Online Casino Slots

Slot machines are undoubtedly one of the most important assets that any casino can have. They appeared in the late 1800's in San Francisco and were a long way from the machines that we see today. These early slot machines had card numbers instead of the fruit symbols that players commonly see in modern casinos.

Things have changed, and so have the machines. The One Armed Bandits of yesteryear have evolved into highly complex computer aided machines that can host a variety of games on a single machine. The imaginative direction in which these machines have taken is simply amazing. The slot machine ever since it's conception had always given users the illusion of it being a skilled game, but what a player should always have in mind is that a slot machine like many other casino game is a game of chance. So expectation and limitations must be set for yourself while intending to have fun.

Why Play Online Slots?

There are many similarities between online slots and real world ones, but there are also many differences, and it's the differences that make them the preferred choice for many players. An online casino is literally a few clicks away. Anywhere you are where there is a computer, whether it's your own portable laptop or a friend's PC, you can start playing in seconds with a few clicks of the mouse. Simply put, playing slots online is ultra convenient. An online Casino also gives you the chance to play any of the games, including the slots, for free as much as you like. This is a fabulous opportunity you'd never have at a real casino.

How Slot Machines Work

If one wishes to survive in the hard world of online casinos and online gambling on slot machines, you must take the time to learn the rules of the game. In online slots, the systems are a little different, but work in a very similar way. When you press the "Spin" button on the online slot machine, the computer works out a totally random number that determines when each reel will stop. Of course, it's a lot easier to program the online slot machine to know which symbols have come up on each reel, and you can also give players multiple pay lines, extra side games and more. This is the reason why online slot machines have become so popular.

Types of Online Slots

There are two most popular types of slot machines, and these are the 3-reel slots and 5-reel slots. The 3-reel slots are the ideal game for slot beginners that can focus on the game and get a clear picture of how the payout table works. Video slot machines are the recent evolution of the classical 3-reel fruit machines. The first video slot with 5-reels was launched back in 1975, bringing a strong innovation in the slots scenario.

Even though most slot machines seem to be different, there are only a few different types of slots that cover a wide range of machines. These are:

Single Line Slots – These are a popular choice with gamblers because they offer instant winnings and higher payouts for smaller bets. Single line slots are made up of three to five reels and one single pay-line, which is why they are called single line slots. It is also the most popular type of slot on the internet because they are accessible to everyone. They look pretty much the same on the screen as you would see in a brick and mortar casino.

Bonus Slots – It came along quite awhile after Single Line Slots. As their name implies, Bonus Slots offer one or more bonus rounds in addition to the regular slot game. The triggers for the bonus round will vary from game to game, but in essence, when you trigger the bonus, you're taken to a secondary screen to play out the round by choosing from several objects which will reveal a prize, or in some cases, nothing. After the bonus round is complete, you are taken back to the original game.

Feature Slots – It adds different components to increase the challenge in a standard slots game. These components are usually multi lines that consist of Wilds, Scatters, Multipliers or Bonus Rounds. The features in these games usually allow you a chance at winning more cash or free spins, thus giving you free chances to win with multiplied winnings.

Multi Line Slots – It is a variation of single line slot machines with one notable difference; they have more than one pay-line and there are many chances to win with one single bet. A Multi-line slot can consist of up to nine reels (five is more common), which are the 'barrels' that spin around, and as many as 25 or more pay-lines.

Progressive Slots - These are the big boys of online slots, as they offer mega-jackpots. Progressive Slots are tied to all the online casinos using the same casino software. When one jackpot is hit, the game is reset at all the participating casinos. Progressive slots can be single line or multi line slots, and in many cases they offer Bonus rounds and features.

Now you know a bit about them, why not try out online casino slots for yourself.