The Basics of Slots

Slot machines have become an extremely popular gambling attraction and light up nearly every casino and online gambling site worldwide. This flashy gambling game combines low betting minimums with an enjoyable simplicity to meet any gambler's fancy. Slots also offer a wide variety of game types. These unique characteristics separate slot machines from other gambling games as a classic casino pastime for all sorts of gamblers.

A variation of the slot machine appeared as early as 1887. Modern slot machines developed from this initial design and have since boomed throughout casinos and gambling sites everywhere. The traditional slot machine model was operated by a single lever located on its side. These machines are thus the source of the nickname "one-armed bandits."

Online Slots

Traditional casino slot machines consist of a series of reels and a single lever on the side. Once the lever is pulled the reels are set into motion. Each reel consists of a variety of symbols. When the reels stop spinning, the combinations of the symbols determine the outcome for the player. The goal is to match the combination according to the slot game's rules in order to win money from the machine.

Slot machines are featured in both land-based casinos and online gambling sites. Online slots differ from traditional casino slot machines in a few ways. Rather than the single lever used in the original casino slot model, these online video slots often utilize a button on the front panel. However, many modern slot machines still feature the historical lever in addition to this button.

Online video slots are the most widespread form of video slot machines used to date. These types of video slot machines are used in both online gambling sites and live casinos. Online video slots use computer images to represent the reels. The resting places of the symbols are determined by a Random Number Generator (RNG) contained in the slot machine's software. These video slots are reminiscent of the traditional model, but this is simply for show as everything is digital.

There are obvious advantages to online slots sites over the traditional machine models. For example, an electronic slot machine provides the convenience of keeping track of your winnings for you. This means you do not have to cart around buckets of coins as you gamble. The ease of electronic gambling is a common advantage you will find on any online casino gambling site.

Slot Machine Payout

Slot machines are required to have a minimum payout percentage by law. The specific percentage may vary based on location, but most slot machines payout between 80-90%. Many slots even maintain a payout rate as high as 98%, as competition between slot machines has driven these percentages up. Online gambling sites can also uphold a higher payout percentage because they have a lower cost of operation.

Slot machine payouts vary based on the game type. Often specific symbol combinations correlate to specific payout rates. However, there are certain slot machines that feature a progressive jackpot. These jackpots grow each time the slot machine is played and the jackpot is not won. Progressive jackpots are discussed below.

Progressive Jackpots

Progressive jackpots are a highlight of linked slot machines. Progressive linked video slot machines offer the largest payouts. These slot machines can be linked across the floor of a casino or even across multiple casinos. Online gambling sites may also include these linked progressive slot machines. Linking slot machines together allows each slot machine in the group to contribute a small amount to the progressive jackpot. The payout from this jack pot is thus much larger than it would be from any single slot machine.

Progressive jackpots are much harder to win but the payouts are much more substantial. These linked jack pots can grow exceptionally large in online gambling sites. Depending on the volume of an online casino, online video slots at these gambling sites can reach huge progressive jackpots- sometimes multi-million dollars.

Slot Machine Strategy and Tips

Slot machines are completely randomized and a lot of false strategies exist that are similar to those seen with online Roulette and Keno. There is no guaranteed method of winning, but some slots strategy can help you get the most out of your experience.

One common misconception with both live and online slots is that machines that haven't won in a while are due to win. This is a false strategy. Each spin is treated separately and has the exact same chance of winning.

A sneaky technique with online slot machines can be seen in casinos and gambling sites worldwide. This is a very simple tactic in which high-paying jackpot symbols are placed next to the most common and lowest paying symbols. This causes players who get the common symbols to think they just missed hitting the big jack pot. It is a very tricky technique and does not have any impact on your chances of winning.

Always remember that online video slots are entirely random and there is no winning slot machine strategy. Many false strategies promise to increase your odds of winning but these should be avoided at all times. Video slots at online gambling sites can be very entertaining and some people do get lucky, but slots should never be anything more than that-a source of entertainment.

Additional Casino Games

If you enjoy the fast paced excitement of video slots, you will love our other online casino games. Learn more about the rules and strategy behind each of these games below.