How to Play Slots Online (Step-by-Step for Beginners)

Online slots come in all shapes and sizes, featuring special symbols, intriguing themes, and huge win potential, often over 1,000x your bet. Slots are extremely popular at JeffBet and make up the majority of the games on our platform. 

But how to play slots online? What do you need to know before choosing a game? Read our guide to slot gameplay and follow our simple steps to spin the reels for real-money prizes. 

Understanding How to Play Slots

Online slots are games of chance, meaning you can win or lose every time you play. Slot outcomes are determined by random number generator (RNG) technology, which is independently audited by third-party testing labs such as eCOGRA and BMM. 

The RNG generates thousands of random numbers per second. Each number represents a result, and when you hit the spin button, that result shows on the grid in the form of symbols. If the symbols match on specific paylines or in groups, you receive a payout.

You can’t do anything to influence the outcome of an online slot machine game. If you play, you must accept that the result is random and you have a fair chance of winning. 

That said, some slot game characteristics influence the frequency and size of payouts, which are worth considering when choosing which games to play. We run through some of these key characteristics and explain other important slot terminology below. 

What to Look for In Online Slots Before Playing 

Every online slot game is unique. While they all work similarly, they have different symbols, mechanics, and bonus features. Slots are also configured differently from one to the next, so it’s helpful to know what to look for before playing. 

Below are the key terms you should be familiar with before playing online slots at JeffBet, as they’ll help you choose games that suit your preferences and risk tolerance: 

• Return to player (RTP): This figure, given as a percentage, indicates how much the game pays back over millions of spins. The higher the RTP, the better it is for you. The industry average for online slots is 96%.
• Volatility (variance): This refers to the frequency at which a slot pays out. Low-volatility games deliver small, frequent wins, while high-volatility games offer less frequent, bigger wins. Medium-volatility slots fall somewhere in between.
• Paylines: The paylines are the patterns on the grid that deliver payouts. Paylines in slots can be fixed or variable – the latter lets you adjust the active paylines before playing. There are several other ways for a slot to pay out, including:
  • Megaways: These games typically offer over 100,000 ways to win in various patterns.
  • Cluster pays: Here, the slot game pays out for groups of symbols instead of lines.
  • Scatter pays: You win when a set number of matching symbols land anywhere.
• Reels: A slot machine’s reel is a vertical column that spins during gameplay, displaying symbols. Most slots have between three and five reels, but other configurations are also used.
• Symbols: The symbols land on the reels to award payouts. Each symbol has a unique value, and when matching symbols land on paylines, you’ll win. Special slot symbols include:
  • Wilds: These symbols usually substitute for all regular symbols to help you win.
  • Scatters: This is the bonus symbol – when the required number lands, you get free spins or other bonus features.
  • Multipliers: Some symbols come with multipliers, which increase the size of your payout.
• Max win: Usually given as a multiplier of your stake (e.g. 10,000x), this indicates how much you can potentially win while playing a slot game.
• Bet limits: Every slot game has bet limits, indicating the minimum and maximum wager per spin. This can be as low as £0.01 per spin and as high as £5.00 in the UK (capped at £2.00 if you’re 18 to 24).

You can find out the above information by clicking on a game tile at JeffBet and reading the description. The slot studio provides a comprehensive list of key information, so you can choose a game that suits your preferences.

How to Play Slots for Real Money 

Now that you know how to play slots, you’re ready to play for real money. You can follow these steps to play online slots at JeffBet:

1. Visit our homepage and click JOIN NOW. Then, complete the registration form and make an initial deposit to fund your gameplay.
2. Claim your welcome bonus (terms and conditions apply). 
3. Navigate to Games > Slots to find titles from dozens of the world’s leading studios. Alternatively, use our search bar to search for a game or studio. 
4. Launch the game, read the rules, check the paytable, and familiarise yourself with the mechanics and symbols. 
5. Consider the bet limits and decide how much to wager. We encourage you to set your limits and bet within your means. Visit our Bet Smart Hub for more information. 
6. Set the reels in motion by clicking the SPIN button. If a winning combination lands, you’ll receive a payout. 
7. Leave any winnings in your account to fund more gameplay or cash out immediately. If you’ve been playing with bonus funds, meet the wagering requirement before cashing out.

If you’ve never played a slot game before, play the demo version for free first. At JeffBet, select the game you want to load, hover over the tile and click Demo. You can then spin the reels freely while testing out the game’s mechanics. 

When you’re familiar with how the game works and know what to expect, you can switch to real-money gameplay by clicking Play.

Conclusion 

Slots are the most popular games at JeffBet. They’re colourful, varied, and engaging, offering many different ways to win. When it comes to how to play online slots, there’s no strategy or skill to spinning the reels. 

You’ll find over 2,500 of the world’s best slot games from studios like Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, NetEnt, and Play’n GO at JeffBet. Sign up today, deposit cash, and shoot for real-money prizes.Our best tip for playing slots is to gamble responsibly. Visit our Bet Smart Hub for tools & tips to help you stay in control.

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