The beginners guide to slot machines

For someone entering the casino for the first time, slot machines can be a little daunting. There are so many different games, and the thought of learning all the rules could be off-putting.

With this in mind, we have put together a beginner’s guide so that no matter which game you choose to play, you can be confident you know what’s going on.

However, if you’d prefer to play in the comfort of your own home, you can have fun playing casino slot games with Griffon Casino, just make sure you have a stable internet connection – it’s as easy as that!

Keep reading to find out the basics about the iconic reels!

Which game?

Classic Slots

Also known as three-reel Slots, these are single-line games which are arguably the most simple, ideal for someone who has never played before. Consisting of various symbols, in order to win, you simply need to match all three to take the jackpot.

Five-reel Slots

Often referred to as video Slots, these games are big on entertainment. Five-reel Slots usually have a central story that’s brought to life by images, animations and familiar themes.

Progressive Slots

As the name suggests, such Slots have a large progressive jackpot attached to them which grows incrementally. A small portion of all players’ bets goes towards the overall pot. There are three types of jackpots: standalone, linked or wide-area. Progressive Slots offer fewer regular wins in order to balance out the potential of somebody winning the massive prize.

What to do?

After you have made the decision of which slot variation you want to play, your next step is to place your wager. With the results of a slot machine being completely random, there is no skill involved, just keep hitting the ‘spin’ button.

You’ll see the reels land on different symbols which all have different outcomes. All you need to do is figure out which symbol is which – this should be displayed on the machine itself or in the online game handbook.

Standard symbols – These will come in all forms but traditionally are your high-value playing card symbols (Jack, Queen, King and Ace). The main thing to know about these symbols is that, unless you manage to line them up on all the reels across a payline, they are near enough useless to your money pot.

Bonus symbols – These types of symbols will trigger a bonus round. These can lead to a secondary mini-game, but most Slots will require you to land multiple bonus symbols across the paylines in order to get any benefit from them.

Wild symbols – Again, you will find these in many different forms. But the most common type of wild symbol will replace other symbols on the reels, creating the potential for more winning combinations.

Scatter symbols – This type of symbol can be unpredictable from game to game. They can trigger a jackpot, bonus rounds, or, most commonly, free spins. It’s one of the best symbols to land in a slot game because, more often than not, landing more than one means some sort of reward.

Multiplier symbols – Doing exactly as suggested and multiplying your wins, if you land a multiplier symbol on a winning pay line, you could bag anything from one, two or more times your bet, depending on the slot!

If you’re looking for a game that requires no expertise, then Slots are perfect for you. You’ll find themes including game shows, TV and film, even your favourite sports, so there is something for everyone to enjoy. As the most accessible casino game, it’s no wonder people love to play Slots!

Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly. View begambleaware.com for more info.