Slots is quite literally, the most popular game of all. It is the
most commonly prevalent game played in live casinos and in online
venues both. There are dozens of reasons that render it so, but most
boil down to one simple explanation: slots are fun and easy. They
also can make you very, very rich on a lucky day. The ease with
which the game of slots can be learned is unsurpassed: it’s as
simple as playing a coin in a machine in a casino, or as downloading
free software to your computer. Slots is a game that be played with
no experience at all. More advanced games such as roulette,
blackjack and poker necessitate that you are familiar with a wide
expanse of rules, and experienced enough not to ask for explanations
during game play. None of these are concerns in the slots industry.
There are advantages to playing slots online, rather
than in a brick-and-mortar casino. Though the experience of gambling
in a Vegas casino is near second to none, online slot games offer a
greater payout percentage than the majority of in-person casinos can
offer. The reason is the maintenance costs: land-based casinos have
to pay their staff, maintain their machines, etc so their payouts
back to gamblers tend to be lower, putting more money in their
pockets. Online slots don’t have these concerns, so they are able to
maximize payouts to players- averaging anywhere from 95-98% payback
to their members. Typically, land-based casinos range from 85-90%
payback, to account for the additional expenses they incur.
Online slots have a huge variety from which to choose,
all of which may be accessed from anywhere you enjoy internet
service- home, office, supported cell phone providers. You are not
restricted by time zones, or other people’s schedules- as the games
are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You enjoy the privacy
of home play, being able to jump online for a game or two in your
pajamas if you so choose. The variety online is comparable to, if
not surpassing, that of Vegas casinos- the availability of games is
nearly immeasurable. Three reel slots, five reel slots with anywhere
from 9 to 15 paylines, bonus slots, and progressive jackpot slot
games are all available over the internet. Can you imagine the
freedom of winning a progressive slot jackpot, oftentimes totaling
over $1 million and never leaving your computer? The options are
incredible. And if you want to try your hand at other Las Vegas
games such as blackjack, poker, craps, or roulette, online versions
of these classics are accessible as well.
F.A.Q. Frequently Asked
Questions:
·
What’s the
difference in odds between online slots and playing in a live
casino?
o
Generally,
online casinos can offer higher payout rates because their overhead
is so much less. With the ease that technology brings, there is less
cost to maintain internet casinos than there is land-based casinos-
resulting in more funds going back to the players in winnings and
jackpots. The competition between similar sites also keeps payouts
high and new bonuses fresh to keep players, and entice new members.
·
How are
winnings paid out if I hit a jackpot?
o
Though live
casinos typically will set up a payment plan from which to pay you
your winnings over time, online casinos will generally prefer to pay
out the sum in one installment. If you win $1 million dollars,
arrangements will be made for you to receive the lump sum at one
time.
·
Which is
better: Download or No Download software?
o
It can be a
personal preference as there are advantages and disadvantages to
either type of software. No Download type games are more convenient
to the player as the immediacy of the game is instant- there is no
need to obtain any additional files from the server, and you can
play wherever, whenever without delay. With Download games, once
it’s been downloaded, you do not need to do it again (on that
computer) and by doing so, often have a much larger selection of
games from which to choose. No Download types tend to be simpler
games, not requiring a lot of memory; whereas Download games can be
more complex, with more options, enhancing your playing experience.
It depends on what’s important to you as a player.
·
What if I
need help?
o
All internet
casino websites have customer assistance departments. Go to the
site’s home page, or along the bottom of the screen’s navigational
bar and look for links that say “Help” or “Contact Us.” Their
contact information will be provided- most of the time as a phone
number you can call while you remain online; though some services
offer chat assistance. If you prefer to talk to other players, many
sites offer chat rooms and message boards where you can search for
answers.
·
What are
Progressives?
o
Progressive
is a term for Progressive Jackpot Slot games. Whereas normal or
traditional slot machines payout their percentage in normal
winnings, progressive slots skim a portion of each wager put into
them and collect small amounts in one “Jackpot” bank, to be paid out
as a grand prize. Oftentimes, multiple progressive slots will be
linked together, allowing jackpots to accumulate more quickly and to
larger amounts. Usually, a progressive game(s) is set to payout the
jackpot only when max bets are made, and if the right combination is
hit, the winner is a BIG winner. The jackpot will reset itself to a
predetermined minimum, and begin accumulating once again. For a more
detailed explanation, see Progressive Slots on the left navigational
bar.
Slot machines all share the same
common denominators of the game: apply funds, activate play, and win
or lose. There are, however, versions of the game that players can
choose among, making their playing experience more personal. There
are differences, too, in slots of different regions, to accommodate
the laws and regulations of the area. Certainly, Las Vegas casinos
may be considered a standard, but they can vary significantly from
how business is done in Atlantic City. Usually, these differences
can be identified in how payouts are managed, and the standards
machines are held to.
Progressive Jackpot
Slots:
Progressives, since their development in the 80’s, have consistently
gained popularity among gamblers. Progressives are usually multiple
machines linked together through their hardware, that take a portion
of the bets deposited and put them towards one large jackpot,
consistently accumulating. The winner of the jackpot gets all of the
large amount, the machines reset to a minimum, and it happens all
over again. See Progressive Slots on the left navigational bar.
Multiple Paylines:
Multiple payline machines don’t just pay out on a single payline
(usually the center line.) The most common of these have three
paylines- winning combinations hitting on the top horizontal, the
center horizontal, or the bottom horizontal are winners. On these
machines, in order to activate all three paylines to win, you must
play the maximum bet. If you only bet one line (the center) and a
winning combination hits on the top or bottom lines, you will not
win and will be kicking yourself. You can have the maximum chances
to win, only if you play the maximum number of coins.
Multiplier Slots:
Most casinos have a significant number of multiplier games in their
arenas. By playing these games, you can influence your payout by the
number of coins you play initially. If your winning combination
would normally merit a $50 payout on a single coin bet, and you have
wagered two coins, your win will be $100- $150 if you wager three
coins!
Bonus Multiplier Slots:
These games are similar to Multipliers, but with a bonus thrown in
when you bet the maximum. For example, if you were to insert one
coin and win $100; two coins played gets you $200; but if you max
out your bet at three coins, you’d win $500 on the same combination!
Some bonuses can be in the form of extra games or special features.
As always, a little bit of research can
make or break your game, especially as a player new to a site. We
recommend that you take the time to look into the sites you’re
interested in playing, and look up reviews available. If there are
chat forums, see what other gamblers have to say about the company.
Once you’ve chosen your site, make sure you understand their terms
and agreement, because it is the player’s responsibility. Online
gambling is a game, but it is done with real money in real time and
not something to be taken lightly. Never wager more than you are
willing to lose.
Play responsibly, and win big! Good Luck! |