Do you know how to play slot machines? Thanks to advanced technology, today’s online casino offerings have greatly improved. Although all casino games have something unique to offer, most people decide to play casino slots.
Online casino slot machines are an ideal source of entertainment. They are simple, affordable and accessible. Software development companies have managed to improve the quality of video slots by using the latest technological solutions.
Due to that, you now have the chance to play casino slots with amazing graphics, cool storylines, great bonus rounds, and so on.
Of course, not all machines provide the same level of excitement. That’s why we want to educate people and teach them how to play slot machines at a higher level.
Let’s check what slot machines are, how they function, how to recognize the best casino slot machines, etc. We will also reveal some common slot machine myths that can confuse people.
Understanding Slot Machines
Since some of our readers are complete beginners, we need to start from the very beginning and try to explain what exactly a slot machine is.
This is a casino game available at traditional and online casinos that does not require any advanced gambling experience. Players who plan to play slots only need to learn how to recognize the best games, set up a value for each spin, and figure out how the payout mechanism functions.
One of the common slot machine myths is that they are rigged. The ones you find at the best casinos are RNG-tested, which means they are supported by valid software that guarantees randomness. Also, each slot machine has its RTP (Return-to-Player). This insight defines the total amount of money that the slot machine is programmed to give back to players. For example, if you all spend $10k, and RTP is 96%, that means the algorithm is programmed to release back $9600 to players.
Before you start playing slot machines, there are a few basic terms you need to get familiar with, and they are:
- Reels: Reels represent the vertical position of slot games that spin around when you hit the “spin” button. Today’s casino slot machines have at least 3, but their number usually exceeds that.
- Symbols: Each slot machine has a specific set of symbols that participate in the game. They are divided into two categories – low-value and premium ones. Symbols are usually connected with the slot’s theme. For example, if you play classic fruit machines, some of the symbols you will see are bananas, plums, cherries, and so on.
- Paylines: Today, all slot games are multi-line machines. The symbols that we talked about need to appear on consecutive reels because that is the only way to establish a winning combination. However, their position on the reel matters! They need to be located on the paylines of the game. Most machines have ten paylines, but their number ranges from 5 to a few thousand.
- Jackpots: Some slot machines have jackpots, a separate type of reward that players can get on any random spin. These rewards can be fixed and progressive, depending on the type of game they are playing. The biggest rewards in the history of gambling were worth a few million USD.
Types Of Slot Machines
Speaking of jackpots, we also need to highlight that there are two types of slot machines:
- Classic slots: Some online slots do not have pooled jackpots at all. The only way to win prizes is to connect winning combinations on the paylines.
- Fixed-jackpot slots: There are also video slot titles that do have jackpots, but they are fixed. Their value directly depends on the size of your initial bet.
- Progressive slots: The progressive machines are those that come with jackpots that constantly grow. The algorithm of these slot machines is programmed to generate parts of the losses made by players and send those pennies towards grand prizes. In most cases, there are small, medium and big ones and players can hit them on a random spin.
This division can help players select slot machines that ideally match their gambling preference and style.
How to Play Slot Machines
After providing some basic explanations, now is the moment to explain how slot machines work. The good news is that most players don’t need a lot of time to figure out how things function. You need to pass through a couple of steps to start your session:
Set your bet
The process of playing slot machines starts by setting up your bet. More precisely, you need to determine how much money you are willing to spend with every spin. The good news is that playing casino slots with a smaller budget is possible. Today’s licensed online casinos don’t hesitate to offer penny slots and quarter slots for people with limited budgets. Also, there are high-limit slots that will meet the expectations of high-rollers and more experienced players.
Read the Pay Tables and other Info
Getting familiar with the slot machine is a very important step. In the “info section” of the game, you can see which symbols are involved in the game and what their value is. Also, if there are any special symbols such as wilds or scatters that trigger bonus rounds, you should check out how they function. This way, you will easily determine whether the choice you have made is good or not. Plus, it will simplify the first steps.
Spinning the Reels
After you pick the best game and set up a budget, you are ready to go. The first step you need to take is to click on the “Spin” button, and the reels will start spinning. Software development companies have simplified playing slots with a few cool features. You can turn on autoplay mode and let the slot machine do the entire job itself. Simultaneously, if spins seem slow to you, turn on the turbo or super turbo mode for a much quicker session.
Understanding Payout Mechanism
We already explained that the Random Number Generator ensures complete randomness of payouts. Yet, another thing you need to know is how the payouts function. Most video slots have paylines; when at least 2 or 3 symbols appear on that pay line next to each other, you win cash.
However, there is also the so-called cluster payout mechanism. In this case, there are no typical paylines; it will be necessary to collect a specific number of symbols to establish a win (usually at least 8 of them).
Slot Machine Features and Bonuses
All the casino slots have special features that increase winning chances and make the games more entertaining. Here are some of them that people should know about:
- Wild symbols: Wild symbols represent the substitution for every paying symbol that is part of the slot machine. The more of them you get on the reels, bigger the chances of winning big are. They can be typical, expanding (over the entire reel), sticky (stay for a 1+ spin) and moving/flexible (if they stay, sometimes they can move from one reel to another).
- Multipliers: Some slot machines feature multipliers during regular play. These multis can be anywhere from x2 to x1000.
- Wild Multipliers: This is a combination of both previous features; we consider this a pretty cool option.
- Scatters: If you decide to play slot machines with bonus games, then scatters will be an unskippable part of the gameplay. In most cases, collecting three or more scatters will trigger bonus rounds.
- Bonus rounds and free spins: Bonus rounds usually bring a specific number of free spins. During free spin bonus games, players often can see multipliers and wild symbols that increase their profit and winning odds.
- Re-spin: Similar to free spins, however, re-spins are usually part of the slot machine regular play. For example, at some video slots, symbols that are part of the winning combination explode, and new ones appear. In those cases, players don’t spend additional money.
Tips for New Slot Players
Playing slots really is easy because you don’t need a lot of time to learn the rules. Also, there is no need to develop some complex gambling strategies because the outcome depends directly on luck. However, as an enthusiastic slot attendant, there are a few things you can do to increase your odds and make sessions comfortable. Let’s discuss strategy by strategy!
Spend Time Analyzing Slot Machines
Gambling sites popular in today’s iGaming world offer a huge number of casino slots on their platform. You will find progressive slots, games with cluster pay, titles with innovative graphics and so on. Since you don’t have a lot of experience playing casino slots, it is essential to try out all types of games before you find the one that suits you the most.
There are certain things that you can determine even before making a selection. For starters, choose the theme that seems inspiring to you. If you are a big lover of history, there are many video slots inspired by Egyptian and Greek culture. Also, you can choose immediately if you are a big fan of retro graphics and symbols or if you would rather focus on innovative gameplay with advanced designs and fun and varied animation.
Start by Playing Online Slots in the Demo Version
Researching different slot machines comes with a fee. Spending real money is not an idea that beginners want to implement immediately. If you are one of them, a much better option would be to play slots in a demo version.
A lot of online casinos allow you to enjoy free play. In this case, you do not have to deposit real money; however, there is no possibility of winning real rewards either. Test at least 10 games, but try to make a diverse selection. That’s the only way to really understand what type of casino slots meet your expectations.
Test Different Electronic Gaming Devices
Thanks to advanced technology, players can now enjoy slots from the comfort of their room. Even better, they can enjoy sessions from different devices. If you plan to gamble at home, PC is probably going to be the number one choice. However, smartphones provide more flexibility; you can play video slots from anywhere if you have a stable Wi-Fi connection.
Take Advantage of Casino Bonuses and Free Spins
Casinos like evo.io offer a diversity of promotions to new and existing players. These promotions usually come in the form of free spins that can be sued for playing different video slots. Although these bonus offers come with terms and conditions, they can be valuable. It is a great way to explore different slot machines but keep the opportunity to get some real money winnings.
Managing Your Casino Bankroll
Before you even start choosing slot machines that are matchable to your taste, it is essential to manage your casino bankroll properly. We recommend you do that every month. Calculate how much cash you can spend on entertainment during 30 days.
After that, divide a part you will spend only on slots. You need to plan in advance how many sessions you will have during that month. The total amount of cash should be divided by the number of sessions you will have.
Keep in mind that slot machines are fast, and it can sometimes be challenging to keep the responsibility levels high. Always respect the casino bankroll plan you made, and never allow yourself to spend more than you can afford. Approximately, don’t spend more than 5% of the total budget on playing slot machines.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Playing Casino Slots
After sharing tips on things you should do when playing slot machine games, let’s also discuss common mistakes that beginners regularly make. Avoiding them will make the beginning of your journey more comfortable. They are:
- Not determining win and loss limits: In every moment, you need to have an idea of how much money you can afford to spend or lose. This method is essential in winning strike moments. For example, if your balance is $523 and you determine not to go below $500, respect that plan. Also, if you decide to double your bet, withdraw funds immediately after you reach that limit. Don’t allow adrenaline and positive energy to take control over your decision-making.
- Spending free spins on the same slot: If you have the opportunity to choose how to spend your FS, don’t spend them all on just one game. The purpose of bonuses is to gain some experience, and you will do that only if you test different games.
- Choosing the wrong slot volatility: First, let’s explain the term “volatility.” This parameter defines how frequent and big the winnings will be while playing slot machines. Games with low volatility give you an opportunity to hit smaller wins more often, while the high-volatility slots provide the opposite opportunity. Since you are a beginner, low-variant slot machine titles are a much better choice. They offer an opportunity to prolong your sessions. Classic fruit machines usually have that characteristic.
- Chasing losses: We all make mistakes, right? Since you are a beginner, it is normal for you to sometimes cross your own limits. However, if that happens, don’t ever try to chase losses. That way, you only raise your chances of losing your monthly budget during one session. Stop playing, clear your brain and get back when you are in a good mood.
- Not determining time limits: Despite spending limits, players should also determine their time limits. More precisely, they need to know how long their sessions will last. Everything above 1.5 hours is too much.
- Sessions without breaks: Speaking of time, breaks are meaningful for slot sessions. The good news is that most casinos on the internet let you set up limits on time and spending on your casino account. In traditional casinos, it is your responsibility to determine the best time to go home.
Common Myths about Slot Machines Beginners Should Be Aware Of
This is also a very important thing for beginners. On every corner, you can hear some myths about slot machines. Neither of them is correct, and we would like to discuss the most common ones that usually confuse players.
Casino Slot Machines Are Completely Rigged
You have probably heard a lot of people saying that online slots are rigged. Our answer to that is – no, they are not rigged; some players have unreasonable expectations.
First and foremost, this is not our opinion. Every slot machine in the world passes through strict testing done by independent testing labs. These labs primarily check the Random Number Generator that supports the slot machine. They want to make sure that all the rounds are entirely random and that the chances of winning for each player are identical at every possible moment.
Another thing you need to keep in mind is that every slot machine has an RTP. RTP stands for Return-to-Player and determines the part of losses that will be returned to players. However, let’s make things clear here. If the total losses in a random moment are 10k, and RTP is 96%, the machine will give $9,600 to players. However, the total amount can be given to just one player or more of them. These are things that no one can predict or manually determine.
Since no one can impact the outcome of the rounds, your only task is to apply the tips we discussed before, be in a positive mode, hope for the best and enjoy your time.
Max Bets Guarantee a Jackpot
Progressive slots are widely popular among gamblers. A common myth regarding them is that hitting a jackpot is almost guaranteed if you gamble with a max bet. Doing this will only ensure that your sessions last very short and that you lose all the money you have.
Chasing progressive jackpots is a wrong strategy. They can be “released” at any moment and at any bet to everyone participating in slot sessions. Instead of trying to win millions, be satisfied with every USD that you make with these multi-line games.
Losing Strike Announces the Beginning of a Winning Strike
Imagine you didn’t win a simple penny in 20 spins. Some people claim that, after consecutive losses, players can expect to win prizes. That statement can convince you to raise the wager and, eventually, hit larger rewards.
There is no evidence that something like that will happen. On the contrary, most people who apply this strategy end up losing their balance much quicker than they want. As a beginner with a limited budget, we recommend you determine a reasonable value per spin and stick to flat gambling. Raise bets only when you feel that your skills have improved and when you have enough money to do that.
Slot Machines Pay Better during Certain Parts of the Day
This myth is well-known in all parts of the world, but there is no evidence that something like that is correct. It may happen that your odds are higher during the night when more players are playing simultaneously. When more money enters the system, there is more opportunity for the algorithm to release bigger wins.
Yet, that can only be correct in theory. Chances of winning are equal in every possible moment. You can play it early in the morning or late at night, but that doesn’t change your position.
Slot Machines Have Patterns
Some gamblers claim they can predict when the jackpot will be hit or when a certain game will pay a lot. We once again remind people that each game has an algorithm that maximizes its randomness. Patterns do not exist and it is in your best interest to accept that as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may end up making some very bad decisions based on illusion.
How Can Beginners Recognize High-Quality Slots?
One of the things you need to do to ensure comfortable gambling sessions is to find the best possible slot machines on the market. Since there are thousands of them available, here are some of the features to focus on in order to make a good selection:
- RTP: Casino slots need to have an RTP of at least 96%; that’s considered high in the iGaming world. Yet, with progressive machines, things are slightly different. Since a small percentage of losses goes toward the jackpot, it is fine if that percentage goes below that. However, it should not be below 88%.
- Software developer: All the products you see on any gambling platform are actually products created by different software development companies. The creators should be convenient and have an amazing reputation in the gambling world. Some of the examples are Pragmatic Play, BGaming, Playson, Synot, Play’n’Go, and others.
- Theme: For a more exciting session, you should focus on slot themes that really are impressive to you. You can choose between slots that are inspired by horror movies, music groups, fruits, exotic destinations, history, culture, etc.
- Bet range: Since you are a beginner, it would be wise to start gambling with small steps. In other words, your bets should not be too big. That’s why you should look for casino slots that have a reasonable bet range. The minimum should be suitable for beginners, while the upper limit should be adequate for experienced players and high-rollers.
- Simple gameplay: It is not the right moment to play video slots that come with complex gameplay. Everything should go smoothly, so focus on those games that are as simple as possible.
Playing Slot Machines at Evo.io
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If you want to test your luck, have exciting free time, and improve your slot gambling skills, open an account on evo.io, claim our cool bonuses, and enjoy the most wonderful gambling sessions.
Play Slot Machines with Patience and a Good Plan
We have finally come to the end of this long-lasting slot machine guide. The purpose of this guide was to help complete newbies in the gambling world understand how slot machines work and improve their skills without spending unreasonable amounts of cash.
Profit should not even be your main priority at all. As a beginner, you should focus more on getting familiar with different types of casino slots, boosting your self-control, and improving your skills over time.
Forget about myths related to slots, such as that they are rigged or that you can predict the right moment to hit a jackpot. Organize your casino bankroll properly, find the slot machine that matches your taste and preference, and enjoy a wide range of games available on evo.io.
Never spend more than you can afford, respect your plans, and gamble responsibly! If you feel nervous because of losing money, don’t chase losses and tend to clear your mind before starting a new session. That’s the only way to really enjoy these games.
We wish all of our readers luck!
