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We’ve come a long way from the time of vintage fruit machines in pubs. Puggies and traditional slot machines may still popular in the physical world, but the reel action happens online these days. There’s never been a wider choice of enjoyable online slot games, whether you want to play for free or win real money.
This guide will introduce you to the wonderful world of online slot games, so that you can learn about the different types of games and bonuses before you start playing lots for real. If you happen to be a seasoned slots maestro, then why not head over to our blog to read the news on the latest exciting game releases?
Without further ado, here’s what you need to know about the different styles of slot games to play like a pro!
The concept is similar but the experience differs dramatically. Here’s how to differentiate between slot machines and slot games.
Online slots are games comprised of rows of reels. These reels are covered in different symbols which will appear in a random order when the reels are spun. A player spins the reels in anticipation of symbols appearing in winning combinations. Reel combinations can result in wins, bonus rounds, or nothing at all. As a player, your job is to decide how much you’re going to bet per spin, how many times you are going to spin the reels, and - in many slot games - which bonus rounds you are going to pick. Some players enjoy slot games just for the thrill of not knowing the next combination, others like to play slot games for the chance to win real money. Online video slots are typically more story-driven, interactive and visually impressive than their originating form - slot machines. All slot games created by a reputable casino games provider, whether online or land-based, will be powered by randomization generators to ensure fair play.
Before the days of shiny NetEnt slots gracing mobile screens, slot games were typically played at pubs or land-based casinos. Sometimes you’ll hear the term ‘online slot machines’, which typically refers to typical slot machine games available through online casinos, like PlayFrank. For the most part, when someone talks about a ‘slot machine’, they’re referring to physical pub slots, or ‘puggies’. With these kind of slot machines, players insert coins and push a ‘spin’ button. In the case of the most traditional ‘fruit machines’, a lever is often pulled to activate the spin. The so-called ‘fruit slots’ are given their name after the fruit symbols which appear on their reels. Some popular online slots, such as the Cleopatra slot games, originally appeared in physical slot machine format. Slot machines are usually more straightforward than video slots.
You can divide slot games into two main categories: classic or video slots. While in real life this approach of dividing things into two can be reductive, in the world of slot games it actually gives us a neat way to classify the vast majority of games out there, as the two types have very different appeal.
Classic slots include fruit machines, as well as the traditional slots or puggy games you’re likely to find at pubs and land-based casinos. Classic slots online are therefore often versions of ‘pub slots’ (physical slot machines). If you like straight-forward gameplay, we suggest you give classic slot games a go online.
Video slots feature animated graphics and other special visual effects. They’re a lot more sophisticated and elaborate than the traditional slot, and are more commonly found online than in machine variant. For those who like a little extra entertainment in the gaming experience, video slots are for you.
Reputable slot games are completely randomized by RNG (random number generators) and tested by (TST) Technical Systems Testing. This is to ensure that slot games are fair and based on chance, without the possibility of cheating. The mechanics of a slot game are fairly straight-forward, and if you’re curious as to the different functions and controls which influence your gameplay then you can check out our Online Slots page about terminology.
There’s an almost countless number of fantastic slot games to choose between online. PlayFrank is a UK online casino, meaning we offer hundreds of UK slots for British players. ‘UK slots’ is simply a term for those slot games available at online casinos in Britain. With us, that includes our library of literally thousands of slots, all of them varying in theme and style. Whether you enjoy fantasy, sci fi, romance, horror, exotic or cute themes, you’ll find a video slot packed with whatever ambience you’re seeking.
You can also play top games from the likes of WMS, IGT, Bally and Barcrest without spending a penny thanks to most slot games’ free play mode (also known as ‘demo mode’). Once you know whether you prefer low or high variance slots, and know which bonus features you like, you’ll have an easier job finding the perfect slot for you.
Brands like NetEnt, WMS, Microgaming, Yggdrasil, Play’n Go, Quickspin and Scientific Gaming are among the most well-known names when it comes to online casino developers. These big companies are favourite amongst players due to the consistently high quality of the games they make. Each of them are famous for their own distinct style and legacy. IGT, for example, have long been known for their Vegas slot machines in addition to their online casino games. NetEnt, meanwhile, are famed for the attention to detail in their richly illustrated video slots.
These days you can do everything from banking to shopping on your mobile - and playing slots is no exception. There’s no need to be confined to one place to enjoy online slot games. With PlayFrank Mobile Casino, you can enjoy all kinds of mobile slots at any point in the day.
Almost all online slot games available through PlayFrank can be played on your tablet, phone or other mobile device. While the old Flash titles can be difficult to load on a mobile browser, this isn’t a problem for newer mobile slots developed with HTML5 technology. These titles allow the game to be played seamlessly across all types of screens with compromising their slick visuals and gameplay
Enjoy a good puggie? You can play pub slot games online too! Many players in the UK come into contact with slots through the pub machines they find at local bars or betting parlour. These pub slots are often games that can in fact be played both offline and online. In fact, you might be surprised to find your favourite pub slot has an online counterpart available right here at PlayFrank!
Vegas slot games aren’t packed with any specific kind of bonus rounds or betting criterions. No, they’re simply called ‘Vegas slots’ because they, quite literally, feature as slot machines throughout Vegas. A lot of these so-called offline slot games were created by providers like IGT, WMS, Bally and Barcrest. Once they prove popular on the casino floors, these Vegas slots will often get an online adaptation. Siberian Storm was a popular slot machine across Vegas before finding fame online. Of course, not all every slot game online start out this way. Some games are created specifically for online casinos - often the more elaborate and graphically complex ones, such as the video slots from NetEnt.
From Cascading Wilds to Sticky Symbols, modern video slots boast tons of exciting bonuses. These special features vary from the simple to the complex, and you can see a guide to all of them on our Slots Bonuses page.
Want to know how to play slots like a pro? While winning real money through slot games is about getting lucky, there are nonetheless some subtle ways that you can maximise your chance of winning.
Always check an online slot game’s RTP before giving it a spin. RTP means return-to-player and refers to the amount of money wagered that, on average, a player will win back while playing the slot. A low RTP (below 94%) means you might not get back as much as you wager in comparison to high RTP slots (above 94%).
You’ve probably heard of low, medium and high variance slots. A low variance slot will produce winning paylines more often than a high variance slot which, by contrast, can have you spinning a long time before any wins are made. So why doesn't everyone pick low variance slots? Because the slot games that payout more frequently often produce smaller wins.
High variance slots, on the other hand, typically produce more impressive wins. In other words - you won’t hit a win as often with high variance games, but when you do, it’s big! So - do you want a quick game, or are you prepared to spin for a while longer? Do you feel anxious when you go a while without winning, or does the delay just make the experience more thrilling? Choose your slot accordingly!
Some slot games offer a ‘Double Up’ or ‘Gamble’ feature, which is often regarded as a fun ‘mini-game’ that can be activated within the slot. A common one includes being presented with a card turned face down, and you guess whether the card is red or black. Choosing correctly will double your wins so far.
For maximum success when you play slot games online, keep track of how much you wager and how much you win. This will help ensure you never get too disheartened by any losses, because you’ve budgeted for that possibility. Remember, playing slot games is an experience in itself; and you should feel as if you’re playing for fun as much as for big cash prizes.
Whilst you won’t be able to win any real money while playing the demo mode of an online casino game, playing slots for free will help give you a feel for the mechanics and gameplay before you commit to the real deal. Almost all free slot games can also be played for real money so, when ready, simply make the switch from demo node to real money by logging in to your PlayFrank account. Funds will be deposited immediately. Don’t have an account? Not to worry - signing up takes only a minute.
Please note: British players are no longer able to play the free demo mode unless they register. Signing up at PlayFrank does not take more than a few minutes. Once you are a member you can enjoy all our games in their demo free-play mode.
There’s a reason slot machines have seen such a successful transition into their online variants - they’re fantastically fun and easy to play! Why not try one of the 2,000+ fantastic slots we offer right here at PlayFrank Casino UK? No matter the theme or the level of complexity you’re looking for, we’ve got the perfect slot for you.
If you’re just looking for a bit of no-deposit fun, you can play slots for free at PlayFrank. When you’re ready for the real deal, sign up for a PlayFrank account and claim your Welcome Bonus. Registration only takes a minute - so you could start winning real cash prizes today.
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