How To Choose the Best Slots Games: Top Tips

Types of Slots Games

To ensure a great variety, iGaming software developers create various types of slots. Therefore, one of the first things to consider when choosing a slot game to play for cash prizes is to first determine which types appeal to you.

Aside from various themes, slots are classified into the following categories:

• Classic Slots: These games resemble the old-school, three-reel, one-payline machines found in traditional casinos. They are simple with no complex gameplay or bonus features.
• Video Slots: This is the most popular type of online slot game. They come with various themes, paylines, and bonus features, making them more complex than classic slots.
• Progressive Slots: With each bet placed by a player, the jackpot in these games increases. The more players play, the higher the payout, making it possible to win massive amounts of money.
• 3D Slots: These slots offer an immersive gaming experience with high-quality graphics and animations that bring the game to life.
• Fruit Machines: Originating in the UK, these games feature classic symbols like fruits, bells, and bars. They typically have only one payline.

Different Slot Game Features

Another key component of knowing how to choose the best slots games for you is assessing its in-game features. Some slots will have various extras that spice up the gameplay, whereas others keep it more simple.

Don’t know what you’re searching for? We’ve broken down top slot game features so you can compare these online casino games to find the ones that best suit you.

• Wilds: Wild symbols can substitute for other symbols to create winning combinations, and they can also trigger bonus features like free spins or multipliers. Examples of popular slots with wilds include Gonzo's Quest, Starburst, and Book of Dead.
• Scatters: Scatter symbols can trigger bonus features like free spins or mini-games, regardless of their position on the reels. Some examples of slot games that feature scatters are Immortal Romance, Thunderstruck II, and Dead or Alive.
• Bonus Games: Bonus games can offer players a chance to win additional prizes or trigger other features like free spins. Examples of popular slots with bonus games include Monopoly Megaways, Bonanza, and Rainbow Riches.
• Free Spins: Free spins allow players to spin the reels for free, often with additional features like multipliers or expanding wilds. Some examples of slot games that offer free spins are Cleopatra, Mega Moolah, and Immortal Romance.
• Multipliers: Multipliers can increase the size of a player's winnings by a set amount, usually between 2x and 10x. Some popular slots with multipliers include Dead or Alive 2, Mega Moolah, and Great Rhino Megaways.
• Expanding Wilds: Expanding wilds can expand to cover an entire reel, increasing a player's chances of winning. Some examples of popular slots with expanding wilds are Book of Dead, Immortal Romance, and Gonzo's Quest.
• Cascading Reels: Cascading reels allow winning symbols to disappear from the reels and be replaced by new ones, potentially creating multiple winning combinations in a single spin. Some popular slots with cascading reels include Gonzo's Quest, Bonanza, and Reactoonz.
• Tumbling Reels: Tumbling reels are similar to cascading reels, but instead of the symbols disappearing, they fall off the screen and are replaced by new symbols. Some examples of slot games that feature tumbling reels are Da Vinci Diamonds, Pixies of the Forest, and Gonzo's Quest Megaways.
• Sticky Wilds: Sticky wilds can remain in place for multiple spins, increasing a player's chances of winning. Some popular slots with sticky wilds are Dead or Alive, Deadwood, and Sticky Bandits.
• Paylines: Paylines are the lines on which matching symbols must land to create winning combinations. Some popular slots with multiple paylines include Mega Moolah, Book of Dead, and Immortal Romance.

Now you know what’s on offer, we recommend trying out a few slots in demo mode with these features to determine which ones rev your engine.

Jackpot Size

As the aim of the game is to try and win real cash, knowing how much money is up for grabs can help you decide which slots you want to try your luck on.

Some games offer fixed jackpots, which means the jackpot size is predetermined and does not change, whereas others feature progressive jackpots, which increase over time as more players wager on the slot.

Progressive jackpots can often reach staggering amounts, with some games offering payouts in the millions of dollars. However, it's important to note that the odds of winning a progressive jackpot are typically lower than those of winning a fixed jackpot or a standard payout.

Still, as they can pay out staggering amounts - the world-record-breaking jackpot of £16.2 million given to a lucky player of Mega Moolah by Microgaming - these games attract plenty of action.

Yet be aware that games with larger jackpots often come with higher volatility levels. This means that the game may offer fewer payouts in order to compensate for the larger potential jackpot.

Payouts Percentages

Another crucial factor to consider when choosing a slots game is the payout percentage - known in the industry as RTP (return to player).

This percentage gives you an estimate of the amount of money a slots game pays out over time. The higher the payout percentage, the better the game's chances of paying out frequently. However, keep in mind that the RTP represents the average amount of money players can expect to win back from the game over time - not your individual session.

Therefore, even though a higher RTP means that the game has a better chance of paying out over time, take this figure with a pinch of salt

Slot Volatlity

Slot volatility - also known as slot variance - gives you an estimate of how many wins you’re expected to land - but not the amount of money like RTP.

Therefore, low volatility slots are games that pay out smaller amounts but more frequently. So if you prefer less risky games, these are a great option.

Moreover, low volatility slots, like Starburst and Bonanza Big Time Gaming, are ideal for players with a smaller bankroll, as they can give you more game time. Yet, be aware that you’re less likely to win large cash prizes playing these slots.

Medium volatility slots, however, offer a balance between low and high volatility games. Games, such as Dead or Alive and Gonzo's Quest, pay out moderate amounts, but less frequently than low volatility slots. Consequently, fo if you want the best of both worlds - regular wins and the potential for bigger payouts - give these games a whirl.

At the far end of the spectrum are high volatility slots, like Book of Dead and Danger High Voltage. These slots are for players who are willing to take a higher risk for the potential of a bigger payout.

Software Providers

If you want to experience engaging gameplay, thrilling features, and immersive themes, we recommend choosing a game from top gaming developers like Microgaming, NetEnt, and Playtech. What’s more, these top dogs have a reputation for producing high-quality games that offer fair gameplay and good payouts.

Final Thoughts

Now you know what to look out for when choosing an online slots game, you can find one that’s right for you. But before you dive into some online casino action, remember that there is no strategy to win these games - luck is the only factor that affects whether you’ll win big or not.

Therefore, always control what you spend on slots and never gamble with money you can’t afford to lose to ensure your gaming stays what it should be: fun and safe.

Want to ensure you only play fair games at trusted sites? Then sign up with one of our in-house approved casino sites today.