So, you’ve been hovering your cursor over slot games quite a few times, tempted to hit PLAY, but never quite sure where to begin? Reader, you aren’t alone!
Slots seem super casual on the surface: all lightweight mechanics and instant gaming rounds. Dig a little deeper, though, and you’ll uncover a whole web of mechanics and rules needing to be unpacked Slots aren’t unlike real-time strategy games, in that respect.
And, like with playing Clash Royale or Soul of Eden, the more you educate yourself on the finer details of the gameplay, the greater your overall experience will be.
Ready to take on slot gaming like a pro? Keep reading for everything you need to know.
RNGs to RTPs: The Core of Slot Games
For the uninitiated, even getting a solid grip on all those acronyms dotted around a slot title explainer page is a chore. Ever mistaken RNG for RTP? And what’s the difference between volatility and variance? Wonder no more, as we’ll first guide you through the core of slot games.
Random Number Generators
Pretty much all online slots operate on a software algorithm called a Random Number Generator (RNG). In fact, so do many of the other new casino games you might see on a platform today. After all, most online casino games require a good degree of randomness; it’s not just the slot machines.
RNGs deliver both randomness and fairness in any given game by using an algorithm to come up with a totally unpredictable outcome. That’s what determines where the reels will stop or perhaps what numbers appear on a die.
Return To Player Ratios
Not to be confused with RNG, a game’s RTP (Return to Player) ratio tells you everything you need to know about the average payout of a slot (and the host casino’s house edge).
It’s typically expressed as a percentage, say 96%, and from that number, you can calculate how much of your stake you’ll get back from a game over a period of time – at least in theory.
However, it’s important to note that this isn’t calculated per player or per spin; rather, it’s over a long and statistically significant series of spins.
Variance and Volatility
Variance and volatility might have different meanings in the finance and economic sectors, but in the iGaming industry, these terms are often used interchangeably. Confusing, no? Well, the key thing to remember here is that both terms are shorthand for risk. Or more precisely, how regularly wins will come and what size they’ll tend to be.
Low-volatility slots are the games that deliver frequent, smaller wins. High-volatility slots sit at the other end of the spectrum, often going for long stretches and then suddenly coughing up a large payout. And medium-high? For many players, that’s the sweet spot, think Goldilocks and her porridge!
Unlocking Game Features and Mechanics
That’s the basics covered, so let’s crack on with the exciting stuff: features and mechanics. A quick glance at the titles being put out by top developers like NetEnt and Rival Gaming will show you that modern slots aren’t just about matching fruits and gems on a reel anymore. Bold game themes require bold features and this is where studios are really pushing the envelope.
Let’s start with paylines. Classic slots give you a small grid, maybe no more than three reels and five lines, with the goal being to land matching symbols left to right.
Classic has its time and place, but many developers are ditching the traditional structure altogether. A top alternative? The famous Megaways™ mechanic.
One Megaways spin might have 256 ways to win; the next could have over 100,000. This mechanic dynamically shifts reel height and symbol count, providing a compelling user experience akin to that of a good Minecraft session. Now, you won’t find this feature in every game, but it’s definitely one to keep an eye out for.
Then, we have slots that are based around cluster pays, which completely ignore paylines altogether. Gameplay is a bit like completing a pattern in Tetris Forever, land groups of matching (and touching) symbols anywhere on the screen to unlock potential wins. The more connected symbols you can match, the bigger the payout.
Loot-chasing fans, listen up! If you enjoy shiny hunting in Pokemon or running raids in Borderlands, you’ll want to pay attention to jackpots. Some slots run on fixed jackpots, pre-set prizes that are triggered with special symbols or bonus rounds.
However, the real heart-stopping action can be found in progressive jackpots. In these games, a small chunk of each player’s bet feeds into a central prize pot that grows and grows in real time. When they hit, they really hit!
Here’s the best part though: none of this is locked behind elite player status. Whether you’re spinning a penny slot or a high-volatility epic, these mechanics are there to enhance gameplay, not gatekeep it.
From Curiosity to Confidence
And there we have it; all the knowledge you need to take on slot gaming like a pro. Remember when you were nervously hovering over that play button and not quite sure where to start? Well, now you’ve learned that there are systems behind the spin that shape your experience. So, what do you think? Are you going to give slot gaming a go now?
