Understanding Casino Slot Machines
Among the more simple and straightforward things to understand when it comes to casino games, a slot pay line is more or less the number of pay lines that are there for you to win from in any given slot game. Slot pay lines are very important features, as a pay line is the line which a payout will be awarded when winning combinations land on it. Slots Paylines - How They Work. Slot machines only used to have one payline which could be won if 3 symbols of the same type fell next to each other. Multiline slot machines became a thing in the 1990s when the five-payline format was introduced. Nowadays, some newly released video slots can feature even +200 paylines. What slot machines are today is a worldwide phenomenon, from their U.S. Point of origin to Europe to Australia and the Pacific Rim. In the United States, where more than a million slots populate casino floors, they are a major profit center, long since having surpassed table games. Understanding Online Casino Slots Basics Online casino slots have become enormously popular over the years, and much of their success can be attributed to their simple gameplay. To play, all you need to do is pull the lever (or push the “Spin” button) to set the reels in motion.
Most people look at the vast array of casino slot machines and assume they are all alike. They see a handle, a coin slot, flashing lights and figure one is as good as another. However, in making this assumption, they fail to see a lot of valuable information to help determine if they should play a particular slot machine.
Surprisingly perhaps, machines aren't all the same. The best way to separate one from another is to learn how to “read” a machine by looking at the payout schedule on the front. Let’s see what information can be found on a typical slot machine.
Casinos here in the U.S. and abroad keep several types of slot machines in play at any given time. A few you'll most often see:
Multiplier: This machine has a payout for a certain symbol and the number of coins played multiplies it. If the machine pays 5 coins for three lemons when you play one coin, it would pay 10 for the second coin and 15 for three coins played. This machine does not penalize you for not playing maximum coins. If you plan to play only one coin at a time, this is the type of machine you should look for.
Bonus Multiplier: This machine operates like the multiplier but offers a bonus when you play maximum coins and hit the jackpot. Three 7’s may pay 1,000 for one coin, 2,000 for two coins and 10,000 for maximum coins. The central question is whether the bonus is worth playing the extra coin.
Multiple Payline: These machines have more than one line of play. Each coin activates a particular line. If you hit a winner on a line that is not activated, you will not receive anything. The older machines used to have three lines but the newer video slots can have up to nine lines.
Buy-a-Pay: These are the most misunderstood machines in the casino. Each coin activates a different payout. You need the maximum coins to receive the largest jackpot.
One example is the Sizzlin' 7s machines. This machine will pay on cherries, bars, and sevens. The sevens pay 1,000 coins. If you play one coin you collect only on the cherries. If you play two coins you collect on cherries and bars.
Three coins are required to collect on the Sizzlin' 7s. If you hit the jackpot with one coin in you will not win anything -- do not play this machine under any circumstances unless you are playing the maximum coins.
Progressive Slots: The progressive slots take a certain percentage of the money played and add it to a pool for the top jackpot.
First and foremost, It is never wise to play a progressive machine with less than the maximum coins -- stories abound of people losing out on lesser progressive jackpots because of short coin play.
Some casinos link machines together within their own facility to offer mini-progressive jackpots.
Megabucks and Quarter Mania are examples of machines from several casinos linked together to offer 'life-changing jackpots'. It's important to keep in mind that payback percentage on lesser wins is lowered to allow for these jackpots.
All of the information you need is posted on the front of each slot machine. Before sitting down to play, taking a minute to “read” the machine will help make you more knowledgeable in determining which machines may be best suited for you.
Until next time, remember:
'Luck comes and goes...Knowledge Stays Forever.'
Understanding Casino Slot Machines For Beginners
Casino slot machines in online casinos and land-based casinos are essentially the same - both are computerized robots. The big difference is that online slots also commonly known as online pokies can be played in the privacy of your own home, far removed from the noise and irritations encountered in live casinos. There is no need to worry about pickpockets, annoying smokers and obnoxious busy bodies. And if you want to play in your birthday suit, that too is o.k. Online you will encounter a large variety of casino slot machines you can select from. The choices are Single Line Slots, Multi-Line Slots, and Progressives, and within each group there is a multitude of styles, themes and designs. Online casinos have games to suit each individual's personal taste.
Single Line Slots
Single-line casino slot machines are the traditional and most basic type of slots available, they usually feature 3-reels with a center pay line. These slot games are the simplest to understand. Coin requirements can be anywhere between 5 cents to $5 dollars. Wins are determined if a winning combination of 3 symbols appear on the centerline. Payouts for the various symbols are clearly displayed on the machine.
Multi-Line Slots
These casino slot machines are slightly more complex than single line slots, because there are more ways winning combinations can be made. Rather than payouts occurring only on a single line, multi-line slots allow for combinations on up to nine lines. Wins can on lines that are vertical, horizontal, diagonal or whichever way the machine is programmed to operate.
Video Slots
More recently we have seen the advent of 5 reel multi payline slots! Some games have 20 or even 25 paylines. You win more often playing these slots but with the cost per line, a bad run will see you losing your stake rather quickly! NOT for the faint hearted but HUGE fun.
Understanding Casino Slot Machines Game
Progressive Slots
Hitting the jackpot on progressive casino slot machines is what every slots player hopes for. The more money players put into a machine, the greater the jackpot grows until some lucky player hits the winning combination. Jackpots grow to such giant proportions because many machines in many casinos are linked, all contributing to the same enormous jackpot.
How Slots Operate
Online casino slot machines are run by computer program known as a random number generator, which controls the payouts. The random number generator does just that. It generates numbers at random, which translate into winning and losing symbol combinations on the lines. There is no way to predict when or how much a machine will pay. Just focus on money managing strategies, hope to win and enjoy the game.
Winning Slot Tips
The most important advice for playing online casino slot machines has to do with looking after your money. It is crucial to know when to leave a machine and how to play for optimal winnings. For every session, set a goal; maybe 25 percent more than you started out with. When you hit that goal, stop playing and call it a day.
Introduction to Online Texas Holdem
Welcome to the wonderful world of online Texas hold'em! In the online game, you'll find all the excitement you find in live Texas hold'em, without the inconvenience of travelling to the casino and without having to tip anybody. You may also have to make some adjustments if you are used to playing live hold'em or stud.
New Players to Online Texas Hold'em
If you've never played Texas hold'em before, online at a US poker site is a great place to start. Some people are reluctant to enter a live card room for the first time because they are not quite sure they will know what to do.
Online, everything is in an easy to understand graphic interface. You may wish to begin by playing free money games, something you can't do at a live casino. Use these games to get a feel for how the action goes and then move to freerolls or small stakes games. Before long, you'll be playing like a regular.