Online Slots Guide:

Slots have always held a place in the hearts of even the most avid gamblers. If you walk into any land based casinos, it is the slots machines with their flashing lights and winning bells which create most of the ambience and excitement. The same applies to online casinos. Even those online casino sites dedicated to one specific genre of game will also include slots as an additional option.
The reason why slots are so popular is that they are exceptionally easy to play. All you have to do is hit a winning combination. Most online slots can be downloaded for free and the installation process is simple. Slots do not require the same intensity of strategy and concentration as games like poker or blackjack.

The payouts:

Generally, it is better to play slots online than to play slots at a land based casino. This is based on the payout percentages. Due to the fact that land based casinos have to pay more staff and physical levies such as rent and electricity, the casinos cannot afford to pay the same winnings as online casinos whose operating costs are much lower.
Online casinos offer a percentage payout of between 95 and 98% whereas land based casinos can only afford to pay out between 85 and 90%. This may not seem like a vast difference, but just a few percentage points can mean the difference between going home empty handed and winning the jackpot.
There are many different types of slots, all ranging in intensity and payouts. As a slots player, you can choose between classic slots, multiline slots and slots with varying jackpot options. They all operate on the same principle.

Classic slots:

The first slots machine was invented in 1895. With such a history, it would be expected that the machine has changed dramatically since then. Surprisingly, the range of classic slots available today is not too dissimilar to the very first machine – bar the graphics and technology. They both operate on the same principle.
Classic slots have a single pay line and three reels. Players can bet between just a single coin and a maximum bet. Once this is done, the player can spin the reels by clicking the mouse. Al classic slots work off the same principle. The biggest difference between them is the themes and graphics. As new games develop, more and more additions are being added to slots to make them exciting.

Multi spin slots:

Multi spin slots are for the more hardcore slots players. The games are faster and far more intense than classic slots. Although there is a potential to lose more at multi spin slots, there is also much more to gain in the winning department. Several reels are held down while the other slots spin. There are many online casinos which offer an auto-hold function, and this option can be removed. It makes the game more interesting if you do it yourself.

Progressive slots:

Progressive slots are a range of slots which are a part of the same network. Each time any of the machines is played, a percentage of the bet goes into a common pool. As this happens, the jackpot grows until someone playing a machine within the network wins the big prize. There are several different types of progressive jackpots for you to choose between.

The stand alone progressive jackpot is not linked to a specific network, but rather takes a small percentage of each bet placed on the slots machine. This builds up until someone hits the winning symbol combination, and thereafter the jackpot is reset and starts to build up again. The jackpot is displayed at all times which makes playing stand alone progressive jackpots quite engaging.

The in-house progressive jackpot is one which links the machines within an online casino together. There are some companies which own several casinos, so the net can be cast wider. This also means that the payouts can be bigger due to the larger contributions from more machines. The payouts are not as big as wide area progressive jackpots, but they can nevertheless be quite lucrative.

Wide area progressive jackpots hold the biggest prizes. However, you have to keep in mind that you are up against many more players – all of whom are competing for the jackpot. These progressive jackpots work by linking several unrelated casinos together in a network of slots machines. This is generally run by an independent company to ensure fairness.

The best way to win at slots:

Many people think that the trick to winning at slots is luck. Of course one does require an element of luck in any game, but there are several things you can do as a player to better your chances. Firstly, you should never gamble beyond your bankroll – especially if your budget is not that big. If you throw it all away on the first few spins by max betting then the chances are that you will not wish to play again. Start slowly and find a range of classic slots which you feel comfortable with. If you are on a winning streak then you should think of quitting while you’re ahead. You can always go back another time, so you should take your winnings with a smile and then reassess if you wish to continue. There is nothing worse than being up and then getting carried away and losing everything in the process.

Slots are the lighter side of gambling. They can provide hours of fun and entertainment for part time and avid gamblers alike. Gambling responsibly will make your slots playing that much more enjoyable. Every casino has a different payout table, so it is important to do your homework before you play.