With their bright colorful reels, life-like animations and engaging sound effects, slot machines are a form of casino magic. Even though the themes and stories behind online slots may be mysterious, understanding how slot machines work shouldn’t be. Join us as we demystify the world of slots and answer all those burning questions about these popular casino games.
What are slot machines?
To begin, let’s learn what a slot machine is.
A slot machine is a gambling game that features spinning reels with various symbols on them. After you place your bet and spin the reels, these symbols land randomly. If symbols land in a combination on a payline, you win a set value or prize. Various slot symbols have different values and exciting features that can trigger free spins or bonus rounds.
Although slots are incredibly popular at both online casinos and land-based establishments, they are nothing new. These games have been around since the late 19th century.
The answers to the most common slot machine questions
Are slot machines really random?
If you’re playing at a regulated and certified online casino, yes, they are. Both traditional and online slot machines use a random number generator (RNG) to ensure results are random. An RNG is a computer program that produces a completely random set of numbers within a given range. These numbers are connected to the symbols that appear on your reels. If the right symbols appear in the right combination, you win a prize. The results take the casino house edge into account, but they are not rigged by the casino.
RNGs are an essential part of online casino games. If they don’t work correctly, the game is no longer fair. This is why legitimate casinos like the BetMGM online casino have their RNGs regularly inspected and approved by regulatory bodies.
What is slot volatility?
A game’s volatility shows players how much they can win and how often they can win. Though volatility can be used with casino table games, it’s most often used to assess slots.
High volatility and low volatility slots can both be positive things depending on each individual player’s patterns and preferences. Low volatility slots pay out smaller prizes but more frequently. High volatility slots pay out much less often but offer larger jackpots and prizes.
What is a payline?
A payline is a line in a slot game that players can bet on in the hopes of landing a successful combination. To win, the symbols on the payline must make a particular combination when the reels stop spinning. Modern slots can have multiple paylines in one game, increasing the ways to win in the game.
What are wild symbols?
Almost every slot has a designated wild symbol. To find the wild symbol for the game you’re playing, view the paytable or press the info button. In slot machines, wild symbols can substitute for missing symbols to form a winning combination. Some wild symbols can stack on top of each other and multiply or increase your winnings.
What are scatter symbols?
Scatter symbols help you win prizes even when you don’t have a winning combination. And they don’t need to land in a payline to work. If a predetermined number of scatters appear anywhere on your reels, you win. Scatters can also trigger exciting bonus features and free spins. Be sure to read up on your slot bonus features to help you decide which online slot to play for real money.
What is autoplay?
This is a feature built into some slots where you can spin the reels a certain number of times automatically without having to press a button for every spin. You can customize autoplay to stop after specific events like winning or losing a certain amount.
What is a progressive jackpot?
A progressive jackpot is a jackpot prize that grows every time the game is played. A progressive jackpot can be linked to one game or multiple games in an online casino. Progressive jackpot slots deliver huge real-money prizes for slot games.
Is there a secret to winning slot jackpots?
The key strategy to increase your chances of winning the jackpot is no secret at all. In almost every slot machine, you need to place a maximum bet to qualify for a jackpot payout. So if you want to win big in slots, you’ve got to bet big. Always keep an eye on your personal budget and gamble responsibly.
Another slot strategy is to be selective about the sites you register with. Consider the payout percentage and the maximum win of the slot you’ve chosen to play. As slot machines are truly random and luck-based, responsible bankroll management – along with these two factors – are the only strategies you can use.
What is the best time to play slots online?
Now that you understand that slots use an RNG to keep results completely random, it’s clear that slot results won’t be better or worse based on the time of day you play. There is no such thing as a hot or cold slot or a tight or loose slot. Slot results are independent of previous results from previous players. If you’re playing online, choose a time that works with your schedule instead of paying attention to gambling superstitions.
Are online slots rigged?
Though online slot results are random, like all games, the casino has an edge. This is called the house edge. The house edge is the percentage that the casino keeps of all the amounts wagered in the game.
This is not a casino trick or a ruse. It’s easy to find the house edge for any casino game you play, whether it’s live dealer casino games or slots. The house edge does not mean the casino secretly prevents you from winning, but rather that the casino can remain profitable while giving players a fair chance to win.
What does RTP mean?
The return to player (RTP) is used by online casinos to describe the percentage of the total amount wagered on a game over time that will be paid back to players. The most reliable slots have an RTP that’s over 90%.
What are free spins bonuses?
Free spins can be a real game changer because they let players play without risking their money. To get them started with online slots, many casinos offer free spins bonuses to players when they sign up.
The BetMGM online casino welcomes new players with a $25 Freeplay bonus and a deposit match of up to $1,000. You can use your Freeplay bonus to play table games in our live dealer online casino or to explore our themed slots. If you’re a new player, here are a few slots we recommend:
- Cleopatra – One of the most popular slot machines from IGT. This 5×4 15-payline slot boasts an RTP of 95.02%.
- Gonzo’s Quest – Play a true crowd pleaser with this 6-reel slot from Red Tiger and NetEnt. The popular immersive title has an RTP of 96%.
- Jumanji – This 36-payline NetEnt slot has an RTP of 96.33% and is a stellar example of a famous franchise that became an online slot. There are many more casino games to play based on movies and franchises on the BetMGM app.
Dive into the largest catalog of themed slots with BetMGM
The BetMGM casino has the widest selection of new casino games and old classics, all on one easy-to-use platform. Our wide variety of themed slots has something for everyone. Create an account to find your new favorite slot in our online gambling emporium.
