The Best Slot Games 2024
Vienne GarciaWithout a doubt, slots are one of the most popular games at online casinos. Online slots are quite different from those metal machines sitting at the bar or in Vegas. They come in a myriad of themes, ranging from exotic adventures to cute farm animals.
It goes far beyond looks too. These games are packed with more special features and bonus games with extra prizes. We will explain the different kinds of slots you can find at online casinos, along with some suggestions for the best sites to spin them at!
Top Online Slots 2024
| Slot | Provider | Min. / Max. Bet | Max. Win | RTP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bass Bonanza | Pragmatic Play | $0.10 / $250.00 | 2,100x | 96.71% | |
| Fruit Party | Pragmatic Play | $0.20 / $100.00 | 5,000x | 96.47% | |
| Gates of Olympus | Pragmatic Play | $0.20 / $100.00 | 5,000x | 96.50% | |
| Madame Destiny Megaways | Pragmatic Play | $0.20 / $100.00 | 5,000x | 96.56% | |
| Sweet Bonanza | Pragmatic Play | $0.20 / $100.00 | 21,100x | 96.51% | |
| The Dog House | Pragmatic Play | $0.20 / $100.00 | 6,750x | 96.51% | |
| Wanted Dead or a Wild | Hacksaw Gaming | $0.20 / $100.00 | 12,500x | 96.38% |
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Slot Types at Online Casinos
Online slots come in many different forms, here are the main types of games you will see:
1.) Classic Slots
Also known as the fruit machine, these are the games that most people think of when slots are mentioned. They have 3 reels and usually sport symbols like cherry, lemons, watermelon, bells and 7s. You win when you get 3 of the same symbols going across the 3 reels.
2.) Video Slots
Most of the slots you find at online casinos are video slots. These usually have 5 reels – sometimes even more. They typically also have more paylines. 10, 25 or 50 paylines are not uncommon with a video slot. Some do away with them completely, like in Megaways slots or 243 ways-to-win games where you just need matching symbols next to each other to win.
Caesars Glory is an entertaining video slot from Playson at Mr Green Casino
These games are wildly animated with different kinds of themes that can feature anything from exotic adventures, cute animals, rock bands and movies. But video slots are most loved for their special features and bonus games that can be triggered when you spin certain Scatter symbols.
Back to TOC3.) Progressive Jackpots
Slots can pay out well, but progressive jackpots can pay out massive amounts in the millions. More modest ones may not get you millionaire status but they can still hand out a few grand. Progressive games are networked across different online casinos. Every time a player plays the game, part of their bet goes towards the slot's jackpot. That's why the jackpot can quickly snowball into a rather significant cash prize.
There are close to 200 Jackpot slots on offer at PartyCasino.
Differences between online and landbased slots
| Online Casino | Landbased Casino | |
|---|---|---|
| Dresscode |  |  |
| Opening hours | | |
| Real money bets | | |
| Playing for free | | |
| Welcome Bonus | | |
| 24/7 Support | | |
| Waiting times at the slot | | |
Slot Features
When it comes to playing slots online, here are some of the basic terms and features you might want to look for.
- Reels: This is the number of columns a game has. Classic slots typically have 3, while video slots have 5 or more.
- Paylines: If you get matching symbols falling on a payline, you win. In the most classic games, it is a horizontal line right across the center of the 3 reels. In video slots, they can go up and down across the game and it's not uncommon to find 25 paylines or more in a game.
- Bonus features: Aka special features, or bonus rounds, or bonus games. These are like secret mini games within a slot game. The exact features will depend on the game, but it can range from free spins to opening up little games in a completely different format where you can pick up more prizes.
- Scatter symbol: Some video slots will have a designated Scatter symbol. When you land these symbols in the right combination, they unlock the bonus features.
- Wild symbol: Again, this is designated symbol within a game. The wild symbol substitutes for any other symbol to help you build a winning payline. However, they can't substitute for the Scatter in most cases.
- Multipliers: The name says it all. A multiplier will multiply your win. These are usually part of a bonus game. Say you spin a winning payline worth $25 and there is a 3x multiplier attached, then your actual win will become $75. Some games have multipliers going above 100x.
- Free Spins: While casinos often give out free spins to play specific games, you can also get free spins within a slot game as part of a bonus round. This is when the next spin or spins won't cost you anything from your bankroll.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Playing Slots
- Massive game selection
- Variety in style
- Requires no previous knowledge
- Jackpot games can deliver huge prizes
- Registration is required to play with real money
- Not all online casinos are reputable
- Game of chance outside of player's control
Slot RTP and Volatility
Online slots are programmed to work randomly to ensure fairness. At least that's the case with games from trusted software providers at licensed online casinos. The games are programmed so that your chances of winning are the same with each spin.
Even though things are random, there are certain mathematical aspects in slots. This gives each game a different kind of game play when it comes to winning. That's how you can still get different kinds of slots beyond the surface of the game's theme.
Slots games are programmed with something that is known as a Return to Player Rate, aka the RTP, which determines in the long run how frequently a slot will pay out.
The slot's volatility is sometimes known as the variance. A high volatility or high variance slot may not pay out so often but when it does, the wins tend to be bigger. Meanwhile, a low volatility slot, sometimes also known as a loose slot, will tend to pay out a steady trickle of small wins.
Mobile Slots
Most game designers today will design slots so they work both on computer and on mobile play. That means you won't skip a beat if you like to switch your gaming between your phone, tablet and computer.
Not only are slots available for mobile, but some of them even add special touch and swipe actions to work with the touchscreen aspect of mobile devices. These bring the games to life and are definitely worth trying!
Slot Playing Tips
As slots are games of luck, there aren't any strategies for winning, unlike in Blackjack. That having been said, there are still a few things you can try to have a good time. Here are a couple of tips when it comes to playing slots online.
- Many slots let you choose how many paylines to bet on. Our advice is to bet on of the paylines. You only win when all your matching symbols land on an active payline, and the payline is only active when you bet on it. By betting on all the paylines, you are directly increasing your odds of winning.
- Try a variety of games, including high volatility slots. The excitement in slots is in winning, so games with different payouts create different kinds of excitement. While lots of beginners prefer low variance slots, more experienced players often enjoy high volatility games, where patience and an appetite for risk can be generously rewarded.
- You can play mode slots for free in demo mode at most slot sites and online casinos. Don't dwell on that for too long though. Demo mode doesn't let you win money. It would be such a shame when you get an awesome combo of high paying symbols but not actually see the prize itself. If you like the game enough after a few trial spins, start playing for real money.
Conclusion
Online slots are much more diverse than the traditional slot machines you might find in Las Vegas. Visually, the choice is almost limitless and there are themes to suit every mood and taste. It goes much more beyond looks though. These games are packed with lots of extra features that make things even more exciting. With most slots available for free play in demo mode, there is really no reason why you shouldn't try them out!
I've been working in the online casino landscape in Malta for more than 10 years and have seen how the industry works from customer service roles to the backend of the business. While I am lucky enough to call myself a native on the sunny island called Malta, I also enjoy travelling and have travelled across Canada! After wandering through the great white north, I have decided to share my knowledge and now work with Canadian players to compile accurate casino reviews to help players navigate through the hundreds of gaming sites online.