How do slot Machines Work ? Many people that are new to slot machines or who occasionally spin the reels of a slot machine, do not know how slot machines really work. They are quick to make a spin without really knowing how slots work. Many have even played slot machines – at online casinos or land based casinos – without knowing how they really work.
If you are a new player or considering playing, you might have certain questions such as how do slot machines work. Reading this article you will be able to find answers as to how slot machines work which will help you make the most out of your gaming experience.
Slot machines are actually amongst the most popular types of casino games because of their simplicity. They have engaging visual effects, require no skills and the purpose of them is to simply spin the reels and win some cash if you are lucky.
The growth in technology over the years has led the slot machines also to evolve. As a consequence, slot machines nowadays also feature bonus rounds, free spins, different ways to form winning combinations etc. But they are still simple in that no skill is required in order to play them. The question though of how do slots work still remains and which can help you get a hang of them and enjoy the drill.
Slot Machine Parts and Mechanisms:
When it comes to playing slots you are not required to have any skill or be a pro to play them. The basic requirement to start playing a slot machine is to spin the reels. But knowing and understanding some slot basics will help you have a better experience on the games.
The main parts of slot machines are the reels and the random number generator. This structure is the same across various types of slot machines, since all of them are operate with RNG. So when you heart slot machine types such as cascading reels slots, slots with avalanche feature, slots with bonus buy feature, slots with ways to win, know that the structure is still the same.
Slot Machine Reels Explained:
Slot reels is one of the main parts of a slot machine and in essence it is a group of symbols which spins vertically. You can find slots with 3 reels, 5 reels, 6 reels depending on what kind of an experience a game provider intended to provide. Just know that the common number of reels that you can find on slot machines is 3-reels or 5-reels.
The variety in terms of the number of reels on each slot machine is basically intentional, in order for the game to appear unique. The only thing that you would need to become aware are the slot machine’s features which can be triggered during your gaming experience when spinning the reels.
Slot Machine Random Number Generator:
Slot machines operate with a random number generator which randomly generates outcomes in the form of symbols that you land on the reels. The RNG is in essence an algorithm which ensures that the outcome of every spin (symbol combinations) is random.
This basically means that when you click the spin button, the reels spin and the RNG generates a sequence of symbols randomly. If you land a winning combination you win and if you fail to land a winning combination you loose. Its is that simple. Only difference is that a slot machines rules inform you what is required to form a winning combination and how. This is the topic of the next section.
Slot Machine Winning Combinations:
When you spin the reels the purpose is to form winning combinations of matching symbols in a payline which will award you a win. Do not worry about paylines yet, as this will be reviewed on the next section. Most slot machines require that you land at least 3 matching symbols on a payline and some would require that you land 4 and even 5 at a minimum. Some might even require that you land a predetermined number of matching symbols as a cluster in order to be awarded with a win. The latter is a specific attribute that is commonly found on a type of slot games called grid slots.
The difference of the required matching symbols that you are required to land on the reels does not affect how a slot machine works. The purpose is still the same which is to spin the reels, the random number generator will randomly generate outcomes and if lucky you are awarded with a winning combination of matching symbols.
Slot Machine Paylines:
In slot machines, when you spin the reels the purpose is to form winning combinations on a payline. A winning combination is formed when you land a predetermined number of matching symbols on a payline from left to right or right to left. The required number of matching symbols that you need to land on a payline in order to be awarded with a win depend on the slot machine. Each slot machine might be different in this regard and this can be reviewed also via the game’s pay-table.
One difference is that you might find slot machines with fixed pay-lines and yet on some other slots the pay-lines might be adjustable. So you might find slots with 25 ,30, 50 up to even 1024 and more. Some of these slot machines will then have the pay-lines as fixed meaning that these cannot be adjusted and some will allow you to adjust them. If a slot machine features 25 paylines which are adjustable then you can adjust it even at 5 pay-lines, 10 and so on. The less paylines that are activated, the less are the chances of forming winnings combinations.
Slot Machine Clusters:
Pay-lines are the lines on which as previously mentioned on which you are required to land matching symbols but it is not anymore only pay-lines. Slots have evolved over the years even in this regard to include now clusters. Though the purpose is still to spin the reels and land matching symbols in these type of slots you would be required to land matching symbols in clusters – cluster slots.
What this means basically is that you would be required to land a cluster of 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and so on at a minimum in order to be awarded with a win. These types of slots usually belong to a family of slot machines that comes under the name of grid slots or cluster pays slots. Some examples on how the winning combinations can be formed in this type of slot games are as shown on the images below.
Slot Machine Symbols:
When familiarising with a slot machine’s pay-lines or clusters, it is advisable also to have a look at the game’s pay-table to review the most valuable symbols and the game features. This will make you aware of the matching symbols that are need to line up in order to form a winning combination. The pay-table will also provide with with information about specific game related symbols such as Wild symbols, Scatters and the various bonus features that you can trigger whilst playing the game. For example, if you can trigger free spins, a pick me up bonus game with rewards, or if the game includes cascading wins and even multiplier trails. Below is a paytable which illustrates to you what you should expect when reviewing a game.
Once you have finished familiarising yourself with a slot game and how a slot machine works, there is only one last action that you need to take. This is to click on the spin button through which you can select to make one spin at a time or select a number of spins that you wish to make via the game’s autoplay option. And of course select the betting amount that you wish to wager on the game.