Did you know that the first slot machine, called the Liberty Bell, only had three reels and featured symbols like diamonds, horseshoes, and a cracked Liberty Bell? It may seem simple compared to today's complex video slots, but it's what started the gaming revolution. Slots have become a staple at online casinos.
Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced player, this guide will help you understand the world of slots at online casinos in Canada. We'll explore the basics of how slots work, slot variations, and also how to ensure that you play responsibly.
How Slots Work
Slots might seem complex with all the flashing lights and spinning reels, but the gameplay is quite simple. You can find a ton of slot games at every online casino in Canada, but we will start by explaining how most traditional slots work.
You start by placing your bet. Every spin starts with choosing your bet size. Some online slots allow you to do this by adjusting the coin value and the number of paylines you want to activate. More paylines increase your chances of winning, but also raise the total bet amount. In others, you simply choose a bet size from the available options.
Note: Paylines are the invisible lines across the reels where winning symbol combinations must land. Classic slots typically have a few horizontal paylines, while video slots can offer dozens or even thousands of ways to win, with diagonal, zig-zag, and cluster payout systems.
Once your bet is set, hit the "Spin" button (or the nostalgic lever on some virtual slots) and watch the reels spin. Each reel displays a variety of symbols, and the outcome of your spin depends on which symbols land on the activated paylines.
Winning combinations are determined by the symbols lining up on a payline according to the slot's paytable. This table is usually accessible within the game itself, and it shows the value of each symbol combination and any special features associated with them.
Note: Every spin in an online slot is governed by a Random Number Generator (RNG). This sophisticated software ensures fair play by generating random outcomes on each spin, completely independent of previous results. So, it's all down to chance.
Types of Slot Games
Slots come with different themes, features, and gameplay styles. Below are some of the most common slot varieties that you'll run into.
Classic Slots
These nostalgic gems are a throwback to the original slot machines with 3 reels, simple graphics, and a limited number of paylines (usually 1-5). They offer a straightforward gameplay experience, focusing on the classic aim of matching symbols like fruits, bells, and lucky sevens.
Video Slots
These are more slots, featuring stunning visuals, soundtracks, and usually a range of exciting features. Video slots typically have 5 reels (or more) and offer a wider range of paylines or ways to win.
They may even use a different payout system altogether, such as cluster pay or scatter pay, and are usually packed with bonus rounds, free spins, and special symbols like wilds and scatters.
Progressive Jackpot Slots
These slots pool a portion of every bet placed across a network of games, gradually increasing a massive jackpot prize. Progressive jackpots can reach massive amounts, making them a popular choice for high rollers. However, hitting the jackpot requires a lot of luck, as the odds are typically lower compared to regular slot wins.
Megaways Slots
These slots introduce a dynamic reel system that changes with every spin. Instead of fixed paylines, Megaways slots utilize an any-way-wins system with a variable number of symbols on each reel, which can lead to a massive number of potential winning combinations (sometimes more than 100,000).
Note: Many megaways slots use a symbol drop mechanic where winning symbols disappear, and new ones appear down the reels. This offers the potential for consecutive wins on a single spin.
Bonus Buy Slots
Bonus buy slots offer players the option to purchase direct access to the game's bonus round, bypassing the wait of triggering it through regular gameplay. However, it's important to consider the cost of the buy-in compared to the potential rewards before using this option.
Understanding Slot Mathematics
While slots are known for being a game of chance, there's a surprising amount of math behind the reels that influences your gameplay experience.
- Return to player (RTP) - This statistic is shown as a percentage. It indicates the theoretical amount of money a slot pays back to players over a long period of time. For example, an RTP of 96% suggests that for every $100 wagered on average, the slot returns $96 to players in payouts.
- Volatility (also known as variance) - This term refers to the inherent risk and reward structure of a slot. High volatility slots offer less frequent wins, but with the potential for larger payouts. Low volatility slots tend to deliver smaller wins more consistently.
- Hit frequency - Closely linked to volatility, hit frequency refers to the percentage of spins that result in a winning combination (regardless of the payout amount). High volatility slots typically have a lower hit frequency, while low volatility slots have a higher hit frequency.
Bonus Features and Special Symbols
Many modern slots offer bonus features that can significantly improve your chances of winning.
Bonus Features
Firstly, there's bonus rounds. These mini-games are typically triggered by landing specific scatter symbols (usually three or more) on the reels.
Bonus rounds can take various forms, from classic free spins to pick-me games where you choose hidden prizes, or interactive challenges that offer multipliers and additional rewards.
Free spins are the most common bonus feature that allows you to use a set number of spins on the slot with the chance to win real money without placing additional bets. Free spins often come with additional perks like multipliers that boost your winnings or special expanding symbols that increase your chances of forming winning combinations.
Special Symbols
Many online slots feature so-called special symbols, which play a key part in their gameplay or bonus features. The most common are wild and scatter symbols.
Wild symbols can substitute for most other symbols (excluding scatters) on the reels, helping you complete winning combinations. Some wild symbols come with additional features like expanding to fill entire reels or multiplying wins.
Then you get scatter symbols. These elusive symbols are the key to triggering bonus rounds. Landing the required number of scatters anywhere on the reels, regardless of paylines, activates the bonus feature.