Slots Rules
| Updated: The Rules of Slot Games
Slots rank as the most popular type of game across land-based and online casinos worldwide, a fact that can be explained by their exceptional simplicity. There are no complex rules to master or follow, and players cannot influence the outcome of any spin. Whether one collects a payout on the next spin depends solely on chance.
This is precisely what makes slots an appealing choice for both seasoned players and casino novices. More importantly, slots give players the chance to secure a hefty payout within seconds. Being the most popular game in any gambling establishment, slots feature diverse themes and mechanics to satisfy every preference. There is the option to bet on classic 3-reel slots or opt for more advanced 5-reel titles, which boast stunning graphics and authentic sound effects.
Of course, before committing to this type of game with real-money stakes, it is strongly recommended to become better acquainted with how slots actually work and what the basic rules of play are. You can start by reading the following article, which lays out the fundamentals of how to read the paytable, how exactly to place bets, and more.
Players’ Objective and Basic Rules of Play
As with all casino games, the primary goal of slot players is to collect a payout. To do so, players are required to line up a combination of matching symbols across one of the paylines on the reels. How much the payout will be depends on the number of identical symbols that have landed on the reels.
The interface of the slots offered by reputable online casinos is straightforward, so new players are unlikely to experience any difficulty understanding how the games work. There are separate buttons for adjusting the coin value, the bet level, and the number of paylines to activate. These are typically positioned at the bottom of the base-game screen, directly below the reels. There is also the option to bet the maximum amount allowed per spin by clicking on the Max Bet button.
Once players have completed the aforementioned steps, they simply need to hit the Spin button to set the reels in motion and await the result of the spin. On that note, it is important to remember that all spins should be treated individually since the outcome is determined by special programs called Random Number Generators. Thus, the outcome is always governed by a random principle and is never affected by what transpired on previous spins.
Choosing the Coin Value and Bet Level
Learning to make better-informed decisions when adjusting your wager amount is one of the most crucial aspects of playing slots. This practice helps players generate more substantial profits and prevents them from depleting their bankrolls.
Once you have selected your preferred slot title at your favorite online casino, you need to choose the coin denomination you intend to use. Of course, the available coin values differ from one title to another, but the most common options include 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00. Adjusting the coin value is simple and is done with the buttons marked with ‘+’ and ‘-‘. The button usually reads ‘Choose Coin’ or ‘Coin Value’.
Once you have selected your coin denomination, you proceed by adjusting your bet level. The latter represents the number of coins you intend to wager per payline. If you are new to the game, it is preferable to bet only one or two coins per spin until you get a proper feel for how the slot works. The number of coins players are allowed to bet also varies depending on the slot they choose.
There is no need to calculate how much each spin will cost because the amount is displayed in the grid below the reels. However, the overall cost of a spin is calculated by multiplying the coin value by the number of coins per line and the number of active paylines. This is because players are effectively betting coins on every payline they have activated. If you wish to bet the maximum amount available, simply hit the Max Bet button – this will automatically adjust your wager to the limit and set the reels in motion at the same time.
Most video slots you can play at online casinos have an Autoplay feature, which enables players to automatically play through a predetermined number of rounds without having to constantly hit the Spin button. Typically, there is an option to deactivate Autoplay after you have won or lost a specific amount.
Understanding the Paylines
This is another crucial aspect new players need to take into account before playing slots for real money. The paylines are where matching symbols must land in order for the spin to pay out. Classic slots typically have a limited number of paylines, ranging between one and five at most. However, the number of paylines on advanced video slots can sometimes exceed one hundred. The greater the number of paylines, the higher the chances of landing a winning combination somewhere.
As was mentioned previously, the betting amount per spin is affected by the number of paylines, since players need to place a wager on all active lines. On that note, it is worth mentioning that some slots utilize adjustable paylines, allowing players to choose which lines to activate and bet on. It is important to remember that only the activated lines will pay – if you land a winning combination of matching symbols on a deactivated payline, you will fail to generate a profit. Of course, there are slot titles where the paylines are fixed, which means players have no other option but to bet on all lines on every single spin.
There is a common misconception among slot novices that the amount they win depends on the overall size of the bet they have placed on the spin. However, this is not the case. How much you collect in profits depends largely on the bet level, the coin denomination, and the number of matching symbols you have landed on a payline.
The payout is also influenced by the specific symbols that line up, as not all symbols are created equal. Each online slot includes high-paying symbols that can award more credits and low-paying symbols, which are typically represented by high playing cards such as Tens, Jacks, Queens, Kings, and Aces.
To illustrate, let us consider NetEnt’s Disco Spins slot, which is played across 5 reels and features a total of 20 fixed paylines. Suppose you choose the lowest coin denomination of 0.01 and wager two coins on all 20 paylines; each spin will therefore cost you $0.40. Luck is on your side and you land three dancing-girl symbols across one of the paylines. As the dancing-girl symbol is among the highest-paying icons in the game, you will earn 40 credits for this combination. The total amount you collect will be $0.80, as you have wagered two $0.01 coins on 20 lines.
Checking the Paytable
Taking a peek at your preferred slot’s paytable is an absolute must before you place your bets. This is because the paytable contains valuable information regarding the game’s winning combinations of matching symbols and how much these can earn you. In addition, you will find extensive information on the game’s special features and how they actually work.
The paytables of the majority of advanced video slots you can play online explain how the wild and scatter symbols work, as well as how to trigger bonus games and rounds of free spins. Wilds are among the most lucrative symbols players can hit because they can substitute for the majority of other icons and thus help players complete a greater number of winning combinations. There are various types of wilds to look for when choosing a slot, including stacked, expanding, walking, and sticky wilds. Each of these functions in a specific manner, which is why you need to check the paytable in the first place.
Another valuable symbol you will often see listed in the paytable is the scatter, which can be even more rewarding than the wild. A wild typically needs to land on an active payline to do its job, but this is not the case for scatters. These symbols simply need to appear anywhere on the reels to pay. In most cases, scatters unlock other features, such as a given number of free spins or even bonus games. Some scatters can potentially boost players’ profits, as they have multipliers attached to them.
Screenshot of Slot Wild North Bonus Game
Most video slots also have bonus games, so their paytables inform players how this feature is unlocked. In many cases, there are special bonus symbols that trigger them. Once the players have landed the necessary number of bonus symbols on the reels, they will exit the base-game screen and a mini game will start. More often than not, players are expected to choose from a set of hidden items, each containing a specific monetary prize. This means that once the bonus game is triggered, players are usually guaranteed to scoop up additional cash prizes.
Moreover, the paytable may serve as an indicator of the slot’s hit frequency. Typically, if the payouts for high-paying symbols are very substantial, the slot tends to award winning combinations less frequently and offers a lower average player-return percentage. To conclude, the paytable provides all the information players need to select a slot that suits their individual preferences, style of play, and bankroll size.