Our guide to Master Online Slots and learn everything about online slots and explore wining strategies to beat the house edge at Pennsylvania casinos
What Are Slot Machines and How Do They Work?
Slots machines have been the most popular form of casino gambling since the early 70s. New casino visitors believe that slots are all about inserting coins, spinning the reels, hoping to win, repeat. While the core of that belief is very justified and acts as the main point of attraction to the game, slots are carefully thought over as highly complex gambling machines. Physical slots in brick & mortar casinos are equipped with currency detectors, microprocessors, and online slots are utilizing high-end software, top security measures as well as other sensory features to keep the game alive. despite some apparent differences, all slot types are equipped with random number generators (RNG) – the heart of the machine.
RNGs are computer programs that keep on generating random sequences of numbers to provide slots with their solo principle: the outcome of each spin is entirely RANDOM. The RNG mechanism restarts with every spin of the reels, ensuring nothing is predictable besides the pre-determined game odds, RTP, and other features. A player can either lose or win based on pure luck. Knowing the game’s features before playing is beneficial to help you pick the game that suits you and come up with the right slot betting tactic to increase your bankroll or clear any casino bonus requirements. Despite that, knowing the game is not winning the game. luck is random, but we can improve and hope for the best.
Let’s give a brief overview of the features that differentiate slots from one another and are the basis for the rise and fall of different games.
Return to Player is a % that reflects how much of the wagered money will be won back over time. The higher the RTP, the more likely you will receive your money back or even more with time. Despite that, when we say over time, it doesn’t necessarily mean that this percentage will be returned to the Player on your or the next Player’s game time.
Variance or volatility is the risk involved in playing a particular slot game. High-variance slots offer bigger rewards, but they come with a higher level of risk while low-variance slots offer more wins with smaller payouts.
Essential components of any slot machine. The payout percentage indicates how much a player can expect to win back over time. The odds of winning on a slot machine depend on the number of symbols and paylines and the game’s volatility.
Each of these three features tremendously impacts the adoption of a slot game by the industry and customers alike. Memorize these concepts for our "How to master online S-L-O-T-S" guide parts: Slot types, Learn the paytable, Odds, Tactics, Special bonuses. But first, it's time to better understand slot history.
Slots History - From the Mills Liberty Bell to Big Bertha
Slots have traveled far since the invention of the "the Mills Liberty Bell" – the first slot machine created by Charles August Fey in 1985. The early machines were basic mechanical slots operating on motor electricity, with three reels, a lever, and no RNG mechanism. Due to a limited number of symbols and paylines, these machines' payouts were easier to calculate.
Slots accessibility to the public was made possible for two main reasons: the first is Charles Fey's entrepreneurship and dedication that led to the development of the first fruity slot - "The Operator Bell" in 1907. which, unlike the mechanical slots, was powered by standard electrical power from a wall socket. The latter was the introduction of automatic payouts in the 1930s that led to the creation of real money slots or "one-armed bandits" due to their utilization by early scammers. Both factors were the main drivers behind the slot's public acceptance. Over time, bigger reels and more room for symbols were added, increasing the number of possible combinations and paving the way to the classic slots we all know and love.
A great example of the evolution described can be seen in the nostalgic IGT "Big Bertha" slots. Both are designed to catch the eye of any Casino visitor by standing several feet tall and wide and weighing several hundred pounds. But, while The iconic 1930s Bertha version was powered with 5 horsepower motors and featured just a few symbols, The 1950's "Super Big Bertha" was already an eight reels X 20 symbols each giant that held the title of the world's biggest slot machine.
Spinning into the Digital Era
By the time the internet was embraced by households around the globe, slots were no longer viewed as the babysitter for high-roller wives. They became one of the most popular casino gaming activities. The digital world made a new era of slot machines possible, with online slots becoming increasingly popular. The change in technology and the move to virtual reels significantly increased gaming possibilities offering thousands of combinations, branded slot themes, payout structures, paylines per reel, and more slot symbols. Amongst those, we can find wilds, scatter symbols, and multipliers. On top of the evolution of standard features, the digital age led to the emergence of new game features such as cascading tiles, free spins, bonus levels, and even online slot tournaments.
A glimpse into slot machines' future reveals many more innovations to come. Some creations are already here, such as 3d, skill-based, virtual reality, and mobile slots. Others are still under development that creates a lot of industry buzz, such as artificial intelligence slots will offer a personalized immersive gaming experience.
The local spin - PA Online Slots history
PA legalized slots in 2004 under the Race Horse Development and Gaming Act turning into the fourth state in the US to do so. First slots were installed in racehorses in 2006 and grown exponentially ever since. Initially the keystone state permitted 14 operation licenses under the PCGB regulation but over the years that number has grown and with it the number of slots in Casinos, racinos, truck stops and mini casinos significantly impacting PA economy. In the first year of operation alone, Pennsylvania's slot machines generated over $1 billion in revenue which climbed to a record breaking revenue of $2.12 billion on 2022. Slots are playing a significant role in the growth of the PA gambling industry and are expected to climb to new heights in 2023.
Pennsylvanians enjoy the ability to play slots on machines throughout the country and from the comfort of their own homes with over ten legal and regulated online casinos. Our top online slots providers can be found on our top PA casinos list or claim their free signup bonuses from the table below.
| Rank | Casino | Free Spins | Min Deposit | Play Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BetMGM | 250 | $25 | Claim SPINS! |
| 2 | BetRivers | in game rounds | $10 | Claim SPINS! |
| 3 | Unibet | 100 | $10 | Claim SPINS! |
| 4 | Caesars | 40 | $10 | SOON |
| 5 | FanDuel | $100 site credits | $10 | SOON |
Mastering online S-L-O-T-S
To master online slots and maximize your payout, you must learn the ins and outs of the game, devise your best slots Strategy based on your individual game style, and stay informed regarding any special bonuses and promotions. To easily remember all the parts, we have put together the S-L-O-T-S system. Each letter represents a different aspect of what you need to dominate the game.
S - Slots types:
Slot types vary From classic fruity three-reel games to megaways multi-paylines and progressive jackpot slots. Each slot is equipped with game-specific features, while some employ a combination of different slot types features into one. While there are plenty of slot types out there, it is safe to say that they can be categorized into the following types:
These, usually retro or classic designed slots, takes us on a trip down memory lane to times in which slots were very basic, offering three reels, one to three paylines, bars, cherries, and sevens symbols. As the early time fillers, designated to keep high rollers company spinning while the high roller is hitting the casino tables, they are typically low volatility, with smaller payouts but higher hit rates than other slot types. Often confused with classic slots.
This traditional slot type resembles 3-reel slots due to its simple gameplay utilizing standard bars, fruits, and sevens symbols while offering just a few paylines, but unlike the 3-reel slot, classic slots can have either a three or a five-reel variation and offer either low volatility or high volatility features.
A more modern slot machine than the 3-reel slots. Equipped with five reels and multiple paylines, these higher volatility slots usually feature advanced graphics, animations, and various themes. This slot type usually offers a lower hit rate with bigger payouts, Sweetening the losing streaks if you are lucky.
Networking at its best. This slot represents the American dream of wining it once and wining it big. The jackpot amount is accumulated due to a progressive jackpot network link, where a portion of each bet placed contributes a small percentage the jackpot prize. There is no real limit to how much exactlya Jackpots can reach, with some machines offering life changing payouts. The largest one so far was a $39.7 million win at “megabucks” slot machine in Vegas Excalibur casino.
A slot machine that offers 243 and above combinations to win due to offering winning combinations that rely on symbols located on the reels, on top of traditional paylines. Because this slot type is loaded with possible winning combinations it is usually a low volatility slot – high hit rate and low payout for each hit.
A video slot machine that uses a random reel modifier to generate a different number of symbols on each spin, resulting in a changing number of active paylines. Megaways slots can offer up to tens of thousands of ways to win.
A video slot machine that uses a random reel modifier to generate different symbols on each spin, resulting in a changing number of active paylines. Megaways slots can offer up to tens of thousands of ways to win.
A video slot machine themed around a famous brand or franchise, such as a movie, TV show, or video game. They often feature characters and symbols from the brand and include bonus rounds that are thematically linked to the brand.
A video slot machine that uses advanced 3D graphics and animations to create a more immersive gaming experience.
Here is a table comparing some of the critical features of these different slot types:
| Slot Type | Reels | Paylines | Bonus Features | Volatility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Reel | 3 | 1-3 | None | Low |
| 5-Reel | 5 | Multiple | Free Spins, Bonus Rounds | High |
| Video Slots | 5+ | Multiple | Free Spins, Bonus Rounds, Pick-me games, 2nd Screen Bonus Rounds | High |
| Branded Slots | 5+ | Multiple | Thematic bonus rounds | High |
| Progressive Jackpot | 3-5 | 1-25 | Progressive Jackpot | High |
| All-Ways | 5+ | 243+ ways to win | Free Spins, Bonus Rounds | High |
| Megaways | 5+ | Up to tens of thousands of ways to win | Free Spins, Bonus Rounds | High |
| Classic Slots | 3 | 1-3 | None | Low |
| 3D Slots | 5+ | Multiple | Free Spins, Bonus Rounds | High |
L - Learn Online Slots paytables:
To win big, players need to understand the paytable. In this section, we will look closer at the paytable for Pennsylvania slots and break down its key components.
The paytable typically includes a symbol guide explaining each symbol’s value in the game. This helps players understand which symbols have high value and which are low value. Understanding this before playing the game is crucial to make informed decisions about which symbols to hold on the reels if the option is available.
Wild symbols can substitute for any other symbol on the reels to create winning combinations. Wilds increase your chances of winning due to their appearance with additional features like multipliers or expanding wilds.
Multipliers are what you want. These symbols do precisely what their name suggests and multiply your winnings from 2x to 100x your initial wager. While Multipliers are often associated with wild symbols, they can also appear as separate stand-alone symbols.
These special symbols can trigger bonus rounds or free spins. Unlike other symbols, scatters need not be on a specific payline to create a winning combination. They often pay out more than other symbols in the game.
The chance to win big prizes! Bonus rounds often involve a second interactive gameplay different from the base slot game. They can be triggered by scatter symbols or other special symbols. They often come with their own paytable and guidelines for potential payouts
Other people losses can become a great win. Many slots offer a progressive jackpot, which means that the jackpot increases every time someone plays the game and doesn’t win the jackpot. These jackpots can reach staggering amounts, allowing players to win life-changing money.
In addition to the features we’ve already discussed, Pennsylvania slots often include additional bonuses and unique features. These features include cascading reels, random wilds, or mystery symbols. It’s essential to read the paytable carefully to understand how these features work and what kind of payouts they offer.
O - Online Slots Odds
While many players enjoy playing slots for fun, others are interested in understanding the odds of winning. We were too! Our answer to why understanding odds really matters might surprise you. Spoiler - you will not avoid randomness no matter how well-educated you are regarding odds.
Random Number Generator (RNG):
As discussed above, All slot machines, whether in a brick-and-mortar casino or online casinos, are equipped with a Random Number Generator (RNG). In short – a software that ensures the results of each spin are entirely random, and the outcome of one spin does not influence the outcome of the next. Everyone has an equal chance of winning, but the house will always have an edge.
House edge and true odds:
Slots pay out less than the true odds of winning, and this difference is known as the "house edge," and it ensures that the casino makes a profit over time. However, players can still win on slot machines. Instead, as in all bet types - players should approach slot machines as entertainment rather than a way to make money.
For example, if a slot machine has a house edge of 5%, the casino will, on average, keep 5% of all wagers made on that machine over the long run. This doesn't mean that every Player will lose 5% of their money when they play the machine. Instead, it's an average considering all the money wagered on the machine by all players over time.
Slot odds:
Slot Odds are mathematically complex because of the number of possible outcomes and the different paybacks. There are thousands of possible combinations on a typical slot machine, each with a different payout. This complexity makes it difficult to determine the odds of winning. So why should odds really interest us? Game time!
Understanding slot odds, bet size, and the RTP (return to Player) can help prolong your casino game time and turn every casino session into a fun day. Most slot machine encounters will result in losing money, but understanding the RTP and combining it with your planned bet size can help you make informed decisions about which machines to play.
Bet size and RTP:
Choosing machines with a higher RTP increases your chances of winning and prolongs your game time. For example, if you have a $200 bankroll and want to play for three hours, you should choose machines with a min RTP of 90% and a min bet size of 50 cents. This will give you a 90% chance to spin slot reels for three hours without spending all your money.
Similarly, If you have a $200 bankroll and want to play for three hours with a $1 bet size, you should choose slots with a minimum RTP of 96%. Giving you a 90% chance of lasting three hours without spending all your money.
It's important to note that machines with higher RTPs may have lower jackpots, so it's up to the Player to you to decide whether you prefer a higher chance of winning smaller amounts or a lower chance of winning that mind-blowing jackpot.
T - Online Slots Tactics
When it comes to online slots, employing the right Strategy is critical to increasing the chances of winning. One such Strategy is the volatility-based Strategy, which involves understanding the level of volatility and RTP % of each slot game.
It's important to employ both high and low-volatility strategies. While High-volatility games offer big payouts with a lower frequency, but low-volatility games offer smaller payouts with higher winning rates.
High-volatility Strategy: the effective slot strategy is to put a maximum bet. since these games tend to have low hit rates, you may go a long time without landing a winning combination. However, suppose you have enough funds to play. Wagering the total amount will give you a big win when you land that winning combination.
Low-volatility Strategy: Small and medium bets will give you an advantage in low-volatility slots because they give you constant small wins. Payouts may be smaller, but they come more often, prolonging your gameplay and increasing your overall chance of winning.
Your Strategy should always be in correlation with the depth of your pockets. With high volatility, you can lose big money and win it. We recommend employing that Strategy only if you fully understand that the lows of the game will hit you more often than the highs.
Whatever your Strategy is - play responsibly.
S - Special bonuses
PA gambling regulation and the growing number of gaming providers in the keystone state provide some healthy competition over the hearts of gamblers. One of the biggest advantages of that competition is the number of special promotions and bonuses available for Pennsylvanians. When it comes down to slots, there are three types of bonuses that you should look out for:
Almost all online casinos offer these bonuses to new players. Welcome bonuses can come in different forms, such as deposit match bonuses or free spins, and they can be quite lucrative. However, it’s important to note that these bonuses often come with significant playthrough requirements. You must bet the bonus amount a few times before being eligible to withdraw it. The good news is that slots often contribute highly towards these requirements, making it easier to meet them.
While some free spins are offered to players within the welcome bonus described above, most of these bonuses are triggered within games, allowing you to spin the reels again for free. Free spins can be triggered during bonus games or regular reel spins. It’s common to win several free spins when playing online slots, giving you a chance to play without risking your money
Another great bonus feature is the cash-back bonuses. With these bonuses, you can regain a proportion of your losses. Cash-back bonuses are often not subject to wagering requirements, making it easier to claim than many other offers
Time to play – Step-by-step guide to playing slots
Choose your preferred online slot machine based on the criteria and strategies you wish to employ. We recommend giving it a few spins without risking your money if there is a demo mode. When ready, open the slot on your chosen device. The screen will fill with the reels of your slot machine and operating buttons such as ‘spin’ and ‘max bet.’ You’ll also see your bankroll in the corner of the screen.
Take a look at the game’s paytable. This will show you how much each symbol is worth and tell you which ones you want. Seek for special buttons that will allow you to lock reels in place.
Choose what you want to bet (denomination) and how many paylines you want to play. Use the ‘max bet’ button if you’d like to choose paylines at once.
Click ‘spin’ to spin the reels. When you win the slot will display the winning amount and offer you the chance to gamble and win bigger prizes. This is the time to put all that knowledge to the test, and I hope lady luck is on your side.
You can continue spinning the reels for as long as you wish, but remember to keep an eye on your bankroll and always remember your betting limits and goals.