We aim to be the ultimate guide for free play slots games in the UK. Browser our site and available slots via name, game provider, jackpot games, popularity and much more.
If you’re new to this, we’ve got your back. On this site, we’ll guide you through the basics and give you some top tips to get started. All games listed on our site are completely free to play and try out as much as you want.
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How to Play Online Slots? | Beginner Basics | How to Choose a Slot Game | Different Types of Slots | Beginner Tips | Slots Bonuses | Game Providers and Online Casinos | Responsible Gaming
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How to Play Online Slots
Let’s be real, playing online slots and spinning the reels is as simple as it sounds. For some beginners though, this world of striking lights and sound effects is new territory.
Well, we’ll guide you step-by-step through some of the areas you’ll probably need when you start to play online slots.
On this site you can play all games for free, to find your favourite games. Once in a real casino, this is what is needed;
Create an Account: It’s often the first thing you’ll be prompted to do. Look for the sign-up or join now buttons on the online casino homepage. Fill in the necessary personal information, create a password, and you’re ready to play!
Choose Your Slot Game: This is where the fun begins. You’ll find plenty of games to choose from – each with their unique themes, features, RTG and payout schedules. Some offer simple three-reel options, while others boast flashy bonus rounds and progressive jackpots. Choose what suits your fancy and dive right in.
Set Your Bet Size: Before you spin, you’ll need to decide how much you’re willing to wager. Most slots have a wide betting range, so whether you’re a low stakes player or high roller, you can play at your level.
Spin The Reels: Now for the moment you’ve been waiting for. Once you’ve set your bet size, it’s time to hit that spin button and watch the excitement unfold.
Whether you’re hoping to hit that life-changing jackpot or just looking for some nice entertainment, we’re sure you’ll find a slot game for this.
Basics for Beginners
Let’s focus on some essential basics that every beginner needs to know before starting to play slots online.
First off, understanding the rules is crucial. Some online slots may seem complicated at first glance, but believe us, they’re simpler than they appear. In any case, all you need to do is to spin the reels and wait for a winning combination to land. However, it’s more fun if you know the details and features of the game.
So, paylines. These are significant as they determine the winning combinations. The greater the number of paylines, the higher your chances of winning. While traditional slots often have a single payline, modern online slots can have up to 243 paylines or more. Make sure you understand how they work in the game you choose.
Jackpots are another key factor to consider. You’ve got two main types: progressive and non-progressive. The latter gives a fixed amount, while the former increases its value every time someone plays the game.
Finally, maybe the most interesting for many player, bonus rounds and features. These can make even an otherwise boring game really fun. We’re talking about things like free spins, wild symbols, and scatter icons. This is often where you get your big wins.
How to Choose a Slot Machine
Real Money vs Free Play
There is often a choice to make between real money slots and free play slots. It’s a decision that centers mostly on your comfort level and willingness to take risks, or is it just a lazy entertainment?
Real money slots as the name suggests, allow you to wager actual cash. It’s the risk that can bring about a thrill like no other. As always, the prospect of winning a lot of real money is exciting.
However, before putting in your hard-earned cash, always make sure that you’re dealing with a proper licensed and reputable casino site. It might also be a good idea to check the volatility and return to player (RTP) index for the game you’re choosing. We’ve previously listed the top 10 games for high RTP. High volatility slots can yield significant wins, but they are far between and require patience. On the other hand, low volatility slots promise frequent but smaller wins. Reception of RTP should be above 95% for a relatively safe bet.
On the flip side, free play slots are a beautiful chance to try the game without the investment. They’re an excellent way for beginners to get the hang of gameplay and understand different slots’ features and bonuses. Often, they’re used to practice strategies and explore a wide array of slot machine styles without the pressure.
Different Types of Slots
We already mentioned a few different kind of slots games, let’s see what else there is;
Classic 3 Reel Slot Machines
Nowadays, when you hear the term ‘slot machine’, you’re probably picturing this old faithful. The Classic 3 Reel Slot Machine harks back to the good old day’s feel of traditional Vegas-style slots. As an example, we used to play these slots on the ferries when we were young, and the thrill when coins started falling down was great!
It’s the simplest form of slots, mostly containing symbols like fruits, bells, numbers or bars. Because of their limited reel design, these come with fewer paylines, offering very straightforward gameplay. The simplicity and nostalgia related to these machines provide constant appeal for beginners or old-timers.
Progressive Jackpot Slots
When it comes to those life-changing wins, Progressive Jackpot Slots are where it’s at. These slots accumulate a fraction of all deposits into a huge ‘progressive jackpot’. The ticker keeps climbing until someone hits the right combo to win the entire amount. This unique aspect makes these slots highly unpredictable and thrilling. It’s like the lottery ticket of online slots .
Megaways Slots
The slot world experienced a kind of a shift with the arrival of Megaways Slots. Offering up to 117,649 ways to win, these are known for their ground-breaking reel modifying mechanic. It changes the number and size of symbols on each reel with every spin, giving an unpredictable number of ways to win.
These Megaways slots games are now extremely popular among all online casinos for real money.
Bonus Features
Slots with Bonus Features are quite popular. Different slot games offer various bonus features such as Wild and Scatter symbols, which either stand for other symbols for increased win chances or trigger special bonus rounds. Some games even provide Free Spins or Gamble features to double or quadruple your winnings.
Beginner Tips
Alright, so now you know about different types of slots, and the cool bonus features that come with them. But how do you go about playing these exciting online slot games? Let’s look at some real beginner tips…
First up, start small. If you’re new to online slots, it can be tempting to jump right in with big bets. But, trust us… start with smaller bets, especially with games that offer a high rate of return. This will give you a feel for the rhythm of the game without risking too much money right off the bat.
Next, we have the ever-important tip: set a budget. Online slots should be fun, not a source of stress. There’s enough of that in life anyhow! By setting a budget for your gaming session, you ensure that you’re playing within your financial limits. Make sure you stick to it, and never, ever chase losses.
One feature of online slots that often trips up beginners is the Bet Max button. While it’s true that this can lead to some pretty huge wins, it can also torch your budget in the blink of an eye. So, unless you’re feeling supremely confident, it might be a good idea to steer clear of this feature.
Last, and a reason why you’re here on playonlineslots.uk, choosing a game. Different slot games have different return to player ratios, with some being significantly more generous than others. Try out many games available here before betting any real money.
How Does Slots Bonuses Work?
Slot bonuses can appear confusing initially, but they’re simple once we break ’em down.
Sign-up bonuses or welcome bonuses are the start of most slots gaming adventures. They’re offered to new players who register on the online casino site for the first time. These bonuses usually match a percentage of the initial deposit made, and may sometimes even include free spins.
An example: an online casino offering a 100% deposit match up to $100. This means if we deposit $100, we get an additional $100 from the site, thus totaling to a cool $200 for our gaming. However, these bonuses often come with wagering requirements. If the requirement’s set as 35x, we’d have to make bets worth 35 times the bonus received before we can withdraw any winnings.
Then we’ve got free spins. They’re another commonly offered bonus granting players extra spins without any additional cost. They give us more opportunities to play and potentially win. These also comes with wagering requirements and they can vary quite a lot.
Believe it or not, there’s no deposit bonuses too! Here, we get to play without even depositing any money. They’re typically smaller than the sign-up bonuses and has a lot of requirements before you can actually withdraw.
Lastly, we have loyalty bonuses. These are for the die-hard fans. The longer we play at a particular online casino, the better rewards we receive.
All these bonuses are indeed enticing but always remember to read the terms and conditions associated. Some bonuses may look good but come with high wagering requirements or withdrawal limits. Sometimes it’s better to play with no bonus at all.
Game Providers and Online Casinos Explained
Once you start playing, you’ll be understanding the role of game providers at online casinos. Game providers are software companies that develop a range of casino games, including your favorite slot variations.
A few notable game providers include:
- NetEnt
- Microgaming
- Playtech
These industry giants are known for their impeccable reputation and the consistent quality of their products.
Online casinos, on the other hand, are platforms that host these games. This is where you, as a player, will sign up, deposit money (if you’re playing for real money), and ultimately play the slot games. Some prominent online casinos include:
- Casumo
- LeoVegas
- 888 Casino
It’s crucial to choose a reliable and trustworthy online casino. Partnering up with reputable game providers is a good sign of a quality casino. Remember, every online casino must follow strict rules and regulations.
To ensure that you’re playing on a legit platform, always check if the online casino you choose holds a license from recognized bodies like the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) or the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). These licensing bodies set the standards for online gambling, offering you protection as a player.
Responsible Gaming
It’s essential we don’t overlook a crucial aspect – Responsible Gaming. It’s not just about gambling and winning. You see, all the reputable online casinos we’ve been talking about aren’t just focused on attracting players – they’re committed to promoting responsible gaming too.
These top-notch gaming platforms have stringent measures in place to help players set boundaries with their gaming habits. We’re talking about budget limits, loss limits, reality checks, and time-outs. What’s more, they also offer self-exclusion programs, which can be a real lifesaver if you feel like you’re losing control.
The licenses aren’t just a stamp of authenticity. They also ensure the online casinos are holding up their end of the deal when it comes to promoting responsible gaming. There are entire sections, often on the site footer, dedicated to explaining their responsible gaming policies.