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Published: 13/11/2024Site updated: 10/09/202515 Min. read time
There’s always something timeless about the spinning reels of a slot game. Actually, my first encounter was with a fruit machine tucked into the corner of a bar, and I can still remember the buzz of matching three cherries.
But as it’s often said, change is the only constant. Technology eventually caught up with the iGaming industry, and online slots came into the picture. They took the same simplicity in the one-armed bandits and layered it with amazing graphics, immersive storylines, and jackpots that can change lives in a heartbeat.
But as a beginner who doesn’t know the first thing about slots, this guide is the perfect starter pack for you. Other than just finding out which titles to play, I’ll also share my tips on what to look out for before diving in, and tips on bonuses that really work.
I still remember the first time I sat down at a slot machine in an upbeat land-based casino. It was the bright lights, the sound of coins clinking, and an anxious feeling that a jackpot could drop at any second that had me hooked.
Years later, and the evolution of technology brought online slots. Trying my first online slot was really different because noisy crowds and coin buckets were gone. But while that took away the ambience, it came with convenience, variety, and the ability to play anywhere. Plus, online slots pushed the boundaries of creativity, with features that no physical machine could replicate.
So, why are slots popular anyway? First, it’s about simplicity. Unlike card games that require rulebooks and strategies, slots don’t need prior experience. All you need to do is place a bet, hit spin, and wait for the outcome, regardless of whether you play online or at a land-based establishment.
Then, of course, there’s the thrill of big wins, which reminds me of how everything lights up at slot machines when you hit a win. There’s just nothing quite like the suspense of waiting for that final reel to land. For the ultimate thrill seeker, progressive jackpot slots like Mega Moolah are especially popular courtesy of their life-changing wins.
Another reason why slots are so popular is accessibility, which offers convenience. As long as you have an internet connection, you have access to thousands upon thousands of slot games, all without stepping into a casino. Add features like auto-spin, fast-play modes, a range of themes, storylines, and immersive soundtracks, and you can see why online slots are a game-changer.
Types of slots players enjoy the most
Not every slot is built the same, and that is exactly what keeps the experience fresh. But even more importantly is there’s something for everyone. Players who prefer straightforward gameplay have the 3-reel classics, while others chase cinematic experiences or progressive jackpots in the hopes of bagging millions. To really understand why players gravitate toward certain games, let’s take a closer look at the main types of slots in greater detail.
Classic slots
This is where it all began when online slots first hit the internet. What typically defines a classic slot is its retro design, three lines, and about five paylines. And on these reels are the traditional fruit symbols, jokers, BARs, and 7s to maintain simplicity.
What stands out even further in classic slots is the absence of bonus features, and if they are there, only a few. But while these features are available on retro slots, many game providers these days are going a step further to update classic slots. So, you may come across slots with additional reels or modern symbols and designs, but what remains constant is that the bonus features remain limited. A fantastic example in this category is Mega Joker by NetEnt.
Video slots
Whichever online casino I choose to play at, one thing stands out, and that is the hundreds or even thousands of video slots I see in the lobby. What you’ll notice about these slots is they are overflowing with bonus features, amazing graphics, and many paylines.
While a typical video slot will have about five reels, there are newer releases that now feature falling symbols instead of the commonly known spinning reels. The result is that players have even more chances to win with one spin.
Still, the standard layout is often five reels (or columns) displaying three symbols. So, that’s basically a 5×3 grid, with between 20 and 25 paylines. Again, expect differences in various games, such as expanding reels, more symbols appearing on the reels, and games with up to 8 reels. The bottom line is that video slots have been in constant evolution, so it’s now difficult to tell what the standard is anymore. If you want to get a feel of video slots, try the likes of Starburst (NetEnt) or Book of Dead (Play’n GO).
Progressive slots
Thanks to technology, there’s now an aspect of memory in various slot titles, and these titles are referred to as progressive slots. As the name suggests, progressive is all about moving from one stage to another and hence the need for memory.
So, you’ll basically need to collect or accumulate points from previous game rounds. That could be activating a bonus round or collecting a specific symbol. Vikings Go Berzerk is a great place to start if you wish to understand how progressive slots work.
Progressive jackpot slots
Apart from the section of players that seek pleasure in playing online slots, there’s another group that aims to bag thousands or even millions in jackpot prizes. So, how do progressive jackpot slots work?
For starters, it’s important to understand that in a progressive jackpot release, there’s a pool of money usually drawn from the wagers of the participating players. Every time a player places a wager, the jackpot pool increases. Now, this will continue until there’s a winner, and then the amount will revert to a seed amount (a starting figure once any player wins the entire pot). One of the most famous releases under this umbrella is Mega Moolah, which features four progressive jackpots.
Megaways slots
There’s no way we can complete this list without talking about one of the most popular types of slots in the industry. These slots come with the Megaways mechanic, which is the brainchild of Big Time Gaming (BTG), and is simply a reel modifier that introduces a huge number of potential winning ways.
In fact, this number can hit over 200,000, although the exact figure depends on the game, and you see it displayed on a small screen. Some of the titles in this category include Divine Fortune Megaways and Bonanza Megaways.
How does a slot work?
There doesn’t seem to be any end to the creativity shown when designing new slots. Nevertheless, some basic features tend to be included in almost every online slot. Below we briefly explain the generic features.
RNG mechanism: A Random Number Generator (RNG) ensures a fair chance of winning. Both physical and online slots are powered by a random number generator that has been certified by independent auditors for fairness and functionality. The RNG technology ensures that each spin is independent of previous as well as future spins. This means that every time you spin the reels on a slot, the chance of winning is the same.
The reels: Slot reels are the vertical columns with different symbols, eventually showing one specific symbol on each position when the reels have stopped spinning. The reels’ behaviour is programmed in the software, including the graphics, the symbols, and the probability of landing them.
Paylines: The number of paylines can vary between 1 and more than a million. When playing classic slots, you’ll often see 5, 10 or 20 paylines. However, in modern and more innovative slots, this number can vary greatly. In some slots, the number can also vary from one spin to another, for example in so-called Megaways slots. In these slots, the paylines are often referred to as “ways”.
Paytable: All slots have a paytable which tells you everything you need to know about symbols and the payouts for each winning combination. The paytable is normally available in the slot’s information menu. Remember that most slots show the potential payout based on the current bet.
Bet limits: All slots have a minimum and maximum bet limit. This limit may vary somewhat from one casino to the other. Usually, the limits are both low and high enough to cater to most players. The bet limits normally vary from €0.10 to €100 per spin.
Wilds and scatters: Most online slots have both wilds and scatters. Wilds substitute for any other symbol, apart from the scatter symbol. They come in different forms and can land with a multiplier or as a stacked symbol covering the entire reel. Expanding and sticky wilds are also quite common. Scatters normally trigger a bonus round or another feature. How many scatters are needed and where they have to land can vary, but often 3 or 4 scatters are sufficient.
Max payout: The vast majority of online slots today have the potential for huge wins. Therefore, most game developers choose to set a max cap for winnings, predefined as X times the bet. This limitation will vary depending on the provider, but typically we’re talking about 5,000x, 10,000X and 50,000X the bet. In some rare cases we’ve seen numbers as high as 300,000X.
Since you get to choose your bet amount, the maximum win is usually stated as X times the bet. But you don’t need to be a maths wiz to understand that a stake of merely €1 can potentially generate huge profits.
Our selection of the best slots
When it comes to online slots, some titles clearly stand head and shoulders above the rest. These are games that not only deliver stunning visuals and engaging themes but also balance their mechanics in ways that keep players spinning.
Gates of Olympus
A fan-favourite for players who enjoy high volatility action, this slot delivers a 96.5% RTP, with no fixed paylines. Instead, you have a dynamic “pay anywhere” system across its 6×5 grid. And for your ultimate reward, look out for a 5,000x your bet max win. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for Zeus’s lightning bolt multipliers (up to 500x) – when they stack, your wins can skyrocket in seconds.
Sweet Bonanza
Another release from Pragmatic Play, Sweet Bonanza offers a lighter, more colourful theme with its candy-filled reels. It boasts a 96.6% RTP, medium volatility, and a 6×5 grid with “cluster pays” mechanic. So, to win, you must land 8 or more matching symbols anywhere on the reels. But what you want to explore is the game’s free spins round, where 100x bomb multipliers lie in wait to offer over 21,100x your stake. A small but might tip, if you’re chasing big multipliers, buy into the bonus feature (if available in your region). It’s often where the sweetest wins are hiding.
Le Viking
A release by Relax Gaming, Le Viking dives deep into Norse mythology with a blend of cartoon visuals and interesting mechanics. All the action is on a 6×5 grid with 15,625 ways to win and carries a 96.32% RTP. It’s a medium volatility game, so expect a balance between steady payouts and bursts of excitement. However, the slot’s highlight is the set of escalating bonus features. From Berserk to Valyrie, Ragnarök, and finally Journey to Valhalla, each stage adds multipliers and action to take the max win to 10,000x your stake.
Wanted Dead or a Wild
It’s all about the Wild West in Hacksaw Gaming’s Wanted Dead or a Wild. The technicals behind the theme include a 96.38% RTP, high volatility, and 15 paylines on the 5×5 grid. Due to the high variance, expect to hit dead spins quite often, but when the game’s special features like Duel at Dawn or The Great Train Robbery kick in, the action can deliver up to 12,500x your stake.
Slot bonuses that really work
If you want to play as many slots as possible, then claiming bonuses and promotions is your best shot. Now, I’ve taken advantage of plenty of deals, but I’ve learnt that not all offers are tailored for online slots.
Free spins bonuses make the best option for online slot play because they give you a chance to try a specific game. Though there are some instances where the operator won’t specify the slot to play. Next, you have deposit bonuses where the casino matches your deposit amount by a certain percentage and you can use the bonus amount to play certain slot games.
However, even as you claim these bonuses, I always recommend reading the terms and conditions to ensure you don’t get a raw deal. Most importantly, look at the time limits, wagering requirements, and game restrictions.
Play free slots before betting for real
One of the smartest moves you can make is trying slots for free before risking your hard-earned money. You see, with demo play, you can still enjoy the same gameplay offered in real money action. That includes the volatility, RTP, and how the game feels in general like how frequent the bonuses come through and how smooth the gameplay is all without spending a cent. Once you’re satisfied with the test run results, you can switch to real money play. Many online casinos offer demo play but if you have trouble finding an operator, here are 3 casinos offering demo play.
This is a difficult question to answer. Online casino players have access to more than 15,000 different slots from more than 400 providers. This means there are so many games to choose from that it’s hard to decide.
If you don’t know what to look for, your best bet is to consider the titles presented when you first enter the casino. If you don’t know any particular slot you’d like to try, or if you don’t have much knowledge about the different game providers, an easy solution is to just choose from whatever is listed on the landing page. Below you’ll find the most popular game categories which you’re likely to find in your chosen online casino:
Popular slots: This category is added to the landing page of basically all online casinos. Here you’ll find the most popular slots played worldwide. Unbelievably, the same two titles have topped this list for several consecutive years. This implies that players tend to choose slots from our top lists. Independent sites that measure all slot activity can confirm that this reflects reality.
New slots: For those of us who are experienced in the world of online casino, new slots are of great interest. New slots are launched almost every single day, and what’s so unique about this category is that the biggest and most anticipated launches can end upside by side with a title from a completely unknown studio. We are very happy to test new and unknown suppliers, but it’s important to be critical. Not all games are equally good.
Jackpot slots: Jackpot slots are immensely popular, and there’s no doubt that winning a progressive jackpot is any players’ biggest dream. Most casinos have slots where you can hope to win the big progressive jackpot. The biggest and most popular ones are Mega Moolah, WowPop Mega, Major Millions and Mega Fortune. All these have potential payouts of more than ten million euros.
Recommended slots: Most casinos offer a collection of recommended slots. We choose to believe that the platform has an algorithm that recommends slots based on your playing history. If you’re new at the casino, this category may therefore be misleading. You should also consider the possibility that the casino adds “recommendations” based on what they want you to play, i.e., based on earning. Therefore, it’s not always wise to trust this category blindly. Always be a bit critical of the proposed games.
Exclusive slots: The biggest online casinos often offer exclusive slots. There is usually a period of 1-2 weeks where they offer brand new slots exclusively to their players before the games are launched to the rest of the public. Such cooperation between operators and developers are usually quite lucrative.
Branded slots: Some of the biggest casinos also offer slots developed in-house, so-called “branded slots”. These slots normally have the casino’s name either in the theme or title. They are usually re-skins of other popular games. This means that they take an existing slot and reuse it with different symbols, theme, and colours. Which is generally what most game developers do when it comes to regular launches as well.
Crypto slots: iGaming with crypto currencies have become increasingly popular, which partly explains why we’ve seen a lot of crypto slots developed in-house. The most well-known of these are so-called crash games, where you just choose a bet and then try to cash out before the game crashes. In fact, this concept is quite similar to regular crypto investment, in that whoever manages to keep their cool and avoid withdrawing too early gets the biggest gain.
NFT slots: The NFT concept is still in its infancy, while the newest crypto casinos are about to launch on the WEB 3.0 platform. The first NFT slot was released in May 2022, but this slot type is still quite rare. They can have distinctive features, however all of them give you the opportunity to win coins for exclusive NFT launches.
Slots that actually pay more
Ever heard someone say, “This slot pays more?” and you just didn’t understand the reasoning behind it? Well, what they usually mean is that the game has a higher return to player (RTP) percentage or a particular volatility profile.
Take, for instance, Blood Suckers, whose RTP is 98%. It means that theoretically, players stand to bag $98 for every $100 wagered over a long time, which means it pays more than a game with 96% RTP.
Things are not straightforward, though, when it comes to volatility. Also known as variance, volatility is simply the risk involved when playing a slot game and it’s measured by how frequently the game is expected to pay out.
So, in real terms, when you see high volatility, it means that particular game pays less frequently, which means long spells without a win. But when it does, expect a massive win. On the other hand, a low volatility slot offers frequent payouts, although much smaller. Then there’s the medium volatility type of slot that balances the size of the payouts and the frequency.
Apart from the volatility and RTP, I’ve also found that luck plays a massive role in winning and the payouts as well. Remember, slots are a game of luck and there’s simply no strategy to winning.
Check this before playing for a safe and smooth experience
Before diving into real-money slots, I always make sure the casino I’m playing at is worth my time and, of course, my money. And since not all casinos operate under the same regulations, it’s always important to know upfront what can save you from a ton of headaches later. So, with that in mind, here are the top
Licensing: One important item to check off your list is licensing. Only play at casinos licensed by recognized regulators like the MGA or UKGC. That’s because a license means the games have been tested for fairness by independent parties and the casino operates under strict standards.
Payment methods: Another important aspect, especially if you want to play for real money, is the available payment methods. I’m always on the lookout for variety, and that means whether the operator offers trusted options like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, Skrill, or better yet, cryptocurrencies. And since smooth deposits and withdrawals make or break an experience, I’m always keen to understand the withdrawal timelines to avoid surprises.
Customer support: I might be a guru on the reels, but sometimes I hit a wall as I enjoy my favourite slot games. And in such a case, there’s nothing that comes in handy as a reliable support team. So, always check to ensure your preferred site offers live chat around the clock, email support, and even phone service, especially when money is involved.
Casino reputation: It’s not enough that a casino has a license displayed on its website. It’s also about its reputation, which is why I always check reviews, the casino’s history, and the payout times. And if I come across unresolved complaints, then that’s an automatic disqualification.
Responsible gambling tools: Top operators look out for their players and the best way to do this is by offering responsible gambling tools. So, if you find deposit limits, time reminders, and self-exclusion options, then that’s a good sign to sign up on that site.
When the fun is over
Playing slots at an online casino is both exciting and fascinating. Online slots are designed to keep you stimulated, entertained, and constantly wanting to play more. Thus, gambling can be very addictive, and this is why it’s very important to set some ground rules when playing.
Be sure to keep track of time, and do not chase your losses. It’s especially important to avoid playing with money you cannot afford to lose. Also, never borrow money from others to gamble. These guidelines are important to remember, and if you find yourself struggling with them, it’s a good indication that you may have or have started to develop a gambling problem. Always play responsible.
How can Kingbonus help you find the best online slots?
Kingbonus has a separate section for slots where you can read reviews and get a preview of what features and bonuses you can get. We also tell you where you can play the recommended slots. If you’ve never played at a given casino before, it’s always a good idea to register via Kingbonus. Our deals are often exclusive, and we provide excellent care for our members.rnrnIn addition, Kingbonus has partnered up with several game developers, and we often receive first-hand information about planned launches. There will definitely be more promotions and launches in the future. So, you have every reason to check in at Kingbonus.
Which slots have the biggest win potential?
There is no correct answer to this question. But there are many slots online that have enormous winning potential. We have seen this again and again when players have actually managed to hit the big jackpot. For example, we can mention Tombstone RIP which has a confirmed max win of 300,000x. And of course, Money Train 3 with a max win of 100,000x.rnrnHaving said that, there is every reason to be careful and responsible when playing slots at an online casino. As with all casino games, slots are developed so that the more you can win, the higher the variance or volatility. Simply put, this means that even if the winnings can be massive, there will be few of them, and several small wins along the way.rnrnThus, it’s very important to play responsibly and never bet more than you can afford to lose. You should also take long breaks either you win or lose. If you feel it’s no longer fun to play, you should stop playing immediately. If you’re having problems stopping, you should seek professional advice. You can read more about this at Kingbonus under responsible gambling and gambling addiction.
What are the most popular free slots?
Apart from the titles mentioned on this page, Starburst, Book of Dead, and Gonzo’s Quest are some of the top picks because of their simplicity in gameplay and they are generally fun.
Can I win real money playing for free?
No, you cannot win real money because demo versions are just for practice. To win real money, you must deposit funds to play in real money mode.
How do I know if one slot pays more than another?
Your first indicator is the RTP (Return to Player) percentage. A high RTP usually means better long-term returns. The second indicator is volatility, which shows how often you’ll win and how big those wins could be.
Is there a strategy to always win?
There’s no strategy that will guarantee wins. Slots are powered by random number generators and the best you can do is manage your bankroll wisely, pick games that suit your style, and play responsibly.
Technical expert. Community favorite. The calm voice behind the big wins.
Svippi is a key figure at Kingbonus, known for his expertise in visual content production, and his passion for slots. He stepped into the spotlight as a streamer in 2022.
