How to Play Slots at Social & Sweepstakes Casinos
Learning how to play slots is one of the most exciting parts of your journey at Spree, and we are here to help you through it all.
This guide covers how to play slot machines for beginners, explaining the basic mechanics, win lines, symbol features, and bonus rounds so you can get a better picture of what kind of slots you can play in our huge catalog of content.
What Is a Slot Machine and How Does It Work?
A slot machine, or a slot game as it’s known in modern terminology, is a game in which the aim is to match symbols on a set of rows and columns called reels.
The symbols that you see on each spin are based completely on RNG, or ‘Random Number Generators’. This ensures that every single spin is entirely random.
For you history buffs, slots were invented back in the 1890s on physical machines with levers and actual spinning mechanisms.
Over the years, they have evolved into various formats, with the most popular being video slots, which we have in our library. With casino games like video slots, there are endless possibilities for features that make them the most entertaining experience possible.
Even with all the evolutions and changes to the games, the core formula has and will likely always remain. Spin to win. However, the way you match symbols has changed. Back in the day, you would need to match the same symbols in a row; nowadays, it doesn’t have to be so simple.
Some games even use cluster win technology, which requires a certain number of symbols in the right areas rather than a straight line. The most important thing to remember is that every spin is completely random and the outcomes you find are not predetermined.
How to Play Online Slots Step-by-Step
Now that you know what a slot game is and a little bit of its history, it’s time to learn how to play slots online. And the good news? It’s incredibly simple.
1. Choose a game: First things first, check out our catalog and select a game that attracts you. (It’s a huge catalog, but don’t be overwhelmed.
2. Open the rules and win table: Before even beginning to play, it’s worth having a quick glance at the win table. We wouldn't expect you to learn everything, but it’s worth knowing which top symbols to look out for.
3. Choose a virtual-coin play amount: Select how many Gold Coins or Spree Coins to use per spin. We’d suggest starting with GC and starting with a small amount.
4. Press the spin button: Now the fun part, swing that virtual lever and fire in that first spin!
5. Check the final symbol layout: In some games, this won’t be possible, as there are mechanics called cascading reels that regenerate random symbols to replace winning ones, creating bigger wins.
6. Continue when ready: Ready for another round? Keep playing and see what comes next.
Another, much shorter explanation would be to simply load up a game and hit spin, but that can result in you losing your virtual coins faster. It’s worth checking things out to have a better overview of what you are doing.
How to Play Slot Machines at an Online Social Casino vs. Physical Locations
Whether you are playing slots online or in person, the routine for playing casino slots is very much the same either way. On a physical machine, depending on its age, you might find a lever or button you need to pull or press each time you spin.
The way you adjust your play amount is typically controlled by buttons. You will also see buttons that allow you to switch games or collect your virtual winnings.
Playing online gives you much more freedom with what games you can play. The number of different titles on an online social casino like Spree compared to a real-life location is a huge difference. At Spree, you’ll also be playing with virtual coins, which allows you to have more fun and less pressure. We offer daily rewards to top up your balance.
Once you’ve played an online slot, you’ll find it very easy to learn how to play slot machines at casino locations; whether you prefer it is a different question, personally we’d choose an online slot every day.
Key Features: Symbols, Win Lines and Bonus Rounds
Each game can look vastly different from the others. There are more game designers and development teams than ever before, so the sheer volume of games is huge. But even with all of their differences, most games still have some of the same types of symbols. The key word is type here, as they may look completely different but do exactly the same thing in different games.
- Standard symbols: The base symbols that combine to make your base wins. These either have something to do with the theme or follow the model of ‘10, J, K, Q’ or fruits such as bananas, cherries, and grapes.
- Wild symbols: The idea of a wild symbol is that it is a universal symbol that matches with every other symbol aside from scatters. They often feature a multiplier attached to them as well.
- Scatter symbols: Matching scatter symbols typically results in a feature or bonus mini-game being activated. In some games, they also act as Wild symbols, but that depends on the title.
- Bonus rounds: Every game you play will have some kind of bonus game, whether it be a free spins round or a hold and win progressive feature. These are typically where the big wins are found.
As we previously mentioned, some slots also include cascading reels, where symbols involved in a combination disappear, and new symbols drop into their place. Some games use a feature called ‘Megaways’ which randomizes the amount of symbols you see on each reel.
Can You Learn How to Play Slots and Win Consistently?
There isn’t a traditional skill gap or guide on how to play slots and win as you’d see with most types of online gaming, and that comes down to the nature of RNG gameplay.
It’s not like an e-sport where you can practice. However, there are no strategies to change the outcome of a spin since it´s totally random. We suggest you read the rules to better understand the game mechanics.
Some players may refer to slot machines being ‘hot’ or ‘cold’ or ‘warmed up’; this is not how RNG works. No matter if you play progressive jackpots that accumulate over time as games are enjoyed, every single spin, on any game, is entirely random and independent.
Another thing to check on is the ‘volatility’ or ‘variance’ of a game. These will give you a rough indication of how frequently you can expect wins and how often the big wins will occur. They don’t guarantee results, though.
A lower-volatility title could grant smaller amounts of virtual coins more frequently, while a higher-volatility title could be less frequent but in larger amounts.
Tips for Playing Social Slots Just for Fun
All of our games at our Sweepstakes casino are designed as free-to-play and entertainment first. The idea is that you genuinely just play for fun as opposed to seeking rewards. This is why a large proportion of our catalog consists of feature-rich games. It’s about the gameplay more than anything else.
One of the most satisfying feelings is when a slot game clicks and you know all of the symbols, what you need, and since you are familiar with the game you know what you’re looking for. This comes with experience, and to gain this experience and truly find the fun, here are some pointers.
- Start small: Use your Gold Coins sparingly so you can enjoy a game for longer and learn more of its features.
- Check rewards and promos: Make sure you’re logging in daily to claim every reward possible. We’ll always give you coins, as no purchase is necessary to play here.
- Try lots of games: We don’t expect you to love every game; it may take trying a few out to find a style and feel that you like. Take advantage of our library.
These tips should help you get the most out of your virtual coins so you can play for fun, for longer.
Play Free Slots on Spree
Here at Spree, we have created the ultimate environment for fun, free gameplay. Our extensive library of games means there is something for quite literally everyone. Playing for free and competing with others on leaderboards makes for endless fun.
Our catalog features games from some of the best slot game providers in the game. Relax Gaming, Playson, and Habanero, to name a few. Check them out; you won’t be disappointed.
FAQs
How do you play slot machines as a beginner?
Choose your game, select your play amount, read the rules of the game, and then hit spin. Watch the symbols come tumbling in, see if you’ve won, and if you feel like it, you can continue.
How do social slots work?
Social slots use RNG technology to determine where the reels stop on every spin. This makes each result random and independent of previous spins. On Spree, games are supplied by third-party studios whose RNG systems are independently tested and certified.
Can you guarantee a win on slot machines?
You can never guarantee a win on slots. Every single spin is randomly generated. There are no predetermined outcomes.
What is the difference between wild and scatter symbols?
Wild symbols act as a universal symbol that matches any other symbol. Whereas scatter symbols usually activate a bonus game. The confusing part is that sometimes scatter symbols can act as wilds. Read the rules of the game you’re playing to find out how they work.
Can I play slots for free online?
Yes, absolutely. Every single slot here at Spree is completely free to play. We offer daily log-in rewards to ensure you can play every day if you wish.