It’s no surprise that slots have exploded in popularity in recent years. Slots are, by far, the most popular type of casino game you’ll find online, and there are, today, thousands of different online slots available!
In this beginner’s guide, we will show the basics of how to play slots online. We will provide you need to know before playing slots – and we’ll share some slots tips to help you find the right game, and the right site!
How to Play Slots: The Basics
We can give you all the online slot tips in the world, but if you don’t understand the basics of how the games actually work, they likely won’t help you much! To kick off this page, we’re going to walk you through some of the basics you need to understand before playing online slots.
Slot Machine Mechanics Explained
When learning how to play slot machines, the first thing to know is the basic mechanics that go into slot games. Slot machines consist of reels, which are the vertical sections that spin when you press the “spin” button. Older slots often have just three reels, while more modern slots usually have five or more.
Paylines are the lines on which winning symbol combinations must land to award a payout. Symbols are the images that appear on the reels, and it’s these symbols that help you to form wins. The symbols on each slot machine are different, and landing matching symbols on a payline according to the game’s paytable will result in a win.
The amount of money you can bet on each spin – and the potential payouts – are determined by the number of paylines and the value of the symbols. Today, many of the top slot providers get pretty creative with payline setups and symbol payouts – Big Time Gaming being a prime example!
Types of Online Slots
There are several types of online slots available at online casinos. Below, you can find a brief overview of each:
Classic slots are the least common. They’re often designed around a traditional 3-reel, single payline machine, similar to those found in land-based casinos.
Video slots are the most common type of online slot. They are more advanced, often containing five or more reels, multiple paylines. Common features include and, in most free spins or “pick ‘em” rounds.
Progressive jackpot slots online are connected across a network, with a portion of each bet contributing to a growing jackpot until it’s won. Some progressive jackpots can reach millions of pounds – with Microgaming’s Mega Moolah being the world’s best known jackpot slot.
Return To Player Rate
RTP, or Return to Player, is a percentage showing how much money wagered on a slot is returned to players over time. For example, a slot with a 96% RTP will theoretically pay back £96 for every £100 wagered – in the long run.
However, it’s important to remember that this is a long-term average and doesn’t mean you’ll win 96% of the time. A game’s RTP is calculated over millions of spins, so in the short term it has a much smaller impact.
Slots with higher RTPs generally offer better value. However, it’s still possible to win or lose on any individual spin.
The best RTP slots can have percentages as high as 98% or more. In fact, one of the best online slot tips we can give you, is to try and avoid machines with an RTP of less than 96%.
Online Slot Features and Gameplay
We’ll show you how to play slots shortly. But first, we’re going to walk you through common slot features you’ll find – and a look at the actual gameplay.
Common Slot Themes
One of the reasons online slots have become so popular is down to the flexibility of game developers. Online slots can be based on virtually any theme imaginable, from classic fruit machines to historic adventures, fictional characters, and more!
Ancient Egypt is a popular theme, with slots often featuring pyramids, pharaohs, and hieroglyphics. Some game developers have even licensed themes from well known entertainment networks. Consequently, allowing you to enjoy slots featuring your favourite TV characters, rock stars, and video games!
Special Features
Online slots are often packed with special features designed to maximise excitement – and win potential. Wild symbols are a common feature, and these substitute for other symbols to help you form winning combinations.
Scatter symbols are another popular feature that can trigger bonus rounds or free spins – usually, when a certain number lands on the reels. Expanding symbols are also pretty common – expanding to cover the entire reel they land on. Some slots also have cascading reels, where winning symbols disappear and are replaced by new ones, potentially leading to multiple wins on a single spin.
Bonus Rounds and Free Spins
One of the biggest benefits of playing online slots is the addition of one or more bonus rounds. These features are special games within a slot that usually offer you the chance to win far more money than you would be able to in the standard base game.
Bonus rounds can take many forms, including prize wheels, “Pick me Bonuses”, instant cash prizes, or even mini-games! Free spins, on the other hand, are exactly what they sound like. A number of rounds that you can play for free, with any winnings added to your balance.
Landing a certain number of scatter symbols often triggers both bonuses and free spins. In the case of free spins, you’ll often get additional perks, like multipliers, expanding or sticky wilds, or the ability to re-trigger more free spins.
How To Play Slots Online
1. Choose Where To Play
The first step in playing online slots is deciding where to play. With numerous online slot sites available, you’ll always want to make sure to choose a reputable, licensed, and secure platform.
Look for sites with online slots from top slot providers, generous bonuses and promotions, and reliable customer support.
2. Select Your Preferred Game
Once you’ve chosen a slots site, browse through their slot selection to find a game that appeals to you. Think about things like the theme, graphics, features, and win potential.
If you’re looking for the best value, keep an eye out for slot sites with no wagering requirements on their bonuses, as this will allow you to cash out any winnings instantly.
3. Select Your Bet Size
Before spinning the reels, you’ll need to decide how much you want to bet. Slots allow you to adjust your bet size by changing the number of paylines you’re playing, the amount you’re betting per line, or both. The total bet is the number of paylines multiplied by the bet per line.
In most cases, your odds of winning remain the same, regardless of your bet size. The only exception to this is in a few progressive jackpot slots, where your odds of hitting a jackpot can sometimes improve with higher stakes.
4. Begin Spinning
With your bet size set, you’re ready to start playing. Click the “spin” button to play. If you land a winning combination on a payline, the game’s paytable will award you a payout.
If you trigger a bonus round, like free spins, winnings will be credited to your online casino balance once the bonus has finished playing out.
Bonuses and Promotions at Slots Sites
Most online casinos and slots sites offer a variety of bonuses and promotions to attract new players and reward existing ones. When used correctly, these bonuses can provide you with fantastic extra value.
When searching for the best slots bonus in the UK, consider factors like bonus size, wagering requirements, and game restrictions. Below, we’ll share some online slot tips to keep in mind when claiming bonuses:
Types of Bonuses
You’ll find numerous bonuses and promotions when playing at slots sites – each with their own pros and cons. The first promotion you’ll likely come across is welcome bonuses. Welcome bonuses are offered to new players when they sign up.
The most common welcome bonus is a deposit bonus where new customers receive a percentage of their first deposit as a bonus. Some sites will also include free spins as part of their welcome bonus package.
Some sites offer no-deposit bonuses, including free slots with no deposit required – allowing you to play real money games without risking any of your own cash!
Reload bonuses are promotions offered to existing players who make additional deposits, while cashback bonuses return a portion of your losses to you, from a specified time frame.
Terms and Conditions
Whenever online casinos offer bonuses, there will be terms and conditions attached. It’s crucial you take time to read these terms to understand the limits of the bonus. In particular, it’s important to know what you can and cannot do while using bonus funds.
The most common term you’ll come across is wagering requirements. These dictate the number of times you must play through the bonus funds before you can withdraw any money.
Another common term attached to bonuses is game restrictions. This may restrict the games you can play while using a bonus.
Other common terms include maximum cashouts (the amount you can withdraw from a bonus), time frames (the time you have to finish a bonus’ wagering requirements), and maximum bet restrictions (the maximum bet you can place while using bonus funds).
How to Get the Most From Bonuses
If you want to win at slots while using a bonus, there’s a few things to consider. Firstly, you’ll want to think about the value of bonuses. Try to look for offers with low or no wagering requirements. This will allow you to convert your bonus funds to cash, faster.
Slots free spins are an excellent way to try new slots without risking your own cash, so they’re always worth looking for. Although some sites may call them extra, or bonus spins. This is because of strict advertising regulations from the United Kingdom Gambling Commission.
Lastly, remember that bonuses aren’t always worth claiming. Don’t be afraid to refuse a bonus if the wagering requirements are extremely high, or if your favourite games can’t be played while using bonus funds.
How To Play Slot Machines Responsibly
While playing new online slots in the UK can be incredibly exciting, you should always play responsibly. Before you even begin playing, set a budget that you can comfortably afford to lose and stick to it. This ensures that you don’t accidentally end up spending more than you want to.
We’d also strongly recommend taking advantage of responsible gambling tools, like deposit, loss, and wager limits. These are mandatory tools that UK-based slots sites must offer, and they allow you to maintain control over your online gambling.
Even if you don’t think you’re at risk of problem gambling, we strongly advise setting them up before you begin playing.
At Punters Lounge, we support responsible gambling. If you’re concerned about your gambling, please visit GamCare, Gamble Aware, and Gamblers Anonymous for more information.
Free Play Slots vs. Real-Money Slots
Free play slots allow you to enjoy the best video slots without risking any real money. These games are perfect for trying out new titles, practising strategies, or simply enjoying the thrill of spinning the reels. However, while free play slots can be fun, they don’t offer you the chance to win real cash.
On the other hand, real-money slots do. Although, you do need to wager money to be able to play them.
Thankfully, most slots sites allow you to try all real money games in free play (demo) mode, so you can test them out before spending your own money on them.
Final Thoughts: How To Play Slot Games
As you can see, playing online slots is simple, straightforward, and fun! By understanding the basics of slot mechanics, choosing reputable casinos, and taking advantage of promotions, you can enhance your gaming experience.
Remember to always set a budget, utilise responsible gambling tools, and prioritise fun over profit.
So, now you know the basics in how to play slots successfully, it’s time to choose an online casino to play at. Read our guide to best slot sites in the UK to find the right one for you.
