Features and operation of online slots

Since the slot machines are the most popular games by players in online casinos, in this article we see what the generic operation of online slots is and what are their characteristics and the risks to which users exhibit.

Anyone who has visited an online casino at least once will certainly have realized the huge number of slot machines available compared to all other games. The slots far represent the pastime most appreciated by those who bet online and in recent years the number of games of this type has increased dramatically, allowing operators to offer players hundreds of different slot games variants.

Despite the variety of slot available, the basic operation is almost the same, regardless of the game producer and the bonus functions availablenull First we say that, at least at the current time, the slot machines do not provide for skill elements: players can only rely on luck, since there are no game schemes that can somehow change the chances of winning. The generation of the winning or loser results of each play depends on a random rng (random number generator) algorithm, certified for total randomness to be guaranteed. Having said that, we can summarize the slot game methodology in a very simple way: the player chooses the number of lines on which to focus (if possible), the amount of the episode and then simply runs the slot rollers.

Although these actions are very simple for those who have already played any online slot, it is possible that some users are confused when the numerous buttons that make up the game interface of modern slot machines are faced for the first time.

For this reason, we have chosen a random slot machine (Victorious, developed by Netent in the specific case) to show what are the game commands and their functions. The slot screen is shown in the image (it can be enlarged by clicking on it).

What we will say below is generally valid for all existing multiline slots, apart from some minimal difference.

  • Rollers and symbols: The rollers represent the "columns" of the slots. In most cases we find 5 rollers (as in the example), in other cases their number can vary. The symbols that produce the winning combinations, the jokers and the symbols that activate bonus functions flow.
  • Winning lines: represent the lines on which more symbols can be aligned to obtain a winning combination. They can be in variable numbers, from 1 to 243. In some games to the player it is allowed to modify the number of active lines, in others this number is fixed.
  • Paytable (payments table): this is the "instruction booklet" of the slot. In it contains all the information concerning the value of the winnings, the specific rules of the slot and the bonus methods. It is advisable to dedicate time to reading Paytable every time you bet on a game for the first time in order to know all the aspects.
  • Level (number of tokens): It is used to set the number of tokens to be used for each play. This value obviously influences the total bet.
  • Coin Value (Gettone value): It is used to set the value of the tokens. This, combined with the number of active lines and the number of tokens, allows you to set up the total bet for each play at will.
  • Coins (total throws): the number of tokens available to the player, based on the money with which the session and the settings of the other parameters began. For example, starting the session with $ 100, if the value of the tokens is 10 cents, the total number of tokens available is 1000, if instead the value of the tokens is set at $ 1, the total is 100.
  • Bet (total bet): shows the total value of the bet for the next play. This value is given by the product of the number of active lines, the number of tokens and the value of the token. In our example, the Victorious slot has a number of fixed winning lines of 243, although only 25 lines are considered for the count of the total episode. In this case, with a value of the tokens equal to $ 0.10 and a number of tokens for each play equal to 2, the total bet is 50 tokens, or $ 5 (25*0.10*2).
  • Autoplay (automatic game) and Max Bet (maximum episode): These are two functions that can remain unused: the first allows you to run the slot automatically without having to press the central button every time to start the rollers. The second allows (attention!) To start a play immediately by setting the number of tokens (Level) to the maximum.
  • Statistics bar: below is a bar with the statistics of the game, in particular we notice the total balance available, the current total bet in euros and not in tokens and the value of the last win made.
  • Start button: of different shape in each slot, is used to start a play. It is generally located at the center of the game interface, or on one side with the "turn" label.

Although with some small variation dependent on the game producer, on the online casino and graphic construction, all online slots have the interface that we have shown in this example. Once familiar with a slot game, all the others are therefore very similar in their operation.

Jackpot, free spin and bonus functions of the slots

All modern slots have special characteristics in the form of progressive jackpots, free play or bonus functions.

The purpose of casino games manufacturers is to guarantee the greatest level of entertainment possible. Since the classic slots can be boring after a few minutes of the game, new features have been developed over time, in order to allow the player a greater immersion (and a greater profit for casino operators, given that the game time increases).

Here are the special functions that we find most often in the slots:

  • Progressive jackpot: Progressive jackpots are one of the main reasons why slots are so appreciated. For each play made by a player, a small part of the money used is increasing a progressive prize pool shared among all players and usually also between online casino that offer the same game. Considering the high number of games made every day at the slots, the jackpots grow very quickly and often reach figures between $ 100,000 and $ 500,000, in some cases even greater than million euros. Although these huge prize pools really make a throat to the players, it must be remembered that winning a jackpot has a very low probability, in the order of one on a few dozen millions (in practice it is easier to do 5 at Superenalotto).
  • Free Spin: certainly the function most appreciated by the players. Some particular combinations of symbols can make the player win a variable number of free games, which do not cost anything but that allow you to win money. Often these free games are "enhanced" through the use of winning multipliers (in the case of the Victorius slot of the example all winnings in the free spin mode are tripled), special Wild symbols or other functions.
  • Bonus functions and games: to accompany Jackpot and Free Spin there are often bonus functions, even very different based on the chosen slot. Often these are bonus games, in which the player receives cash prizes in addition to the winnings made by the winning combinations on the rollers at the end of the game. The best way to get to know these bonus functions is to control slot paytable.

The risks related to slot machines

Although very simple to use and fun, the online slot machines hide some pitfalls, first of all the high risk of developing a pathological addiction.

The aspect that most attracts online slots is certainly the possibility of obtaining great winnings by playing relatively low sums. In fact, with bets in the order of $ 2 or $ 5, for example, it can be overcome by the amounts of several thousand euros. However, it must be borne in mind that the slots are very random games, in which each game absolutely does not depend on the previous ones, which is why during an entire game session there is the risk of not obtaining any worthy winnings. In fact, it is not so unlikely to end a game session with the totally exhausted balance.

Another negative aspect of this type of online games is the speed with which bets follow one another. The positive or negative outcome of the games is known in a few seconds, which is why it is all too easy to let yourself be taken and play much more than what was bordered.

Even obtaining a high win immediately can worsen the risk of developing an addiction, because the player is led to think that sooner or later, another win will have to present himself. Situation that may not occur. For these reasons, we advise our users to always play with slot moderation, trying to pay attention to the amounts played and the time employed in the game activity, always remaining lucid and without believing the legends that often surround the gambling environments null