How to Play Slots

What is Slots?

Slots is the general name given to any game derived from slot machines. The original slot machines were machines where players put a coin in and pulled a lever. The lever made reels turn. If the pictures on the reels matched each other, the player won a certain number of coins.

Over the years, slot machines have become more complex. The idea has stayed the same. Some machines still have levers to pull, but many machines don't. Many machines in casinos no longer use real coins or tokens. Instead, they use casino cards. In online casinos, the coins are, of course, virtual. The reels are also virtual.

How Do You Play Slots?

To play slots in an online casino is very easy. Once you have installed the casino software and made your deposit, you'll need to go to the games lobby and choose a slots game. Then you'll choose a wager, and then presto, just hit spin. The game will do the rest for you. Each game is slightly different. Video slots often have bonus games. Usually in a bonus game, you'll have to do something else, but the machine will explain exactly what to do. Don't worry too much. The game already knows how much you will win. The bonus game is just a fun way for you to find out. You will win if there are enough symbols in a row on a payline that you have paid to play. Some games give you free spins or scatter bonuses.

Paylines

Traditional 3-reel slots had only one payline, but video slots have many paylines. Each payline is a separate opportunity to win. Each time the reels stop, the machine tallies the wins on each payline. A payline can be a straight horizontal line, a diagonal line, or it can make some turns along the way. Some lines overlap, so you can win more than once with the same symbols.

Free Spins

Free spins are exactly what they sound like. If you win ten free spins, then the next ten times that you spin the reels, you don't have to pay for it. The free spins are usually for the same number of paylines that you played when you won the free spins. Sometimes when you win free spins, the prizes are also doubled or tripled. That's a great way to win big. Some games will also allow re-triggering. This means that you can win more free spins even if you are already in the middle of a free spin.

Scatter Bonus

A scatter bonus is a win that occurs no matter where the symbols appear on the reels. If the symbols don't appear in order on the payline, you can still win. The symbols can be scattered anywhere. That is why it is called a scatter bonus. A scatter bonus may be money, free spins, or entry to a bonus game.