Slots are by far the most popular genre of game at online casinos. There are already over 10,000 slots available across the board and on most casino platforms. It may be hard to choose a slot to play with the sheer number of titles.
Remember, choosing the right slot game enhances the gaming experience for you and increases your chances of seeing a win. We look at what to bear in mind when you are picking a slot game to play online. There are several factors to watch out for.
Table of contents
The return to player percentage
Return to Player percentage (RTP) indicates the likelihood of seeing a ‘return' on your played amount of funds on a particular game after playing over an extended period.
Most of the favourable slots have RTPs of at least 96%. This is because they present higher odds of winning to the players. You should keep this consideration in mind when making your next slot selection, as it will help you maximise your potential returns.
It's quite simple to calculate. Over a period of play at a 96% RTP slot game, for every £100 you deposit and play, you should (in theory) see a return of £96.
So, what's the point in playing if the house is going to win? Well, that's the thing. You play a slot in the hope that you beat that house edge. You're one of the lucky ones who sees a greater than 100% return at the expense of other players who see a less than 96% return.
You will find RTPs in other types of games as well, such as live casino titles and table games. Titles like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat have different RTPs. If you wish to learn about blackjack, for example, you can play a free blackjack simulator and get to know its RTP, among other features.
Online casino game volatility
Volatility at an online slot is an indicator of how risky the game is and how likely you are to either lose or win money, as well as how likely you are to win larger amounts when the volatility of the slot is higher.
Think of it as a risk-to-reward ratio—the more risk, the more potential reward; however, the more potential losses as well!
👉 High volatility can potentially mean higher wins less often, and low volatility can potentially mean more wins more often. Of course, on the flip side, the same is true for your losses.
If you have money that you can afford to lose and an appetite for some high potential wins and adrenaline rushes, then high volatility titles are for you.
If you are more of a cautious gambler and prefer to spread the amount of time you can spend gambling over a longer period, then look for a low volatility slot game—or any casino game, for that matter.
The same principle applies to all
Bonus features
What makes online slots particularly engaging and exciting are the bonus features that come in the games.
For example:
- multipliers
- free spins
- bonus side games
- cascading symbols
- nudging reels
- and extra reels
Most modern-day slots offer you much higher potential when these bonus features are activated. It's a lot more fun playing a slot title that offers bonus rounds and features, not just for the winning potential, but purely for the entertainment factor as well.
At the end of the day, you know that you will not always win, so at least entertain yourself as much as possible in the process of playing the game!
The reputation of the software provider
We always recommend briefly checking who the software provider of the online slot game is that you are thinking of playing, because you want to make sure that they are reputable and adhere to all licensing and regulation requirements, particularly in terms of fair play when it comes to random number generators and other mechanisms that determine how often you win as a player.
Big providers work with independent overseers such as eCOGRA to ensure no funny business is going on with the online slot game, live casino game, live game show, or any other table game for that matter.
Provably fair online casino games and slots
Becoming popular now is what's known as provably fair technology, which ensures that the outcomes of games are not only verifiable but fair. It does this using crypto-like technology to generate random numbers.
👍 Blockchain can be used to implement provably fair games as well, offering an immutable record of all game data. It does this through the use of cryptographic hashes, seeds, and player inputs, which are used to calculate results that can be verified independently.
What blockchain offers is a layer of transparency and trust on a decentralised network, meaning you don't have to rely on the online casino game provider or operator to be 100% honest, as the data is publicly available should you want to challenge it.
Slot game graphics and themes
There are literally hundreds of different types of themes available in online slots these days, ranging from TV and movie-themed slots to ancient Egypt, mythical gods, intergalactic adventures, vampires, royalty, and gangster themes—the list literally goes on and on.
Effectively, whatever you are into, there is most likely an online slot game offering a theme that will appeal to you.
Graphics and soundtracks are getting better all the time, and in our opinion, you can't beat playing a modern-day video slot game on a big monitor with the volume up.
As we mentioned earlier, it's more about entertainment these days than it is about mindlessly hitting the re-spin button and hoping that something happens.
Online slot games and live
What jackpots do I play?
Jackpots in online slots can potentially be life-changing should you hit the big one and get really lucky.
- Progressive jackpots grow progressively as more and more players play and contribute to the overall pot, and as you can imagine, this creates potentially huge prize pools, which are all linked across the network on which you are playing, powered by the gaming provider. Many of these are must-win jackpots as well, so every hour, 12 hours, or 24 hours, for example, a huge prize pool needs to be won.
- Fixed jackpots, as per their name, are fixed and predetermined, making them a bit more predictable but still substantial. These are the two main types of jackpot-style games associated with online slots. Every now and then, you'll see variations such as local network or multi jackpots, which come with varying levels of volatility, meaning higher wins and, of course, higher potential losses.
Closing remarks
Most casinos allow you to try slots for free, so take the opportunity to try several different slot titles before deciding which one to play with real money.
It is also an opportunity to have risk-free slot fun and brush up on your skills. Additionally, check if there are offers you can use on your favourite slot.
👉 Most bonuses target slots, which is a great opportunity to potentially win with minimal risk.
Finally, play real-money slots at reputable casinos. You may find genuine slots at rogue casinos that end up forcing you into losing your winnings or the money you have invested in the game.
Read reviews from existing players and reputable review sites. Slots are fun titles you can enjoy while potentially seeing wins. Use the tips above to increase your chances of playing a good slot.
