There’s something inherently enticing about the idea of lining up matching symbols across a row of vertical reels – it’s why the game is so popular online and at land-based casinos around the world. What makes this type of casino gaming different to, say, blackjack or video poker is that there’s no complex strategy involved – the outcome of slot machines is based solely on luck and is therefore appealing to players of all skill levels.
Online slot games are played on random number generators (RNG), and these are routinely audited to ensure fairness. The RNG picks a random combination of numbers every millisecond, which corresponds to the outcomes on the reels. The goal of any online slots player is to match symbols on paylines that run horizontally (though some slots have diagonal or vertical paylines). The more matching symbols are matched, the bigger the winnings.
Those with a competitive streak might find themselves drawn to high-stakes slots, which offer the opportunity for a life-changing jackpot. However, even the best-laid plans can go awry, and players should always play responsibly. The best way to do this is by setting limits and sticking to them, regardless of whether they’re on a hot streak or not.
A good starting point is to read up on the game’s RTP (return-to-player) percentage, which gives an indication of how often a slot is likely to pay out. You can also read up on the highest-paying slots and try to identify any patterns. Some slot games have earned the reputation of being notoriously poor earners, with titles such as Blueprint’s Wish Upon a Jackpot and Ash Gaming’s Adventures in Wonderland frequently making appearances on blacklists.
New online slot features are always worth a look, too, and developers are getting more inventive all the time. For example, Pragmatic Play’s Sweet Bonanza is a nod to traditional pub fruit machines, with colourful candy bar symbols appearing on the reels. This ’Anywhere Pays’ slot can be extremely volatile, with players able to win up to a colossal 200,000x their stake!
Then there are slots that offer more of a psychological challenge. Novamatic are a giant in the land-based industry and have brought that expertise to their online offerings, digitally remastering many of their casino floor games for the virtual realm. Push Gaming are another big developer that has built its name on high-volatile slots with their Jammin’ Jars, Fat Rabbit, and Fat Santa series of titles.