Slot Rules: Learn How to Play Casino Slot Machines

Slot machines top the list when it comes to the most attractive casino games for gamblers, both online and in land-based casinos. 

The reason why most players prefer to spend their money on slots is that they are fun and easy to play. Players also love the thrill and suspense that come with every spin of the game. Besides, the fact that there are thousands of machines to choose from makes the game more appealing. 

As already mentioned, you do not have to be a seasoned gambler to play slots. They are simple games that you can play even on your first attempt at casino gambling. All you need is some knowledge of the basic rules of the game and you will be good to go. For those who have never played slot machines before, you can start by learning the nitty-gritty of the game here. 

Aim of the Game 

Being a veteran slot player starts with knowing what you need to do to win the game. 

If you look at a slot machine, you will see that it has a screen with graphics of different colors and shapes. The object of the game is to land a set of symbols in a specified arrangement. Most slot machines, for example, will require the player to align the icons horizontally or diagonally, starting from the left-most reel. However, some modern machines pay both ways, meaning that they award payouts for right-to-left arrangements as well. 

Also, some software providers like Net Entertainment have developed special slot machines that pay for cluster arrangements. Whichever slot you decide to play, it is advisable to check the rules of the game to understand what is expected of you. 

Different Types of Machines 

Now that you know the objective of the game, the next step is to find a slot machine to play. 

Slot machines are developed by different gambling software companies and they vary by theme, design, and paying mechanism. Generally, these different types of gaming machines are grouped into three broad categories. 

1. Classic slots: These are the retro-style old-school type of machines that resemble the early slots found in Las-Vegas casinos. They are simple in design, and they use standard symbols like fruits, bells, and bars. A majority have three reels and one to three paylines. 
2. Video slots: These are more advanced slot machines with five or more reels and a myriad of exciting features. They have stunning graphics, multiple paylines, and an array of bonus features. 
3. Progressive jackpot slots: Progressive jackpots are video slot machines with very high paying potential. When playing these slots, a percentage of your bet goes to the jackpot prize, and the pool increases as more players spin the machine. Examples of popular progressive slots are Mega Moolah by Microgaming and NetEnt’s Divine Fortune. 

Rules of the Game When Playing Slot Machines

Whether you decide to play a classic three-reel game or a progressive jackpot, the rules of engagement for slot machines are pretty much the same. 

Here are some things that you need to know before you can start spinning the reels. 

Paylines

This refers to the number of possible winning combinations in a machine. A slot can have 1, 3, 9, 10, 20, 25, 40, or 50 paylines. Some video slots with multiway extra features have as many as 243 and 1024 paylines. 

Betting

Slot machines use credits or coins for wagers, and a player has to set a bet before hitting the spin button. As a rule, you have to wager on every active payline in the game. When playing slots online, you can decrease or increase your stake by clicking on the BET/STAKE button. 

RTP

RTP stands for return-to-player and it is expressed in percentage. The value refers to the theoretical payout rate of the machine. Machines with higher RTP factors tend to pay better than those with lower RTP. 

Variance

Some developers disclose the variance or volatility of the game in the rules. The volatility describes how a slot machine disperses the payouts. 

Usually, low volatility machines hit frequently during the gameplay, but the payout amounts are generally smaller. 

High volatility slots, on the other hand, take time to hit but the amount is pretty huge when it comes. 

Wild symbols

These are special symbols that help to complete winning lines by substituting the standard icons on the paylines. Some machines also pay for an exclusive combination of wild symbols. 

Scatter symbols

Scatters are special symbols as well. They are the icons that trigger bonus features. 

Bonus features

These are the extra features that help to boost your payout in the game. Examples of bonus features in slots include free spins, multipliers, sticky wilds, expanding wilds, stacked wilds, expanding reels, and progressive jackpots. 

Bonus game

This is an interactive bonus round that requires you to use some skill to win a cash prize. It is triggered by a set of scatter symbols or special bonus icons. 

Slot Strategies

Usually, slot machines are categorized as games of chance because they use a technology called Random Number Generator or simply RNG to pick out the winning combination in each round. This technology makes it impossible to use cheats and tricks to win. 

However, this does not mean that players cannot employ some general strategies to enhance their gambling experience. 

Below are some simple strategies for both starters and seasoned slot players. 

1. Consider the RTP of the slot machines before playing. Generally, slots with RTP of 96% or higher pay better than those with lower factors.
2. Play the maximum lines to enhance your chances of landing a winning combination with each spin. 
3. Select the size of your bet according to the volatility of the machine. It is best to play with moderate bets if you are playing a high-variance slot so that you don’t exhaust your bankroll too soon. For low volatility slots, you can use larger bets to boost your payout.
4. Avoid flashy slots: Generally, simple slots with fast gameplay tend to pay better than the flashy machines with loads of features and animations. 
5. Try out the free-play version of the game before playing for real money. This will help you to master the mechanics of the game and learn its payout behavior before putting your money on the line. 
6. Have a budget and only bet what are ready to lose.