Like any game – it’s important that you understand the ins and outs of how it really works before you start playing, especially if it involves real money. The sheer amount of online slot games available can be quite overwhelming, with countless varieties of themed games with flashing lights, funky theme tunes and gripping graphics bound to whisk you away to live out your wildest fantasies. It’s clear that Slots are still one of the most popular casino games to date.
With that in mind, here is everything you need to know about how online slot games really work and how their mechanics may have an impact on your chances of bagging a win.
Online Slots are incredibly similar to the familiar slot machines often found in bars, pubs and casinos. Mechanical slot machines date back to the late 1890s, and whilst the basics remain the same, online slot machines rely on random number generators (RNG) to ensure the gameplay is fair, rather than being done mechanically.
With online, and real-life, slot machines both displaying three to five sets of reels which spin to determine whether you have won or not, a physical machine will not have some of the modern features that are now accessible online, such as bonus rounds, exciting themes and more wilds than ever before.
The question remains – how does it work?
The RNG generates thousands of numbers every second and is tested by regulators as part of the online casino’s license to ensure the fairness of the game. Each of the numbers generated in a single spin will be connected to a different outcome that is established at the exact moment you press ‘spin’.
During each individual spin, the game’s mathematical software will calculate exactly where the reels should stop and then figure out the outcome of the spin. Each spin is completely random and any previous wins or losses will have no relevance to your most recent plays, so really, the second you decide to press spin could be the luckiest – or unluckiest – second of your life. Yes – one single second could make all the difference!
Some slot machines may vary
When choosing which online slot game to play, be sure to pay attention to each particular game’s volatility level. Games are usually classed as low, medium or high. If you wanted a game with more regular small wins, rather than less frequent bigger wins, then it is best to choose a lower classed game, however to improve your chances at winning bigger payouts quickly, choosing the Slots with higher volatility levels may work best for you. Choosing Slots with high volatility levels generally won’t give you more, or less, of a chance at winning, but may result in spending less money as you will not have to build up your winnings over a prolonged amount of time in order to see a significant profit.
Slots are undoubtedly one of the most popular games out there – so now, when you play your next game, you will understand what goes on behind the graphics, what to look out for, and that there really is no system that guarantees a win. Ultimately, the outcome lays in the hands of Lady Luck.
