Video Slots
Updated
Gayle Mitchell
Updated
Gayle Mitchell
What you will find on this page
Video slots are one of the most common, and popular, casino games online. These games offer you a ton of excitement wrapped in various themes and packed full of exciting extras designed to help you win. Slots like these have a number of in-game features that include wilds, scatters, various paylines, free spins and extra bonus rounds.
These games use the very latest technology to offer seamless gameplay, optimized games for mobile use and quality graphics for even more entertainment. What's even better is that some of the biggest software providers have teamed up with Hollywood companies to bring films and TV into these games in the form of 3D slots.
Discover all you need to know about video slots as we take a look at how they work, what makes the best video slot and whether playing them for free is worth it, or not.
What you will find on this page
Online video slots are all run on software. Unlike land-based slot games, there is nothing mechanical in their operation. Instead, everything is completely digital. Whenever you spin the reel or place your bet, the result will be completely random thanks to the way the software operates. Some of you might be skeptical about this, but reputable software providers will all have their games monitored and regularly audited for gaming fairness by third-party authorities such as eCOGRA. In fact, with such dedicated testing, video slots are one of the fairest games online today.
Video slots are completely luck-based though. The aim of the slot is to land three or more matching symbols on a payline. Doing so will trigger a payout. Each symbol is worth a different amount, which is why these payouts will differ. On top of that, the more matching symbols you can line up, the bigger and better the payout will be. There are also added bonus symbols that are there to help wins happen.
Comparing video slots and classic slots is like comparing music genres from different generations. Both categories are very representative of the eras they arose in and there are stark contrasts in the creation, functionality, and variety between the two. In the table below we will explore the fundamental differences between the old and the new old of online slots.
Online slots have a lot of features contained within, especially compared to other online games. One of the main things to be aware of is their general setup. Most video slots will take the classic slot structure of 3 reels × 3 rows and elevate this. Generally, this type of slot will have a minimum of 5 reels, though some slots will have up to 7 reels. There are usually five rows too, but again, this can change between slots. What this larger grid size means is that this type of slot will also have more paylines.
Paylines are important, as these are the lines you need to land matching symbols on. Some video slots will have minimal paylines of 5, while others will have hundreds. New game mechanics have allowed slots to increase the number of ways to win so that some slots even offer paylines in the thousands. Some video slots will also retain the classic fixed payline setup, while others will let you choose which paylines you want to be operational during a spin.
As technology improves, slot providers are constantly trying to offer something more exciting for players to enjoy. New features to video slots include cascading reels, cluster pays and even the megaways reel mechanic.
There are a number of other important video slot features:
When looking for the best slot to play, everyone is different. As these games come in a range of different themes and designs, it's really down to personal preference as to what you prefer. However, there are a couple of aspects to consider that can make a difference in whether you score regular wins or not. Here are just a few of the important features, if you bear all these points in mind, you have a good platform from which to choose the video slot game that suits your needs:
Online casinos these days have huge numbers of slot games available, many of them offering in excess of 500 slots. With so many games, it can be hard to find the one you are looking for, but sites such as this tend to have a range of options for filtering. These often include by theme, in-game bonus features, hot games, favourites and more.
Though it's always fun to play video slots for real as this is the way you can get real cash prizes, it can be very beneficial to play some games for free too. Playing the free versions means you can get to know the way the game works before doing it for real. In demo mode, you're given virtual cash which you can then use to play around with different sized bets. By playing these games risk-free you can find out which games you like and which you don't as well as actually seeing the way they work.
Slot machine video games can often be found attached to various bonuses too. The most common of these are free spins, which can come in deposit or no deposit form. No deposit free spins are awarded when you sign up to a new casino. They will be added to your account instantly essentially giving you access to free online video slots. Deposit bonuses operate in a similar manner, but you will be required to make a specific minimum deposit amount in order to claim them. Deposit-free spins will often award larger numbers of spins. However, this type of bonus is usually attached to a specific video slot, which you will have to play to redeem the spins. Some of the popular video slots that are offered with free spins include Gonzo's Quest, Book of Dead and Starburst.
With so many thousands of video slots available online, it can be quite daunting to set about choosing one to play. Take some time when selecting the perfect video slot as it can mean the difference between a win or a loss. We always recommend that you take on some of the free video slots right here on our site. By doing this you can give yourself the chance to see if such games are actually for you. Choosing carefully will also mean that you will have more fun in the long run when gaming online.
Gayle Mitchell is the leading female expert on casino gambling and has written extensively, presented seminars and was editor of four gaming newsletters. She is the author of seven books, 12 Ebooks, and five Tips booklets. Online since 1999, Mitchell has owned and operated 4 gaming websites. Her writing and teaching style is targeted at educating novice and passionate casino players.
** This page was previously maintained by a staff writer up until 26 February 2021
