At any good online casino, you can find hundreds or even thousands of different slot games. While this huge number of available slot titles may seem intimidating for beginners, it’s worth noting that these slot games can be categorised into a handful of slot game types. Below we list and explain the most common and popular types of slot games.
Classic slots
Also referred to as one-arm bandits, classic slots are the simplest type of slot games you can find at an online casino. The basics of these slot machines are similar to the traditional slot machines that were first introduced in the early 1900s.
A few years ago, classic slots usually came with three reels and a single horizontal payline. But today, one can easily find UK slots that feature three or more paylines. Speaking about the symbols, classic slots often have fruits and high-paying cards as their symbols.
Multi-payline slots
Multi-payline slots are quite popular among online slot players, all thanks to their bonus features and additional ways of forming winning combinations. But their increased complexity can make them a bit overwhelming for slot fanatics who are just starting.
As their name suggests, multi-payline slots feature more than one payline. Depending on your chosen title, the number of paylines can range anywhere between 9 and 100. Also, unlike classic slots, the paylines here can take multiple forms such as diagonal, zigzag or V-shaped. As such, these machines can have multiple winning combinations at the same time.
3D slots
In recent times, several leading slot game providers such as Microgaming and NetEnt have added numerous 3D slot titles to their portfolio of available games. Just like multi-payline slot games, 3D slots come with multiple payline and several additional features. But the themes, animations and soundtracks in 3D slots are designed in such a way that they offer a truly mesmerizing slot gaming experience.
Speaking about the themes, they can range anywhere from fantasy lands to popular movies and TV shows in these games. Furthermore, some 3D slots feature elaborate storylines that require players to go through multiple levels to reach the final round. Another great thing about these slot titles is their cross compatibility, which allows players to seamlessly access 3D slots on both their desktop PC and mobile devices.
Progressive slots
Progressive slot games are usually found in well-established gambling venues that have been around for a while. These slots feature a progressive jackpot that increases in value every time players place a wager in the game. As you’d guess, the progressive jackpot continues to grow until it’s won by a lucky player. After winning, the jackpot amount resets to its initial value.
It’s worth noting that there are three main types of progressive jackpot games – Standalone progressive jackpots, local progressives and global progressive jackpots. In standalone progressives, the jackpot amount is linked to a single slot game. Global progressive jackpots, on the other hand, can have multiple games or casinos linked together. So, it’s no wonder that the final prize amount can go in millions here.
Megaways Slots
First developed by Australia-based studio Big Time Gaming, Megaways Slots are an interesting type of slot game to play online. The initial Megaways slots were limited to the games offered by Big Time Gaming, but one can now find a number of exciting Megaways titles by numerous software providers.
Megaways slots are unique in the sense that they come with the random reel modifier feature. As its name implies, this reel mechanic randomly alters the number of symbols that can appear on the reels in a specific spinning round. That way, players have far more ways of winning in Megaways slots as compared to regular online slot games.
While the gameplay aspects of each Megaways slot are different, most Megaways slots come with six reels. Also, a maximum of seven symbols can pop up on the reels in many Megaways slot games. It’s worth noting that unlike regular slots that require players to line up symbols on a specific payline, you just need to get similar symbols on adjacent reels to win in Megaways.
Penny Slots
Simply put, penny slots are online slots that allow players to wager a minimum of $0.01 on each line. The history of penny slots can be traced back to the early slot machines of the 20th century. As the first slot games didn’t have multiple paylines, they would cost just a penny to play.
Note that today’s penny slots require more than a cent for players to play them online. And the reason for it is that modern penny slots feature more than just a single payline. So, if your chosen penny slot game comes with 25 or 50 paylines, you’ll need to wager 25 or 50 cents if you wish all the paylines to remain active.
Some online casinos now offer penny slots that are linked to worldwide progressive jackpots. These penny slot games come with significant monetary rewards, making them a great way to try your luck at enticing prizes for low costs.
Virtual reality slots
Virtual reality (VR) slots are based on virtual reality technology. These slot games transport players into a 3D slot gaming environment that can be accessed using a VR headset. The gaming space in VR slots is interactive, so players can interact with others, buy a drink at the virtual bar, and do several other things that they would in a land-based gambling venue.
The nature of VR slots makes them a highly immersive slot type to play at online casinos. While only a handful of game providers offer VR slot games as of now, the number is expected to rise as VR technology matures. The VR variations of Gonzo’s Quest, Starburst, and Jack and the Beanstalk are some popular VR slots to try.
Conclusion
These were some of the most popular types of slot games that you can find at any good online gambling venue (except VR slots). Some other less common slot types offered by leading online casinos include bonus slots and fruit slot games. If you’re completely new to the world of online slot gaming, you may consider trying the free versions of these games before playing them for real money.
