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One of the most popular games on online casino platforms today is online Slots. And it’s not hard to see why.
These modern Slots have a wide range of features, themes, and titles – such as Age of the Gods, for example – to suit different player preferences. You can choose to spin a classic three-reel slot or explore newer games with thousands of ways to land matching combinations.
With the features and underlying mechanics of slot games playing a key role in gameplay, it’s important to understand how these elements function, to help you better grasp the game format before you choose which titles to explore.
Read on for our complete overview of online slot features and mechanics.
Reels and paylines
The key elements of online Slots often come down to the reels and paylines.
The layout of a slot game is made up of reels, which are the vertical columns that spin and stop to display symbols. Classic versions of Slots often feature three reels, while modern online versions commonly use five or more.
Alongside these reels are paylines, which are the patterns that determine how matching combinations of symbols are formed. In early games, paylines were typically horizontal, but today’s games may include diagonal, zig-zag, or even no fixed lines at all.
Symbols and wilds
Symbols are also central to Slots gameplay. Each Slot has its own set of symbols, which are often designed to match the game’s theme.
Among them, you’ll also find wild symbols, which can substitute for most other symbols on the reels to help you form a matching combination. Some wilds also come with extra functionality, such as expanding wilds that cover an entire reel, or wilds that stay fixed in place for multiple spins (known as “sticky wilds”).
Bonus features
On top of special symbols, modern Slots often include additional features to diversify gameplay. This can involve picking symbols to reveal coin values, navigating a mini board game, or triggering a series of spins where specific gameplay mechanics apply.
While the visual presentation of games varies, the function remains the same – bonus rounds offer an alternative method to land matching combinations and potentially increase payout values.
However, it’s important to be aware that while these features may appear interactive, outcomes still remain completely determined by chance, through the game’s random number generator (RNG).
Volatility and RTP
Two terms often associated with online Slots are volatility and return to player (RTP).
Volatility refers to how frequently and how large payouts might occur when landing matching combinations. High-volatility Slots may land matching symbols less often, but typically offer higher values when they do. In contrast, low-volatility games could see smaller combinations land more frequently.
RTP is the theoretical percentage of total wagers that a game is expected to return to players over time. For example, a Slot with an RTP of 96% means that, theoretically, 96 coins will be returned for every 100 coins wagered.
That being said, it’s important to note that volatile and RTP percentages are determined over a large number of spins and are not a prediction of any individual outcomes.
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As you can see, the mechanics and features of Slots have developed significantly, now offering you a wide range of styles and gameplay functions without altering the fundamental concept. Outcomes are still determined entirely by chance, keeping the core element that has remained with Slots since the first machines in land-based casinos.
By familiarising yourself with how these systems work, you can make more informed decisions when navigating the diverse selection of online Slots available today.
