The Definitive Guide to Online Slots 2023

This online slots guide is a covers everything from basic gameplay tips to advanced strategies and slot machine terminology. You can also learn about various online slot variants, progressive jackpots, bonus features, and symbol meanings. You can play free slot games and access expert reviews and rankings of the best online casinos for playing slots with real money.

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Overview

No casino game comes even remotely close to slots in terms of popularity and enduring appeal. These games can be found at all the leading online casinos and they are among the most exciting to play. Whether you prefer to gamble on computers or mobile devices, slots will make your day better, with their abundance of themes and features. The unique gameplay of slots, the potential for high payouts, and sheer compatibility with any mobile device make them an irresistible proposition.

Classic slots have three reels, but the modern varieties tend to use five reels and more winning combinations. The symbols populating them differ depending on the theme chosen by the software developer, but the gameplay is very similar. The goal is always to create a winning combination by matching identical symbols in a winning sequence. Modern slots have a high number of pay lines, so you have a better chance of winning and it is easy to beat the odds.

Video slot games are pretty much the same, but they stand out from the crowd with superior graphics and animations. They always have multiple pay lines and many feature bonus rounds, which makes them even more attractive. Progressive jackpot slots are at the top of the food chain, in terms of payouts and universal appeal. These are the only games where you can bet a tiny amount and if you are truly lucky, can walk away with a huge payout.

Progressive jackpots are usually shared by several casinos, so punters contribute to the ever-growing payout with each wager. It is easy to keep track of the biggest jackpots, as the amounts are displayed next to the reels for everyone to see. Some jackpots are triggered randomly, while others require players to create a winning combination that is difficult to assemble. In any case, the slots are capable of drawing large crowds and they rank high in the preferences of model players.

Software developers went to great lengths to create original games that look nice on mobile devices. Their finest creations are just as appealing on computers, smartphones, and tablets regardless of the operating system powering them. Mobile compatibility is almost the rule since punters prefer to gamble on the move rather than computers and laptops. You can find the best slots at leading online casinos, so all it is left is to choose a licensed gambling operator and play responsibly.

Pros & Cons

Pros
Wide variety of themes and game types.
Win large amounts with relatively small bets.
Accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
Cons
There is a risk of losing money.
Some players may lose track of time

History

Slots have a longer history than one might automatically assume, having been introduced in the United States just before the end of the 19th century. The first machine was the Liberty Bell, an invention of San Francisco mechanic Charles Fey. It had an image of a cracked liberty bell, plus three spinning reels and diamond, spade and heart symbols painted around each reel. The machine can still be seen in Reno, Nevada, standing testament to just how far the slots world has come in the past century.

Slot machines took off almost instantly, and in 1907 Fey’s first serious competitor emerged in the form of Chicago arcade machine developer Herbert Mills. Like Fey, some of Mills’ innovation have stood the test of time – he was the person who came up with the idea of including fruit symbols like cherries, plums and lemons.

As modern technology advanced, so too did slots technology: in 1963 Bally produced the world’s first entirely electronic machine (“Money Honey”), which allowed slots to generate payouts without assistance from attendants. In 1974, Walt Freely invented the “Fortune Coin,” the first video-based slot and a precursor to the online video slots now enjoyed by hundreds of millions around the world.

Online video slots have been the latest revolution. Slots became very popular in the US, UK and Australia from the 1970s through to the 1990s, ensuring they were well-prepared for the online gambling era. Now, thanks to the spread of online casino games to every corner of the world, slot are one of the most popular forms of gaming – alongside poker, table games and sports betting. We have seen the innovation of 3D slots, multiplayer slots tournaments and slots with 243 winning combinations. The use of technology in slots innovation is sure to create new history every day.


Terminology

Below is a selection of the most important online slots terms:

Bet: Value of wager.

Bonus Feature: Bonus features are endless, but the mainones include Wilds and Free Spins.

Free Spins: Another feature that has become common in online slots, with many delivering 15-20 free spins in one round.

Gamble Feature: Bonus round in which players gamble their winnings on doubling, tripling, quadrupling or losing their accumulated spins.

Jackpot: Maximum prize on any given slot.

Max Bet: Maximum number of coins per spin.

Payline: To win, symbols must line up on the payline (straight or diagonal line across the reels). The number of paylines on an online slot can vary from as low as five and as high as 100-plus.

Progressive Jackpot: Jackpot that starts from a minimum jackpot and increases until someone strikes it.

Reels: The rotating barrels on which symbols have appeared since the invention of the first slot. The most basic goal for a player is to match the symbols on the reels.

Scatters: A payout that triggers a win without having to line up symbols on a payline. Scatters usually activate a bonus round.

Wilds: A symbol that substitutes as all other symbols to complete a winning combination.

Winning combinations: The amount of ways a player can win. These days, online video slots can include hundreds (and in a few rare cases, thousands) of winning combos.


Rules

The basic aim of any online slot is to match up symbols on the paylines. However, there are many other ways to win games, which is why you should check the bonus features before trying out any new slot. Thanks to the introduction of wilds, scatters, bonus games and other features, online slots provide multiple ways to form a winning combination.

Because each slot is different, it is worth knowing about your chosen slot in advance. Below are some of the most basic types of slots you will find at any online casino (although keep in mind that these days there are all sorts of combinations of slots):

3-reel slots: These are based on the classic, older slots and usually have up to five paylines.

5-reel slots: These are based on the flashier video slots that emerged with the electronic era, and usually contain a variety of different features including bonus rounds.

Multiline slots: These usually include more paylines (e.g. 25, 30 paylines) than your average slot, delivering higher payouts but at a higher buy-in price.

Progressive slots: Although these appear similar to standard video slots, the jackpot in progressive slots keeps growing until it is struck. These days, progressive slots often include up to four simultaneous running jackpots, each of which can be hit in the bonus round.


Strategy

Unlike poker and other games of skill, slots are completely random. Let us repeat that again – random. Now that we've made that clear, you should know that you can still make a lot of important strategic decisions that improve your chances of winning and enjoying yourself at the same time.

Before playing slots, choose a game that is suitable for your budget and tastes. Check the payout percentage, minimum bets, maximum bets and information about the jackpots – how big are the jackpots, are they progressive, and what is the likelihood of hitting it? Now that you have all this information you can assess which game suits you: if you have a bigger bankroll, you may have no problem with playing a higher-risk game; if you have less to spend, go for something safer where the payouts are more regular. Of course, you should also pick a game that suits your interests – if you like Bond movies, there are Bond slots, if you like Marvel comics, there are Marvel slots, etc.

You should also look at the bigger picture before embarking on a slots-playing career. Which online casinos suit your budget and spending habits? Where can you get the best and most valuable promos to help fund your playing style? You can find all the information you need on all the leading slots-providing online casinos on the OCR site.

Keep in mind:

  • Slots are random! Yes, we know we already mentioned it, but we’re mentioning it again. Slots are fun and have been known to make people rich with a single click, but never lose sight of the fact that they are not a game of skill.
  • Bet the max amount on progressive slots, as this is the only way to claim a progressive jackpot in the event you hit it. Trust us, you don’t want to be in the position where you strike the progressive jackpot and can’t claim it because you failed to bet the required amount of coins.
  • Try new types of slots: The Internet is filled with every type of slot imaginable – from 3D slots to cinematic slots to multi-jackpot slots. If you look hard enough, you’ll find what you’re looking for. If you don’t find it, it will probably be invented by tomorrow.

 

Tips

If you're new to online slots, here are some tips to help you start playing like a pro.

Getting Started

Ready to start playing online slots? Follow these simple steps and check out this guide for smart and effective ways to get started.

1 Choose a reputable casino

The size of the portfolio is important, but you should also be able to trust the games and providers.

2 Create an account deposit

You need to deposit if you want to win real money and even if you want to play for free, you need an account.

3 Browse the selection of slots

Before you choose one slot or the other explore the entire selection and try different games in the demo version.

4 Set your bet amount

Choose a standard bet and stick to it until you feel comfortable and gradually increase the stakes.

5 Claim reasonable bonuses

You can leverage bonuses to mitigate the impact of the houses, but pay attention to the wagering requirements.

Terminology

Don't know the basic terms of online slots? We've got you covered with commonly used terminology and phrases to help you get started.

Slots Glossary

Slots Varieties

Online casinos offer a vast selection of slot games, ranging from classic fruit slots to the latest video slots. Check out some of the different slot variants available online.

Classic Slots

These slots usually have three reels and basic gameplay, with fruits as the dominant symbols. They are inspired by the games available in brick-and-mortar casinos and appeal to veteran players.

Video Slots

These are modern slots with superior graphics, more detailed gameplay, and an abundance of features. Such games have progressive jackpots, bonus rounds, and more active pay lines.

Fruit Machines

These are usually classic slots that pay tribute to the original games, where fruits were the dominant symbols. They have retro graphics, even though the technology behind them is modern.

Pachinko

A game with oriental roots, it is a hybrid that appeals to both slots enthusiasts and those who seek something different and unique. It can be played on real money and also tested for free.

3-Reel Slots

Just as the name indicates, the slots have three reels and basic gameplay, with fewer pay lines. The games can still feature progressive jackpots, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

5-Reel Slots

Unlike the classic varieties, five Reel Slots have more active pay lines because of the higher number of columns and rows. These are the games that feature the most jackpot and the best-paying bonus rounds.

Progressive Slots

The slots carry progressive jackpot, which means that players can win a huge amount with a small investment. A percentage of every bet is used to fund the jackpot which is constantly updated.

Interactive Slots

These are the most coveted slots by modern players because they get them fully immersed. They offer an added level of attractiveness, by allowing players to interact with the gameplay on many levels.

Multi-Player Slots

Such modern varieties of slots celebrate the social nature of casino games. They involve more players simultaneously, so they appeal to players who are competitive by nature and want to play against others.

Calculate Your Casino Bonus

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Our Favorite Casino

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FAQ

Slots are some of the easiest games, as you only need to line up identical symbols in a sequence.

If you bet real money, you have a good chance to win money, as long as you are lucky.

Play at licensed and regulated casinos and you can expect fair and transparent slots.

Progressive jackpot slots are the most popular because they offer the potential for big winnings.

Most slots are mobile-friendly, so you can enjoy them on smartphones and tablets running on Android and iOS.

You can bet a few cents and as much as hundreds of dollars, depending on your slot and casino of choice.

The outcome depends inclusively on lot, so you need to be patient and exercise bankroll management.

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