The first slot machine was created in the 1890s by Charles Fey. San Francisco was the first place to hear about, see, and play with such a game, although it looked much simpler than it does now. The craze took off almost a century later, when the retro fruit slots that are imprinted on our brains came into play. Online slots, however, are worlds away from this humble invention. Why are they so popular in the casino world?

The Beauty of Simplicity

Renowned online casinos typically offer upwards of 2,000 games which come in all shapes and sizes, with some more established brands like 888 Casino supposedly offering north of 10,000. Themes range from the nostalgic vibrancy of traditional slots to animals, fairy tales, sports, and mythology. Bonus levels, addicting sounds, and exciting prizes make it alluring and above all, interesting. But the main reason why online slots have conquered the casino world is because they are simple and undemanding. You don’t need to predict the future like you would with a sports bet, and there is no need to guess your opponent’s next move like in poker or baccarat. Slots are based solely on luck, and you are putting your success or failure into the hands of a random number generator. Players can choose to innovate by introducing slots with more paylines or play pioneering new games, but the principle remains the same.

Types of Online Slots

• Classic Slots

No matter whether an online casino is old or new, classic slots are guaranteed to be a part of the game library. They are the mother of slots and play an integral role in the development of further slots. Moreover, you cannot beat the familiar sight of the traditional bells, bars, 7s, cherries, and lemons. These oldies but goodies include 777 Slots, Las Vegas Slots, Casino Royale Slots, and Buffalo Wild Slots.

• Video Slots

Most slots that you see are actually video slots. All this means is that they are a more advanced version of a classic slot with more paylines and complex visuals. They are visibly modernised and are divided into several types. The most common video slots online are Big Bass Splash by Pragmatic Play, Mega Moolah by Microgaming, and Book of Dead by Play’n GO. New slots are constantly in the works, so stay on the lookout for hot, trending video slots.

• Megaways

Megaways use a reel modifier, which means every time you spin, the symbols change. They disappear and new ones appear in their place. As a result, there are more paylines and therefore endless combinations. The experience is more engaging and unpredictable. Some examples include Gonzo’s Quest Megaways, Great Pigsby Megaways, Big Bass Bonanza Megaways, Twin Spin Megaways, Eye of Horus Megaways, and Aztec Gems Megaways.

• Progressive Slots

Progressive slots, or progressive jackpot slots as they are also known, feature a prize pool that gets bigger with every spin. This kind of online slot is made for the big ballers, those who yearn to win larger sums and prefer a challenge as opposed to relaxation. It works by taking a percentage of your wager and adding it to the pool. Jackpots include Mega Moolah, Joker Millions, and Arabian Nights.

• 3D Slots

3D slots are not widespread, and are prevalent only on larger online casinos that have a bigger budget and more customers. They are the latest type of slot which provides you with a three-dimensional experience, working with special technology so that you don’t require glasses like in the cinema. The graphics seamlessly blend into the screen, improving the interactivity between the player and the game.

How Online Slots Work

There are a few fundamentals you need to know before you play online slots, as understanding the basics immediately helps you choose which slots are worth your time.

• RTP

RTP (Return To Player) is a common term that is vital to know when playing online slots. The RTP is a percentage that shows how much money will be given back to you over time. This number is theoretical, based on the winnings of players divided by the sum of the bets. The higher the RTP, the higher the likelihood you will be paid out more. The average RTP of online slots is 96%, whilst the games with the best percentage are Mega Joker, Blood Suckers, Starmania, and Medusa Megaways. They are all 97% or over.

• Reels and Paylines

Reels are the number of columns with symbols, and paylines are the paths where a winning combination of symbols must appear. Paylines can be vertical, horizontal, diagonal, zigzag, or any other configuration that is stated in the instructions. Knowing the reels and paylines before you play a slot helps you to recognize your wins.

• Bonus Features

Lots of slots have bonus features, which you may not even be aware of. You could get enormous multipliers, surprise free spins, secret mini-games, and unique wild symbols. Online chat rooms, forums, and talking to fellow slot players are useful in figuring out which games have these distinctive additional features.