Slot volatility or variance defines the risk in a slot game by representing the frequency of wins and the size of your winnings. You will mostly find high, medium, and low volatile slots. Below is a table explaining how volatility impacts gameplay and winnings in either category:
Volatility | Risk | Win Frequency | Win Size |
---|---|---|---|
Low | Low | High | Low |
Medium | Medium | Moderate | Medium |
High | High | Low | High |
RTP describes the average amount you can expect a slot to pay out over many spins. RTP is expressed in percentage, where, for example, you find a slot with an RTP of 97%. In this slot, a €100 bet will return €97. What is important to note is that it does not mean every spin returns €97 since slots offer random and fair results, thanks to the use of random number generators. The RTP rate is determined over a large number of spins, sometimes millions, explaining why it is defined as the average amount you can expect in the long run.
While land-based slots also have an RTP rate, it is the online slots that have higher RTP and are the perfect options to consider. Of course, the higher the RTP, the higher the returns. Additionally, high RTP slots offer better chances of winning compared to low RTP slots.
A slot theme defines the genre, basis, or storyline of the game. But do themes matter in a slot game? The answer is yes. It is one aspect that providers use to appeal to the players. Through slot themes, providers look to engage players by offering themes they can relate to. For example, movie fans can find slots based on their favorite actors or TV shows, and music fans can find slots based on their favorite band groups and more. Besides engagement, they ignite player emotions. For example, slots may ignite some nostalgia while other players opt for slots that gave them a good run before and more.
The table below lists the popular themes and some of the slots following them:
Theme | Slots |
---|---|
Ancient Egypt | Valley of the Gods, Cleopatra, Book of Dead |
Greek Mythology | Zeus III, Rise of Olympus, Gates of Olympus, Midas Golden Touch |
Africa Safari | African Quest, Safari King, Jumbo Stampede, White Rhino |
Fruits | Fruit Zen, Berry Burst, Fruit Shop |
Animals | Raging Rhino, Buffalo Blitz, The Dog House |
Joker | Fire Joker, Joker Jewel’s Dice, Inferno Joker |
Adventure | Gonzo’s Quest, Gems Inferno Megaways, Uncharted Seas |
TV Shows/Movies | The Gladiator, Jumanji, Jurassic Park, Narcos |
Music | Jimi Hendrix, Guns N’ Roses, Motorhead |
Sci-Fi | Supernova, Star Wars, Star Slots Asgard Deluxe, Invaders Megaways |
Slot game features are the components that make up the game. They are mostly found in video slots and are designed to elevate the gaming experience while boosting your wins. A look at the paytable of your preferred slot machine will reveal all the features of the slot and how to trigger them. Think free spins, multipliers, wilds, scatters, and jackpots. They are some of the common game features to expect. Here is a review of them:
Most slot sites will offer slot machines to play for free or real money. The rule of thumb is that before playing online slots real money, you should consider giving a demo first. It goes both ways for new and experienced players, as we will describe below. But what is the difference between free slots and real money slots?
There are a few differences that strike in between. The first and more obvious one is that you will not use any of your money while playing free slots. Instead, you launch the game in ‘demo’ mode and start playing. While at it, you can trigger bonus features to have an idea of how they work. The second difference is that there is no risk involved in free slots as opposed to online slots real money. And with zero risk here, you cannot win money, of course.
You might also not need an account to access free slots. Some online slot websites do not place any requirements for members to access online demo slots. However, some might require. But to play online slots real money, you must have an account with the website to enable transactions. Our page provides several top-rated free slots you can play without an account. Click ‘Play’ to spin the reels for free!
With real money slots, the endgame is normally to win money at the end of a session. But why would one play free casino slots online? Here are the reasons new and experienced players can play free slots for fun:
Interact with bonus features: In addition to learning the game mechanics and familiarizing yourself with new games, the slots demo option allows you to interact with various bonus features, including the unique and innovative ones, and learn how they can improve your winnings and gaming experience.
If your preference is on payouts, then real money slots are the way to go. But you must have an account at any of the reputable best slot sites. It is then easy to deposit cash, leverage bonuses, and play slots for real money. Like the online slots demo mode, there are benefits to playing with real money. We highlight them below:
The best slot sites offer a banking section with multiple options to enable depositing and withdrawing winnings from real money slots. The banking section remains one of the most important aspects to consider when settling down for an online casino. A good online casino will provide multiple options that are convenient, easy to use, secure, and fast. Most casinos will offer an instant deposit timeline, while withdrawals might take longer for various reasons. The first reason is that the finance team has to process the request, and the other reason is that the payment option you choose determines the speed at which you receive funds.
However, one requirement that most online slot sites insist on is the use of the same payment method when depositing and withdrawing unless the option is not available. Other requirements you should acquaint yourself with are the transactional limits like minimum and maximum deposit and withdrawal limits and the fees charged, if any.
Below, we look at the different types of banking options you will find at the best slot sites:
In keeping up with technological advancements, many slot providers are going past desktops to design mobile-optimized slots. It ensures that you can have instant access to online casino slot machines anywhere at any time. The highlight is that similar to desktop slots, mobile slots feature immersive themes, bonus features, and high-quality visuals and sounds, all while maintaining an easy-to-use interface to ensure the experience is at your fingertips.
You can also play games in the slots demo mode or play for real money at your comfort. But with many mobile casinos and apps to play slots online, how do we rate the best ones? We use a criteria of checking several aspects as follows:
As always, while you play slots, it is important that you gamble responsibly. We have collated a few tips that would come in handy to help you play slots responsibly. They include:
One of the tips to play responsibly is setting limits. The most common limits you will find in most casinos are:
Besides sticking to the limits, effective bankroll management is another tip to play responsibly at the best slot sites. A few strategies to use to manage your bankroll effectively include:
Problem gamblers exist, and live among us. Instead of castigating them, they need help. Online casinos understand this concept, with most offering contacts to support groups where players with a gambling problem can contact for professional help. For example, here is a list of the UK organizations that can help out if you are having a gambling addiction: