Online Slots Guide - Bonuses, Types, Features, and Symbols

If you’re a casino player, you have probably played or at least know what online slots are. Available in different themes and payline variations, these slots games dominate the casino’s portfolio. Whether you’re playing at an established platform or an upcoming brand, there’s a chance that its portfolio is dominated by slots online. As such, it pays to know how it works, the bonuses, and how symbols work.

The Best Casinos to Play Online Slots 2024

Variety of Online Slots

Online slots are the most popular casino games today for several reasons. One, it’s available in different themes: you can go Egyptian, revisit the Oriental culture, or enjoy Hollywood action. Two, they’re available in different reels and paylines configurations too. And three, slots casino games offer great payouts, with some games delivering progressive jackpots!

Three Reel

Consider this as your traditional online slot machine variants. These games take inspiration from the classic slot machine popular in pubs and hotels. You’ll find three reels and you’ll need to match all three symbols to win. Furthermore, these games use standard symbols like fruits, bells, and red 7s.

Five Reel

These are your modern interpretation of the classic slot machines. You’ll now find five reels with a bigger set of colorful symbols. Also, 5-reel slots online are available in different themes using engaging visuals. These titles are more colorful and innovative compared to the classic slot machines.

Progressive

When you’re looking to play for the biggest prizes, check out what the progressive online slots can do for you. These online slots can come in 3-reel or 5-reel but their main difference is the availability of jackpots that can grow in time. Some of the most popular progressive titles that you can check are Mega Moolah and Mega Moolah Isis, by Microgaming.

In-Game Features

Your objective in online pokies is simple: just set the bet, click ‘Spin’, and wait to match at least three symbols. However, there’s more to playing online slots. Did you know that you can also activate in-game features?

Free Spin Rounds

It’s the most exciting bonus feature available in online slots. With this feature, you can win additional free spins which you can play risk-free for prizes. To activate, you need to land at least three scatter symbols. For example, landing four or five may offer you 20 or 25 free spins!

Bonus Games

Some slots games offer built-in games that enhance your gaming experience. For this slots bonus round, there’s no need to use your skills just to win and collect prizes. Some of the popular examples of bonus games are the bonus wheel and the ‘pick-a-prize’.

Slot Gamble features

If you’re looking to grow your winnings, check out the gamble mode. This is a popular feature available in many online slots that lets you double or even quadruple your winnings. The rules differ but in most slot machines, you need to predict the card color or suit.

Re-triggering

You will also find the re-triggering feature in many online slots real money games. As the term suggests, this feature allows you to re-trigger a particular bonus. The most popular is the free spins re-trigger which allows you to restart the round and earn additional spins.

Reel Symbols

In online slots, the reel symbols decide whether your actual payout. Before you play, make sure you check out the game’s paytable and its values.

Wild symbols

The wild symbol replaces other symbols on the reels to create a winning combination. In most cases, the wild may replace all except for the scatter or bonus symbols. Also, the wilds may activate the game’s biggest online jackpot.

Scatter symbols

While most symbols must line up from left to right, scatters can appear anywhere. In short, you can collect a payout if you can land at least three scatters anywhere. Also, scatters will activate the game’s bonus round like free spins.

Multiplier symbols

During the game, you’ll encounter other special symbols including the multipliers. As the name suggests, this symbol can multiply your wins. For example, you can collect a x10, x20, or x100 multiplier.

Types of Jackpots in Online Slots Machines

In online slots, the biggest prize comes in the form of an online jackpot. There are different types of jackpots available today, and each has its unique characteristics. Described below are the most popular types of jackpots you can win online:

Standalone Progressive Jackpot

This is the original way of setting a jackpot for the slot machine. Here, there’s a jackpot ticker on each game. However, the bets for the specific game shall serve as the basis of the jackpot.

Network Progressive Jackpot

As the term suggests, the jackpot is collected from a network of slot machines. For example, several online slots that belong to one software vendor may offer a network progressive jackpot.

Fixed Jackpot

There’s a fixed jackpot for this kind of casino game. For example, the game will offer fixed 5,000 coins or a 100,000-coin jackpot. The jackpot will not grow in size compared to what the progressive can offer.

House Edge in Online Slot Games

Unlike other casino games, real money slots don’t require the use of skills. Instead, the results of these casino games are at random. Each game comes with a Random Number Generator (RNG) that ensures the randomness of each result. Although it’s at random, the casino always retains an advantage. We can check this in the game’s Return to Player (RTP) percentage. The closer it is to 100, the lower the house edge (or casino’s advantage).

Slot Games Volatility

Aside from the RTP, the game’s volatility is another concern that you should consider when comparing the best online slots. This refers to the behavior of the online slots when it comes to the frequency of wins, the amount paid, and overall risk level. In short, the game’s volatility tells you if it’s a high-risk, medium-risk, or a low-risk online casino slots to play. For example, the Starburst slot is a low-volatility game which means that you can count on frequent low-value wins. However, if you’re willing to take some risks and aspire for bigger wins in casinos, high-volatility games Book of Dead are highly recommended.

Strategies When Playing

Although the results of online slots are random, there are still some strategies you can use to improve your chances. One important step to take before playing in casinos is to set a bankroll. This is your budget to use when playing slots online and win real money along the way. Speaking of limit, you’ll need to exit the game once you have used up your bankroll. Also, pay attention to the bonuses offered by casinos. Bonuses come in different forms, from the free spins to reload offers. These can boost your bankroll and let you play the best mobile slots risk-free.

Real Money Slots vs. Free Slots

Aside from the variety in themes and reels, casinos also offer their players two ways on how to play: in free demo or real money mode. If you’re a beginner or just exploring the best slot sites, we recommend that you start with free demo games. With free credits, you can enjoy online slots for free or just test a few strategies. However, you can’t collect real money wins. But if you’re ready to win the jackpot, real money online casino slots is the way to go. You’ll need to register and top-up your account to play for potential prizes.

Promotions and Bonuses in Online Slots

Some of the best things in life are free. And it’s true in casinos that offer slots bonuses and other campaigns and promotions. As soon as you sign up for an account, you’ll be rewarded with a variety of bonuses and promotions. Some of the most exciting slots-focused bonuses are free spins, no deposit bonuses, and reload offers. Of these, free spins are the most exciting offers as they let you play qualifying mobile slots risk-free. They’re available upon sign up, as a weekly promotion, or bundled with the casino’s welcome bonus offer. Also, you’ll find casinos that offer online slots tournaments or the ‘Game of the Week’. Know your bonuses and take advantage of these offers.

The Best Online Slots Casinos

Before you play, make sure you review not just the best games but the casinos where you’ll play. Some casinos partner with top-tier vendors to deliver the best online slots and offer lucrative bonuses. Check out our list below for some of the best casinos.

1xBet

It may be a betting company but 1xBet also delivers a fun platform for slot enthusiasts. Here, you can find dozens of colorful slot games available in various themes, reel, and payline configurations. There are exclusive 1xBet games too in case you’re looking for unique slots or instant win games.

22Bet

Just like 1xBet, 22Bet offers a 24/7 betting platform that covers more than 1,000 events daily. On top of its sportsbook, it also delivers a variety of online slots. With a welcome bonus of up to EUR 300, you can play slot machines for their online jackpot risk-free.

Bitstarz

As a leading Bitcoin casino, Bitstarz boasts hundreds of premium online slots. More than the games, this site offers great bonuses and promotions that appeal to slot players. As a new customer, you can double your initial deposit up to $100 which also comes with 180 free spins.

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