Newbie’s Guide to Slots – What You Need to Know Before Playing Your First Slot Machine
There’s no denying that slot machines are an addictive game, and the chance to win big without having to worry about strategy or skill is a huge part of their appeal.
However, with all slot machine games out there, it’s easy for a new player to feel a little overwhelmed.
Many will have questions like Which one should I start with? How different are they from each other? Do I need special skills or knowledge to win? Are they all the same, or do they have different pay-outs and features? Are there any tips you can use to increase your odds of winning? If so, what are they?
Well, in the article below, we will answer these and other questions to give you a clearer picture of what you can expect as a first-time slots player:
Which Slot Machine Should you Play?
The first step is to determine which of the many different types of slot machines you’d like to play. While the main gameplay is essentially the same for all of them, many factors will affect how much you can win.
One of these factors is the payout rate, commonly known as the Return To Player (or RTP) of the machine. Payout rate refers to the percentage of money bet by players that the casino will pay back in winnings.
The RTP of a slot machine will vary from casino to casino, but in general, the higher the payout rate, the larger the average returns/winnings. Machines with a high RTP are more likely to pay back, whereas those with a low RTP are more likely “lose” and/or pay back only a small percentage of bets made.
Understanding Slot Game Features
Many players are surprised to learn that slot machines are actually a type of video poker game. When you play slots, you’re essentially playing a poker game where you’re the only player in the game.
Modern slots come with lots of features among them the Wild Symbols. Wild symbols are special features that can help you create a winning combination. Once a wild symbol appears on the screen, it can expand to cover the entire reel.
Scatters are the other common features in today’s slots. A scatter symbol is a special symbol that doesn’t need to appear in a certain position on the screen to trigger a win. Instead, you win simply by landing a certain number of scatter symbols across the reels.
Bonus Rounds are a common thing on online slots. Slot machines with bonus rounds generally come with higher RTP rates. Bonus rounds are a “mini-game” that activates once you’ve bet your credits and a certain combination of symbols appears on the screen.
Progressive jackpots offer the highest online slot machine pay-outs. These jackpots grow with every bet made, often going for millions of dollars, and can be won at any time by anybody playing on the slot machine.
Slot Tournaments: Are They Worth Playing?
One of the most popular ways to play slots for real money is in tournament-style slots games. These tournaments are usually hosted by online casinos and are designed to bring together a large number of players to compete against each other for a cash prize.
The tournaments are usually free to join, with the prize money being awarded to the top players. Because tournament slots are designed to bring together a large number of players, they offer a higher RTP than normal slot games.
Therefore, you can play for longer without risking losing your money as quickly, and with a higher chance of winning. There are a few things to keep in mind when playing in tournaments, however.
First, you’ll often need to bet more credits than you would during a normal slot game. While this will give you a higher chance of winning, it also means you’ll lose more money if you don’t win.
Second, you’ll need to be careful not to bet too much of your money at once. Slot tournaments can last a long time, and it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and bet a lot of money at once.
Final Words
As you can see, slots are fun and exciting games that anyone can enjoy. When you know what to look for, it’s easy to find a slot machine that suits your style, and one that you know how to play and win.
With so many variations of slots available, you can be sure to find the perfect game for you. Whether you prefer classic 3-reel slots, modern video slots, or something in between, there’s something for everyone.