Modern online casinos offer their customers a huge variety of slot machines. Therefore, people who are just starting their journey in the online gambling industry feel confused and do not know what slots to play and what makes the games different. For you not to feel lost and choose the best slots, we will guide you and talk about the main distinctive features of slot machines available on the market today.
So What Are the Options?
The largest group of slot machines is represented by automatic slots. They have a common principle of operation – you need to make the necessary combination of symbols or signs to get a win. A gaming machine is run by a random number generator that produces numerical sequences that cannot be predicted or controlled from the outside. After pressing the required button, reels begin to rotate, and their speed depends on the installed generator. After the spin stops, a player can see if the winning combo is on the screen or not.
All existing slot machines can be divided into several large groups:
- Mechanical – the classic version is the well-known “one-armed bandit.” Although mechanical slots are considered obsolete by many, they still remain popular. The main distinctive feature of such gaming machines is the presence of no more than 5 playing lines and no more than 3 reels. The number of possible combinations in such slots does not exceed 100, which makes them just a perfect go-and-play option for novice gamblers;
- Video – improved mechanical slots (สล็อตเว็บตรง) with an increased number of reels (5 or more), as well as playing lines (up to 50). Their main difference is the presence of a screen with matches of characters being shown there.
- Video poker – games are similar to video slots, with the difference that the player has to play a card game instead of managing random themed combinations. In video poker machines, the game result is influenced not only by the random number generator and the theory of probability but also by the choice of a player himself.
There are some other types of modern slots, for example, devices that simulate roulette or any other table games, Z-D slots with bright and realistic animations, fruit slots, and many more. So you will have more than plenty of options to choose from.
Other Classification Criteria
In addition to the above types of modern slot machines, there are some other classification criteria that you can use to sort out casino slots:
- Number of reels;
- Theme;
- Type of jackpot;
- A number of paylines.
Let’s look into each of the above characteristics to understand what makes slot games so different.
Slots with a Different Number of Reels
A reel is the name of the rotating symbols that are located on the front of the machine. In the simplest versions of mechanical automatic slot machines, reels were simply large spools made of metal alloys. However, modern reels have an exclusively representative function. Thus, in most cases, a reel just plays the role of a screen on which specialized symbols and pictures are displayed.
By the number of reels, all modern slots can be categorized as follows:
- 3-reel classic slots are functioning according to the simplest principle of ‘one-armed bandits.” They are very easy to play – just place a bet, press a button, and wait for the reels to stop and display a winning combination. The main features of 3-reel slots are the absence of high-tech animation, clear detailing, and visual ease of perception of pictures;
- 5-reel slots are the most common type of slot machine today. Thanks to interesting videos, high-end animation, the presence of mini-games, and a large number of winning combinations, 5-reel slots are extremely popular today;
- 7-reel slots are distinguished by the absence of bonuses, modern graphic solutions, and interesting design. You can easily find an interesting game featuring the theme of your liking.
Slots with Different Symbols
Symbols on the reels of slot machines correspond to the theme of a particular game. For example, in a game dedicated to comic book characters, their pictures and related symbols are used. Apart from the standard set of symbols, there are also several main types of winning symbols that you can eventually come across when spinning the reels:
- Wilds – the main purpose of such symbols is to replace any other icon on the slot screen. In some machines, such symbols may increase the main prize;
- Scatters – the symbols allow you to get a prize even if active combinations are found not on the control lines;
- Bonus symbols – these launch a bonus game; therefore, they are quite rare.
Slots with Different Jackpot Types
According to the type of jackpots, slot machines can be divided into the following groups:
- Slot machines with a fixed jackpot – as a rule, these are called “flat slots” and have a fixed top prize. This amount is slightly lower compared to progressive slot machines, but the player’s chances of winning are much higher;
- Progressive slot machines – a jackpot in progressive slots is constantly growing; therefore, it can become very large. There is no maximum limit and a percentage of each bet placed is added to the total. After the breakdown, a new countdown begins. The progressive jackpot type can be unique; such machines are called “stand-alone” slots. There are also general network jackpots that connect several machines in a network within one or several casinos. In this case, the prize pool is shared.
Slots with a Different Number of Paylines
Slot machines also differ in terms of paylines, so here are the options that you can choose from:
- In classic slots, there is a single control line located in the center of the 3 reels. In case of a certain combination, the player receives money;
- Modern slots can have from 3 to 25+ control lines (slots with 25 lines or more) on 5 or more reels. Some of the lines are difficult to make, but the player’s winning odds in this case are slightly higher.
Regardless of the slot machine, you select, it is highly recommended that you test it out in a demo mode. Thus, you will learn the game basics, get your hand trained at spinning the reels, and will have a chance to develop a winning strategy.
