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This is a concept encompassing «video» and «slots». The former refers to a visual representation, while the latter means electronic machines that require players to produce matching symbols upon spinning the reels to win. Thus, video slots are digitalized or virtual slot machines that use a combination of themed sound, animation and graphics. Players will spin the reels with symbols on them and hope to land multiple numbers of the same symbols to win.
Video slot games weren’t a thing because a regular player needed to visit a land-based casino to play. With the introduction of technology backed by the Internet, market demand started shifting from offline to online marketplaces. The creation also came because players wanted something more immersive and engaging. Developers, on their part, needed to explore other segments, just as operators were open to ideas that would get more players to come in and strategically keep existing ones invested.
There are several types of these machines and choosing one often boils down to what the players want. One also needs to understand the core mechanics and this takes you the way back to the classic slot games.
These are the digitalized or modernized versions of traditional slot machines. This time, they go beyond fruit-themed machines to virtual representations of symbols onscreen with excellent graphics and an intuitive interface.
Classic-themed video slot games are ideal for two categories of players. The first are those who wish to feel the old-school vibes — for nostalgia purposes. The second is beginners who wish to get the hang of old-school slots in a modernized form.Though they’re meant to be a recreation of traditional slots, they do retain the number of reels, which is between 3 reel games and 5-reel versions, depending on the title. While they feature simple gameplay, they also include classic symbols ranging from bells, cherries and sevens.
These are the ones paying out hugely. Players of video slots for free who are tuned to high-risk and high-reward often prefer this. They’re a part of a networked jackpot that grows in leaps and bounds, with each player’s bets. The beauty is that triggering jackpots can be randomized provided you land specific symbol combinations on the reel.
Go for this if you’re a risk-taker and don’t mind wagering with huge amounts contributed towards the jackpot pool.
Also called Megaways, these were popularized by Big Time Gaming, one of the leading software developers. They’re the best for players who want to have a finger in every pie, without risking much, as it offers thousands of ways to win.
Megaway video slot games have a mechanic that randomly changes the number of symbols on each reel, with each spin. Also, the dynamic and fast-paced gameplay creates unpredictability, further enhancing the exploding win potential.
Depending on the title, you could have up to 100,000 ways to win. These include randomized reels with varying numbers of symbols.
These are stunning visual versions of traditional slot machines, featuring interactive bonus rounds, three-dimensional (3D) animations and high-end graphics. 3D video slots are ideal for players who enjoy immersive gameplay and are interested in story-driven experiences.
As the name suggests, these virtual slot machines offer several paylines, enhancing winning potential for players who are comfortable with small but frequent wins. Attributes include more paylines, offering extra winning chances and the ability to win in multiple directions, such as right to left, left to right or even diagonal.
Also called themed video slot games, they’re modeled after real-life events, including music bands, television shows and celebrities. Movies can also be adapted.
Branded slot machines add an extra dimension to gameplay, by integrating realistic elements, including artwork, real video clips and soundtracks from the adapted source.
They’re the best for players who fancy pop icons, looking for an extra entertaining environment or are fans of specific movie franchises.
Video slots triumph over traditional slots given the enhanced gameplay features, themed sound effects and variety of themes. Here’s how to play the titles, whether at a land-based casino or on mobile devices.
Different online casino sites offer these games. Choose one, create an account, deposit money and get ready to play!
Knowing the gameplay mechanics helps you make better decisions. One of the high points is understanding the rules guiding the special symbols, dictating which they are and potential rewards for getting them. You also need to learn about the rules for bonus features and how to play the bonus feature, if you are lucky to get one.
Choosing to play video slots is a matter of preference, given the various types out there. Here’s a quick checklist for doing that:
Set the bet amount or how much you’re willing to spend. It can be anywhere between $0.10 and $5, depending on the game. Keep in mind that this is commensurate with the number of betways. For example, in a game of 20 paylines, betting $0.20 on each means wagering with a maximum of $4.
Spin the reel of video slot games, either manually or using the auto-spin feature to automate the process. If the game supports turbo mode, turn it on to speed up the spins.
You win if the winning symbols align where they should on the reel. The wins are credited to your casino balance for cash out.
The attributes are ideal for different kinds of players — beginners and professionals, as well as those with small budgets and bigger bankrolls.
Here are some popular features:
Traditional slot machines have three reels. But, it’s common to find 5 reel slots, now available to be played online.
These are offers to play more without committing extra funds. Examples are:
Some video slot games contribute towards a larger jackpot pool, which grows as more bets are placed. To win, players need to meet the required number of specific combinations. Progressive jackpots pay more and are ideal for players who are open to taking bigger risks.
The wilds substitute for every other symbol to help form winning combinations. There are also variants with slight specifications:
The scatter symbols often trigger the free spins or bonus features in video slot games. They don’t necessarily need to appear on a betway to win. They can also activate mini or bonus games, provided that up to three (3) of them appear anywhere on the reel.
With so many titles out there, which are the blockbuster games to play on a demo version or for real money?
Here are some of the titles worth checking out:
Net Entertainment’s Starburst makes the list because of the simplicity and expanding wilds — two features that make it perfect for beginners. Given the low volatility and dual (left-to-right, right-to-left) paylines, players get to play low-risk exposure and consistent wins.
This is a devilish-themed video slot developed by WMS Gaming. It features 5 reels, 25 betways and a minimum bet amount of $0.25. Players need to navigate through the medium-to-low volatility level, which offers a balance between smaller wins and occasional payouts. With a little above 96% RTP, you can be sure of getting something tangible on winning.
This is a 5-reel and high-volatility ancient Egyptian-themed video slot developed by Play’n GO. With 10 active paylines, it allows experienced players to enjoy a mixed balance of risk and reward. Unique features include the «Rich Wilde» explorer premium symbol, free spins with an expanding symbol and 96.21% Return to Player (RTP).
Big Time Gaming, the pioneer of megaway slots, launched Bonanza Megways as a mining and gold-themed title featuring up to 117,649 ways to win. The game also has high volatility, 96% RTP and cascading reels with multiple explosive potential on every win.
This is a high volatility, fruit and disco-themed video slot developed by Push Gaming. It has an 8 by 8 grid reel with cluster pays, implying that the wins are typically based on forming a cluster of matching symbols on the reel, rather than traditional betways. It also features wild jars, which have multipliers, pay out 96.83% of the winnings and combine free spins with sticky jars/wilds.
It has medium volatility, keeping actions regulated, but offers free spins, which must be activated by 3 scatter symbols. It also has a bonus retrigger feature, equipped with a multiplication effect of up to 10 times the bonus value.
Not many companies are invested in making free video slots. Those that do often follow the trends to create something unique. Here’s a list of the top software providers who are renowned for developing entertaining and high-quality games.
This company is known for many other things, other than making virtual video slot machines. It has a long-standing reputation as a provider of the first truly market-specific software for online casino games.In terms of video slots, it’s the maker of Mega Moolah, a progressive jackpot that randomizes jackpots and offers massive payouts, sometimes in the millions. It also made some other notable titles, like Thunderstruck II, a Norse mythology game with four bonus rounds, a medium volatility level and a pick-and-click bonus feature.
This is the pioneer of the first Megaways gameplay mechanic. Most of the games in the catalog are dynamic, offer huge win potential and are highly volatile. Titles include White Rabbit Megaways, Bonanza Megaways and Extra Chilli Megaways.
This company makes real money and free online video slots, tailored around different narratives. If you love engaging storylines with elements of fair play and enhanced graphics, this is the provider whose game you should be playing.
The titles also have balanced volatility, intuitive interfaces and captivating names. They include:
NetEnt, for short, is a leading name in the world of online casino game development. It created Dead or Alive II, a high-volatility and huge win potential video slot, Starburst, a classic video slot with wild re-spins and Gonzo’s Quest, based on avalanche (cascading) reels with increasing multipliers.
Players choose to play free video slot games from the catalog because they offer a fair RTP of up to 96%, are feature-rich with bonuses and are ideal for both new and professional players.
Knowing the strategies to play smarter and more intentionally can help you play for long, win more and keep losses minimal.
While playing video slots for free can be beneficial to learning the ropes, throwing your hat into the ring can boost your chances of winning. Using the tactics shared below can help you get entertained the most and manage risks.
You’ll find tons of free video slots to play, both on our website and the online casino operators. Testing the demo versions helps you familiarize yourself with the mechanics, test different methods to develop a strategy and be familiar with the payout frequency and bonus rounds.
Understanding the game before playing also helps you extend gameplay and maximize fun. Start by mastering how the volatility ranges work, both the low and medium. The high variance format also offers rare wins.
The most important is reading the paytable, learning how to activate free spins, how the symbols must be matched and how the bonus features work.
Upon making a deposit, you’ll be rewarded with anything between 35% and 100% match bonus. The extra money gives an advantage to extend play without spending extra.
Though low, medium and high are the common variances in video slots, one pays more than the other. High-volatility games offer bigger pays, but they’re rare to come by. However, you may record success taking risks on high-RTP slots that consistently offer better payouts. Examples are Starburst’s 96.09%, Blood Suckers’ 98% and Book of 99’s 99%.
The platforms to play video style games are not based in the streets of Las Vegas. They operate within and outside of the U.S. and can be accessed from anywhere using an internet-enabled device.
Here are the best places to play and enjoy the wide collection of old and new games:
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This website prioritizes fair play, a reason why players try to sign up here is to guarantee their winnings. It also doesn’t place a premium on wagering requirements, giving more room to winning opportunities with fewer tasks.
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Filip Gromovic is a senior slots reviewer here at FreeSlots99 with over five years of experience evaluating the latest drops in the world of iGaming.
Being a slot fan himself, Filip approaches slot ratings just the way we like it – professionally, but also from a player’s standpoint.
That enables him to give his unbiased take on the slot’s features, gameplay and design, while only recommending top-tier releases to our readers.
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Having served FreeSlots99 for more than 5 years as a senior content editor and reviewer, Nashon Khamala has extensive knowledge in game slots and iGaming.
His membership in the Editorial Freelancers Association helps him deliver content that reaches both editorial excellence standards and an engaging information level.
By using his expertise in slots games combined with player-focused analysis, Nashon delivers a professional evaluation of slot features and player experiences in his reviews.
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