Playing online slots is one of the first things that new customers to online casinos want to do – slot games are fast and fun, they require little to no previous knowledge to play, and as they are based on random number generation and algorithms, they are all about chance rather than skill.
Slot games have existed in some form for well over a century, with the earliest slot machines involving levers and mechanisms. In fact, the first slot machine was invented by a mechanic from San Francisco back in 1894. Charles August Fey is credited with not only inventing the first slot machine, but also giving us some of the iconic imagery we know and love – such as the Liberty Bell and the playing card suits.
Of course, slot machines have come a long way since then, and even the machines that you might find in a land-based casino are all built around code and algorithms, which makes them provably fair – and this is something that you can take advantage of if you know what you are doing.
Firstly, the initial skill you need to use is being sensible enough to choose the right online casino. There are potentially dozens of online casinos available for you, and they all want to tempt you into playing with them.
You need to make sure that the one you choose is licensed and regulated for your geographical location to start with. This means that you are protected by local legislation, and the provider has to follow certain rules to help protect your personal and financial data as well as making sure the games are fair.
There will often be promotions on offer for new customers too – look out for these as they could boost your deposit or give you free spins, but they often have wagering requirements which could mean you spend more than you would like.
Slot games are usually themed. While some are just classic reels where you need to match certain symbols, you can find themed slots as wide ranging as movies and TV shows right through to space exploration and fishing – and everything in between.
If you are trying a new slot game, practicing on the demo mode is a good way to see if the game is right for you without risking your bankroll.
The paytable is the place to look when you are checking out a new game. Not only will it explain the rules, but it will also let you know what the betting looks like, what symbols you are looking for, and how many paylines there are.
Paylines can range from 1 (through the middle of the screen) to hundreds of thousands – it all depends on the game.
You will also be able to see if there are any bonus games or extras that you can go for.
While the spinning reels can land you a win, bonus games are often extras that can boost your prize pot and add another layer of fun.
However, not all slot games offer bonus levels, so you need to know if that is something your chosen game has.
An often-overlooked skill is understanding how likely a win is going to be on a slot game. When you consider that the games are based on algorithms, so there is no actual ‘skill’ involved, it is simply a case of getting the math right – and that is where the Return To Player (RTP) rate comes in. This is displayed as a percentage (for example 96%) and shows you how much is returned for every 100 units. While this does not mean that it will pay regularly, the higher the RTP rate the better for you.
The biggest skill is knowing that you are playing with real money, and that you are setting limits and budgets. You cannot win them all, and chasing losses is one of the biggest problems that you can have when you are playing.
Set sensible limits, only bet as much as you can afford to lose, and do not fall into the trap of ‘one more spin’.
If you search online for slot machine strategy, you will find any number of people selling courses and books about slot machines and how to win – but with modern games, there is no such thing as strategy.
Do not put too much faith in someone who claims to have made millions a couple of decades ago in Vegas.
No matter what, when you are playing online slots or any other casino game, you want to be having fun – but if you aren’t, then it is time to be skillful enough to understand that it is time to stop.
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
