Slot machines have captivated players at Adult Gaming Centres everywhere for decades. Their appeal lies in their simplicity: press a button or touch the screen and the reels spin, offering the chance to win big. As with all casino games, understanding the basics of slot machines can enhance your gaming experience
How to Play Slots
Caught yourself wondering “How do slot machines work?” Don’t worry: slot machines are amongst the simplest gaming machines to play. Though there are many different types of slot games, generally a typical game on a slot machine goes in the following steps.
1. Choose Your Machine
With a vast array of slot machines available, selecting the right one that interests you is a big part of your gaming experience. Consider your budget, preferred theme, and desired game type.
2. Insert Your Money
At MERKUR, simply insert the required amount of notes or coins into the designated slot to credit your chosen slot machine and get ready to play!
3. Check the Pay Tables
The machine’s pay table outlines the potential payouts for different symbol combinations. Familiarise yourself with the pay table to understand your chosen game’s winning possibilities of symbols.
4. Set Your Bet
Determine your stake per spin by adjusting the bet size using the gaming machine’s controls. The bet size can vary significantly depending on the chosen machine, so choose an amount that aligns with your budget.
5. Spin the Reels!
Simply press the slot machine’s ‘Start’ button to start the game. The reels will spin, displaying various symbols.
6. Collect Your Winnings
If you land a winning combination, then congratulations! The machine will automatically add winnings to the bank. You can then choose to either continue playing or cash out your winnings. At MERKUR, if you have finished playing and wish to cash out, press the Collect button and you will receive a ticket to the value of your bank which you can exchange for cash at the ticket redemption station. Alternatively, you have the option to use your ticket in another electronic terminal or slot machine.
Types of Slot Machines
Modern slot machines come in a wide variety of types, each with its unique features and gameplay mechanics. Some of the most common types of slot machines include, but aren’t limited to, the following.
Progressive Jackpot Slots
Progressive slot games, such as our ‘Link Wave’ and ‘Clash Link’ games, offer the potential for a higher-than-normal range jackpot. A portion of each bet is added to a progressive jackpot, which grows over time. As more players wager on the progressive slot machine, the jackpot increases until someone hits the winning combination.
Classic Slots
These traditional slot machines feature three reels and a limited number of paylines. They often have simple, widely recognised symbols like fruits, bars, and sevens. Classic slots are known for their straightforward gameplay and nostalgic appeal.
Digital Slot Machines
Digital slot machines offer more advanced graphics, animations, and sound effects. They typically have five reels and multiple paylines, increasing the chances of winning. Digital slots often incorporate bonus features like free spins, wild symbols, and multipliers.
Multi-Line Slot Machines
Multi-line slot machines offer players the opportunity to trigger multiple paylines on a single spin, as the name suggests. By doing this on applicable multi-line slots, players can boost their chances of getting a winning result. However, be aware that multi-line slots usually require a higher bet per spin the higher the amount of paylines activated.
Slot Machine Tips
By law, all slot machine results are completely random, and those of MERKUR’s slot games are no exception. Because of this, there are no secrets on how to win at slots (more on those myths below) – the most important thing is enjoying playing the games. Want to know how to maximise your enjoyment when playing slot machines? We have compiled these great general tips on your approach to playing slot machines.
1. Always Set a Budget
To ensure that you play responsibly, it is vital to set your budget before you sit down to play at an Adult Gaming Centre. Even more importantly, make sure you then stick to this budget! Don’t chase losses by increasing your bets – if the fun stops, then stop. By ensuring you never spend more on slot games than you can afford, you can play slots safe in the knowledge you won’t be spending over your means, enhancing your enjoyment.
2. Choose the Right Machine for You by Ensuring You Fully Understand the Pay Tables
Select a slot machine that suits your personal preferences and your set budget. Consider factors like the chosen slot game type, payout percentage and any bonus features, but also take the time to fully understand your chosen machine’s pay table before starting your game so you have the appropriate expectations going in.
3. Take Advantage of Promotions and Bonuses
At MERKUR, we’ve often got great promotions to enhance slot players’ enjoyment of our games. From welcome bonuses for new players to popular ongoing promotions, keep an eye on available promotions to see what’s available and how your time on the slots could benefit as a result.
4. Don’t Fall for Common Slot Machine Myths!
For decades, some people have spread myths around slot machines, such as certain machines being “due” for a win, different machines being more likely to win based on their placement in the venue, or even that the establishment has control over which machines win. Whether these myths were born out of superstition, scepticism, loss chasing or some combination of the three, it’s important to remember that they are not true. For example, you could play for a while with no jackpots before winning two at once, or you could win early, or not at all. Anything could happen, as results are completely random. Keep sight of this while playing! Take care to not start mind games with yourself trying to ‘explain’ losses, or wins, for certain game results and your experience playing slot machines will be made all the more fun for it.
5. Manage Your Budget Sensibly
If you are looking for slot machines as a beginner, a good point to start is by placing smaller bets and spreading them across multiple play sessions. To assist with this, our maximum bets for a single game are £2 each. Managing your budget into smaller amounts helps to potentially extend it for a longer amount of time across more games, increasing your enjoyment.
6. Game Responsibly
As mentioned, remember that all slot machines, whether at MERKUR’s Adult Gaming Centres or elsewhere, are games of random chance. By setting a budget, sticking to it and gaming responsibly on slot machines, you can both enhance your gaming experience and enjoyment. Have fun, but most importantly seek help if you recognise that you have an addiction to gambling. For more information, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit the Be Gamble Aware website.
Knowing the signs of when you or a loved one should finish gaming and take time out is very important. Make sure that you set limits for yourself, both on time and money, and stick to them. If you are spending too much time gambling, and it is taking priority over other important parts of your life like your job or family, then it is time to stop. For more information on practicing safe gambling and the tell-tale signs to look out for that someone should stop gambling, please visit our Safer Gambling article.
Now that you know how to play slot games, the only thing left to do is to experience the excitement for yourself. Could the next jackpot be yours? Come and visit us at MERKUR Casino Aberdeen today to find out!
