A Beginner's Guide to Online Slots: How They Work, Key Terms & Types
Online slots are the most popular games at any online casino, and it's easy to see why. They're bright, fast, fun, and offer the chance for big wins from a small stake.
But if you're a new player, the sheer variety can be confusing. What are "paylines"? What does "RTP" mean? What's the difference between a video slot and a jackpot slot?
Don't worry. This guide will teach you everything you need to know to start spinning like a pro.
1. How Do Online Slots Actually Work?
The most important thing to know is that every online slot is controlled by a Random Number Generator (RNG). This is a complex computer algorithm that generates billions of random results per second.
This means:
- Every single spin is completely independent and random.
- A slot is never "due" to hit a jackpot.
- Streaks (both winning and losing) are just a normal part of random chance.
2. Key Slot Terms You Must Know
Reels: These are the vertical columns that spin. Most modern slots have 5 reels, but you can find 3-reel, 6-reel, and even more.
Paylines: This is the line that symbols must land on for you to win. Some slots have 10 paylines, while others have over 100,000 "Megaways" to win.
RTP (Return to Player): This is a percentage of all wagered money that a slot will pay back to players over a long period of time. An RTP of 96% means that for every $100 wagered, the game is programmed to return $96 in winnings over millions of spins.
Volatility (or Variance): This describes the risk of a slot.
- Low Volatility: You'll get lots of small, frequent wins.
- High Volatility: Wins are rare, but they have the potential to be very large.
Wild Symbol: A special symbol that can substitute for any other symbol (except a Scatter) to help you form a winning line.
Scatter Symbol: This is your best friend. Landing 3 or more Scatters usually triggers the game's main bonus, such as a Free Spins round.
3. The Main Types of Online Slots
While there are thousands of different themes, most games fall into a few main categories.
Video Slots: This is the most common type. They have 5 reels, advanced graphics, sound, and special bonus features like Free Spins. You can see hundreds of them in our main slots library.
Classic Slots: Sometimes called "fruit machines," these are simpler games, usually with 3 reels and traditional symbols like fruits, bars, and 7s.
Progressive Jackpot Slots: These are the games that can change your life. A small portion of every bet from every player goes into a massive, shared prize pool. This pool keeps growing until one lucky player wins it all. You can see the current prize pools on our jackpots page.
Vegas-Style Slots: These games are designed to look and feel exactly like the famous slot machines you'd find on the floor of a Las Vegas casino. We have a whole section dedicated to that Vegas feel here.
4. What About Free Spins?
You can get free spins in two main ways:
In-Game Bonus: By landing Scatter symbols, you win a set number of free spins within the game itself.
Casino Bonuses: We often give out free spins as part of our promotions. Keep an eye on your casino rewards to claim them!
5. A Final Tip: Play Smart
Slots are a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. The most important rule is to have fun. Always set a budget for yourself and stick to it. For more information on setting limits and playing safely, please visit our responsible gaming page.
To learn more about the developers who make these amazing games, you can check out industry leaders like Evolution, who are behind some of the biggest titles in the world.
Ready to Spin?
Now that you know the basics, the best way to learn is to play. Why not try a few spins on one of our featured games? Good luck, and have fun!
The Betzi Team
Your trusted partner in safe and entertaining online gaming.
