How to play slots: Our expert guide

By Lucy Wynne

Since the introduction of the slot machine and its growing popularity, going online has opened up a lot more opportunities for the gambling industry to appeal to a much wider audience. Online slots came about in the mid ‘90s, thanks to the launch of the internet and the iGaming industry hit a boom period; especially in the UK. Additionally, with the introduction of the UK 2005 Gambling Act, more people trusted playing slots online as they felt they were in safer hands; due to the industry becoming regulated.

Initially, online slots were replicas of the slot games you would find inside of a casino - the classic three reels mechanism - but now you can find tens of thousands of games online with all different types of gameplay. Throughout this page we will discuss the common themes, types of gameplay, definitions of must-know terms, as well as how to play slots and how to understand what you are doing.

Varieties of online slot games

Slot themes vary from cultural stereotypes, symbols of wealth, films and music, to fantasy subjects, nature and food. Whatever visual satisfies your eyes, there is a slot out there that will match it.

Alongside the visuals, you also have the different types of gameplay. Some slots will provide a basic gameplay, based on solely payline wins, however others will have a variety of ways to earn money through the likes of: cluster pays, bonus rounds, free spins, multipliers, wilds, cascading reels, Megaways and jackpots.

How slot games work

The premise of slots is fairly simple, but some people can fear the unknown. Fear not - we are here to help! Below we are going to explain how to play slots online and how to play slots in a casino, so you can decide which option you would ultimately prefer.

How to play slot machines online

Playing slots online is simpler than playing a slot machine in a casino, as there are less distractions. Additionally, online slots tend to have higher RTP rates than land-based casinos; and the accessibility for thousands of games at your fingertips can also be a dealbreaker when it comes to people choosing whether they prefer to play online or be at a casino.

When playing in a casino, you are somewhat limited to what you can play and the physical machines can be more intimidating and complicated than the simple online interface which is presented with most online slot titles.

To play slots online, there are a few steps that need to be taken; but once you are set up, you are good to go!

Deposit: Firstly, pick an online casino you want to play at, sign up and make your initial deposit.
Pick a game: Now, scour the online casino for a slot game. If you aren’t sure, you can always research suggestions based on your preferences. For example, if jackpot games peak your interest, then play a jackpot slot; or look up the top suggested slots.
Do your research: Examine the RTP and volatility ratings, to make sure they align with what you want. Do you want big wins less frequently, or smaller wins more frequently? Find a game with a strong RTP, as well as a slot that beholds your desired level of volatility.
Know the rules: You are officially in the game. This is time to have a look at the paylines and paytable, check out the bonus features on offer and decide how much you want to bet per spin.
Practice makes perfect: If you don’t want to start real play straight away, you can play most online slots for free in demo mode; therefore it might be worth trialling a few slots out for free before you commit to real money play.
Set your budget: Once you have done your research and have selected your spin amount, you are ready to go. Simply, press the spin button and wait for the magic to happen.
Have fun: Don’t spend more than you can afford or are willing to lose, have fun and once you have finished playing, cash out and (hopefully) withdraw your winnings!

How to play slot machines in a casino

Playing a slot machine in a casino can be very different compared to playing a slot machine online, as mentioned above. The tension and atmosphere in a casino can really add to your overall gambling experience, hence why slots are arguably the most popular game in casinos worldwide. Therefore, if you want to know how to play slots inside a land-based casino, follow these tips below:

Go in with a budget: In order to keep gambling fun, a good rule of thumb is that you should never spend more than you are willing to lose. Therefore go in with a set amount and stick to it.
Pick a machine: Whatever appeals to you, whether that’s the design, the sound of the bonus trigger, or the game itself; pick a slot machine to sit down at and choose a game to play.
Know the etiquette: Unlike online, you are in the presence of other people, therefore there is a certain etiquette you need to follow. The basic slot machine etiquette is: don’t linger around other people’s machines, don’t make a racket (when you lose) and lastly, don’t try to reserve your machine to go on a break. It also goes without saying, but general outside etiquette also applies: don’t be drunk, boisterous, or do anything that could generally distract other people in the casino.
Know the rules: Similar to online slots, you want to check the RTP, and information regarding paylines, paytables and bonus rounds (of your chosen slot game) to make sure you have the highest chances of winnings and are entertained by the gameplay.
Immerse yourself: Playing inside a casino creates a whole atmosphere, compared to playing online. Don’t be afraid to be immersed in the experience and have fun - just try not to be too loud (win or lose!).

Paylines explained

Paylines are the basic game format for how to generate wins in a line. Each game will have a set number of paylines and this will tell you where the symbols need to be in order to generate a win. Most paylines start from left to right, therefore you need matching symbols to align from the first reel in order to qualify for a payline win.

More often than not, you will realise that the older games have fewer paylines than the newer slot titles; this is due to the games having advanced over the years. Therefore, ideally you want to play the newer games as they create more room for more frequent, bigger wins. Traditionally, the higher the bet, the more paylines there are on offer, but this comes at a higher cost.

Pay tables and slot symbols

As well as paylines, if you delve into the instructions of the game, you will also come across a pay table. Pay tables indicate what symbols equal what amount of money and how many symbols generate a set amount of money. For example two symbols of an orange - fitting within the paylines - might be worth £0.10, three oranges would generate £0.20 and so forth.

Depending on the type of slot you are playing, will depend on the types of symbols you see; and the types of bonuses that can be activated within a game. Ideally, you want to pick a game that creates the most opportunities for a win. This can be in the form of: bonus rounds, free spins, wilds, scatters, multipliers, Megaways and jackpots.

Bonus rounds and free spins

Alongside your standard payline wins, most games nowadays offer multiple ways to win extra cash on the games. One of those extra ways to win is through bonus rounds and free spins. The bonus round is usually activated by a minimum of three scatter symbols - but this can vary slot to slot.

A scatter symbol sets itself apart from the other symbols on the board and is usually glaringly obvious. When you enter a bonus round, most commonly, you will be rewarded with a set amount of free spins; the amount of free spins can vary depending on the game and depending on how many scatter symbols you activate during the game.

Wilds, scatters and multipliers

Wilds

Wilds can come in various formats, but the most common wild is the standard wild which replaces symbols on the board to generate you a win. Other formats wilds come in are: sticky wilds, expanding wilds, multiplying wilds, stacked wilds.

Scatters

The scatter symbol is the symbol that will trigger the bonus game. Commonly, this symbol is very different from the other symbols, so it is easy to distinguish and makes it simpler to understand the gameplay. Depending on how many you get, can be dependent on the reward you are given; but like always, this can also vary per game.

Multipliers

This feature does what it says on the tin. Your winnings will be multiplied by whatever the multiplier is currently at. Some games will increase the multiplier, the more you play, others will increase it the more you win and some will have it as a standard bonus feature; meaning once it is triggered, your bet will be multiplied by the multiplier.

Megaways slots

This mechanism changes your odds with every spin. Instead of a fixed number of paylines, the number of paylines on the reels changes every time.

The Megaways trademarked slots can offer thousands of ways to win, unlike most slots which will have around 10-50 paylines. This mechanism appears as misaligned columns and rows and the number of symbols in each reel varies, that is what allows this mechanism to offer so many different ways to win.

Jackpot slots

Jackpot slots come in two different varieties: progressive and fixed. A fixed jackpot will be a set amount that can be triggered at any given time, by any player. Meanwhile a progressive jackpot is one that builds over time; the more people who play the game (and lose), the higher the amount in the jackpot. Jackpots can be hit randomly, or by triggering a bonus, or via a winning combination - depending on the game.

Jackpot King is a brand which customises already made slots such as King Kong Cash by Blueprint Gaming and adds its own jackpot mechanism. Jackpot King can appear any time and will enter you into a separate game where you will be given the opportunity to trigger multiple sized jackpots. These jackpots can go up to the millions, so this function can be very enticing!

Understanding RTP, house edge and volatility

RTP (Return to Player)

When finding a slot game to play, not only do you want to have fun, but you want to make money - right?! Broken down, RTP stands for ‘return to player’ which means the average percentage of winnings you are likely to get when compared to your spending. RTP is a great way of finding out just how lucrative a slot is.

A ‘good’ industry average RTP is anything 96% and above, anything less probably isn’t worth entertaining. This means that statistically you should get £0.96 - on average - for every £1 you spend. However, these percentages aren’t created out of 100, they can be based on the millions, which is why sometimes you can find yourself spending a lot of money for little return; so don’t base your potential winnings solely off this percentage.

House edge

This is the odds against the casino. If the house edge is high, your odds are low and if the house edge is low, then your odds are high. You are always playing against the house and you want low odds wherever you can find them!

Volatility

Volatility measures the frequency and the size of the wins that the slots pay out. For example, if you prefer big wins less often, then you will want to play a high volatility slot; and if you prefer a low volatility slot then you will get smaller, more frequent wins.

Similarly, if you want average wins at a steady rate then you would look for medium volatility slots - but these are less popular as the chance to win big and often are both somewhat depleted.

Slot Terminology

Term	Definition
Reels	These are the columns that roll to create winning combinations.
Symbols	Each slot will have different symbols worth different amounts when aligned next to each other.
Paylines	The same symbols that align next to each other will create winning combinations, which are otherwise known as paylines; as they pay out.
Paytable	This is a visual representation of the value of the symbols and it quantifies how many symbols you need to pop up on the reels in order to qualify for a pay out, as well as how much the payout would be depending on how many of the same symbols are aligned.
RTP	RTP is an acronym for ‘return to player’ meaning the odds you have of making your money back. For example, the industry standard RTP would be 96% and above.
Volatility	Do you prefer frequent small wins or inconsistent big wins? If you prefer the former then you will be looking for lower volatility slots and if you prefer the latter you will be looking for high volatility slots. Likewise, if you wish for something in the middle you would look for a slot with medium volatility.
Maximum win	Most games will have the maximum win amount available to view, this is the most you can make, multiplied by your original bet. For example if the max win is 1,000x and you are doing £0.10 spins, then the most you will ever win on the slot (across the reels) is £100.
Bonus round	Some slot games will have added features to reward you more money, these can come in multiple formats and often come in the form of extra free spins.
Scatter	This is the symbol you need to lock in, in order to trigger a bonus round. You are often required to lock in a minimum of three scatters, anywhere across the reels, to trigger the bonus round.
Cascading reels	Otherwise known as falling symbols or tumbling reels, this feature will activate a winning combination by making certain symbols disappear or fall into the correct places to create a win that wouldn’t have otherwise been there.
Wilds	These symbols can come at any time and activate a win, either in a combination or when they appear anywhere on the board - depending on the game.
Sticky wilds	When this bonus feature occurs, the wilds will remain locked in on the board, allowing the reels to re-spin with the wilds from the previous round remaining in place, upping your chance of unlocking a bonus or a big win. This feature is also known as ‘frozen wilds’ or ‘locked wilds’.
Expanding wilds	This feature enlarges the wild symbol to fill more spaces in the reel, creating more chances to win and sometimes it can lead to a huge prize being paid out purely just for unlocking this feature.
Stacked wilds	As the name suggests, these wilds are formed by being stacked upon one another. When the wilds are stacked they usually combine to make one giant wild symbol that often pays out rather lucratively.
Walking wilds	These particular wild symbols will move throughout the game and will oftenly move one across (each reel) to the right until they fall off the board.
Expanding reels	Similar to expanding wilds, this feature enlarges the reels on the board, which allows for more symbols than usual to be shown, creating more opportunities for winning combinations.
Multipliers	Depending on the slot game you are playing, multipliers can be triggered as a bonus, within a bonus, or they can be triggered randomly at any time during the game. This feature will multiply your winnings by the number shown on the multiplier feature.
Cluster pays	Unlike traditional slots, this feature allows for wins via symbol matches without the need to start from the first reel - matching symbols can be anywhere on the grid to create a win.
Megaways	This is a type of slot mechanism where among standard payline wins and bonuses, Megaways activate more ways to win and will often tell you how many ways there are to win, per spin. The more paylines a game has, the more chances you have of forming winning combinations.
Progressive jackpot	Similar to Megaways, jackpots are another mechanic that are added to slot games. With progressive jackpots, the more people that play, the more the pot grows, until it is triggered and the lucky player will win the whole pot.
Fixed jackpot	Unlike progressive jackpots, a fixed jackpot is a set amount of money that can be triggered at any time; but it won’t increase no matter how many people play.

Common myths and misconceptions about online slots

Slots are rigged: With random number generator (RNG) technology, all reel outcomes are random. These games are audited by top integrity companies and testing labs such as eCOGRA Labs, Gaming Laboratories International, BMM Testing Labs, etc. Additionally, the casinos providing the slots are also regulated by global/national bodies to make sure their domestic players are protected.
You can wait for a win: Just because a machine hasn’t paid you out after 100 spins, doesn’t mean that after 100 more spins you will definitely get a payout. A slot machine could pay out back-to-back in bonuses, jackpots, and free spins; while also not having paid out a penny in 100 spins. Your luck is purely random.
You will never win a bonus: We all know gambling is a tough game to play, at times, however bonuses can come more often than you realise! With RNG technology, you could win three bonus rounds back-to-back, or not see one in 300 spins - that’s the gamble you make.

FAQs

What are paylines and how do they impact my chances of winning?

Paylines are the lines across which matching symbols must land to trigger a win. The more paylines are engaged, the greater your chances are of winning.

What do wild and scatter symbols do in online slots?

Scatter symbols trigger the bonus feature and wild symbols are their own bonus feature. Wild symbols come in different forms and often increase your chances of winning or increase the amount you will win; but just because you see these features doesn’t mean you are guaranteed to win anything, this is because sometimes you will need a set number of scatters or wilds to trigger the bonus and/or a win.

What is a progressive jackpot and how can I win it?

A progressive jackpot is a prize pool that grows with every spin. To win, you need to land a specific combination of symbols or it can be randomly triggered at any point throughout the gameplay.

What does RTP mean in online slots and why is it important?

RTP refers to the percentage of money spent, that the slot returns to players over time. A higher RTP indicates a better possibility of winning more in the long-run.

Can I play online slots for free?

Yes, you can enjoy the demo play slots right here at FIRST. We offer a wide selection of slot reviews on our site, followed by the demo play versions of those slots; so you can try before you buy!

How can I determine whether an online slot game is fair?

To determine the fairness of a slot you can look into if the provider is licensed by a national authority and integrity company or testing laboratory. If they are, this means that your play is in safe hands. Likewise, check to make sure that the casinos are also regulated by the national authority of the country you wish to play in.