FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
The section Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) provides the most common questions and answers about slot machines.
- What is a slot machine ?
- How do I play with a slot machine ?
- Can I play mobile slots for real money ?
- How much can I win with a slot machine ?
- Do I need to pay anything for the free slots ?
- Do I need a download in order to play slots online ?
- Can I play slots games without internet connection ?
- Is every slots machine in every casino the same ?
- What is a progressive jackpot ?
Slot machines are a type of casino game traditionally operated by interting a coin into a machine that has three reels or more. These reels spin when the player pulls the lever on the side of the machine. Slot machines include a currency detector that validates the money inserted to play. The machine pays out based on patterns of symbols visible on the front of the machine when the reels stop spinning. Slot machines are more affectionately known by the majority of people as One-Arm Bandits or Fruit Machines. With the advent of modern technology, there have been vast advancements into the digital world, and now slot machines are the most popular form of gambling in casinos and online.
How do I play with a slot machine ?
The aim of the game is to win money from the machine. You do this by matching symbols on the reels, either on mechanical ones on the more traditional spin and reveal machines, or on simulated reels on digital a platform which display on a video screen. The different symbols are usually brightly coloured and recognisable, for example varying fruits, numbers and letters, or simple shapes such as bells, bars, and hearts. More modern slot machines have an unlimited choice of different symbols including film and TV characters, animated cartoon characters, and pictures of actors or singers. A number of machines now follow set themes like mythical creatures, superheroes and popular gaming characters. Most games have a variety of winning symbol combinations which will be listed on the machine or in the online guide. If a player matches a combination according to the rules of the game, the slot machine credits the player cash or some other valuable commodity, such as bonus rounds or extra features.
Can I play mobile slots for real money ?
Mobile slots are exatly the same as their desktop counterpart in that you can choose to play for free or you can deposit funds and play for real money with the same method of withdrawing winnings.
How much can I win with a slot machine ?
Payouts differ greatly depending on which variety of machine you are playing. The biggest wins come from jackpot slots. These have one special difference from conventional slot machines in that they are pool of money which is connected between several machines, and the money continues to accrue until someone takes all the money. In exceptional circumstances, the sum can be up to seven figure wins.
Do I need to pay anything for the free slots ?
One of main benefits of playing online, unlike the brick-and-mortar machines, is that you can play for free. Free slots are fun and non-committal for playing a quick relaxing game, exploring new games, or if you prefer not playing for real money. Free games have no cost to you at all, and no commitment or obligation to any future payments.
Do I need a download in order to play slots online ?
No, slots games can be played with a downloaded casino but also with instant play casino machines. The vast majority of modern slots use an instant play casino. They are quick and easy with no need to download software. This allows play on multiple devices or to play on the go, and do not require using up computer disk space and memory.
Can I play slots games without internet connection ?
Yes, of course you can. If you have limited Internet access or if your Internet provider only allows you a certain amount of bandwidth usage, you can still enjoy playing free offline slots. All you need to do is download the software to your device, and you can then access the game anytime you want, regardless of online status. You cannot play paid slot machines offline.
Is every slots machine in every casino the same ?
No, slot machines games differ in numerous ways:
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- By number of reels. Traditional slot machines have three reels, but more advanced slot machine games use five reels. The additional reels make it possible to have larger payouts, because it’s correspondingly harder to win on a game with more reels. Some newer games now have as many as seven reels.
- By denomination. Some games only accept small coins, while other machines exclusively accept one set coin value. The majority of games allow you to choose from multiple dominations, though there are some high roller machines with large coin values to cater to the premium players.
- By paylines. Traditional slot machine games have one payline across the centre of the three reels. If the symbols make certain combinations, the game pays out. Newer slot machines have multiple paylines across five or seven reels. Some of these patterns are quite complicated, but they increase the player’s chances of winning at least something on every spin. Machines may have 3 paylines, 5 paylines, or even 25 paylines.
- By bonus features. Newer slot machines often feature an large array of bonus games and special symbols that lead to further bonuses and additional prizes or payouts.
- By payouts. Every game has different payout ranging from small totals to jackpots. Types of jackpots also differ depending the type of machine you are playing. Older machines have a fixed top jackpot, called a flat top slot machine. Newer machines feature a progressive jackpot. Flat top slot machines offer a lower prize for the maximum payout, but the chances of winning are far greater than the chances of winning a progressive jackpot.
What is a progressive jackpot ?
A progressive jackpot is one that increases a small amount each game until a player has achieved a winning combination or until the maximum payout has been reached, whichever comes first. Normally multiple machines are linked together to form one large progressive jackpot that increases at a quicker rate. The payouts are often much larger than a flat top slot machine, however achieving maximum payout is much less likely.