Online casino slots are popular games on internet gaming platforms. Since their digitization, slots’ popularity has more than doubled. The first slots appeared in the 1990s and have grown into some of the most played casino games.
The return to player, commonly called RTP rating, is among the essential aspects of slot games. It indicates the funds that a player can receive for their initial deposit. Also, some casinos offer free spins, meaning a player can play without depositing any amount.
What’s more, slots come in different styles. For instance, you can play no download free online slots for fun or download and install a slot game app on your mobile device for easier access. Learning and understanding how different online casino slots work will help you choose the most appropriate game for you.
When you know about these games, you can select a slot with the right combination of theme, features, and bonuses to make the most of every amount you deposit. This guide highlights different categories of online casino slots.
Video Slots
Video slots are modern casino games that don’t require mechanical reels and levers. Activating these slot games requires the player to press a digital button. Video slots are prevalent today due to the availability of many online casinos.
Usually, video slots comprise at least five reels. One thing that attracts many gamers to these slot games is the presence of multiple pay lines. That means a player gets more winning chances when playing video slots.
Video slots appeared in the 1970s and foreran online slots because they are the typical machines in land-based casinos with a video screen rather than mechanical reels. Thus, five-reel slots or video slots are an improvement of classic machines. These slots are standard in most online casinos.
Their immense popularity is due to the varying maximum coins or prize lines. Also, their graphics, videos, and sounds attract some players. They are ideal games for experienced and new players. The presence of five reels increases the winning odds while making the bets last longer. Additionally, these games have higher jackpots.
Classic Slots
Some people call classic slots three-reel slots. These casino games are single-line slots, making playing them more straightforward. Also, some people call them one-armed bandits game due to the traditional mechanical machine name.
Initially, the machine had a lever that gamers pulled to spin. A classic slot is suitable for a new player that wants to try their luck in online gaming. Apart from being simple for most people to play, classic slots are enjoyable.
Three-reel games have varying symbols and basic rules that players find easy to understand and win lucrative prizes. Additionally, classic slots have progressive and generous jackpots. Landing three similar symbols can get a player the jackpot. Classic slots played a vital role in the gaming industry because they led to its expansion.
However, some players prefer classic slots even today since playing them is fast. Also, these casino games have an extremely high variance, meaning a player can risk losing everything quickly or win big. The initial handicap for three-reel slot games handicap was their low reels number which meant a reduction in possible combinations. Nevertheless, this improved with their advancement to five-reel classic slots.
Progressive Slots
Progressive slots are also popular online casino games. Some people call them progressive jackpot slots, and they are some of the most alluring games to play at online casinos. However, these games have a disadvantage. To qualify for a progressive accumulated jackpot, a player must wager the maximum amount.
Therefore, remember that you require a more significant investment to play this slot game than playing current and standard slot machines. When a gamer plays a progressive slot with a maximum wager, part of their wagered amount contributes to the total progressive jackpot. The jackpot comprises all better playing the game at a particular time.
Some online casinos and betting platforms work with marketers to show players the progressive jackpot amount accumulated with the game. The rest are the same as the other online slot machines. Generally, progressive slots have different themes and can have five or three reels.
Some online casinos connect several slot machines to the progressive jackpot using a network. Different casinos can run on the same network for the progressive jackpot. Although progressive jackpots sometimes go up to millions, the winning odds for such playouts are low. It’s almost like playing a lottery.
Interactive Slots
Interactive slots are also called i-slots. These games have become a critical development in the online slots gaming industry. Multi-reels and multi-pay lines come with a format that differs from other slots. These slots harness the modern computing devices’ features to allow players to craft their expanding storyline.
An interactive slot allows a player to spin different reels or participate in the game-advancing venture. Consequently, the slot game has become an entertaining online video game. A player with experience playing online video games can find i-slots reasonably easy to master.
Apart from the conventional reel component of slot games, some i-slots trigger bonus stages for players to participate in mini-games like mini-golf. A mini-game allows a gambler to increase the winnings.
Overall, i-slots don’t depend on chance in many ways, differentiating them from traditional slots. Instead, the player’s skills increase their profit-making odds. Most people call these games interactive slots because they allow players to bet miniature golf during the bonus rounds.
Virtual Reality Slots
Virtual reality is undoubtedly here and going nowhere. Online gaming is among the industries that have embraced virtual reality. Today, the internet features several virtual games and experiences. Thanks to this technology, people can now operate with special helmets, including Oculus Rift, Razer OSVR, Sony Play Station, and Samsung R.
Soundproof and isolated cases have multiple LED displays and a sound system. Their design aims to allow gamers to immerse in virtual reality completely. Thus, the technology simulates and even gets better than some real lives.
The application of this technology to online casino games allows players to enjoy a realistic experience similar to a land-based casino. A player gets into a room with many slot machines while providing a more natural interaction. For example, a game room can be on a skyscraper’s upper floor, and the player leans against a window between games. Therefore, the gamer can enjoy the virtual city’s skyline or drink in a virtual bar kicking back in a lounge.
Nevertheless, virtual reality is still new in the online gaming industry. But it’s safe in the short-term, though experts predict that the technology could help the industry boost profits.
3D Slot Games
A casino slots list is incomplete without the 3D version of this game. Many online casinos have slots with several three-dimensional elements. Online gaming software developers design these games in several ways. Popular culture, video games, and cinema inspire most 3D slots.
A careful look reveals that most 3D slots combine elements of several slot games, meaning you can find a 3D video slot with mini-games and multiple pay lines. Apart from their impressive graphics, 3D slots feature more details.
The first 3D slot appeared in the 1990s. However, these games are now modern casino games with better versions and better appearances. 3D slot developers use dynamic sound effects and colorful animations to enhance the game themes.
Multi-Pay Line Slots
People have played multi-pay line slots in land-based casinos for many years. Their primary advantage is allowing a gambler to increase the winning potential with 50 or 100 eligible pay lines. Nevertheless, some even have ten pay lines.
Six and Seven Reels Slot Games
Some people categorize online casino slots according to their reels number. Six and seven-reel slot games have changed the traditional reels’ norm. These slots have a similar grid structure to five-reel slot games, implying 6×3 and 7×3 setups. A player can form longer matches when a slot game has more reels. Combining six or seven reels with a five-reel slot’s features like wild symbol stacks or re-spins can bring an exciting experience.
Some six and seven-reel slots are beyond classic games, creating unique structures. And in this game, you have a better chance of having three or even more scatter symbols appearing in the game and triggering the free spin mode due to the reel structure.
Parting Shot
Each online casino slot has distinct features that differentiate it from the rest. However, most slot games have similar features like free spins, wild multipliers, sliding symbols, and bonus rounds. Therefore, a player should consider the slot game with additional or extra features that enhance their chances of winning big. Also, ensure that the slot you choose appeals to you the most to improve your online gaming experience. After all, online gaming should be about fun, with the possibility of winning. But if you’re unsure about the features and the experience an online casino slot brings, experiment with several games until you identify one that suits you.
