After so many articles about casino tips and strategies, we are here today to relay perhaps the most important strategy for casino players. Responsible gaming is arguably the most essential asset you should bring with yourself when you step inside a gambling hall.
Casino gaming is a fun activity that keeps punters entertained. Sometimes, even for hours. However, it is not rare to see that fun cross the line and become something completely different. Because of the highly intoxicating nature of casino games, the entire field is very delicate, and you need to approach it carefully. In other words, it is important to always have a back-up option at all times.
That is why responsible gaming is one of the most important topics in the gambling sphere. Before we go deeper, let’s first decipher the wide scope of meaning behind the term responsible gaming.
What Is Responsible Gaming?
Responsible gaming refers to the set of regulatory norms that all operators and providers need to fulfil to provide a safe environment for their players. The regulations cover seven important aspects of online gaming:
- Protection of vulnerable gamblers
- Safe online environment
- Privacy of information
- Prevention of underage gambling
- Responsible marketing
- Protection of digital payments
- Prevention of criminal activities
Stakeholders must comply with all regulations before they can get a valid license for work. Authority bodies that are responsible for certain regions issue updates for rules and regulations each year. The main goal is to make all operators and developers meet all technical and legislative requirements before offering their services to customers.
However, the concept covers the players as well.
As players, all customers in digital casinos should aim to have fun without risking harm to themselves or anyone around them. This means that they should be aware of and make use of the precaution measures that serve as protection from harm. Responsible play involves self-awareness of the players who need such measures as tools for the dangers of gaming. And as gaming can be highly addictive, the stakeholders are required to provide support to those that might be experiencing gaming difficulties.
The Addictive Angle of Gaming
As we already mentioned, gaming is intended to be fun. Players that visit online casinos come there in search of entertainment, not problems.
While most players do possess a sense of self-control (they spend only what they can spare) there are players that might find that challenging. What is more, with the constant development of new technology, gaming is more accessible to wider audiences. Once providers and operators overcome the issue of accessibility, they start tackling the issue of the content offer.
This means that they dedicate time to creating innovative, cutting-edge designs and solutions that will appeal to the players. This, in turn, can potentially further confuse vulnerable players.
With content diversity and a surplus in quantity, their problem is not easily solvable if they do not either impose certain self-constraints or seek help.
The main thing players need to understand is that gaming is not a means of income, but rather a source of entertainment. Each game is there to provide unique experiences, hence so many titles. Great preventive strategies include limiting both your time spent in a casino, as well as a limit for money loss.
Casinos have even introduced the “Self-Exclusion” option for players who notice an increase in money and time loss within casinos.
Technology Can Also Help
However, it is not all black and white. Technology is not our adversary here, but rather our ally.
The new evolution in the tech industry can be used to our advantage, both on the corporate and individual level. Companies, i.e. casinos and suppliers need to devise new strategies for the implementation and application of new regulations.
That is why so many initiatives and projects were launched in the past few years. Research studies provide priceless data for major companies that wish to implement new rules. Thanks to technological advancements, experts can keep track of statistics and devise support techniques to keep the players safe from harm.
On the other hand, players should turn to these new functionalities whenever they sense they could get in danger. Once entertainment stops being entertaining, perhaps it is time to lay down your keyboard and walk away. Remember, the point is to have fun and play responsibly.
We talked about slot machines so much in our previous articles that we can easily say that we have become slot masters.
From volatility to paylines, we covered numerous strategies and concepts of great slots located in grand lobbies. However, one part of the entire experience was left out.
Betting is an integral part of your playtime. Based on betting habits, all players are sorted into two (main) groups – low rollers and high rollers. And as they say – each category of players has its own type of preferred games.
Those games are known as high limit and low limit slots.
Both versions have different aliases in the gaming community, but the concept is the same.
Today we would like to explain both types in a more detailed fashion, with a special focus on the appeal of those games to their respective audiences. Without further ado, here is everything you need to know about the high limit and low limit slots.
Penny Slots
Penny slots are the low limit slots. The so-called penny slots are slot machines that promote smaller bets on each round. In fact, a penny slot gives the players the ability to place the minimum bet of just one penny per single line.
However, they often come with a catch – players must place bets on all lines, which means that bets are never just a few pennies large. The reason why they are so popular is that they are suitable for players that do not like investing large sums of money immediately. I
nstead, the gamers can relax and place seemingly minute bets with less risk of busting-out. The illusion of investing only a handful of pennies for a round holds much appeal to players who are there just for the fun.
Dollar Slots
The dollar slots, or better known as high limit slots, are designed to give the players a chance to place bigger bets. This means that the minimum in high limit slots often surpasses the maximum in penny slots. High rollers love these games. Punters who enjoy taking risks usually search for dollar slots.
These types of slots give them a chance to experience the thrill of the best kind – the adrenaline of going big instead of going home is not easily resistible. Games that employ these betting settings are found in almost all categories of slots. From classic fruits to high-quality video slots, your options are virtually limitless. The appeal is actually self-explanatory.
In fact, as most progressive jackpots incorporate this breadth of betting choiceso as to attract players who like to play with higher bets.
The Golden Middle
If you are not sure which type of player you are, we suggest starting from the middle.
Quarter slots are the term for games with minimum bet amount of €0.25 per spin. In terms of risk and adventure, these little creations are the middle. They provide a lot of quality entertainment for all types of players. They are also the largest community of games.
Thematically, they cover everything – from Asian culture to pirates and heists. Versatile gameplay, interesting game mechanics and freedom for bet range are what differentiates these games from other, standard types. Quarter slots are built to cater to a wide audience, so sticking with this type of game is perhaps the simplest way to ease into the slotosphere.
As online gaming evolves, so do the accompanying elements of the experience. One part that we deem integral to the players’ experience is banking.
Banking methods are perhaps the most important practical part of the enterprise. Transferring the funds either to or from your casino account, you need a reliable service that can guarantee safe transactions without much hassle. And that is why online casinos offer varieties of banking options.
But don’t be fooled with quantity. Having numerous options is not the point. The point is, and always will be, in the balance of quantity and quality. Only when you have quality services that keep you and your information protected, can you relax and truly immerse in the entertaining part of the experience.
As top casinos aim to introduce more options for their customers, we notice a certain change in the methods introduced. The changes refer to the technological (r)evolution that goes hand in hand with online gaming.
The New Era of Finance
Advancements in technology serve one purpose: making everything easier and more accessible to users. The same principle applies to those found in online casino gaming.
And why is that the case? The answer is simple: customer satisfaction. The entire gaming industry relies on the satisfaction of the players. And players are most satisfied when they are safe and entertained. By adding strict regulations, safer payment methods, and authentication, online casinos make sure to keep the machine well-oiled for everyone involved.
The swift and intense changes that we are witnessing today reflect the energy of the society, i.e. the customers. As things get more accessible and we devise easier ways to perform our daily duties, the same principle becomes more apparent in all spheres of our lives. That includes gaming as well.
The financial aspect is obvious in all nooks and crannies of entertainment, but online casinos heavily rely on the abundance of new flexible banking methods. Case in point is the e-banking which brought more versatility than was ever imagined. And let’s not forget cryptocurrencies.
Digitalized Entertainment
When cryptocurrencies appeared in 2009, the world was amazed. These nifty little things also known as digital currencies changed the entire financial landscape. They launched an avalanche of changes in all industries, and iGaming was not excluded.
The first one was Bitcoin. Bitcoin employs a peer-to-peer bitcoin network, which essentially means a decentralized system where no intermediaries between users and services are needed. The invention of cryptocurrencies marked the new beginning of virtual money transactions. With digital currencies, the users could trace their transactions just like with other methods, but they could remain completely anonymous – and safe.
Soon a plethora of virtual venues started adding Bitcoin to their list of payments, but that is not where it ended. Today, we have countless Bitcoin-only casinos that accept exclusively bitcoins, and the best thing about them is that they operate just like regular gaming sites.
Moreover, Bitcoin is today only one of several digital currencies. Two years after its appearance, Litecoin was launched. A carbon-copy of the original, Litecoin kept some universal principles as Bitcoin, but it also introduced a new set of benefits for users.
A couple of years later, the financial landscape changed again. In 2015 Ethereum was launched, which in its essence, was a blockchain with a native digital currency called Ether. But Ethereum went one step further than all digital currencies before. This peer-to-peer network is a programmable blockchain, which means that the user can write code and build new kinds of applications. Now that is what we call a potent financial revolution!
Conclusion
Land-based banks and paper money is becoming obsolete. Customers simply do not want to waste time going to banks or ATMs to initiate transactions which can be completed with just a click. By combining mobile banking (transferring money via mobile apps) and digital currencies, a brand-new model of banking in online gaming is taking shape. And who knows what else is in store in the future!
Online slots come in various shapes and sizes.
The modern version of the famous one-armed bandits, slots populate virtual casinos in throngs, and such numbers often imply numerous categories and kinds of slots that players can explore during their casino careers.
Players often seek to gather intel on the games they intend to try out before engaging in the gameplay. In most cases, this is the breaking point for players who through reviews decide whether they wish to explore more or pass it up for something better along the way.
One crucial factor while exploring slots is the number of paylines.
If you have read at least one slot review, you know that paylines, are one of the most important elements of slots. They outline how many potential combinations are rewarded if symbols land on the reels in a certain order.
Nowadays, one of the most popular cases is a slot machine with 243 ways to win. If you wish to brush up on your slot knowledge, read on and find out what are these slots and how they function.
Hundreds of Ways to Win
Before we dive into explaining 243 ways slots, let’s first define winning ways.
Winning ways are a term that represents the number of potential winning sequences. As you know, slots operate by spinning symbols on the reels where, once the reels stop moving, the sequence found on the grid will be either winning/rewarding, or not.
Before the introduction of 243 ways, paylines were the primary version. However, with these new slots, playing is significantly easier – you no longer need to think about lines that pay out and lines that do not – and chances of scoring are significantly boosted.
In terms of gameplay, gamers can invest less per single spin, and still have more chances of obtaining prizes as the coin value per spin decreases, and win possibilities are augmented.
The New Era of Gaming
As soon as they appeared, these slots became an instant success.
Players around the world were drawn to the simplistic and highly rewarding nature of these games, so providers that incorporated this mechanism gained both popularity and cash via slot titles.
The provider that is credited as the creator of 243 slots is Microgaming. The name that is very well known to anyone who even dipped his toes in the sea of virtual casinos is a champion of innovation in many ways, but developing and introducing this specific slot type is often taken as a starting point for its planetary fame.
As soon as the industry got wind of the special 243 slot titles, countless other game manufacturers rushed to create their own products that provide the same kind of entertainment to their loyal clientele.
The Mechanism
Slots that boast 243 ways to win work like this: starting from the first and going left to right, you only need to collect at least three matching symbols on adjacent reels to hit a win.
The math and algorithms behind this concept is rather too complex for us to explain, and we do not need to – the only thing you as a player need to remember is that you can choose how many ways you wish to employ during your rounds, and set the wager in accordance with the ways you have chosen. As we mentioned, you are now offered a choice in terms of coin value – you can adjust settings however you like once you enter the game.
Popular Titles
If you like what you have read and wish to explore more this specific category, you can visit any top online casino and browse their infinite slot sections in search of sizzling titles.
Microgaming and NetEnt are leading the 243 game so far, with numerous releases in this department that delights the audience, including Immortal Romance and Game of Thrones – the reigning titles that grace the entrances of many digital casinos.
At the mere mention of the word casino, the first association that comes to mind is slot games. Almost involuntarily, we are transported straight to the lobby where thousands of slot games reside, a vision of paradise for many slot fanatics.
If you have ever played at least one round of slots, you understand.
The reason why slots are so special and popular is that they offer players infinite ways to entertain themselves without the need to employ any special set of skills. In other words, it is pure, effortless entertainment. Slot proficiency is explained through the knowledge of slot terminology, an area that is not as extensive as with table games.
With Roulette and Blackjack, you need to practice and strategize, whereas in slots all it takes is a simple click on the Spin button.
But that’s not the full explanation.
This type of games is also more rewarding than any other game in the casino. You can become filthy rich in an instant, or at least add a couple of zeroes to your bank account with just a simple click and a sprinkle of luck.
The absence of complicated rules certainly helps players get attracted to slots more, but that doesn’t mean there is nothing to learn about this specific game category.
Evolution of the Audience
The law of supply and demand is ever-present even in the online gambling industry.
What the players want, they get – providers are there to make sure of that. By carefully listening to opinions and thoughts of the gaming community, the suppliers concluded that high volatility games are more wanted than, let’s say, low volatility slots. As more titles are released, the high volatility phenomenon is becoming more and more pronounced.
To unravel the mystery, we ventured deep into the jungle of slot enthusiasts where diversity is not something you can easily take for granted. Each theme and type have their entourage of fans, but what struck us the most was the fact that the decision which slots are the best was unanimous. The ball swung in the court of high volatility slots due to the enormous win potential the games of this calibre offer. You can obtain a massive win within one single spin, but you do have to arm yourself with patience for this one – the winning rounds happen once in a blue moon.
The risk, the thrill of it all – that is the best way to explain it. To put it simply, by opting for these slots, you choose adrenaline-packed slots where you are constantly on the edge of your seat as you wait for the winning sequence to grace your reels.
Psychologically speaking, the thrill is the easiest answer, but colossal wins are a great incentive as well, right?
The Disappearance of Low Volatility Slots
The other side of the spectrum is the humble abode of low variance slot machines. It seems that the era of these slots has ended.
They were popular a couple of years ago, but as the audience evolves, so do the demands and interest. With low volatility, the ratio of rounds and wins is more balanced, while you must wait longer for prizes to drop into your lap in slots that have higher levels of variance.
Still, many players enjoy a round or two in slots that yield frequent prizes. Those wins are not exactly substantial, so the motivation for playing can be found in the win frequency and profound love for the game, which most players possess. But there is no risk, and thrill is taken down a notch. The industry remains full of these titles, but it seems that for now, we are not likely to see an explosion of these creations happening on the global market anytime soon.
Popular Titles
The players have spoken.
High variance slots are adorable and highly wanted. Hence, numerous providers started releasing such games more and more, and now we have a plethora of thrilling slots, but the question is: which one is the best? What slots to choose first?
Below you will find a list of best high volatility slots that you need to try out (if you haven’t already).
- Book of Dead (Net Entertainment)
- Bonanza (Big Time Gaming)
- Immortal Romance (Microgaming)
- Dead or Alive (Net Entertainment)
- Jurassic Park (Microgaming)
Each casino game is beautiful in its own way. No matter which one you prefer, every type of casino content brings out a different kind of enjoyment.
In the sea of titles that grace lobbies of online gaming venues, slots stand out as the most preferred type of entertainment for newcomers and seasoned veterans alike. The reason is simple:
slots are not difficult but are the most rewarding casino games.
We already explained several aspects of slot games, including how they are made, and some technical aspects such as RTP, volatility, and types of Wilds.
However, the first thing you notice when you enter a game and, essentially, the most important part of the gameplay are the reels.
They come in various shapes and forms, but two main types stand out: the first are the regular, Spinning reels, while the other are Cascading reels that have several variations whose differences are based on the provider who first introduced them to the public. We will discuss both these two types and throw in a couple of extra Reels as well.
Spinning Reels
This is the traditional version portrayed in the majority of slot games. Simple and easy, these reels spring into action once you hit the Spin button. At one moment, each column(reel) stops and the end result is the sequence of symbols on the grid. We have this classic mechanism to thank for the original name appointed to the rounds in slot games.
Cascading Reels
Cascading Reels appeared with the introduction of the new generation of video slots. These reels work in the following way: as you spin, the tiles do not spin the traditional way, but instead,fall down. If a winning sequence occurs, the tiles that are part of it will explode or disappear,and in their place, tiles that were above them will simply fall into the vacant positions. With the use of RNG(Random Number Generator), new tiles that drop onto the grid cannot be predicted.
Cascading Reels are a patent of Big Time Gaming who first introduced them in the hit slot Bonanza Megaways™.
Falling Reels
Although they seem similar to Cascading Reels, there are still some differences between these two types of mechanisms. The main difference is the provider that uses them: Cascading reels are tied to Big Time Gaming, while BetSoft, IGT, and Quickspin are famous for releasing games that incorporate this feature under a different name.
Here are some of the names that you might hear.
Tumbling Reels are mostly used by BetSoft and IGT while Collapsing Reels are found in Playtech-powered games. On the other hand, NetEnt first used Cascading Reels but later switched to the famous Avalanche feature – the same characteristics, only a different name – and only this provider is allowed to use the name in its games. Microgaming, the pioneer of iGaming, has its own version as well – Rolling Reels.
Rotating Reels
This specific feature operates by rotating the symbols on the grid 90 degrees which brings more possibilities for winning sequences. It’s not hard to understand the logic behind this: when other special features that aim to boost your winning chances fail to fulfill their role, rearranging and shuffling symbols on the grid can be of great help. The best way to do that is to incorporate that specific ability right into the reels, so games that have this special addition are very popular with the audience.
Colossal Reels
The primary trait of this feature is the expansion or enlargement of the grid where symbols can land. Essentially, when the round starts, the existing reel set will either expand for 2 or more reels, or a completely separate new grid will appear next to the existing one. This leads to more potential wins, and more often than not, entails a few extra features such as Stacked Wilds. The feature was originally created by WMS and is included in some of its best creations.
As one of the most versatile game categories in the casino industry, slots are the type of game every player played at least once. From theme to theme, design to design, you can find slots in almost every different way that you can imagine.
We already explained the process behind making slot machines, so you probably know that slots are multilayered and involve a plethora of minute details. However, some games are more successful than the rest, even though they are produced in a fairly similar way. We asked ourselves why is that the case and found a list of slot elements that attract players the most. If you wish to find out how slots succeed in standing out from the crowd, read on.
Theme and Design
Theme and design are the first things you will notice when you enter the game. In fact, the theme can be guessed from the title, which acts as the first attention-grabber for the players.
Now, if you go to the lobby of your favorite casino, you will be able to see the abundance of topics that slots cover: from ancient Egypt to popular sports, even movies and music bands are not excluded. Pirates, jungles, fairytales – you name it. Great slots, however, are not focused necessarily on unusual themes. Some of the best slot games out there use regular and run-of-the-mill themes, but they have an ace up the sleeve that makes them more prominent. And you’ve guessed it – it’s the design.
A good design is important because it not only attracts the players but also makes them stay loyal and continue playing in the future. If players can enjoy amazing graphics with the authentic soundtrack, it will be easier for them to immerse in the gameplay and enjoy even more the game.
Special Features
Of course, it is not only about the visual aspects. The other strategy software providers use is the implementation of intriguing special features. And it is not hard to guess why is that important for a great game. For example, if you have two slots that are similar in theme and both have great design, you will probably decide for the one with better symbols. In other words, symbols that can be used in better special features.
The favorite form of special features for most players is the Free Spins feature, but Multipliers are not so far behind as well. Other special features include Wild symbol variations, different Bonus rounds that include a game completely separate from the base game, and feature retriggering.
Players also tend to pick slots that have different reel mechanisms like Cascading Reels. This specific element differs from game to game, and some providers even have their trademark Reel feature showcased in their games.
RTP and Good Payouts
The final most important thing that differentiates a slot game from other games in the bunch is the RTP rate. Essentially, RTP (Return to Player) percentage represents the cash players can expect to be returned to them while they play a certain slot according to the amount that they have invested in the game by way of betting.
The higher the RTP rate, the game pays out more. And that is the entire point of playing slots – the payout.The entire slot category is famous for being the most profitable type of casino games where players can become indeed rich in a matter of seconds. A great example of such a slot is Microgaming’s Mega Moolah.
The progressive jackpot is connected to a wide network of jackpots with a prize pool which is constantly rising. And occasionally someone hits the jackpot and wins the entire sum, transforming his life in a blink.
As many of you already know, gambling comes in various shapes and forms.
That does not come as a surprise, given that this specific form of entertainment has been in existence for as long as we can remember. However, with the rapid expansion of our virtual world, gaming has taken a turn for the better with the new, enhanced versions of gambling.
The one we are talking about here is known as Social Gambling, and let’s see what it is and why you should get familiar with it now.
The Basics
In essence, social gambling represents all gambling activities taking place on social media apps. To put it even more simply, it is defined as playing casino games on your social media platforms such as Facebook and/or social casino apps. The main emphasis is that it is free, as those apps do not allow you to deposit and play using your own money. In other words, this is playing for fun (no real money involved).
On the other hand, there still are some instances in some countries where players can actually invest their own money, but typically that is not possible.
Social Playtime
Once you decide to test the waters of social gambling, you will have two options: playing on social accounts or downloading and directly accessing the social casino. If you decide for, let’s say, Facebook, you will have a large base of people who play with you all the while being able to play as much as you like without the worry about risking your money.
Should you, however, decide to go for social casinos, downloading the app and accessing games there directly is something you’ll thoroughly enjoy. They work like any other app – in most cases, you are not allowed to place real money bets, but some perks and premium benefits of the app will be available only after you go through in-app purchases. When you think about it, it is classic, and the majority of apps on the market works exactly like this.
Social Casinos Versus Traditional Gaming
The main difference between these two concepts is money involvement.
As we already explained, by joining social casinos you are (typically) not allowed to invest your own money, whereas in regular online casinos that option is reserved only for test play.
Despite being so different, both are very popular because players from all around the world are attracted to the thrill of the game – be it roulette, slots, or any other type of games – the spinning and torturous pleasure of awaiting results is what drives people to sign up for this kind of entertainment. Of course, with regular casinos, the thrill is taken to a whole different level since real cash is at play.
But for all those who just wish to have the casino experience without worrying about losing money, social casinos are a perfect match.
The Rise in Popularity
The question of popularity emerges every time we try to think about the context of today’s society.
For a regular player, online casinos represent a simplified version of the experience which they can access whenever and wherever they wish. The same thing goes for mobile casinos – the focus on accessibility enabled even more players to join in on the fun literally on-the-go.
Following the same path, we came to the introduction of social gambling, a mixture of casino content and popular social media apps, designed to fit the needs of the society of today – accessible to wider audiences with less risk.
If you are interested in the games and the casino experience solely, trying out social gambling sites and apps is definitely a wise move.
If you are here, odds are you have been puzzled by those various terms that basically refer to the same thing. Do not fret; we will explain everything to a t.
The fact is that things in the past were much simpler. The traditional slot machine consisted of only one payline, so you either win or lose. With no other option in between, gambling back then was as straight-forward as can be. But it was also less dynamic and immersive. Nowadays betways go as high as 117,649, which is something early manufacturers could never imagine.
Online gambling continues to progress and grow, and today we will be telling you about key differences and resemblances between paylines and ways to win.
Similarities between Paylines vs. Ways to Win
You may have known this, but there are two kinds of strategies upon winning when playing slots.
It is entirely up to the slot provider to choose whether they will go for paylines or winning ways, and you call the shots when it comes to picking one. A mass of worldwide popular online slots and progressive jackpots boast paylines, such as Mega Moolah by Microgaming, for instance. Other classics like Immortal Romance show off 256 ways to win. So, what’s the deal with that?
The similitude is reflected in their essence. Both approaches to creating winning combos are exactly that – methods. They represent the number of possible combinations which you can use to your benefit to win. To put it briefly, if you manage to align appropriate symbols on one of the designated lines, you will have yourself a win. This rule goes for both paylines and betways.
Paylines vs. Ways to Win: How to Tell the Difference
To start off with technical stuff, paylines have a single unique name. Ways to win, on the contrary, possess a couple of synonyms. So do not get confused when you hear fellow gamblers refer to them as betways or winning ways.
Secondly, paylines come in smaller numbers. Akin those old-school cabinets, paylines arrive in tiny groups, going from as low as 3 up to a total of 40 in most cases. Anything above 40 is considered a way to win.
On the other hand, winning ways are counted in two or three-digit numbers. The standard 5×3 reel grid structure usually comes with 243 ways. The 5×4 framework typically has 1,024 ways, whilst the uncommon 6×4 playing board boasts around 4,096 ways to win.
What Is Unique about Ways to Win
What might be clear now is the biggest difference is quantity.
Paylines do not have the luxury of growing beyond 40. Ways to win amounts are next to infinite. Some online casino suppliers, such as Big Time Gaming (BTG) have come up with exclusive features that even further enhance these paths. Namely, BTG’s trademark Megaways feature has been integrated into an abundance of their video slots, and allows as many as 117,649 ways to win.
All in all, it is all a matter of preference. Nevertheless, you should stay informed on the matter and see where the discrepancy lies. If you want more opportunities for creating more creative combos, then betways are just the thing for you. Should you like to keep things simple, stick to the classic paylines.
It doesn’t matter if you are a newcomer or a seasoned slot veteran, if you have played slots in casinos at leastonce, you are probably already familiar with the concept of the Wild symbols. With all due respect to other icons, we can easily say that they are the true stars of this category of games.
Drawing a parallel between slots and card games, Wilds are the Jokers of slot machines. They have the power to transform into any other tile on the reels, and more often than not, bring more opportunities for winning big if they are a part of the hit combination.
Nevertheless, they come in different shapes and sizes, and we took up the task of introducing you to all of the variations that you can encounter on the reels of your favourite titles.
Multiplier Wilds
The name for this specific type comes from its ability to increase the win several times. To put this into perspective, if you trigger a Multiplier Wild, the final win will be multiplied several times depending on the sequence and the symbol it substitutes. For example, in NetEnt’sDead or Alive II video slot, each wild that appears during High Noon Saloon feature automatically transforms into a Multiplier. If you land a wild on each reel, you will have a chance to boost your win up to x15 and potentially get another batch of extra Spins.
Sticky Wilds
Sticky Wilds operate by staying attached to the reels during the spin. Basically, if you manage to activate this feature, the Wild that appeared on the reels will remain in its position while you spin again. Other names for this feature are Frozen and Locked Wilds, but the point is the same – they will stay right where they are and possibly contribute to the win if favourable sequences appear.
Expanding Wilds
When we said that Wilds come in different shapes and sizes, this is what we were referring to. Some slot games boast expanding symbols – tiles that appear on the reels in the form of 2×2 instead of regular size. The same can happen to the Wild. A great example of this feature is NetEnt’sStarburst slot where up to 3 Expanding Wilds can cover entire reels. If this happens, the chances for a substantial win skyrocket.
Spreading Wilds
Another NetEnt’s famous slot is a typical example of a game where such Wilds appear. Jack and the Beanstalk slot features a Wild that, once it hits the reels, spreads to encompass 1 tile on the left adjacent reel and an additional re-spin to see if you can acquire even more Wilds.
Duplicating Wilds
The difference between Expanding and Duplicating Wilds is that, if we are playing with Wilds that only expand, it still doesn’t have to mean that it will necessarily cover the entire reel. However, with Duplicating or Replicating Wilds, one Wild certainly does so. Grim Muerto slot is a great example of a slot where you can find this feature. Before a spin, one certain reel is highlighted. If the Wild appears, it will duplicate and cover that whole reel.
Colossal Wilds
Colossal Wilds refer to 3×3 Wilds that land on the reels during turns. They bring massive chances of winning – and winning big – and appear either during Free Spins or during regular base games. Playtech’s video slot RoboCop is the best place where you can find this type of feature. During Free Rounds, each turn includes one Colossal Wildspread on the reel set.
Random Wilds
Last but not least, some of the games feature heaps of wild symbols that drop randomly during your session. They usually have no special powers, but the fact that there are always chances of acquiring Wilds when you least expect it is a great benefit for you.
