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Updated: July, 2026
When the Fortune Coin Co. developed the first video slot in 1976, they used a random number generator to ensure fairness in prize distribution. Its popularity blew up because of the ease of play. Several software developers across the globe have innovated with the technology, creating varying reel slots with dissimilar gameplay mechanics, from paylines to cluster pays to Megaways.
ARISTOCRAT
IGT
ARISTOCRAT
ARISTOCRAT
VELA
SG
ARISTOCRAT
ARISTOCRAT
ARISTOCRAT
ARISTOCRAT
WILD STREAK
YGGDRASIL
IGT
ARISTOCRAT
ARISTOCRAT
IGT
AGS
FELIX
IGT
IGT
ARISTOCRAT
IGT
AGS
ARISTOCRAT
DREAM TECH
IGT
They are the digital version of the classic fruit machine that dominated brick-and-mortar gambling houses. The most basic form of the game comes with three reels and rows to give a total of nine grids.
When a punter pushes the “Spin” button, the reels roll and come to a halt, displaying different symbols. The player wins if they match three of the same icons on a payline. The simplicity of the game is the reason why the question “how to play video slots” rarely comes up in discussions.
Mechanical reel machines were designed as arcade cabinets, often lining the walls of casino houses. In this version, punters had to physically pull a lever to set the reels in motion. Video pokies use software-based reels and RNG to determine the winning combination.
The key difference between the two is that the classic reels have physical moving parts, while video reels use software, images and a screen. The table below highlights their differences.
| Features | Mechanical (classic slot) | Video slot (online) |
| Reels | Metal or plastic wheels | Digital images on screen |
| Number of reels | Usually 3 | 3 to 8 |
| Paylines | Usually 1 to 5 | 20 to over 100,000 |
| Symbols | Classic symbols like bells, fruits, lucky number seven | Usually changes with the theme |
| Bonus feature | Usually limited to free spins | Mini games, free spins, multipliers, gamble, etc. |
Pokies are generally easy to understand, even for first-time punters. You can play the demo version of reel machines or play with real money. For the latter, you must first sign up with a legal and legitimate mobile casino and make a deposit.
Paylines are the winning lines that lie beneath the reels. You must match symbols on these lines in a video slot casino to win. Paylines can be fixed or variable. In the fixed version, punters must bet on all available paylines. In the variable version, punters have the option of choosing how many lines they want to activate.
The paytable shows the value of every symbol and by how much your bets will be multiplied if you match 3 or more of each icon on the payline. A typical paytable may look like the table below.
| Symbols | 5 matches | 4 matches | 3 matches |
| Bell | 50x | 30x | 10x |
| Cherry | 10x | 5x | 2x |
Wilds substitute basic paying symbols on the payline to form a winning combination. Scatter icons are the bonus round triggers — land three or more anywhere on the reels and free spins activate. Toggle each symbol below to see how it works.
Wild Symbol
A Wild substitutes for any regular paying symbol on the payline. In the example, the Wild fills in for Cherry on reel 3, completing the winning line across all four reels.
Does not substitute for Scatter or Bonus symbolsExpanding Wild
When an Expanding Wild lands, it stretches to cover every row on that reel. This creates multiple winning lines simultaneously — one of the most powerful single-symbol outcomes in video slots.
Common in NetEnt, Play’n GO, and BTG titlesScatter Symbol
Scatters don’t need to land on a payline — they pay anywhere on the grid. Landing 3 or more Scatter symbols anywhere on the reels typically triggers the Free Spins bonus round, the biggest payout opportunity in most video slots.
3+ anywhere = bonus round triggeredPokies are defined by their gameplay mechanics. Understanding the mechanics of the machine you want to play will help you set the right expectations.
Standard & Classic
Simple 3–5 reel machines with familiar fruit, bar and lucky seven symbols. No complex bonus rounds — ideal for beginners learning the basics.
✔ Low volatilityMegaways & Multi-Payline
Reels where the number of symbols changes every spin, creating thousands of winning combinations. Pioneered by Big Time Gaming with Bonanza in 2016.
⚡ High volatilityCluster Pays
Grid-based matching system — no paylines. Wins form when 5+ matching symbols cluster together. Examples: Aloha! Cluster Pays, Jammin’ Jars.
∼ Medium volatilityProgressive Jackpot
Prize pool grows with every bet across linked machines. Can reach tens of millions. In 2003, a player won $39.7M at Excalibur Casino in Las Vegas.
🔥 Very high volatilityBonus Buy
Pay 50x–200x your base bet to skip straight into the bonus round. No waiting for the trigger — high risk, high reward. Not available in all regions.
💰 Feature-first playFlat Jackpot
Fixed top prize — no pooling across machines. More frequent hits than progressive jackpots, with a predictable max payout clearly shown in the paytable.
📊 Predictable payoutA random number generator is a software algorithm or microchip inside a machine that determines the outcome of every spin. It is used to ensure the outcome of every game is unpredictable and fair to all players.
The way the algorithm works is simple. It continuously generates long sequences of numbers between 0 and around 4 billion every second, even when nobody is playing the machine. The game will pick the number generated the exact moment you press the spin button. The reel machine software will translate the generated number into a combination of symbols that will be displayed on the screen.
Punters are often told to play “hot” machines (those with a higher chance of paying out) and avoid “cold” machines. In reality, these are myths. Pokies don’t have memory. The algorithm constantly resets its calculation such that previous performance has no impact on future spins. Consequently, the odds of landing a winning combination are the same for every spin.
Hit frequency is a theoretical percentage that estimates the average number of spins that result in a payout — not considering the size of the payout. For example, if a machine has a hit frequency of 32%, it means the machine is mathematically designed to trigger a payout on an average of 32 times out of every 100 spins.
Payback percentage is popularly called return to player (RTP), which is strikingly different from hit frequency. RTP measures the percentage of the bets placed on the machine that is paid back as winnings to punters over millions of spins.
| Feature | Hit frequency | Return to Player |
| Typical range | 10% to 45% | 92% to 99% |
| What it measures | Win frequency | How much is returned |
| Sample size for measurement | Noticeable over short sessions (50–100 spins) | Accurately calculated over large sessions (millions of spins) |
Newbies easily confuse RTP with volatility. RTP indicates the percentage of bets returned over millions of spins. Volatility is about payout frequency vs. size — how often you win and how big those wins are. Use the selector below to find your fit.
🟢 Low
Low Volatility
You win often, but the amounts are small. Bankroll lasts longer — great for casual sessions or learning a new title. Wins come almost every few spins, keeping the experience relaxed and consistent.
🟡 Medium
Medium Volatility
The sweet spot for most players. Wins come regularly enough to keep you engaged, but with occasional larger payouts to keep things exciting. Works for both casual and experienced players.
🔴 High
High Volatility
Long dry spells are common — you can go dozens of spins without a win. But when a win lands, it can be massive. Requires patience, a larger bankroll, and strong session discipline.
Choosing the right operator can be a tough decision because of the large number of available options on the market. We only recommend a licensed casino after reviewing its game library size, mobile compatibility and payout speed.
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Although pokies are easy to learn and play, long-term satisfaction depends on approaching the game with the right strategy. Since pokies are a game of luck, the focus of most strategies is helping you manage your risks or have the right expectations.
In the US, states have the power to either ban or legalize online gambling within their borders. Consequently, only 8 states in the country have legalized online gambling, including West Virginia, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, Maine, Delaware and Connecticut.
In states where the activity has been legalized, operators still need a license from the appropriate regulatory body to operate. It is always good to check your local laws to understand what is acceptable, especially because it is an evolving legal field in the country.
In terms of fairness, independent auditing bodies usually test the RNG software of reel machines to ensure they work as they should before the games are licensed for distribution to the public. This is why it is essential to only gamble at a licensed video slots online casino, because they only partner with software developers with the right licenses.
The thrill of the fast-paced gameplay of pokies can lead to adrenaline overdrive. Consequently, only adults 21 years or older are allowed to register with a video casino. Always play for fun rather than intending to make money. While at it, use the tools provided by the casino to stay in control, including:
If you are experiencing problem gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER. The best operators usually have a dedicated responsible gambling page with resources to help you gamble safely.
Classic slots are simple and feature mechanical parts with a focus on repetitive gameplay. Video reel machines, on the other hand, are software with a highly visual digital display, animations and more complex features.
Players cannot manipulate pokies because they use random number generators to determine the winning combination. However, developers can rig the game to favor the casino — this is why playing only at licensed, audited platforms matters.
It means the percentage of bets placed on the machine that will be returned to players over thousands or millions of spins. Titles with 96% RTP or higher are said to have high RTP.
No, there is no trick to win because the outcome of each spin is independent of the previous spin. The outcome is determined by random number generators, which work in a way that cannot be predicted.
Gambling laws differ across state borders in the United States. Only 8 states have legalized online gambling. Check your local law to see what your state allows.
Regular reel machines have fixed paylines because the icons on each reel are fixed. Megaways have variable paylines because the symbols on each reel change with each spin.
Video pokies usually have multiple lines, bonus rounds, multipliers and other complex features that can create more ways to win. A 3-reel slot usually has limited features, which also lowers the amount it can pay out.
Yes. One of the best strategies is testing new reel machines in the demo mode to better understand the mechanics and payout frequency before playing for real money.
Filip Gromovic is a senior slots reviewer here at FreeSlots99 with over five years of experience evaluating the latest drops in the world of iGaming.
Being a slot fan himself, Filip approaches slot ratings just the way we like it – professionally, but also from a player’s standpoint.
That enables him to give his unbiased take on the slot’s features, gameplay and design, while only recommending top-tier releases to our readers.
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Having served FreeSlots99 for more than 5 years as a senior content editor and reviewer, Nashon Khamala has extensive knowledge in game slots and iGaming.
His membership in the Editorial Freelancers Association helps him deliver content that reaches both editorial excellence standards and an engaging information level.
By using his expertise in slots games combined with player-focused analysis, Nashon delivers a professional evaluation of slot features and player experiences in his reviews.
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