Slot machines come in a nearly endless supply of variations to suit the preferences of players around the world. Whether you prefer the classic 3-reeled machines or a video machine complete with a storyline, you’ll have no trouble finding your favorite flavor. Today, slots and video poker combine to account for more than 70 percent of casino winnings as a result of their unique gambling experience and huge winning potential. While a single hand at the blackjack table can only produce, at best, 1.5 times your bet, slots offer the chance for thousands, or even millions, for the perfect lucky spin. Despite their popularity, all slot games are not created equal. There are several factors to consider to find the best online slot machines for real money that suit your preferences. It’s essential to look for games with high payout rates, engaging gameplay, and appealing graphics and themes. Additionally, you may want to consider the game’s volatility, bonus features, and overall reputation among players. By taking these factors into account, you can narrow down your options and find the best online slot machines for real money that provide both entertainment and the potential for big winnings.
Number of Lines and Reels
While good machines come in all shapes and sizes, the first thing to consider is how many lines you’d like to play. Classic machines with all of the Lucky 7’s and Cherries are still top-rated, and these typically have three reels and up to nine pay lines. Many modern players prefer to increase their chances on each spin, which has led to a major boom in much larger machines. It’s common to see video slot machines with 5 reels and 25 pay lines, which allow players to up the stakes with each spin and increase the overall excitement factor.
You can even leave the reels behind in some games. Tired of the same spinning reel patterns? Try a game like Cubee, the time travel adventure slot game. Instead of reels, players spin a time travel vortex, and 8 symbols populate the swirling vortex. Rack in bonuses, power-ups, multipliers, free games, and more in this exciting twist on the familiar slot game.
Lucrative Pay Tables
Just because two machines look identical doesn’t mean they are. The truth is that two of the same machines at the same casino can have wildly different pay tables, which can be bad news for players who don’t pay adequate attention. In brick and mortar casinos, it’s best to look on the betting panel of your machine of choice to find specific tables. Taking a few seconds to research the machines can pay serious dividends throughout your time with your favorite slot game.
While you’re checking the stats, check for the particular slot game’s volatility rating. Volatility means how much and how often the slot pays off. This is important because sometimes you don’t want to wait hours or days for a big win. Games with high volatility pay out very rarely, but pay larger amounts. Low volatility games pay out regularly and often, but the wins are lower. A medium volatility rating means exactly that: a happy medium between low and high volatility. Land-based casinos rarely publish their volatility ratings, but many of the best online casinos happily publish this info in the technical details section of each casino game.
Progressive Jackpots
If winning millions on a single spin is your ambition, you’ll need a good progressive jackpot to get you there. These totals continue to stack up as players use the machines until one lucky winner claims it all. This is the feature that separates slots from table games, because there is always a chance of winning life-changing amounts of cash with each and every spin.
Bonus Features
If free casino games and scatter wins are your thing, you’ll probably have the best luck choosing a video slot machine. These complicated games commonly feature wilds and bonus features to make playing even more fun, which has made them immensely popular in both land-based and real money online casino. After all, what’s better than watching your win total shoot upwards following a series of free spins, knowing that you aren’t betting a penny?
Many slot games offer unique game-within-a-game bonus features. The right combo of wilds and scatters can trigger a bonus game where mega wins are waiting. With the right mix of free spins, multipliers, and special mini-jackpots, the best online slot games are both fun and lucrative.
Progressive Jackpots
Part of the allure when it comes to slot machines is the possibility of a huge win on a relatively small bet. In most cases, this win is made possible by the presence of a progressive jackpot. As players continue to play a bank of machines, these prizes continue to gain more cash until one lucky player takes home the whole thing with a lucky spin of the reels. Unlike the majority of casino games, slots players who play machines with progressive jackpots have the chance to exponentially multiply their bankrolls with each and every bet.
Storylines
Today’s slots adventures present players with an opportunity to increase their fun at the machines by including interesting and engaging storylines throughout the game. If you’re a big fan of pirates, for example, you’ll have no trouble finding a pirate-themed slots game that will take you on a swashbuckling adventure on the high seas. Of course, there’s also something to be said for the simplicity of classic machines as well.
There are several hundred slots games available to play online for free or real money. The type of theme and story varies, and in the case of extremely popular titles, there are sequels. If you like martial arts action, try a Jackie Chan action slot game like Eagle Shadow Fist or Fire Dragon. Immerse yourself in the ancient Chinese Tang Dynasty and play Empress Wu, or celebrate the lucky Chinese Year of the Pig while playing Pig Winner.
You can also saddle up for an Old West adventure in Trigger Happy, or head down Mexico Way for a musical fiesta with mariachis. Fancy a game with a seasonal theme? Try Rudolph’s Revenge, Naughty or Nice, or Swindle All the Way. Wrestle with Luchadores, chase leprechaun loot, dodge vampires, or hit up the Hen House for info on how to find the elusive Kung Fu Rooster. The massive variety of slot themes ensures hours of reel fun.
