You like fruit?
Yes, of course you do. And you’re not the only one. Millions of people around the globe share your taste. Lemons, cherries, grapes… you name it. All very healthy stuff.
But there’s more good news. It’s all available online. No need any more to go out to the grocery’s.
Know what I am hunching at by now? Good guess – you people know who you are! Read on and learn all you need about the famous slots, also known as fruit machines, puggies, fruities or one-armed bandits.
Online casino slot machines
Online casino slot machines, slots, slot machines, video slots, pokies, fruit machines, one-armed bandits… These are all names for the slot machines that we love so much. Slots are by far the most popular game in the casino, whether it is an online casino slot machine or a brick and mortar casino.
So, what makes them so popular? There are many reasons, just to mention a few:
- Slot machines are easy to understand;
- The minimum stakes are low;
- The animations and sounds are cool;
- You can win a lot of money, even with low stakes.
On top of that, the bonus features make online casino slot machines extra attractive: with free spins, extra wilds, multipliers and mystery prizes there is plenty to experience!
Introduction to online casino slot machines
There are a number of things you should know before you start playing slots. Below you find the most important need-to-knows.
Slot machine paylines
A payline is a combination of symbols that results in a win. Paylines can be simple and only run in horizontal lines, but they can also take zig-zag shapes running across the reels. A winning payline will pay only if has been activated.
Coins and credits
Players have to select the number of coins per payline. In some cases it’s set to 1 by default, but it’s also possible that the player can choose a number up to a certain maximum. The total coins wagered per spin is equal to the number of coins selected, multiplied with the number of paylines selected.
The player has to select the coin size within the range provided. The total credits wagered is equal to the total coins wagered multiplied by the coin size.
Slot machine scatter symbols
The scatter symbol is a key that can unlock various bonus features within an online casino slot game. Unlike symbols that have to be lined up on a payline in order to win, the scatter symbol only has to appear on the reels to open up e.g. free spins, a mini-game or other bonuses.
Wild symbols on online casino slot machines
The wild symbol has the power to substitute for most other symbols on the reels and in doing so, complete a winning payline that otherwise wouldn’t result in a win. Wild symbols can’t replace scatter symbols, free spin or other bonus symbols.
Free spins bonuses
Free spin bonus rounds are usually triggered when a specified sequence of symbols appears on the reels. In a free spins bonus round, the player is awarded a number of free spins, giving you extra chances to play, and win.
Multipliers
Online casino slot machines sometimes specify a symbol as a multiplier. If that symbol appears in a winning combination, then the payout is further multiplied.
Top 5 tips playing online slot machines
The tips below significantly increase the chances of winning on online casino slot machines.
Stick to your budget
This is by far the most important tip. Before you start playing the online casino slot machines for real money, set a budget and stick to it. When you run out of money, you stop gambling.
Don’t play too long
Stopping in time is difficult when you are gambling. If you are at a loss, you want to win it back, and if you are at a profit, you want to win more.
Therefore, agree a clear profit target with yourself. As soon as you have reached this target, go to the cash register and cash out.
Try online casino slot machines for free first
First become familiar with the rules of the game, the number of winning lines, the wagering levels and the bonus features. As soon as you know how everything works, you can start playing for real money.
Choose the suitable number of paylines
Too many winning lines can seem overwhelming, especially for newcomers. Therefore, choose an online casino slot machine with a limited number of paylines. If you have gained more experience, you can start playing slots with more paylines.
Choose the variance that suits you
An online casino slot machine with a low variance pays many small prices and rarely a high price. The risk profile is therefore low. A slot machine with a high variance is erratic; sometimes you get nothing at all for many turns in a row, and suddenly a big price. The risk profile is therefore high.
Low variance machine slots are generally very entertaining, with many (mini) bonus features. If you want to make a really good profit, it is better to play medium or even high variance machine slots.
Frequently Asked Questions about online casino slots
What is a payline?
The payline is a line that extends from one side of the slot window to the other. The icons under a payline must match in a particular order in order to win. Modern slot machines can have paylines with many different geometric shapes. Betting on more than one payline increases your odds of winning.
What is a paytable?
The paytable is a chart showing how much you’ll win on a bet of a certain value for each particular payline. Every online slot machine has a paytable that’s unique to its patterns – study it before you start playing.
What is a wild symbol?
A wild symbol is a specific icon that is a wild card. It substitutes for other symbols in order to help create winning combinations (paylines).
Is there a secret to winning jackpots?
No. Slot machines use a random number generator. No matter what other people tell you, there is nothing you can do to control the outcome of a slot machine.
What’s the right slot machine for me?
Primarily it’s the machine that will fit your budget and bankroll. Apart from that, it’s all about your personal preference.
A short history of slot machines
There are two widely accepted accounts of how slots first came about.
One is that the first slot machine was invented in 1887 by an American named Charles Fey. It was relatively simple, featuring three spinning reels and five symbols: a Liberty Bell (from which the machine took its name) along with a horseshoe, a heart, a diamond and a spade.
The other version is that Fey didn’t develop his machine until 1895, and that the first device was developed in 1891 by two Americans named Sitman and Pitt. This machine contained five drums holding a total of 50 card faces and was loosely based on poker. These 50 cards were featured on five spinning drums, which would display a five-card poker hand on each spin.
Other companies developed their own versions of these early devices, and the slots industry became truly established.
A notable development in the history of slot machines occurred when a Chicago-based manufacturer was the first to use fruit symbols on the reels. Even nowadays, many games feature fruit symbols.
Money Honey, developed in 1963, was the first fully electromechanical slot machine. Games could now be started by pressing a button rather than pulling a lever, and several new features were introduced. These included being able to hold reels for the subsequent spin or nudge reels to try to make winning combinations.
The electronic games evolved further and soon video slots appeared. The first electronic video slot was developed in 1976 by the Fortune Coin Company in Las Vegas.
The next big development was near the end of the 20th century, when online casinos rapidly gained popularity. Slots are among the most popular online casino games, with hundreds of different varieties found all over the internet.
Information on other online casino game(s):
Online Blackjack – Online Roulette – Online Poker Tables – Best Casinos in Ireland