This article provides a beginner’s guide to some of the most important online slot features that newbies must understand to maximize their gaming experience. Read on to learn more!

From Volatility to RTP: Exploring the Core Features of Online Slots for Beginners

Online slots have become a staple in the online gambling scene, offering endless entertainment to millions of players worldwide. Slot games typically come with vibrant graphics, exciting themes, engaging gameplay, and the potential for big payouts.

But beyond all the glamour and glitz lies a world of technical features that typically dictate how the game plays out. Understanding these features and what they represent is vital to achieving success while playing any slot game.

In this article, we will dive into the online slot universe, exploring some of the core features beginners should know about.

Return to Player Percentage (RTP)

The return to player (RTP) percentage is a core feature in any slot game that essentially indicates players’ chances of winning in the long run. It is a percentage figure representing the average amount of wagered money a slot game will pay back players in the long run.

For example, the Blood Suckers slot game by NetEnt has a 98% published RTP. This means that for every $100 a player wagers on the game, they can expect a return of $98 in the long run. However, it’s important to note that RTP is a theoretical value calculated over millions of spins. As such, the result of individual gaming sessions can vary significantly.

Generally, the higher the RTP of a game, the better players’ chances of walking away with some profits. You can read more here about the top online slot games with the highest RTPs.

Volatility

Also known as variance, volatility is a key feature in online slot games that represents the risk level associated with slot games. It essentially indicates the frequency and size of payouts that players can expect when playing the game. Volatility in slot generally falls under three categories, including:

• Low volatility: This is associated with slots that will give out frequent but smaller payouts. It ensures consistent and less risky gaming.

• High volatility: Refers to slots with larger payouts but less frequent wins. This is ideal for players who are not averse to taking risks.

• Medium volatility: Medium volatility is associated with slots that strike a perfect balance between low and high volatility. They offer more frequent wins than high-volatility slots and bigger payouts than low-variance ones.

Overall, your choice of volatility should align with your bankroll capability and playing style. 

Paylines

Paylines are another vital feature that every beginner in slots must know about. It refers to patterns on the reels of slot games that dictate how winning combinations can form. Traditional classic slots typically have a single payline right in the middle of a 3-reel x 3-row grid setup, from left to right. Triggering a win here requires landing just three matching slot symbols across that line.

On the other hand, modern video slots typically come with multiple paylines, ranging from as low as 5 to as much as 1,024. These typically run on slot games with more reels and rows than classic slots. Furthermore, the number of paylines available on slots can either be fixed or adjustable, depending on each game.

However, you should also note that some exciting new games operate on the “ways to win” system, which eliminates traditional paylines.

Demo Mode

The demo mode feature is undeniably one of the most innovative features of online slot games. Also known as free play or fun play mode, this feature allows players to enjoy the gameplay of online slots in a free virtual environment. It gives players renewable free credits to try out slots without any risk.

Unlike what newbies tend to think, the demo mode feature of slot games typically replicates every basic aspect of the real money mode, from the game mechanics to rules, RTP, payouts, etc. This makes the feature a fantastic way for players to test out new games and get familiar with gameplay before trying them for real money and risking their funds.

Special Bonus Features

Another exciting aspect of online slots is that the gameplay of most games typically comes with a variety of special features that add a layer of excitement. These features enhance the gameplay experience of slot players and provide opportunities to land bigger winnings. Some of the most popular bonus features you will find in online slot games include:

• Wilds: This involves a slot symbol that can be substituted for other symbols to form winning combinations.

• Scatter: The scatter symbol provides players payouts when three or more of them land anywhere on the slots payline.

• Multipliers: Helps boost players’ winnings by a specific factor like 2x, 3x, etc.

• Free spins: Allow players to spin the reels of slot games for free for several rounds

• Progressive jackpot: Involves the accumulator of players’ wager into a massive prize pool, which a random player can win 

Conclusion

A mistake that many beginners typically make when entering the slot gaming scene is playing games without understanding their basic core features. From volatility to RTP, there is a wide array of basic features that influence the gameplay of slot games in more ways than one. Understanding these features is vital to making informed decisions on the best slot to play. It also helps to enhance the overall enjoyment players get and maximize their chances of winning.