Modern Slots come in thousands of themes and formats. For the seasoned player, choosing the right slot is a strategic decision, but, for the novice or new player, the choices and options can seem overwhelming. You might choose a video slot based on the theme or jackpot amount, but as you learn all the ins and outs of video slots, you’ll come to realize that all video slots are not created equal! 

Let’s look at some of the basic features before moving on the more advanced workings of a video slot:

3 Reel Slot

These are the simplest slots and are indicative of the old, manual one-armed bandits. These slot machines have 3 cylinders that roll with different icons on. If you line up three of the same icon across the middle you win a multiple of your deposit based on which icons lined up. These slot games are sometimes advanced by offering three lines and two diagonal lines to give 5 winning lines.

5 Reel Slot
5 Reels slots are the real video slots. These slots have 5 reels and 3 or sometimes more rows. The classic 5 x 3 layout allows for up to an amazing 243 lines. However, most video slots do not take advantage of all the possible lines. Video slots will always stipulate how many winning lines they have. It’s good to familiarise yourself with the different lines as your winnings will be directly related to how many lines you play. The jackpot total or highest possible win and just about all video slots is only attainable if you play all lines!

Lines or Paylines
A line is a row of symbols. In order to win, you need to line up a certain order of symbols in this line. Most often, you’ll need to line up as many of the same symbol as possible in order to win. Lines can also contain scatter and other symbols. Scatters can act as a wild card or give you free spins if you line up enough of them or sometimes, just by having a certain amount of them appear on the screen. 

Bet
The amount you bet is per chosen line on the Vidoe Slot. If you bet 05 cents and play on 1 line your total bet will be 05 cents. However, if you bet 05 cents and play 3 lines your total bet will be 15 cents. 

Free Spins
Free Spins are exactly that, free spins on a certain slot. They cna take various forms. You may be given No Deposit free spins, which means you will not need to make a deposit to claim the free spins. However other free spins may be subject to a deposit. You might ask, but how are they free spain when you need to make a deposit first? Well, it’s the same principle as buy one get one free. When you make a purchase at the casino (by depositing money or taking up another offer) you will also get a set of free spins to play on top of whatever money you deposited. 

Wilds
Wilds are tiles that can substitute for any other symbol in the game to help you make up winning combinations and or lines of symbols.

Scatters
Scatter symbols are special symbols that have specific functions depending on the game you're playing. In some slots, they may trigger different types of bonus features, in others they may act as multipliers. They’re called scatters because they can be scattered around the reels, they do not need to make up a line, like the other symbols.
Another popular function of these symbols is when they act as both the Wild and Scatter symbols – when they appear as a Wild, the Scatters can substitute for any other symbol in the game to help make up winning lines or combinations. When they appear as a Scatter, they trigger additional game features.

Multiplier
Slots with a multiplier has a base payout for certain combinations and the more slots you play the more it multiplies. If the slot pays 5 coins for three cherries when you play one coin, it would pay 10 for the second coin and 15 for three coins played. So you do not lose out altogether if you don’t pay max coins. If you want to play only one coin at a time, then this is the type of machine you should look for.

Bonus Multiplier
This slot works like a standard multiplier lost but it offers a bonus when 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. 

Multiple Payline
These are slots that have more than one line of play. Modern video slots have anything up to 243 possible lines to play. Each coin you play bets on a particular line. If you hit a winner on a line that is not bet on, you will not win anything. 

Progressive Slots 
Progressive slots are a group of linked slots that take a percentage of the money played and add it to a pool for the jackpot. Some slots have their own mini -progressive jackpots within the slot itself. It’s important to remember that you cannot win the top jackpot unless you play the maximum coins. Some slots can be linked.