How to Play Slots – Rules & Beginner’s Guide

Learn how to play slots in only a few minutes. We cover all of the basics of the game type, including the rules, different symbols, how the paylines work, and what features are available. Continue reading and you’ll be spinning the reels in no time.

How Do Slot Machines Work?

Slot machines are casino games that can come in many different shapes and sizes. Most options however work the same way. The display will present a set number of symbols on a fixed layout.

After placing a bet in the best online slots for real money, random symbols will appear on the screen and these can award payouts based on their rarity.

The best way to understand the rules is to go through the layout and the core mechanics. Most slot machines are made out of reels with rows of symbols, paylines, and a paytable.

Reels

Reels are the vertical columns of symbols. Most games have five reels, but there are also options with three, six, seven, or more. The reels spin after placing a bet and clicking the spin button, which will display random symbols.

Rows

Rows are the horizontal symbols on the screen. Standard games have three rows of symbols but many games have four rows or more. Classic slot machines can even have only one row.

Paylines

The paylines are set patterns that go across the screen, from the leftmost reel to the right. These can host winning combinations of matching symbols. The number of available paylines depends on the game, with most 5-reel games with three rows having 20 lines. The maximum for this layout however is 243 paylines.

Payout Table

Before placing your bet, we recommend checking out the payout table for the game if you’re a beginner. This will display all of the symbols available and their payouts. You will also find details on special symbols, like wilds and scatters, and information on any available bonus features.

Understanding How Wins Work

To form a winning combination, the symbols usually have to be in adjacent positions and on active lines. The size of the payout depends on the number of symbols in the combination and on the value of the symbols.

Since some icons are rare, they provide larger prizes when they form a combination on the screen.

For example, let’s take a look at NetEnt’s Blood Suckers II, a 5-reel game with 25 lines that pay left to right. This means that matching symbols must land on adjacent positions on the same line, starting with the leftmost reel. The payout is determined by the size of the bet and the symbol paytable.

The results of a round are determined using a random number generator (RNG) to ensure that everything is fair.

This means that the outcome is totally random and there isn’t really any strategy involved. All you do is spin the reels and hope to match symbols on the paylines.

However, there are some things you can do to improve your chances of hitting a win, which we’ve summarized below.

How to Play Slots and Win

Choose your game wisely, as some titles have a higher RTP than others (more on what that means next).

Go for smaller jackpots, as they tend to pay out more frequently than the bigger ones.

Practice for free first in demo mode so you know how the game works and how to play, before risking any of your money.

Make use of bonuses and promos, such as free spins that could help to boost your chances of a win.

Manage your bankroll effectively, only betting what you can afford to lose and not chasing any losses.

You can read our guide covering how to win at slots if you’d like a deeper dive on the topic.

RTP & Volatility

The return-to-player rate, also known as RTP, is an indicator of how much a slot machine pays out on average over a long period of time.

This is a theoretical rate based on millions of spins, but it can represent a way to win more during your session.

The volatility of the game is another factor to consider. This refers to the way the payouts are allocated.

A game with a high volatility rate will rely on large wins, but these take place on rare occasions. A lower volatility means that players will receive smaller wins more frequently.

How to Play Slots – Main Features

Bonus features can provide a more exciting gaming experience and knowing how they work is very important when learning how to play. While the features can vary, there are some that are very popular and available in many slots.