How to Play Online Slots: Beginner’s Guide

How to Play Slot Machines and Online Slots

Once you know how to play online slots, the process will become second nature. However, at first glance, selecting a slot and playing could seem a bit confusing. I’ve got you covered with my three-step guide to playing.

Step 1 - Pick a Theme and Gameplay Style

There are two factors that can help you pick a slot. First, consider the game’s theme. There are many to choose from, but some of the most popular ones include Asia, mythology, ancient Egypt, seasons and holidays, adventure and animals. You can also find titles based on famous music acts, TV shows and films.

To narrow the selection further, you can choose your slot based on the mechanics or gameplay. For example, a Megaways slot will have thousands of paylines. A classic slot will keep it simple with basic features. A cluster pays format means you need to land a number of matching symbols in a group on the reels and not on a payline.

Step 2 - Read the Game Stats and Rules

Checking the game information before you start is the best way to know exactly how to proceed. The paytable will tell you about the paylines and the symbols so you know what to look out for to win. 

The rules will also tell you about the minimum and maximum bet amounts, which direction the paylines run and the RTP.

The game info will explain the special symbols and bonus rounds in the slot. You’ll need to read them to know how they work, what triggers them, and what to expect. You’ll also get an idea of how to win the maximum payout or any jackpots.

Step 3 - Make Your Bet and Spin

Now that you understand the rules of the game and what to look out for, it’s time to place your bet. Use the plus and minus arrows to adjust your bet amount. Keep in mind that some slots allow you to adjust the number of paylines and your bet per line, whereas others provide controls for your total bet only.

Once you’re happy with your bet, it’s time to spin the reels. The big circular button is the one you’re looking for to start the action. Once the symbols settle in place, any wins on any of the paylines will be announced and added to your balance.

How to Receive Payouts From Slots

When you play at an online casino, your winnings will be added to your balance, as shown in the game. After you close the slot, you’ll see any winnings added to your casino balance. From there, you can withdraw them by following the simple steps below.

• Head to your profile at the casino and visit the cashier

• Check your balance and choose the withdrawal option

• Choose your withdrawal method from the available options

• Enter the amount

• Check the details and confirm

• Wait for your funds to arrive

Easy Slots to Play for 2024

It’s time to put your new-found knowledge of how to play the best online slots to the test. I’ve gathered together some options that are a lot of fun and easy to play.

How to Play Slots for Free

One of the best ways to get familiar with the games is to practice with the free slots version. It means you won’t be risking your money when you bet, so you can try it out without worrying about losing anything.

You can get a feel for a slot by trying it in demo mode on this site, on the software provider’s site or at some online casinos after you’ve logged in. Launch the ‘for fun’, ‘free play’ or demo version of the game to play with free credits, but remember there won’t be any real money winnings.

How to Play Slots for Real Money

Once you feel comfortable playing slots for free, you can move on to real money versions of the game. When you spin, you’ll be betting your money from the amount you deposited at the casino.

To find real money slots, head to one of the casinos on my list. Register for an account, deposit and use my tips above to browse the game library. Once you’ve picked your slots, set your bet amount and start spinning. Your real money bets will get you real money winnings if you land matching symbols.

How Do Online Slots Work?

So far, I’ve talked about how to play online slots based on choosing a title that you like. It’s time to take a closer look at the terms that you’ll encounter while playing.

Slot RTP Explained

Each slot has an RTP, which means ‘return to player’. It’s a theoretical number that tells you how much you could get as a return. For example, a slot with a high RTP percentage of 96% RTP will, in theory, pay back 96p for every £1 wagered, but only over a long period (hundreds, even thousands, of spins).

Slot RNG Explained

Slots use an algorithm called ‘RNG’, which stands for Random Number Generator. It ensures that no two spins have the same result.

Slot Volatility Explained

You’ll often see slots divided into categories based on volatility: high, medium and low volatility slot games. The term describes the frequency and size of wins, with low slots being more frequent but smaller wins, and high volatility games giving less frequent payouts that can be larger in size. 

Coin Value Explained

Some titles will show your bets in pounds and pence. However, there are others that set their own coin value for the game. In these cases, the coin values are set at specific increments. For example, if you set the coin value to £1 on a slot with 20 paylines, your total bet will be £20. 

If you have the option to reduce the paylines, your coin value will stay at £1, but the total bet will adjust accordingly. For example, £15 in total for 15 paylines. It matters because your wins in a base game will usually be paid against your bet per line and not based on your total bet. 

How Do Paylines Work?

Paylines usually run across the reels from left to right, although some slots pay both ways. By checking the paytable, you can see the directions that the paylines take. They show you where your matching combinations of symbols need to land for you to receive a payout. 

Slots can have any number of paylines from one up to 50 or more. Not all games have paylines, as some slots pay for symbols in any position, such as in the case of Megaways, or in a cluster.

How Does a Slot Paytable Work?

A slot paytable shows you three essential aspects of slot play.

• Different types of symbols 

• How many you need to land

• How much they payout

The symbols are the main things that get you your wins on the reels. They can usually be divided into two categories: low paying and high paying. The low-paying ones might be playing cards, such as 10, J, Q, K and A. The high-paying ones often relate more closely to the theme or characters.

Most slots require you to land three or more symbols on a payline. The paytable also shows you the paylines and their positions.

Guide to Slot Bonus Symbols

The main symbols and slot terms are only half of the story. Many titles also include special features, which you’ll need to understand to fully appreciate the game.

Multipliers

A multiplier might feature in the base game or a bonus round. It’ll be represented as a number, for example, 3x. It means your winnings from that spin or round will be multiplied by three.

Wilds

To know how to play online slots, you need to learn about one of the most popular features; the wild. It’s a special symbol in a game that can substitute for the other paying symbols except bonus symbols. It might also pay out a large amount itself. Wilds can be stacked to fill the reels or expand to cover more than one section.

Scatters

A scatter is any special symbol that pays out if you land a certain number, no matter whether they’re on a payline or not. In most slots, three or more scatters also act as the trigger for a free spins round or bonus game. 

Jackpots & Progressive Jackpots

Jackpots and progressive jackpots are specific types of slots. Fixed jackpots have set pots of money, often labelled mini, minor, major and mega jackpots, that you can win through random triggers or bonus games. Progressive jackpots don’t have a fixed pot of money. Instead, these slots have payouts that increase with a portion of each bet made anytime it’s played by someone.

Bonus Rounds

The base game is where any slot starts, but they also often have a second set of reels or a different format altogether, which is the bonus round. You trigger these games randomly or by landing specific symbols. 

The round could include free spins, multipliers, or a format known as a pick feature, where you turn over symbols until you find three matching ones to determine your prize. Many slots match the bonus round with the theme of the game.

Responsible Gaming with Online Slots

The final piece of the puzzle is to learn how to play online slots responsibly. I’ve got some tips to show you how to enjoy your time playing while staying safe.

Top Slot Safety Tips

To stay safe playing slots, I recommend setting a bankroll before you start. It helps to consider how much you want to bet and how long you’d like to play. Only bet what you feel comfortable losing. 

Losses are part of the experience, but it’s important not to chase wins afterwards to try to get the money back. The best approach to take is to quit while you’re ahead and while playing is still fun. Don’t play any kind of gambling game if you’re angry or upset.

Use a Deposit Limit

You can set a deposit limit using controls available in your casino account. Setting one up has several advantages. It means you won’t go above the pre-set amount that you chose before you started playing. 

Take care to ensure that the deposit limits you set don’t prevent you from triggering bonuses that you’d like to claim.

Use a Loss Limit

A loss limit can be more flexible and also more precise than a deposit limit. It means you’re setting a threshold for the amount you can lose in a session, day or week. Once you hit your loss limit, you won’t be able to bet more until the period that the limit applies to has passed. 

What Other Responsible Gambling Tools Are Available?

Besides the tools mentioned above, you can find other options to control your gambling to keep your slot play responsible. Session alerts to show you how long you’ve been playing, also known as reality checks, are useful to help you recognise how much you’ve spent and when it’s time to stop.

Time-outs are also a good tool to take a break from playing slots, especially if you feel that your behaviour towards gambling is changing. A questionnaire can help you spot the signs of problem gambling. If you feel you have an issue, self-exclusion is the route to take to prevent yourself from accessing a casino.

FAQ About Playing Online Slots

Before you go off on an exciting adventure to explore casinos and slots, I have some crucial information. Check out the most-frequently asked questions below.