ONLINE SLOTS: THE TIPS AND TRICKS YOU NEED TO KNOW 

Online slots are one of the most popular games at any online casino; it's no secret! They're fast-paced, have exciting themes, great animations and bonus features, and provide the opportunity to hit life-changing wins. It's easy to see why they're so popular. Our casino experts are here to share just what it takes to maximize your winning potential and have a satisfactory gaming experience.

In this guide

UNDERSTAND HOW SLOTS WORK

The first step you must take before venturing into the incredible world of online slots is to make sure that you fully understand the dynamics of slot games in general. Here, we cover some important terms to know before starting your online slot adventure.

Paylines

Paylines are a key part of the way a slot machine functions, whether online or at a land-based casino. The number of paylines on a slot machine is important for determining how often a slot will payout and how many chances you have to win. It is only on the paylines that winning combinations can be formed.

The earliest slot machines came with three paylines, three ways to win. Now, with the ever-evolving online casino industry, online slots can have anywhere from three to 250 or more paylines. Each slot game will have a different amount of paylines, so we suggest doing a little research on the games so you know what you're getting into.

Volatility

The volatility of a slot is important to know before wagering your money or going in with certain expectations. A slot's volatility is the frequency and amount that a slot pays out.

A low-volatility slot will pay out often but in small amounts. These types of slots are perfect for players who don't have enormous bankrolls, and want to play casually and win frequently.

High-volatility slots don't pay out as often, but when they do the amount is quite larger. These slots are recommended for patient players with large bankrolls who are looking to win major cash

Some slots are medium-volatility slots and they lie somewhere in between.

Return to Player (RTP)

Return to Player is a term that describes the percentage of all the money wagered on a game that is paid back to players over time. The higher the percentage, the more you can expect to win.

We'll break it down for you: if a game has a 95% RTP, you can expect the casino to keep 5% of all the money that is wagered, and the rest is paid out to players. Be careful, however, because this is for all players worldwide — it doesn't necessarily mean that you will get back 95% of the money that you've wagered

For online slots, the RTP usually lies somewhere between 94 and 99. Slots with an RTP of 96 to 99 are considered high

Random Number Generators (RNGs)

Random Number Generators are what keeps online casino games fair. RNGs are complex algorithms that ensure each time you spin the reels, the outcome is 100% random and independent from your previous spins. All reputable casinos will power their games with RNGs, which keep games unrigged and running smoothly.

Silver Oak Casino's games are regularly inspected and updated by appropriate gaming authorities. Theoretically, you could hit the jackpot with any spin.

JACKPOTS

Jackpots are what bring players from all over the world to online and land-based casinos. Hitting the jackpot on an online slot can potentially bring those life-changing wins There are multiple types of jackpots that can be found when playing online slots:

Local Jackpots

Local jackpots have a prize pool that is formed solely by the bets that players make at that particular casino. These jackpots are generally on the smaller side due to the fact that they are affected by the number of players playing and the amount of their wagers.

Progressive Jackpots

Progressive jackpots are the cream of the crop and offer massive payouts — but they are more difficult to win. The prize pools of progressive jackpots are formed by players across multiple networks and casinos. A portion of the bets that are placed at that particular slot goes toward the jackpot, accumulating funds up into the millions. The jackpot gets higher and higher with every spin until someone finally hits it. If nobody wins by the time the jackpot reaches a certain amount, it resets at a designated dollar amount. One of the most popular progressive jackpot slot games at Silver Oak is Cleopatra's Gold.

Fixed Jackpots

Fixed jackpots are sometimes called "cash pot jackpots” and their sum never changes. They are in no way influenced by other players' bets, or even yours, for that matter.

BANKROLL MANAGEMENT

Now that you understand the basics of slot games, it's time to play for real money. The first thing that you must understand is how to properly manage your bankroll.

Before you sit down to play any slot game, think about your budget and how much you can realistically afford to lose. Remember, slots are purely based on luck, and while yes, you can win enormous jackpots, there is always a chance that you won't win at all

Once you have decided on how much you can reasonably wager, stick to it! If you find yourself on a losing streak, don't chase your losses. Take a break, and come back later. It takes a lot of will-power for some people to be able to call it quits, but bankroll management is the key to a successful online slot experience.

EXCITING BONUS FEATURES

Silver Oak hosts online slots from the industry-leading game provider, Realtime Gaming, and all of their slots come packed full with special bonus features that maximize your winning potential. These bonus features are fun, exciting, and offer a little variation that really spices up your slot session.

Some bonus features include fun side games or trigger Free Games, respins, and more. The bonus features vary from game to game, so we recommend playing each game for free to determine which slot you prefer.

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