Online slot machines have gone a long way since they were first invented. Even though their availability used to be limited back in the day, you can now find them online in a few simple steps. In case you have no experience with these games, this guide will tell you more about how they work and how to get the most out of them.
How Do Online Slots Work?
Unlike old-fashioned slot machines that have a lever you must physically pull to put the game in motion, online slots have more subtle mechanics that operate in the background. What you see on the screen is a grid featuring reels and rows filled with a variety of different symbols. Instead of a lever, there’s a Spin button you need to click on for the reels to start spinning.
Once you do that, the term “random number generator” becomes relevant. The RNG is an algorithm that generates numbers that turn into corresponding symbols on your screen. The numbers can go from 0 to several billion, so it’s safe to say that the outcome will always be random and likely different from the previous ones. This also means that players can’t tamper with the game outcome or affect it in any way.
However, you shouldn’t worry too much about this, as it all happens behind the scenes. All you need to do is to find a good website, pick a slot game, choose the desired bet size, and hit Spin!
The Best Slot Machine Games in the UK
Choosing the best slot machine games is challenging since all players have different gaming preferences. While some punters may be fans of world-famous blockbuster titles, others may be more interested in new games, specific themes, certain features, and other aspects.
So, instead of wasting time asking others which slot games to play, visit a site like Prime Slot Machine UK and find the game that perfectly suits your needs.
History of the Slot Machines
When Sittman and Pitt manufactured the first slot machine in 1891, it looked nothing like the online slots of today. The game was actually inspired by poker, and the machine featured 5 drums holding 50 cards. Upon inserting a nickel and pulling a lever, the drums would spin, and players would hope to get the best possible poker hand.
While this was happening in Brooklyn, another visionary, Charles Fey, came up with his own idea in San Francisco. He had already created a machine with reels, but there were only three of them, and they featured five different symbols, all of which had different values. The payout was automatically calculated and cashed out when spinning reels stopped and symbols aligned in a single row.
This machine was named Liberty Bell, which was also one of the symbols on the reels, and it served as a blueprint for all future slots. Later on, the reels expanded and started featuring fruit symbols, which is how slots became known as fruit machines.
The first electromechanical slot, called Money Honey, appeared in 1963 and enjoyed more than a decade of glory. Then, in 1976, Fortune Coin Company developed the first video slot, which used a Sony TV as a display in the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas.
A couple of years later, IGT acquired Fortune Coin Co. and started developing more of these video slot games, which paved the way for online gambling as we know it. Fast forward to today, and we’ve got thousands of slot games from various software providers who understood the potential of this industry and started creating online slots on a regular basis.
Tips for Winning in Online Slot Machines
As explained previously, online slot machines are powered by random number generators, meaning that players can’t have an influence on the outcome of the spin results and, therefore, their winning potential. However, there are a few things that can help you get a better score over time. Here’s what you can do to get the best out of your slot gaming sessions:
- Check the slot’s RTP and volatility level — As you can see here, the return-to-player shows how big your return will be over a period of time. On the other hand, volatility determines how often you can expect the slot to hit. As these two can have a significant effect on your winning potential, it is important to consider them when choosing a machine.
- Utilise bonuses and promotions — Special offers will enable you to play online slots with extra funds, so you will have more opportunities to hit that big win you’ve been hoping for.
- Use betting strategies — Although slot winnings don’t depend on you that much, a good betting strategy can help you come out ahead in the long run. You can go for fixed percentage betting or start low and increase your bet as you win — whatever you choose, just make sure you’ve planned well before hitting Spin.
- Check the number of paylines — Not all slots have the same number of paylines, which is why some games have a better winning potential than others. Always check the number of paylines and pick those games that stand out from others in this regard.
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