Whether you’re visiting a land-based or online casino, the number of slot machines can be overwhelming. You have reel-based machines and video machines, some with progressive jackpots. It can be difficult to know which one to choose. There are some important differences between different types of slot machines. With all the options, though, there’s one that’s going to be perfect for you and your playing style.  You can even consider playing online slots, which have become very popular.  Sites like www.bonusrequired.com offer great slots bonuses at a number of online casinos.

Denomination

The first thing to look for on any slot machine is the denomination. Slot machines can be played with pennies, nickels, quarters, 50 cents, dollars, and five dollars or more. From there, play is based on the number of bets. A quarter machine, for example, may let you bet up to three times per payline. If you bet the maximum, then each bet you make is 75 cents. Another quarter machine may have five paylines, and you can bet once per payline, making each bet $1.25.

Paylines

Slot machines have paylines. These are the lines that symbols have to line up on in order to win. The simplest slot machines have one payline, and when you get the right symbols on the payline, you win. Some machines have cherries or other symbols, and when you get one of the symbols on a payline, it pays out. To win more, you need more symbols to line up on the payline. Reel-based machines typically have fewer paylines, and symbols need to line up left to right in order to win. Video machines can have dozens or hundreds of paylines.

Types of Slot Machines

There are two main types of slot machines—reel-based slot machines and video slot machines.

Reel-based Slot Machines

Reel-based slot machines are straightforward. They have three to five reels that spin each time you bet, and your winnings are based on how the symbols line up on they payline (or paylines). Some machines allow you to make multiple bets per payline, and the more you bet, the higher your potential winnings. In land-based casinos, these machines have a lever you can pull to make your bet, giving them the nickname “one-armed bandits.”

Video Slot Machines

Video slot machines are more complex, but quite fun. They have appealing graphics, and some even have storylines. The paylines are more complex, and can range from just a few paylines to hundreds. Most video slot machines offer bonuses. Bonuses can occur randomly or by lining up specific symbols. Bonuses can include a set number of free games, free games with your wins multiplied, or a shot at a jackpot. When you hit a bonus, it can greatly increase your winnings.

Video slots have a wide variety of themes, so you can choose a style that’s fun for you. There are pirate games, spy games, fairytale based games, games based on popular TV shows and movies, and more.

3-D video slot machines offer even more fun. They have enticing graphics and storylines to follow. You can progress through different levels and side challenges. You can really lose yourself in the world of the game.

Jackpots

Of course, a big reason to play any machine is for a chance at a jackpot. A jackpot is the biggest prize offered by the machine you’re playing. There are two types of jackpots—flat top and progressive.

Flat Top

Flat top machines have a fixed jackpot. The jackpot is a set amount, and if you get the right number of symbols, you win. Reel-based machines often have a flat top jackpot. The amount of the jackpot is based on the number of bets you make; many reel-based machines double or triple the top jackpot if you’re making the maximum bet.

Progressive

A progressive jackpot grows as you play. The progressive jackpot may be available across a number of machines, meaning that the more people play, the higher the jackpot becomes. Progressive jackpots can even be tied across different casinos, where everybody playing has a shot at the jackpot. These types of jackpots can run up to a million dollars or more.

Conclusion

Slots are a fun way to gamble. With the variety of machines available, there’s sure to be one that appeals to you.