Slots

February 9, 2021

How Online Slot Machines Work

Ethan Williams
Written byEthan WilliamsWriter
Researched byPriya PatelResearcher

Are you looking to razz up the video slot reels and win some money? Then it’s time to learn a few tricks about online slot machines. Most casino players hold the myth that there is rigging in slot machines. But that’s far from the truth because there wouldn’t be any slot player around currently. In fact, history has it that the most prominent online casino wins are from video slots. So, let’s debunk the myth about video slots with a few hard-nosed facts.

How Online Slot Machines Work

How are video slots programmed?

First and foremost, online slots are entertaining, rewarding, and flexible. The most common types of video slots are 3-reel slots, which come with fun and exciting symbols like cherries, bells, horseshoes, etc. However, 5-reel slots are quickly catching up, thanks to their expansive features like multipliers, wilds, scatters, and more.

In addition to more symbols, modern symbols have far more paylines for creating huge wins. While original video slots had just a single payline, current versions have anything between 9 and 50 paylines. These video slots also come with 243 or 1043 ways to win. Typically, the average payline you can get is around 25. In this case, players have 25 varying forms of winning in every spin.

Meanwhile, the Random Number Generator (RNG) determines the outcome of any video slot game. Most regulated gambling sites use this software to produce random and unpredictable results. The RNG can generate up to 4 billion numbers in a second, with each number connected to a spin outcome. Overall, this feature ensures the games are random and fair.

Slot Machine Volatility

Besides the RTP, the slot volatility is another feature that determines how much a punter can win in the long run. Volatility determines the frequency and size of payouts. Video slots come with either high, medium, or low volatility or variance. For example, high variance slots offer large payouts, although the payout is less frequent. On the other hand, it’s easier to win at low volatility slots, although the payout is small.

Sadly, only a few video slot developers indicate the slot’s volatility. So, to easily determine the slot’s volatility, play it for free. Remember that the more you play it, the easier you’ll know how often the game pays out and by how much.

Another straightforward way is to check the difference between four identical symbols’ payout in the payline. Pit it against the payout of 5 identical symbols. If the difference is 10 to 15 times, it’s likely a high volatility slot. Low variance slots have 3 to 5 times payout difference.

Return to Player Percentage (RTP)

Before getting your hopes high playing video slots, it’s vital to remember that the house always wins. But that’s not to say you can’t win anything. Ideally, the casino gets a share of every wager you make, whether a win or a loss. For example, if a game has an RTP of 3%, it means you will get $97 for every $100 wagered. Therefore, always go for the lowest possible RTP rate.

Experiment with free games

At OnlineCasinoRank, you’ll find hundreds of online casinos that offer a wide array of casino games to play for free. In these online casinos, the majority of the video slots come with “demo” versions. This feature lets players see how the game works before staking real money. Gamers can experiment with gameplay elements like the bonus rounds, wilds, scatters, multipliers, etc. So, sharpen your skills here before joining the real-money gambling world.

The sum up

Casino slot machines are undoubtedly here for a long haul. The chances are that you’ll even play them first on any online casino. That’s because they come attached to your welcome bonus. Just remember that other casinos games like poker and blackjack have far more favorable RTP rates. Nonetheless, slot machines are super-enjoyable.

About the author
Ethan Williams
Ethan Williams
About

Ethan Williams, a lively 24-year-old lad from the UK, brilliantly fuses his passion for online casinos with top-notch English localisation, creating bespoke casino guides for Britain's keen gaming lot.

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