How We Pick the Best Online Slots for Real Money

Only the best online casino slots make it onto our list. Here’s what we look for in a great real cash video slot:

RTPs (Return to Player percentages): All real money online slots have a theoretical return-to-player percentage (RTP). This is the average return made to the player. The best online casino slots will have an RTP of 95-98%. You can easily access payout information via the slot paytable. Some operators also place this information within their FAQ or Help section.

Volatility: All real money slot games have volatility or variance. The volatility is the frequency with which a slot pays out. High-variance slots payout large but infrequent payouts. Low-variance slots pay lots of small and frequent jackpots. Our team tests out every slot to check its volatility and payout frequency.

Game Design & Playability: No one wants to risk their bankroll playing dull slots. We always review every slot for graphics and playability. You can always test out a game in the free slots demo mode if you're feeling curious, but unsure.

Licensing & Reliability: Your bankroll should be safe whenever you play online slots for real money. All of our recommended online slots carry proper licenses in the US. Games are tested for fairness before they reach the slots casino lobby..

Online Availability: The best real money slots will be available at multiple legal online casinos in your state. Whether you have just one or several casino accounts, you’ll be able to find a broad range of great slots.

Slot Terminology

Before we go any further with how to play slots, we need to get some basic but common slot terminology out of the way.

RNG

Random Number Generator is how slots are operated. RNG ensures that each spin on a slot game is completely random and independent and therefore cannot be predetermined or fixed. Slot developers incorporate it into the game software and it is tested rigorously before a game is launched.

RTP

RTP Stands for Return to Player and gives a percentage return of what a player can expect to receive when they wager £100 on a slot game. The number is taken over a huge sample, and is not a guaranteed return for every player, but an overall average. The majority of slot games have an RTP of between 90% - 97%. The higher the RTP the higher the return, in theory.

Volatility

Volatility refers to how volatile a slot game can be in terms of how frequently it pays out. Low volatility slots provide regular steady payouts while high volatility slots can have long periods of little or no wins, but when they hit, they can drop a big valuable pay out.

Variance

Variance refers to the deviation of payouts from a slot machine. Low variance slots will pay within a small pay range, so you know what you’ll roughly get from bonus features and line hits. High variance slots have a much wider range of payouts where you could win as little as a few pounds to as high as thousands of pounds depending on the game.

Types Of Slots

Traditional Reel Slots

These types of slot games are the more old-school style of game that usually have three reels and one to three pay lines.

If you think of a retro one-arm bandit type of casino slot, with a glass window that reveals a small number of symbols on every spin.

Traditionally symbols include fruit, particularly cherries, (hence the name fruit machines), bells and the lucky number 7. In order to win, you have to line up the winning symbols on one of the paylines.

These slots are fixed in terms of their format. There are no video screens, extra graphics, varying features etc, they are static. Although sometimes they can involve one extra feature such as a physical wheel, which spins when triggered.

Modern Video Slots

Video slots are vastly different from the original versions. Using video technology, slots can be as dynamic, colourful, stimulating and varied as possible.

Many video slots work off 3 x 5 reels, but this can vary depending on the game. Plus paylines are usually anything from five to fifty lines, although some have many more.

Modern video slots come in every type of theme you can think of. Animals, dragons, mythology, sports, movies, superheroes, countries, and fishing are just a few examples.

Where video slots really stand out is in the audio/visual presentation and the huge range of different bonus features they offer. There is no limit to the number of features that games can have or what format they come in. Examples of bonus features can include hold and spins, wheel spins, expanding wilds, free games, sticky wilds, multiple screens etc.

Progressive Slots

Slots with progressive jackpots are becoming more and more popular in recent times.

Progressive slots differ from other slots, in that rather than having one fixed jackpot prize, they offer a jackpot that continues to grow with every spin you make.

Some progressive slots are standalone, so that a proportion of every spin made on that specific game contributes to an overall pot that will be won by someone playing that slot. Often these have a maximum cap.

However, in a lot of cases, progressive slots are linked across other machines or other networks. In a physical casino, this can mean a bank of slot games in one casino might be linked, or a range of slot games over various casinos in a geographical area could be linked. So that everyone playing that game is contributing to the overall progressive jackpot. But only one can win it.

In online casinos, progressive slots work the same. There are often linked games within one casino operator, or much wider linked games across different casino operators. Jackpot King Deluxe is one good example that runs across several games in several online casinos.

Everyone playing a Jackpot King Deluxe game is eligible to win the huge progressive jackpot, but only one will. And it will be a biggie!

Progressives are often split into smaller pots within a game. So, for example, a slot game can have a Mini, Minor, Major and Grand Progressive Jackpot which can be won in several ways.

Technical specifications and features of slot machines

Playing a slot machine is incredibly straightforward – insert your cash and rotate the reels. However, numerous particulars, alternatives, and bonus mini-games differ from one online slot to another. Several jargon and phrases are familiar to seasoned players but might baffle beginners. For many players, grasping the notions of RTP and volatility is crucial for making educated choices about which online slots to engage with.

Comprehending the volatility of online slot games enables players to select games corresponding to their inclinations, risk acceptance, and bankroll management approaches. Nonetheless, it’s essential to acknowledge that volatility, like RTP, is a statistical indicator and cannot assure specific results in the short run. We elaborate on these crucial terms below.

Volatility and How It Affects the Frequency and Magnitude of Wins

The term volatility, or variance, is a critical term used to signify the level of risk involved in a particular slot game. It gives an idea about the regularity and magnitude of potential winnings, significantly influencing the player’s gaming experience.

Online Slots with Low Volatility. These games yield smaller but more regular wins, ensuring a more stable gaming experience. Such slots are ideal for players with limited resources or who prefer a less risky, more balanced gaming session.

Online Slots with High Volatility. Games with high volatility provide more significant but less frequent wins. While these games can result in remarkable payouts, they also have more extended losing streaks. Hence, they are more appropriate for players who tolerate higher risk and have a more considerable bankroll.

Online Slots with Medium Volatility. These slot games strike a perfect balance between high and low-volatility games by offering moderate wins at regular intervals. They are an ideal choice for players who prefer a mix of frequent small wins with an occasional chance of hitting a big win.

Understanding the Importance of RTP in Assessing Possible Wins

The Return to Player (RTP) is a crucial measure representing the proportion of total bets a slot game is expected to give back to the players over a long duration of play. It is typically expressed as a percentage and serves as a valuable reference point when comparing the potential winnings of different slots. For example, a slot with an RTP of 96% suggests that, on average, 96% of the total bets will be returned to the players as winnings, while the remaining 4% represents the house edge.

Although RTP cannot forecast the results of single spins, it gives players a general idea of a slot’s payout habits. Online slots with higher RTP rates are typically perceived as more favourable for players because they generate higher profits over time. However, it’s crucial to note that RTP is a theoretical number derived from long-term averages so that short-term outcomes can differ substantially.

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