Online Slots
Slots have undergone remarkable transformations over the years, particularly with the advent of online casinos. These days, slots have become easily accessible, captivating a wider audience. The introduction of online casinos has brought forth innovative features, enhancing convenience and excitement.
Unlike the rigid rules and styles of play of the past, modern slots offer greater avenues for creativity, making them an appealing choice for novice and experienced gamblers. Nonetheless, what are online slot machines, and how do they work?
What Are Online Slots?
Online slots are casino games where players bet on the outcome of “spin” while trying to match a predefined set of symbols on the reels. We’ll talk about slot symbols and reels in-depth further down the road.
The design and appearance of online slots has come a long way since the first Las Vegas-style one-armed bandits. The history of slot machines began with pull lever slot machines with three reels and a single payline, but slots have since evolved to upwards of 10 reels and several thousand ways to win, not to mention the improvement in graphics.
Nowadays, dozens of new games are released every month, with seemingly ever-improving features. Players are truly being spoilt for choice when it comes to themes and the various ways they can trigger a win.
Different Types of Online Slot Games
Online slots come in various types, each with its unique features and gameplay mechanics. From classic and traditional styles to modern and interactive variations, the world of slots offers something for every player.
Slot machines can be categorised into several types depending on the number of reels and paylines they’re equipped with. The structure of slot machines has changed significantly over the years, going from fundamental 3-reel games to highly interactive releases with rich 3D graphics and immersive sound effects.
In the lines below, we will list the most popular types of online slots.
Classic Slots
The first slot machines, also known as fruit machines, one-armed bandits, or Las Vegas-style slots, were introduced at the turn of the 20th century, with Liberty Bell commonly cited as the first-ever slot machine. The technology allowed manufacturers to feature up to three reels and a single payline, with symbols being limited to fruits, bars, and sevens.
Classic slots then evolved to feature five reels and up to seven paylines. With the initial design including a lever that unlocked whenever a coin was inserted.
Although they look different, classic slots work the same as, say, video slots: players must land a matching sequence of symbols to win. However, with fewer reels and paylines, the wins are also substantially smaller.
Video Slots
Compared to classic slot machines, video slots introduced a greater variety of paylines, graphics and betting options, and new features – Free Spins and multipliers. The combination of a greater choice of betting options, attractive bonus rounds, sharp graphics, and intricate sound effects brought a revolution in land-based casinos, turning slots into a money-making industry.
Progressive Jackpot Slots
While the first video slots offered jackpots that were limited in size to a single machine, progressive slot machines introduced a novelty that allowed players to look forward to bigger prizes.
And how do they work? Progressive jackpot slots are part of the same network, with each bet placed on a game at a casino. Or an entire network of casinos hosting a particular game feeding into the jackpot.
Once triggered, the lucky player gets to scoop the entire pot, resetting the game to a guaranteed prize, also known as the “seed.”
3D Slots
3D slots are the latest additions to online slots in terms of design. As their name suggests, 3D slots feature three-dimensional graphics, making games immersive and elevating the player experience. Although not bringing anything new to the table regarding the winning potential and in-game features, with their elaborate graphic and sound design, 3D slots take the cake when it comes to the visual experience.
Mobile Slots
Mobile slots have come about in the era of smartphones and tablets. These games can be played on the move without the need to download separate software. Players need only load them from a compatible mobile browser, and they’re good to go.
Mobile slots, however, come equipped with the same features as their desktop counterparts. Plenty of them are mobile-optimised versions of online slots.
Penny slots
Essentially, a penny slot is any slot machine where a bet on a single payline costs, yep, one cent. In other words, most slot machines in your average land-based casino.
But there’s a catch: most of those slot machines will require you to play a preset minimum number of lines. Therefore, many games will have you betting a minimum of 25, 40 or 50 lines per spin. It means that a penny slot will cost you a corresponding 25c, 40c, or 50c per spin.
Android slots
In simplest terms, Android slots are online slots explicitly designed for the Android platform. There are thousands of Android slots, and there are at least two ways in which you can access them. One way by downloading Android casino apps or simply by launching their Flash versions, where applicable.
iPhone slots
iOS users also have a plethora of slot options at their disposal in the form of online slots developed for iOS. Depending on your preferred device, you can play these games on either iPhone or iPad. Providers have made sure there are hundreds of options. All it takes is to find the best iPhone games and start spinning those iPhone or iPad slots.
Slots With Bonus Rounds
Slots with bonus rounds can be pretty amusing and bring some serious winning combinations. Now, activating a specific bonus game will depend on the individual slot symbols that land on a payline. Some video slots will have a randomly triggered feature at any point during the game. Others will require you to land a predefined sequence of symbols (e.g. three scatter symbols).
Generally, the bonus rounds in online slots can be divided into two major categories: free spins rounds and bonus in-games that typically share a common theme with the slot’s base game.
Progressive Jackpot Slots
Progressive jackpot slots are the perfect choice for those seeking a chance to win a life-changing jackpot. Players contribute a portion of each wager they make to a jackpot pool that is constantly growing and has the potential to be extremely large. These slots can be played standalone or linked with other casinos, offering immense winning potential.
Megaways Slots
With an abundance of symbols on each reel, these slots offer a vast number of potential winning combinations for every spin. With tens of thousands of possible ways to win, Megaways slots provide excitement and anticipation as players explore the countless opportunities for big wins.
Branded Slots
These slots are uniquely designed to incorporate themes and stories from beloved franchises, featuring soundtracks, characters, and symbols that resonate with fans. By blending entertainment and gaming, branded slots provide a truly immersive and captivating experience that celebrates existing art in a new and interactive way.
How Do Online Slot Machines Work?
Slots are spinning reels that display various symbols. Players can place bets and initiate spins, allowing the Random Number Generator (RNG) to determine the reel’s final position once the spin button is pressed.
Alongside the excitement of spinning reels, slots offer enticing bonus features such as wild symbols and free spins. It’s important to note that all online and offline slots feature a payout percentage known as Return to Player (RTP). It represents the average amount returned to players over time.
Online slots have evolved, captivating a wider audience through online casinos. They offer convenience, creativity, and enticing bonus features. Operating with spinning reels and RNG, they provide an enhanced gaming experience for new and experienced players. Let’s have a try! Check slots offered by LUCKLANDIA!
