If you’re new to playing slot games, it’s probably easy to assume that they all do the same things or stick to the same patterns. That’s not always the case! Yes – some developers will have certain slot templates that they stick to, but that doesn’t mean that all their games follow the same themes or rules.
In fact, before you start playing slot games for real money, it’s wise to take a close look at what’s out there and to consider what you really want out of your slots before you start spinning the reels. In this guide, we’ll take you through what you need to know when picking the best slot game for your playing style, and some of the crucial points to consider when you’re looking to expand your collection of go-to games.
Understanding Slot Game Features
If you’ve already taken a look through the Tonybet catalogue, you’ll probably have found that different slots have varying bonus rounds, symbols, pay features, triggers, and more. Some games cascade, which means that winning symbols break away, so new ones fall in.
Other slots, like those in the Megaways series, have thousands of paylines that change from spin to spin. And, there’s slot games that pay from left to right, some that have longer reels than others, and some that have tons of features on top of a basic grid of action.
Then, you have cluster games – where the aim isn’t to line up symbols on paylines, but to simply arrange winning images in groups or clusters.
If this all sounds a bit overwhelming – don’t worry! As you explore the world of different slots out there and play a few for yourself, you’ll soon see what the main differences are.
Ultimately, one of the most important features to look for is bet level. That’s how much you’ll pay per spin. Always make sure to choose slots that are within your gaming budget.
And, look for games that have themes that interest you, and bonus rounds that appeal to your taste for action. You might not want a game that’s absolutely packed with free spins, cascades, and spot prizes! That’s absolutely fine – because there are plenty of traditional slot machines that follow basic patterns and only have a few symbols.
Always be sure to check out a game’s paytable before you start. Usually, you’ll find this by tapping or clicking an “i” symbol. This tells you how much each symbol combo pays, what the bonus rounds do and how to activate them, and what the game’s RTP (return to player) and volatility are – more on those below.
Why the right slot game matters
It’s important to find the right slot game that appeals to your tastes and playing style simply because you might find you spend money for the sake of it. Some games, such as those with tricky bonuses that you need to activate over time, might not be a good fit for players who are just looking for something casual.
For players who want a feature-rich slot with lots of random spot prizes and triggers, the most basic three-reel games might not be that appealing. In which case, they will likely do best to hunt down games that have a few different rounds and triggers.
The right slot matters because it’s important to know what to expect if you’re putting real money into a game! Luckily, you can take your time browsing Tonybet’s catalogue and finding out how different slots work and pay out before you make a single bet.
Evaluating RTP and Volatility
We’ve mentioned RTP and volatility briefly, and it bears repeating. RTP and volatility help you determine how generous a game is likely to be – these figures can be helpful in determining how a slot plays and pays out over time.
Let’s start with RTP. RTP, as mentioned, stands for return to player, and it’s a percentage amount that tells you how much a game pays out for as long as it’s likely to remain online. That means, for example, if a game’s RTP is 95%, that means it’s likely to pay out 95% of the time, and not for 5% of the time.
This can lure you into a false sense of security, however. That doesn’t mean a game is going to guarantee wins 95% of the time that you play for. It refers to the entire lifespan of the game. If a game has a lifespan of, say, ten years, 5% is a very long time in gameplay measurements. So, while it’s a good indicator of how generous a game can be, you shouldn’t use it to determine how likely you are to win.
As a general rule, most slot games that pay well (or at least a regular amount) tend to sit at about 96% RTP. There are many games that go above this, and plenty that go below. Just keep in mind that those lower than 96% might be trickier to play and can take a bit more patience.
On the other hand, there’s volatility, or variance. Volatility and variance refer to how often a game pays out in general, and the size of the prizes you can usually expect.
Volatility is split into three levels:
- Low: Where a game pays out relatively often, but the prizes are smaller
- Medium: Where payouts and prize sizes tend to be balanced
- High: Where a game pays out relatively rarely, but the prizes tend to be larger
Notice we use “relatively” here. That’s because there’s no precise measurement – just that some games tend to give you more line wins, while others barely pay out on lines but give bigger prizes when you unlock bonus rounds.
If you’re a casual player who isn’t worried about big wins, you’ll want to look for low volatility games. In some cases, you can even change volatility levels in-game!
Matching Slot Games to Playing Styles
If you’re stuck for ideas or where to get started picking the right slot games for your play style, let’s break things down into a handful of categories.
Casual playing
Casual players, or those who aren’t particularly interested in flashy features and big wins, should look for games with fewer paylines, lower volatility, and fewer symbols. You might also want to consider scatter games, where there aren’t always bonus rounds attached.
Thrill Seekers
Players looking for a little more buzz should look for high volatility games with different bonus features and hundreds of paylines. Megaways games, for example, are particularly geared towards players who want a little more out of their time and money. The more features a game has, generally, the more interesting it’ll be.
Seeking frequent wins
Similarly to the category above, players looking for frequent wins should look for games with lots of features and paylines. However, you don’t necessarily want to look for high volatility games. Instead, look for balanced medium volatility or low volatility games, or games where there are many different ways to win.
Immersive play
Immersive slot games are those with fantastic graphics, soundtracks, and accessibility across different devices. At Tonybet, we always pack our catalogue with some of the best-looking, best-sounding slots from developers that genuinely care about making a big aesthetic impact!
Considering Your Budget and Time
Lastly, it’s always wise to consider how much time and money you have to spend on your games. You shouldn’t ever chase wins or losses for the sake of it, and at the same time, you shouldn’t play slots assuming that they’ll get better if something doesn’t feel right.
So, always make sure to set clear budget and time limits on your gameplay regardless of what you get into spinning. If you need help setting limits or curbing your time, you can always reach out to the Tonybet team for extra support.
The Main Points
Ultimately, we all have different tastes when it comes to the games we play. We strive to give you as varied a selection of games and experiences as possible – so, whether you’re completely new to slots or are simply looking for a bit of variety in your gameplay, be sure to take a browse through our catalogue.
Before you begin testing your slot game knowledge, here’s a handy list to help you remember the key features of a slot to look out for:
- Paylines
- RTP
- Volatility and Variance
- Playing styles
- Budget
In time, you never know – you might find a new game or new style of play that really appeals to you! Just remember to take your time and to set healthy limits whenever you can.
Enjoy slot games on Tonybet!
