While plenty of people enjoy some kind of gaming, there’s no denying that online slots are a small part of the gaming world. In the UK, only three percent of people regularly take part in playing online slots, with a similar amount playing other online games like bingo.
However, that is still over 1.2 million people playing, and when you add up everyone else around the world you realise that online slots are a big deal. It’s estimated that online casinos will reach nearly 140 million users worldwide by 2029, making this a significant global market.
Part of the struggle with reaching new people is that starting out with online slots can be intimidating, as new users quickly find themselves struggling with concepts and terminology they’re not used to. However, if you’re looking to get involved with the world of online slots, this guide will help you get started without all the stress.
The basics: How do slots work?
To begin with, it’s important to understand exactly what slots are and how they work. Online slots are a simulated version of the slot machines that often exist in physical locations like pubs and casinos, which work by spinning different reels covered in symbols.
If the symbols on the reels line up – for example, if you spin three reels and all three reveal a bell – the player wins a prize. The exact prize is usually higher depending on the amount you have to pay to play, but sometimes other things can affect this like how likely the game is to pay out.
Online slots work almost exactly the same; the only difference is that the spinning reels are virtual. Starting the game causes each reel to generate symbols, and if they line up, you win.
Usually three symbols will be visible on each reel, leading to a number of different ‘paylines’. These are lines across which you can potentially match symbols; for example, if you’re playing a game with diagonal paylines then you will be able to win if you match symbols in a diagonal line across the three reels, rather than just the horizontal line across the middle.
The symbols are sorted by rarity, with some coming up more frequently than others. This generally leads to higher prizes for matching the less common symbols.
There are sometimes also ‘wild’ and/or ‘bonus’ symbols, which can mean different things depending on the game. Some can count as any symbol, while others might add money to your prize if they’re included in a winning line, or trigger a bonus round.
The combination of symbols that lead to a win – and how much they pay out – can be found on the game’s ‘paytable’. It’s always a good idea to study the paytable before you play any game, so you can understand what exactly you need to do to win.
Getting started with online slots
Once you understand the game, the first step is to find a casino site that you trust and sign up. Make sure you look for reviews of the casino sites and choose one that is reliable and trustworthy.
Next, you need to choose a game out of the hundreds – or even thousands – of slots available. This might seem intimidating, but there are some tricks to choosing the right option for you.
First of all, look for popular games with lots of players. These are often simple games with mechanics that are easy to understand, making them great for beginners.
Failing that, you can always look at the description of each slot before you start playing to see if it matches what you’re looking for.
Once you’ve picked a game, set yourself a budget before you start playing, or a rule for when you’re going to stop. The last thing you want is for you to get a win, then keep playing too long and end up losing most of your prize.
One good tip can be setting yourself a win and a loss limit; in other words, an amount of money that you’ll stop playing if you win, and an amount that you’ll stop if you lose. That ensures you’re being strategic about your gaming, rather than going in without a plan.
The last thing you need to do before playing is make sure you’ve properly read and understood the game’s paytable. By understanding which symbols pay out which amounts, you’ll be much better placed to play the game without making any mistakes.
That’s it; you’re now ready to pay your stake and start the game. Hopefully you’ll have a wonderful time with this new gaming market.