Video slots are the most common type of game you will encounter at an online casino. The term video slot is generally used to refer to online-based slot games that have modern gameplay features, as opposed to classic slots, which, while online, are based on old-school features and designs. In this part of our how to play slots series, we are going to take a detailed look at video slots, highlight their features, look at their pros and cons, and more.
Video slot games are easily the most popular types of online slots and can be found in almost all top online casinos. These games typically feature five or more reels and come with a range of bonus features. The term ‘video slot’ is fairly all-encompassing, with the majority of online slot games falling into this category.
Video slots will often feature a selection of bonus features. The following are the most common types of bonus features you will encounter.
The most popular type of bonus is a free spins round. These do as their name suggests, giving players the chance to spin the reels for free. The number of spins you get will depend on the slot, as will the way they are triggered. Typically, though, they are launched when players land three or more Scatter symbols.
One of the most welcomed types of bonuses is a Random Win Me bonus. These are bonuses that will provide a random prize of some sort on any spin. The exciting nature of these often keeps players engaged for long periods.
Pick’em bonuses are a classic type of bonus where players need to pick a prize from a selection of tiles or images. For example, you might get presented with five hats, each of which has a different prize varying in value.
Trail bonuses are features that involve progressing down some sort of trail. This can be a map, a ladder, a meter, or even a board game. In most cases, players roll dice or something similar to progress along these. Some segments will contain prizes and modifiers, while others will end the round there and then.
Skill-based bonuses are rare, but they can be a lot of fun if you encounter one. For these, players will have to take part in some sort of skill-based mini-game. These typically involve attempting to stop something before a certain limit or some sort of shooting-style activity.
Money wheels are extremely popular among slot players. These bonuses feature a wheel with segments that display prizes, bonuses, symbols, or something similar. Players then get to spin the wheel to see what they win.
Multipliers are very common in slots. Progressive multipliers are often found in other bonus rounds, and they feature a multiplier that increases with each turn or win. For example, a free spins bonus may start with a 1x multiplier that increases by one on each spin.
One of the biggest advantages of video slots is their wide availability. Visit any top online casino, and you will find hundreds of video slots waiting to be taken for a spin. They also feature creative bonus features and can offer much higher winning potential than classic slots. You can also find them with a wide range of different themes and mechanics, with a video slot available to suit just about every taste imaginable.
There are not many disadvantages to playing video slots. However, if you are the kind of player who enjoys classic slot games, then you might find video slots to be too complex while also not being as flexible on their stakes. With classic slots, you are often able to bet per line, while video slots will have fixed lines and will not allow you to bet per line.