Playing Online Slots in The UK
Online slots are simple. To play, simply insert the desired number of coins (virtual coins for online slots), press the spin button, and await the outcome. A spin can result in a win, a bonus round if it is a bonus machine, or a loss. You can re-use coins and play. Isn’t it simple? Playing that way can lead to mindless, automatic play and rapid loss of funds. This beginner’s guide to slots will explain how to play online slots for the best results.
Know the Odds
Before playing pokies, it’s important to know your odds of winning. Slots are known for their simple gameplay and big wins. Compared to other casino games like blackjack and video poker, they have the worst winning odds. No room to alter the odds in one’s favour due to the rigid playing process. No skill is supported in-game.
Also, slot machine winning odds favour the casino, not the player. These sets have a house edge of between 1% and 15%. This increases the likelihood of losing. Avoid gimmicks that promise risk-free payouts.
Basics of Slot Machines
How about the basics? What you need to know about slots before playing in a casino or online.
Reels
A slot machine has reels. Machines with three, five, seven, or even nine reels are rare. Each reel has its own set of symbols. You win if the reels stop and align to form a winning combination on one or more paylines.
Paylines
A payline is a row of symbols across the reels from left to right. Paylines can be made up of symbols in a single row or in rows that move across the reels. Some machines have up to 50 paylines.
Symbols
The symbols on a slot machine are related to the theme of the machine in some way. For example, an adventure movie themed machine will include characters and other images from the film, while a sports-themed machine will include images associated with the sport.
Symbols like free spin, scatter, wild, and bonus symbols have specific properties. Free spins are awarded when two or three of the designated free spin symbols appear on a single turn. Wild symbols can complete paylines by changing into any other symbol on the payout table.
Bonus symbols usually trigger the bonus round, while scatters have varying effects. Scatters often influence bonus round start or free spins wins.
Jackpot
For a progressive slot machine, the maximum payout requires the maximum bet. Playing a progressive if you can’t afford the maximum bet is risky. How much a player can win in one hit is important to many. Big jackpots can certainly entice slot fans. Most machines pay less often and cost more to play when the jackpot is higher. So your bankroll size matters again.
If you want to win a progressive jackpot, you will need money. Because most progressive machines require a maximum bet to qualify for the progressive. If you don’t place the maximum bet and get the winning combination, you’ll win less.
Payout Table
Before playing any slot machine, check the payout table to see which symbols will get you to the bonus round, a winning combination, or free spins. It will also tell you how much you will win on a given turn based on the symbol combination and your bet.
The Best Slot
Look through the slots selection at your chosen casino to find the right one for you. Here are some distinguishing features:
Entertainment Value
Themes are used to create themed slots that are more than just spinning reels and hoping to win. Some of these themes take complex turns as the game progresses. Others only skim the surface and present the themes visually. Choose a game based on whether you want intense, fun-filled sessions or relaxed, unflashy gameplay.
Betting Limits
The ideal bankroll should be compatible with the chosen pokie machine. Some slots accept bets as low as a penny, while others allow high rollers to wager as much as £5,000 per round.
Symbol Gains
Slots pay out based on character combinations along win ways or paylines. Check the paytable to see if the slotted wins are worth the stakes.
Bonuses
Slot machines boost combo payouts with bonus features. Choose games with lots of features and high winning potential. There are many types of bonuses available to players.
Payout Stats
Slot wins are unpredictable, but payout metrics project expected long-term returns. The most common is the RTP, which indicates the expected long-term win percentage. The best pokies have an RTP of 96% or more. Volatility is a popular metric that predicts the amount and intervals. Low variance pokies often award small wins, while high variance pokies award large payouts between long losing streaks.
Playing online slots requires preparation. It’s important to understand a machine’s options before you start putting money into it. Budget, focus, play at your own pace, and have fun! Using slot machines to beat the house is difficult but not impossible. If you end up with more money than you started with, put it away before continuing. Even if you lose everything, you’ll still have a bigger bankroll than when you started.
