ONLINE SLOTS REVIEWS

If you are new to the online gambling community, you may or may not be aware of the various types of online slots which are available to you and what they have to offer. With our online slots reviews, we seek to help you as you go through your decision-making process regarding which type of slot machine best caters for your needs. However before going through our collection of articles in which we strive to critically evaluate a large variety of machines, one has to be familiar with the array of types of online casino slots they are likely to encounter. What is so great with mobile slot machines is how they are computer programmed, meaning they can be designed to offer an array of different player experiences. Here is an overview of the main types of games you will most certainly stumble upon:

• Classic Slots

Also known as 3-reel slots, Classic slot machines are the simplest form of casino slots one may come across. They are based off the first physical slot machines which came around towards the end of the 19^th century and are ideal for novices since they are quite straightforward and easy to play. As you will read on our slot machines reviews, their graphics are usually uncomplicated, and they do not cost much to play, thus they do not pay large amounts of money. Furthermore, they will most commonly have just 3 reels and 1 to 3 paylines – in order to make a win, all one needs to do is line up matching symbols along one of the betlines. Classic slot machines generally do not offer any special features, bonus round, free spins.

• Video Slots

Unlike Classic online slots, Video slots will typically feature intricate symbols, animations, engaging soundtracks and beautiful, detailed graphics to top it all off. Moreover, they are undoubtedly the most popular type of game in this list for many are themed. Whether the latter revolves around movies, seasonal holidays, historical figures or superheroes, this makes the gameplay twice as exciting! Aside from the array of themes available, they also differ from Classic slots in terms of layout. A typical example will be a 5-reels, 3-rows and 20 paylines, however you may find some with up to 100 bet lines. Others will have “ways to win” instead. These are called “Multi-line” slots, and they may offer up to 117649 ways to win. Likewise, the number of reels may vary; aside from the traditional 3-reel machine, you will also find 5-reel or even 7-reel games. Additionally, Video slot may also have a variety of thrilling Special features, bonus rounds and even Free spins, in contrast with Classic slots.

• Progressive Jackpot Slots

Typical Video slots and Classic slots are likely to have a fixed payout ratio, whilst Progressive Jackpot online slots will offer a Jackpot which increases over time. The sum of this jackpot will continue to climb every time players spin the reels. Some may be ‘Standalone’ Progressive Jackpots, meaning a percentage of your bet amount will go into the jackpot until you land the required combination or win at a specific Jackpot feature in order to hit the jackpot. Watch as the jackpot meter goes up with every bet for a true adrenaline rush! You will also find ‘Networked’ Progressive slots involve a number of players and appeal to many, for they offer a thrilling player experience. Every time a gambler gives the reels a spin, the jackpot will grow, and it will keep doing so until one single player wins the Jackpot. It will then reset itself to a predetermined amount, and the build-up of funds will start over.

The secret formula to build and evaluate a successful slot machine

Generally, we would be inclined to say that the secret is an exciting and fun theme paired with a good RTP, volatility and last but not least an original Free Spins slot engine.

The theme plays an important role in the making of an appealing slot, since awe-inspiring graphics and stunning slot symbols will elevate the gameplay. As regards the Return to Player, it indicates how much of the wager the casino will pay gamblers back, thus the higher it is, the better. The volatility, or variance, gives an idea of the frequency and the size of the winnings players may expect from an online slot game. It comes in 3 different degrees – high volatility, medium volatility and low volatility, which all target a different audience of online gamblers. Free Spins may be triggered in a number of ways, yet this can significantly impact the gaming experience. The more creative the slot manufacturer is, the happier we are on our online slots reviews !

Moreover, there exists variety of secondary factors which come into play which we take in account whilst analysing and ranking online slot machines. These include things such as the hit frequency, which is essential to get an idea of the redistribution potential. It provides players with information regarding the frequency of the winnings they may expect, therefore the higher the percentage the more frequently it will pay. When preparing our online slots reviews, we also look at how it pays out. Some are designed to use fixed or adjustable paylines – their number generally ranging in between 1 and 100 – yet the most common type of layout is that of 20-paylines. Another way of making wins is through the Cluster mechanic popularized after the release of NetEnt’s Aloha! Cluster Pays™ in 2016. In order to form a cluster, one must land a certain number specific to the slot in question of matching symbols horizontally or vertically next to each other. Ways to win on the other hand work just like paylines, yet they will typically come in larger numbers which makes the number of potential winning combination explode! You may stumble across video slots such as Thunderstruck 2™ which feature 243 Ways to win, while for example Bonanza ™ offers 117649. We also touch upon the jackpot, which may be awarded randomly in progressive slot or may simply be the cash prize offered by the highest potential winning combination. Moreover, the Special Features and Bonus Rounds built into a slot will have a direct effect on its success. Whether they are triggered at random or by a specific combination of Scatter symbols or Wild symbols, they have to be as fun as can be for the slot machine to provide a top-notch player experience! Likewise, the gaming machine provider plays a key role, for NetEnt, Playtech, Microgaming and Yggdrasil are the most sought after since those slot developers have managed to make a name for themselves in the gambling industry and have an incredible slot portfolio. You can also play slot for free in most online casinos. Most of operators offer free slots to try.

The target criteria for the drafting of our online slots reviews

We try to take in account as many slot components as possible in our online slots reviews to give our readers all the cards in hands when it comes to choosing what selection of slots perfectly matches their needs. In our assessment of the slot in question, we break it down as much as possible and try our best to remain unbiased and critical. Perhaps one of the key aspects of  slot games is its theme, for this will affect the whole feel of the game and has a direct effect on how we will come to rate the slot. Vikings™ is a great example of a slot sporting a popular theme, for not only does its theme revolve around Vikings and Norse mythology but it is also based off a trendy series. This therefore means it is likely to appeal to a large number of players, however sometimes more creative and distinct theme full of intricate designs are like a breath of fresh air and may be just as pleasant to play. Furthermore, we zoom in on the provider behind the game and focus on slots developed by manufacturers notorious for the high-quality and safety of their casino slots.

Besides this, the audience targeted by the slot game we are looking at is also a focal point of our appraisal. Apart from the RTP and the hit frequency we have mentioned above, the min/max bet and the max win enable us to get a better understanding of who is most likely to find what they are looking for in that specific online slot. High rollers, for example, are ready to wager much more than casual gamblers for their budget is consequent. Smaller gamblers being after frequent, small wins, the max win is less important to them in their analysis of the market than it will be for high rollers who enjoy the thrills of sparser yet consequent wins. We thus make it a point to outline to whom the game will appeal most.