What is it about slots that makes us like them so much?

Slots have quite a long history. Some even claim that it began in the late 19th century. The fact is, however, that since then they have gained a really large number of fans. One reason may be their simplicity. Although they no longer resemble their originals in any way, the basic principle has remained the same. Simply press the 'Spin.

When you type any casino-related term into a search engine, such as online casino reviews, slots-related terms are bound to pop up. Not surprisingly, this is one of their main features. Today's online casinos offer hundreds, if not thousands, of them. The development of slots has accelerated considerably since the advent of modern computers.

It all started with "one-armed bandits".

We used to deal with "one-armed bandits". Their name comes from the lever you had to pull and draw the right hand, usually fruit. This type of game was trivially simple, you simply had to get three, best paying, symbols in a row. The rules did not need to be explained to anyone. Today, the situation is quite different. Modern slots tend to have a theme and an elaborate storyline, making them more and more like computer games. There can be thousands of win lines, plus special features such as bonus rounds, jackpots, Wilds, Scatters, avalanches, re-spins. Often, it's really hard to make sense of what a game is all about. However, there is nothing to worry about. All we still have to do is press the 'Spin' button and when we win something, the slot machine is sure to let us know. It's worth familiarising yourself with the rules, though, because then the entertainment will be more informed.

Try the demo version first

It is therefore a good idea to try out the demo version of a slot first. It is practically no different from the real money version. Here, however, you can neither win nor lose anything. The slot itself, however, works in exactly the same way. It too is based on the RNG mechanism. So you can familiarise yourself with its rules and know which combinations can bring you the biggest wins. You'll also see the bonus round and other special features. There is no better way to learn the rules than to play a slot. You can play demo versions at most casinos, often without even having to create an account.

Jackpots and bonus rounds

Well, with modern slots there are two methods to break the bank. The first is to win a jackpot, which some slots offer. This is an extra win that can make us millionaires in a second. Of course, the chances of this are minimal, but it's nice to have the knowledge in your head that there are some nonetheless. The second method is to win a bonus round. This usually happens when we get 3 Scatters on the board, which are the special symbols described in the instructions. We then get access to the bonus round, which takes place under different, usually much more favourable rules for the player. We get a certain number of free spins. Not to worry, no money will disappear from our account during them. There can be, for example, 10 free spins, during which we have a much better chance, because we get additional multipliers or Wilds. It is difficult to clearly define what form the bonus round can take, because the imagination of the creators really knows no bounds. Sometimes it is also possible to buy such a round without having to wait for 3 Scatters. The prices are usually high, so it's worth remembering that by doing this you can win a lot, but also lose all your money a lot quicker.

Wilds, avalanches and re-spins

Another very interesting element is the Wilds. These are special symbols that substitute for everything else on the game board, except for the Scatters. They are something of a joker in the cards. Often, if you get a lot of Wilds in one line, you can count on a big win. Another innovation is avalanches. Winning symbols disappear from the board and make way for new ones, without depleting our account. This usually happens as long as we win something. In this way, we can get a lot more cash for a single stake. There are also re-spins, which are additional spins of the reels, without taking money from our balance.

Win lines

Modern slots are increasingly moving away from classic win lines. A good example of this is the Megaways system. It was developed in 2016 and is the brainchild of Big Time Gaming, but can now also be found in games from other providers. The whole fun is that the reel layout changes after each spin and is irregular. There can therefore be thousands of winning lines.

Often the slot board is also not arranged at all. The idea here is not to get the same symbols in one line, but next to each other. Anywhere on the board. The imagination of the developers really knows no bounds, so it is practically certain that we will soon see even more innovations. New slots also very often refer to famous films, music bands or even sports teams.

Remember to play responsibly

If you are about to start playing slots or are already doing so, don't forget the rules of responsible gaming. It is a great pastime, but only for adults, and this is because you need to use common sense when playing. It is therefore very important that you do not treat it as a source of income, but purely as fun. It is best to consider the money you spend on the game as lost. This avoids unnecessary frustration or even serious problems. It is also very important to set limits for yourself. Both in terms of the stakes we play for and the time we play.