Online slot machines represent the largest and probably the most popular category of online casino games. Their popularity, especially with inexperienced players, is due to simplicity of the gameplay, which means that even a total rookie would need only a couple of rounds to get familiar with all the game’s rules and features. This could not be done with other online casino games, such as Blackjack or Roulette, as their gameplay is much more complicated.

So, if you have decided to enter the world of popular slots online, here are some of the main features you will come across.

Free Spins

The free spins feature represents one of the “oldest” features you can find playing online slot machines. This feature can be found both in classic, retro-themed slots and in modern video free slots, where it represents one of the standard, must-have features. So, what is this feature about?

In the vast majority of online slots, free spins are connected to the symbol labelled as scatter. Keep in mind that scatter can also be labelled differently (for example: free spins symbols, bonus symbol). No matter the label, in most cases, you will need to place three or more of these symbols in literally any position across the reel grid, to trigger the above-mentioned feature and win a certain number of complimentary rounds.

The characteristics of free spins can vary depending on the game you are playing. These variations include the number of free spins you will receive (usually between 5 and 20) and many other characteristics and sub-features that come along with these free rounds. So, you can come across free spins features that can be re-triggered, which means that if you manage to land three or more scatters during the feature itself, you will again receive a certain number of free rounds. Some of these features tend to carry multipliers for achieved payouts, while some can carry certain sub-features, such as, for instance, stacked wilds or expanding wilds. 

Bonus Features

Bonus features usually come in the form of a mini-game. In the majority of online casino slots, access to the bonus feature can be gained through landing more than two special bonus symbols, across a payline. 

Given the fact that the world of online slot machines is pretty diverse, this diversity can also be seen when it comes to bonus features. For instance, you can come across so-called Pick Me (or Pick ‘Em) bonus round, in which you need to uncover (pick) displayed symbols (usually between 8 and 12) in order to reveal the prize hidden beneath them. Pick-and-match bonus mini-game is somehow similar, except that you need to match identical symbols (usually three out of 12-15), so you can win the bonus payout.

Trail bonus mini-games are played like board games. You need to either roll a dice or spin a wheel in order to move your character along the prize trail (f. e. Rainbow Riches slot). Some bonus rounds can come as combat mini-games (f. e. Beowulf slot), in which your character fights with some “bad guy” or a monster, releasing prizes in the form of multipliers and free spins with each successful strike.

Wild-related Features

All wild symbols carry a common feature – they have the ability to replace all other icons (usually except for the scatter and the bonus ones), which is pretty helpful when you’re trying to compile your potentially winning combination. However, wild symbols can also be carriers of several other features:

• Wild multipliers
• Expanding wilds
• Stacked wilds
• Sticky (frozen) wilds
• Wandering (walking) wilds.

Wild Multipliers

The first of these wild features implies that each time a wild is involved in a winning combination, the amount of your payout will be increased by the multiplier this exact wild symbol carries. An example of a wild multipliers slot is the popular Dead or Alive 2 game by NetEnt.

Expanding Wilds

Expanding wilds, as the name says, have the ability to expand to multiple fields, sometimes covering the entire reel! The best example of the game with such a feature is the legendary Starburst slot from NetEnt. 

Stacked Wilds

Stacked wilds have the ability to appear in groups of two or more symbols stacked upon each other, which significantly increases the chances of you scoring the winning combination. You can find this feature by playing the Game of Thrones slot produced by Microgaming.

Sticky Wilds

You may also come across labels such as frozen wilds or locked wilds. They can usually be found incorporated in other special features, such as free spins. The thing here is that the wild token keeps its exact position on the grid during a certain number of spins or during the entire free spins feature. So, if you want to experience such a feature, you can try Dead or Alive from NetEnt.

Wandering Wilds

This feature is also known by the name of “Walking Wilds”. In this feature, the wild token has the ability to “walk” across the reel grid, moving one position at the time, usually from left to right. This increases the time a wild spends on the grid, which further increases the chances of achieving a payout. A walking wild can be found in NetEnt’s slot named Jack and the Beanstalk.

Now, when you know all the main slot features, you are welcome to choose the game to your liking. We recommend to start with the classic slot machines and proceed with the immersive 3D slots.

James Montano