How To Play Online Slots

How to play online slots? Everybody might think that online slots are all about slapping down a wager and hitting the spin button to wait for your grand prizes to appear. In truth though, that is the last thing you do in an online slot, not the first.

You need a little bit of knowledge before you hit that spin button, and if you want to be really on the ball, you should make one or two decisions before hitting that big spin button, too.

In this guide, we won't touch on choosing a new slot site; we will assume you have already signed up for a casino.

Differences in slot games

Firstly, understand that online slots come in many genres and variants. Some include bonus games; others do not. Some include multiple pay lines, and others do not. Some have progressive jackpots and others do not, and so forth. Online slots can, in fact, be quite different, just as much so as any other online gambling game.

Before you hit that big spin button, why not decide what is the perfect online slot for you? The theme will go a long way to helping you enjoy the slot game. However, choosing an online slot that is themed after something that you are remotely interested in is just one step in the process.

The variety of online slot games can be pretty overwhelming, especially if you’re new to them. These games come in all shapes, sizes, and styles, so there’s something for everyone. Whether you're into ancient history, sci-fi, fantasy, or even popular TV shows, there’s likely a slot game themed around it. But beyond the themes, there are key differences between slots that can really impact your gaming experience.

Let’s start with the basics. Some online slots feature multiple pay lines, while others might stick to a single line. Pay lines are the lines that determine where symbols need to line up for you to win. More pay lines mean more chances to win, but they might also require a higher bet per spin.

Then there are bonus games. Some slots include exciting bonus rounds where you can win extra rewards, like free spins or multipliers, which can seriously boost your winnings. These bonus features often come with their own set of rules, adding an extra layer of strategy and excitement to the game. But not all slots offer these bonuses, so if you enjoy the thrill of chasing that extra prize, make sure to pick a game that includes them.

Progressive jackpots are another major factor to consider. These jackpots grow every time someone plays the slot but doesn’t win the big prize. They can reach life-changing amounts, sometimes in the millions. But not every slot has a progressive jackpot and those that do often have specific conditions for winning it, like betting the maximum amount.

In addition to these technical differences, it’s also important to think about the Return to Player (RTP) percentage. RTP is a number that indicates how much of the money wagered on a slot is paid back to players over time. Higher RTP percentages generally mean better odds for the player, so if you’re looking to stretch your budget, it might be worth checking out slots with a higher RTP.

Finally, before you hit that spin button, take a moment to think about what kind of experience you’re after. Are you looking for something simple, or do you want a game packed with features and surprises? Choosing a slot game that aligns with your interests and play style can make all the difference in how much fun you have.

So, when browsing the endless selection of online slots, don’t just go for the first flashy game you see. Take a little time to figure out what features matter most to you. Finding the right game can turn a casual spin into an exciting adventure, whether it’s the theme, the number of pay lines, bonus games, or the chance at a progressive jackpot.

Which features does your slot game have?

You will want to make sure that the online slot has all of the features you require. Good online casino game review sites like Slotfruit can help you with this. These sites can tell you whether or not an online slot has a progressive or non-progressive jackpot, multiple pay lines or single pay lines, wild cards, scatter symbols, multipliers or free spins.

Most importantly, you will want to know if the jackpot is worth the maximum wager.

Wild Symbols

Wild symbols are like jokers in a deck of cards—they can substitute for most other symbols on the reels to help create winning combinations. Some wilds come with extra features, like multiplying your win when they’re part of a winning line or expanding to cover an entire reel (known as Expanding Wilds).

Scatter Symbols

Scatter symbols are special because they don’t have to appear on a pay line to trigger a win or unlock bonus features. Typically, landing a certain number of scatters anywhere on the reels will trigger free spins, bonus games, or a special payout.

Bonus Rounds

Bonus rounds are mini-games within the slot that offer you a chance to win extra prizes, such as free spins, multipliers, or cash rewards. These rounds are often triggered by specific symbol combinations, like scatters or bonus symbols, and can vary widely in style. Some might be simple pick-and-win games, while others might offer more interactive experiences, like navigating through a maze or spinning a bonus wheel.

Free Spins

Free spins are a popular feature that allows you to spin the reels a certain number of times without placing any bets. These spins are usually triggered by landing a specific combination of symbols, often scatters, and can come with additional bonuses, like multipliers or sticky wilds that stay in place for the duration of the free spins.

Multipliers

Multipliers do exactly what their name suggests: multiply your winnings by a certain factor. For example, if you hit a winning combination with a 3x multiplier, your payout will be tripled. Multipliers can be found in the base game, during free spins, or as part of a bonus round.

Cascading Reels

Cascading reels, also known as avalanche or tumbling reels, are a feature where symbols in a winning combination disappear, allowing new symbols to fall into place. This can create a chain reaction of wins in a single spin, and in some games, each consecutive win might increase a multiplier.

Gamble Feature

Some slots include a gamble feature that gives you the option to risk your recent win for a chance to double or quadruple it. This usually involves a mini-game where you might have to guess the colour or suit of a hidden card, for example. While it’s a risky move, it can be a fun way to potentially increase your payout.

Sticky Symbols

Sticky symbols remain in place for a set number of spins after they appear, increasing your chances of landing a winning combination. This feature is often tied to wilds or special bonus symbols, helping to build anticipation as you spin.

Buy Feature

The Buy Feature (or Feature Buy) allows you to skip the wait and instantly trigger a bonus round or free spins by paying a set amount. This is a handy option for players who want to dive straight into the action without waiting for the bonus to trigger naturally.

Autoplay - UK Ban From 2025

Autoplay is a feature that lets you set the game to spin the reels automatically for a predetermined number of times. You can often set parameters like stopping on a big win, after a certain number of spins, or when a bonus round is triggered. It’s a convenient option if you prefer a hands-off approach to playing.

UK players will not be given the Autoplay option from 17th January 2025.

Pay Table and Pay Lines

Once you have decided what slot you wish to play, you must look at the pay table, ultimately telling you what you need to know about the slot.

If you haven’t got a clue how the game works, don’t worry. Just click on the pay table button, and you'll get a rundown of all the important stuff. You’ll see the symbols you need to line up to hit the jackpot and details on any special features the game has. This includes which symbols act as wild cards, scatter symbols, and bonus round triggers. If there's a bonus game, the pay table will also explain how it works and what you need to do to trigger it.

In case you're not familiar with them, wild cards are symbols that can substitute for others to help you complete a winning payline. Usually, if you land five wilds on a pay line, you’re in for a hefty payout, possibly even the jackpot. Scatter symbols, on the other hand, can do all sorts of things—like multiplying your winnings or giving you free spins. Sometimes, they might even trigger a bonus round if the game doesn’t have separate bonus symbols.

Once you’re clear on what you’re playing and what you need to win, the next step is understanding the pay lines. If the slot has just one pay line, you don’t need to think too much about it. But if multiple pay lines exist, there’s a bit more to consider.

You can usually choose how many pay lines you want to play with. Each pay line represents a possible combination of symbols that could result in a win. The more pay lines you activate, the better your chances of hitting a winning combo. But keep in mind that every extra pay line you play adds to your total stake. So, if you’re playing with 30 pay lines and your line bet is £1, your total stake will be £30.

Progressive jackpots

Progressive jackpots are linked to a network of slot machines and increase every time a bet is placed and lost. A small percentage of each bet goes into the jackpot pool, allowing it to grow until someone hits the winning combination and claims the prize. These jackpots can reach life-changing amounts and are one of the biggest draws for slot players.

If you are playing a progressive jackpot slot (a jackpot that keeps rising until it is won), then you will probably need all of the pay lines and maximum wager selected. If you are playing a standard jackpot (fixed jackpot) then you might get away with a smaller wager and fewer pay lines to win it.

Megaways™

Megaways™ is a popular feature that changes the number of symbols on each reel with every spin, leading to a dynamic and unpredictable number of pay lines—sometimes up to hundreds of thousands! Big Time Gaming introduced this system, and it has become a hit with players due to the massive potential for creating winning combinations.

Choose your wager amount

Finally, you need to place your wager. The coin bet feature determines how much your coins are worth, which determines how much you are able to wager per pay line. Decide this, and then determine how much you are going to wager per line. This will then become your wager.

Only once all this is done, are you finally ready to hit that big and bold spin button. You see, there is a little more to online slot games than spinning, and it is all very much within your control!