Need to know all about slots? You’ve come to the right place! In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about slots—from odds to reels to wins—get the knowledge you need to spin like royalty.
Slot machines are by far the most popular casino game, having surpassed table games due to speed, ease, and accessibility. This is because slots are plentiful and can be found in ‘prime seating’ locations by casino entrances, making them not only cheaper and easy to play, but also highly accessible.
At Fortune’s Ultimate Slots, we put the reels and riches of great rulers in the palm of your hand; at work, at home, on vacation, and anywhere you have a mobile device.
WHAT ARE SLOTS?
Slots are gaming machines that generate random combinations of symbols on a dial, where certain combinations result in wins. The odds of winning on a physical slot machine are around 1 in 49,836,032. The average return-to-player (RTP) rate is usually 92–97%, with online slots having better payout percentages than casino machines. Online casinos like ours have a paytable in every game, where you can read about payout rates, prizes, and bonus features for that slot. You can find the paytable for our slot games by clicking the “i” button inside that slot.
THE BIRTH OF SLOT MACHINES
It’s widely known and accepted that Charles Fey is the father of modern slots, creating the Liberty Bell (or the first “nickel-operated machine”) in 1887 in San Francisco. Slots became an instant hit, and the inventor opened a production factory to manufacture them. These machines do not differ much from modern ones, with similar reels and symbols.
DID YOU KNOW?
Slot machines go by many names! “Slot machine” or simply “slots” are American and Canadian English, while “fruit machine” or “fruities” are more common in British English. In Scottish English, these are referred to as “puggies,” and in Australia and New Zealand, you might hear them called “poker machines” or “pokies,” though these are still the same type of gambling machines. Slots have also been called “one-arm bandits” for their large levers used to spin earlier mechanical slot machines.
Land-based versus online slots
Simply put, land-based slot machines are those that you find in casinos that you visit in person. Whether you’re taking a weekend trip to Las Vegas or Atlantic City with friends or bigger trips to far-off gambling centers such as Macau, the slot machines you play in casinos are land-based.
Land-based slot machines go all the way back to the late 1800s in San Francisco, where they were first kept in store entrances to entertain people who were passing by. Early slot machines gave winnings in the form of chewing gum and golf balls before cash prizes became common.
The earliest slot machine technology was made of mechanical reels powered by random number generators. As computer technology became more advanced, computerized video slots have changed the slot-playing experience for the better. Gameplay has become richer and more diverse with complex game themes. Moreover, the jackpot potential is bigger because machines aren’t limited to how many reels can physically fit into the back of the machine.
As the years went on and technology became more advanced, slot machines have become popular in casinos all over the world. In many places, they have become even more popular than table games such as poker and blackjack. Not only are they fun, but they often offer the opportunity for big jackpots on small wagers without too much skill.
Online slots have taken slot machines to the next level. First of all, they offer players the opportunity to play 24/7, whenever, wherever. It is not always easy to travel to a casino to play the slots, but players who are interested can now get the same experience from the comfort of their own living room. Whether you want to play on your computer or phone, online slots offer a thrilling entertainment experience from anywhere in the world. Online slots are based on constantly evolving technology that engages players with new, changing themes and fun features. Play experiences online are more varied, which means that you’ll never be bored with the same thing twice. That’s why millions of people all over the world love to be entertained by online slots.
POPULARITY of slot machines
So why are slots so popular? For starters, they are easy to play! Just insert or set your bet and push the button or pull the lever, depending on machine design. This ease also factors into the time it takes to play. It is possible to place over 500 bets an hour on a slot machine, and even more when there are not many bonus activities.
Minimum bet requirements for slots also add to their attraction. You can play a short, quick round with the chance at a jackpot or huge prize for a lower fee than table games. Casinos make their games attractive with sounds, art, lights, and the exciting surrounding casino floor environment. Online, slots are made with the same environment in mind, with the option to adjust settings as preferred. Slot designers build machines with player activity in mind, aiming for an engaging, stimulating, and overall fun experience where players feel a part of the action.
TYPES OF SLOTS
CLASSIC 3-REEL SLOTS
These are modeled after the original (physical) fruit machines as traditional 3-reel slots. These basic slots are easy to play and understand! To win, simply match symbols along the top, middle, or bottom line. Some people use these to relax, unwind, or reminisce. Traditional slot machines have physical reels as opposed to their video slot equivalents, though classic slots can now be found in both formats.
FLAT TOP SLOTS
Flat-top slots have a fixed top prize or jackpot, also known as a cash pot jackpot, standard jackpot, or non-progressive jackpot. These have a massive prize and are the only types of jackpots that do not grow or change in any way. The prize remains the same between players and can be won by playing. These jackpots may be lower than those of progressive slots, though the chance of winning the jackpot is far higher than the chance of winning a progressive jackpot.
5-REEL SLOTS
5-reel slots, or video slots, use a video to display 5 virtual reels. These can be found in casino slots as well as online ones.
Video slots typically have 5 reels, which allow for up to 100 paylines instead of just 1, creating more chances of winning. Paylines are winning combination patterns on the reels, and the more paylines you have, the better your chances are of winning. 5-reel slots include special symbols like WILD and SCATTER to provide even more ways to win. Be sure to read the paytable before you play to understand the game. 5-reel slots can become harder to follow as they vary in complexity and feature triggers.
BONUS FEATURE SLOTS
Bonus rounds are unique features in slot games where you can win without placing additional bets. These bonus rounds might include a mini-game or free spins, usually triggered by lining up special symbols such as a WILD (which substitutes for other symbols) or a SCATTER (which can trigger features or rewards). Bonus rounds offer a fast way to win additional payouts before returning to the base game.
Free spins are the most common bonus feature. Once triggered, wins accumulate as the reels spin without additional wagers. The triggering bet is used in calculating the wins, so higher bets can result in larger outcomes.
PROGRESSIVE SLOTS
Most slots have fixed jackpots that can be won without affecting future payouts. Progressive slots have jackpots that increase over time as the game is played. The value of the jackpot increases with each spin that does not win, accumulating until it is awarded.
ONLINE SLOTS
Online slots are becoming more popular each year, being preferred by some slot players over land-based ones. Is there any difference between physical and online slots? The answer is yes. Online slots offer several advantages over land-based ones, including convenience, accessibility, privacy, and additional features.
Video slots
This kind of slot machine has more graphics and diverse gameplay than a classic slot because of virtual animation. Many on the higher end of the spectrum have high-quality sound effects, graphics, and animation, and have become the norm in many online casinos around the world, in addition to being the primary type of slots available online.
Mega spin slots
This feature means that a machine has more than one set of reels in a single game, offering more variety and more entertainment. Mega spin slots are designed so that players will not get bored with seeing the same content repeatedly.
Slots multipliers
Multipliers work to increase player winnings by multiplying bets, line wins, or total wins. The multiplier symbol can land during either the base game or a bonus feature to indicate the amount applied.
Jackpot slots
Many slot machines feature different kinds of jackpots, which can range from smaller amounts to very large prizes. In general, smaller rewards are easier to win, while larger rewards are less frequent and may require higher bets.
Multi-payline slots
Multi-payline slots are a result of technological advancements that allow more features in slot games. These slots include multiple payout lines across reels. If a game has more paylines, then a player has more opportunities to land winning combinations.
3D slots
3D slots are designed to create a more immersive visual experience without requiring special glasses. If you enjoy detailed animations and sound effects, this type of slot may be appealing.
Vegas slots
This refers to the classic slot machines inspired by Las Vegas. Many online slots are designed to reflect that style for players who want to enjoy a similar experience from home.
SLOT BASICS & TERMINOLOGY
Slots PAYLINES
A payline is a straight or zigzag line that determines the payout for a spin, based on the combinations of symbols appearing on that line.
Slot machines may require you to place a bet per line, applying it to each payline. Online slots often apply your total bet across all active paylines. Only active paylines provide payouts for winning combinations. Variable or adjustable paylines allow you to choose how many lines to activate, while fixed paylines require you to bet on all lines.
Slots with more paylines provide more opportunities for wins, so it is important to check the paytable for each game. Winning paylines will often be highlighted on the reels to show how a result was achieved.
Slot machines use a Random Number Generator (RNG) to produce outcomes, ensuring that results are random and independent.
NEAR MISSES
You need three scatter symbols to trigger a bonus event, and you spin one, then two, and the third just misses the reel. This is known as a near miss. These outcomes are part of the game design and do not influence future results.
FALSE WINS
False wins are more common in modern slots due to multiple paylines. A false win occurs when the payout is lower than the original bet. For example, if you bet one million coins and win 175,000 coins, the machine may still display a win, even though the result is a net loss.
These outcomes can extend gameplay and add to the experience.
DEAD SPINS
If you spin and receive no payout, this is called a dead spin. In higher-volatility games, dead spins may occur more frequently, while winning spins may offer larger payouts.
WEIGHTED REELS & REEL STOPS
Each reel has a number of positions, called reel stops, where it can land. Weighted reels adjust how frequently certain symbols appear by assigning different probabilities to reel stops.
For example, some positions may appear more often than others, affecting the likelihood of specific outcomes.
UNBALANCED REELS
Unbalanced reels adjust the distribution of symbols across different reels. For example, one reel may contain more of a certain symbol than another. This can influence how often certain combinations appear.
These variations are part of game design and help create different gameplay experiences.
WILD SYMBOLS
Multi-spin or multi-payline slots often include special symbols that trigger features. Wild symbols substitute for other symbols (except bonus symbols) to help form winning combinations. In some cases, they may also include multiplier effects or expand across reels.
SCATTER SYMBOLS
Scatter symbols, also called scatter pays, are bonus symbols that can trigger features or rewards. They may activate free spins, respins, or bonus rounds, depending on the game.
Glossary of slots: your complete guide to slots terminology
RTP – Return to Player: the percentage of money a player earns back compared to how much they have wagered
Pokies – the Australian term for slot machines
Multi Spin – available on online slot machines only, these slots feature multiple sets of reels
Fruit Machines – an offshoot of a classic slot machine featuring fruit symbols and simpler graphics
High Roller Slots – slots that offer higher payouts for players who place larger bets
Bonus Games and Features – extra games or features within slot games
Auto Play – a feature that allows a player to set several automatic spins
Bet Max – the maximum amount a player can bet on a slot
Coin Size – allows players to adjust the value of their bet
Fixed Jackpot – a jackpot that always remains the same
Free Spins – a feature that awards spins without additional cost
Loose Slot – slots that offer higher payout percentages
Mechanical Slots – traditional machines with physical reels
One-Armed Bandit – early slot machines operated by a lever
Payline – a line across the reels that determines winning combinations
Payout Percentage – the expected return of a slot over time
Pay Table – a guide showing winning combinations and payouts
Progressive Jackpot – a jackpot that increases over time until it is won
Random Number Generator – a system that ensures random results
Reels – the spinning columns of symbols
Scatter – a symbol that can trigger bonus features or rewards
Symbol – the icons displayed on the reels
Tight Slot – a slot with a lower payout frequency
Wild Symbol – a symbol that substitutes for others to form wins
Winning Combination – a set of symbols that results in a payout