Slot machines aren’t just for playing at your local pub or for when you take a spontaneous trip to the casino. These games have been adapted and enhanced for the internet age in recent years, and are now available to play at a wide variety of online casinos sites all across the web. From classic casino-style slots to funky, off-beat slots with animated images and cartoons, there really is an online slot gamefor everyone to enjoy.

Whilst the topic of online slots is one that seasoned gambling veterans know about all too well, there might be a lot of newbies out there who don’t know the first thing about playing these games. If this sounds a bit like you, it turns out you’ve come to the right place. This article is dedicated to tackling the perplexing selection of slot games with kid gloves. By the time you’ve reached the bottom of the page, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an online slots pro. Discussed here are the types of slots you’re likely to find on online casino sites, how they differentiate from one another, and most importantly of all – knowing exactly how to approach them.

How Online Slots Work

Regardless of whether you have visited a casino at some point during your lifetime or not, you are probably familiar with the basic premise of classic slot machines. These machines contain three separate reels, all dotted with a variety of different symbols. The user places a wager (these can vary from slot to slot) and pulls the lever, which causes the reels to spin. If the reels land in a position so that three of the same symbols all match up in a line (known as a pay line), the user will win. Different patterns will present the user with different prizes.

Online slots are often a little different to classic slots, and are considerably more advanced – offering users extra ways to pull in big wins. Many of the online slots available to play don’t have three, but FIVE reels. Whilst some might argue that this adds an element of complication to the simple way in which slots work – it actually provides users with more ways to pick up big cash prizes. Along with the added number of reels come an added number of paylines to boot. Whereas many classic slot machines will simply offer prizes for a pattern of symbols that line up horizontally across the reels, online slots offer anywhere from9 to 25 pay lines. This provides players with an enormous variety of alternative ways to win, includingwinning patterns that may be horizontal, diagonal, or in zig-zag shape.

Some other terminology you’ll need to know when playing online slots are “Scatter Symbols” and “Wild Symbols”. Fortunately, they’re pretty easy to get your head around. Both of them are specific symbols that can be found in most online slots games, but they do both do quite different things. A Wild Symbol is a symbol that can fill in as a missing symbol when you’re one symbol short of a winning pay line. For example, if you have four winning symbols in a row but are missing the vital fifth symbol, a Wild Symbol will step in and act as the substitute – allowing you to pick up a win! A Scatter Symbol on the other hand can present players with a prize all on its own. If the reels roll and end up revealing a Scatter Symbol, the player will either end up receiving a certain cash prize, or end up being entered into a bonus game – where they have even further opportunity to win additional prizes. Scatter Symbols take various shapes and forms depending on which online slot you play.

The last thing to take into account is a term that’s pretty self-explanatory – “Free Spins”. Several online slot games may contain this function, which will entitle players to spin the reels completely free of charge without having to place a wager. Any prizes they pick up after playing a Free Spin are theirs to keep.

Now that you’ve got all the necessary terminology under your belt, we can go on to explore the different types of online slots games you can play. Typically, online slots fall under two main categories – “Jackpot Slots” and “Video Slots”. Both are discussed in wider detail below, complete with examples.

Jackpot Slots

Playing online slots atis simple and easy to do. After selecting a particular game which tickles your fancy, you simply enter an amount to wager (e.g. £1) and hit the “spin” button to get the reels rolling. You can wager different amounts at any time, although many of the online jackpot slots will have a minimum bet and a maximum bet.

Online jackpot slots have a maximum prize which is known as the “jackpot”.This is usually a huge cash prize. Unsurprisingly, jackpot slots at are extremely popular. Several of the most played jackpot slots games that you can find on several different sites online include:

  • Sport-themed Slot Games (e.g. Golden Goals).
  • TVGameshow Slot Games (e.g. Deal Or No Deal).
  • Mythical-themed Slot Games (e.g. Wu Shi Lion Dance Jackpot).
  • Fruity-themed Slot games (e.g. Sugar Train Jackpot).

You may also encounter “Progressive Jackpot Slots” during your exploration around online casino sites. These are the same as jackpot slots, but the jackpot prize increases in size slowly over time. Eventually this progressive jackpot prize will be paid out, and the jackpot will go back down. Progressive jackpot prizes can range widely in value.

Video Slots

Video slots are a form of online slots that create more of a virtual experience for the player. These online slots will often contain moving images and complex patterns both on and around the rolling reels, allowing players to fully immerse themselves within the game and remain thoroughly entertained during gameplay.

There are a wide variety of different online video slots available to play all across the web. These include (but are not limited to):

  • Film-themed Video Slots (e.g. Wizard of Oz, Jurassic Park, Dark Knight Rises).
  • TV Gameshow Video Slots (e.g. X-Factor).
  • Mythical History Video Slots (e.g. Temple of Isis, Cleopatra slots).
  • Space-themed Video Slots.
  • Sports-themed Video Slots (e.g. Football Star).

The Best Overall Approach? Play Them All!

Every online slot game is a little different, and you can maximise your enjoyment by taking a peek at what each and every one of them has to offer. Given how there is such a wide variety of online slots to play, it really is a case of trial and error in order for you to find the one that suits you best. Some players will fall in love with online slots that resemble the classic machines they might have seen in casinos, whereas other players will find themselves quickly engrossed in the flashy, colourful world of video slots. Keep in mind that a lot of holiday-themed slots will spring up on different sites during particular seasons, and it’s always worth having a go on these seasonal machines as they may only be up on the site for a matter of time. Never be afraid to try a new online slot machine when it springs up on your favourite site. Who knows, it may be the one that ends up becoming your favourite.

Remember that all the online slots you can play are simply games of chance. It is a matter of luck whether you emerge victorious or not. At fully registered online gambling sites, every single online slot game is fitted with Random Number Generatortechnology –ensuring the slots are never consistent and always throw up patterns completely at random.

And A Little Extra Info To Keep Yourself Safe…

Woah, wait up there. Before you head on out to play those online slots, it’s worth taking a quick look at the information below about registering online at casino sites, depositing money, and how to keep your details safe.

Always, always, always go the effort to check whether a site is regulatory supported before you sign up any of your personal information or make any deposits. It’s a shame to say it, but there illegitimate websites out there that will do nothing more than steal your details and snatch your hard-earned cash. Make sure that the site you’re using is fully licensed, has good reviews from many users, has a contact page, has been in business for several years, has an online help section/player forumand has as an extensive terms & conditions page on top.RealTime Gaming (RTG), Microgaming and Playtech are software companies that tend to operate on legitimate casinos. A good way to test the water is to contact the casino before you’ve signed up and ask them a few questions. If they’re highly responsive and react in a professional manner, chances are they are legitimate. However, if you feel a little uneasy for any reason, get the heck out of there as quick as you can. It’s just not worth the risk. There are several sites out there which are dedicated to identifying rogue online slots. Do a bit of research before you begin in order to make sure that the site you’re signing up to is in fact legitimate.

The registration procedure for the better online casino sites is usually quick and easy. You’ll be required to enter information such as your name, date of birth, place of residence, and your bank details for making deposits. Some sites may also ask you to prove your age when you sign up to their site. This is just a way for them to guarantee that you are in fact the legal gambling age (18). All you’ll need to do is take a photo of your passport/driver’s license and send it to the site admins to check.

The deposit procedure will vary from site to site, but you should try to avoid casinos that charge you for making a deposit, or take a chunk of your earnings from you whenever you make a withdrawal. There’s often a minimum deposit limit (usually £5-£10) and sites will often require you to have a minimum amount in your account before you can make a withdrawal (this typically tends to be around the £10 mark). Some sites may also offer you a sign-up bonus when you make your first deposit. Keep in mind that you’ll probably have the “play through” this bonus several times before it becomes eligible for withdrawal. This is just to stop players simply signing up to a site and immediately withdrawing the generous bonus in order to make a quick buck. Once you’ve registered at a safe site, jotted down all your details and made your first deposit – you’re all good to go and get playing.

There really is a lot of fun to be had playing online slots. Get exploring online now and discover for yourself what a terrific time you can have when you spin those virtual reels!

The important steps to getting started with online slots

  1. Select a site that is supported by a regulatory authority and is properly licensed. Beware of unregulated/illegitimate sites. It must have a secure payments method and look for a good support service.

  2. Registration should be simple, just requiring basic personal information and bank details for deposits. You may be asked to prove you are over 18 by supplying a photograph of your driver’s license or passport.

  3. Avoid casinos that charge for making deposits or withdrawals. Minimum deposit amounts often apply and some sites will require a minimum amount in an account before a withdrawal can be made.

  4. Have a good search around for sites that fit your particular interests. Are you looking for the most impressive jackpots, welcome bonuses or free play? You might also be interested in special promotions for holiday periods, such as Halloween. Christmas time is also great for festive promotions and play incentives.

  5. Follow the guidelines and you will enjoy playing slots without any problems. Enjoy!