Types of Slot and their Traits
Classic, progressive, megaways are only a few. We collected, analyzed and presented all the different types of slots you can find and their traits
When talking about casino games, slots are considered one of the best. When you enter the lobby of most online casinos, you will find hundreds or thousands of slots you can play for real money. Physical casinos also have numerous slot machines, and some of these games have paid out millions of dollars in winnings over the years.
This comprehensive article will explain the different types of slots and their traits. It will also provide a few tips on how you can enjoy the best experience playing this type of game. So for all that and more, keep reading.
Classic 3-Reel Slot Machines
These are slot games that give players a retro vibe. They frequently feature old-fashioned fruit themes or symbols and have a traditional layout of three reels and three rows. But with advancements in gaming technologies, there are now modern classic slots with several exciting themes and even up to five reels.
Although classic slots are famed for having only one payline, there are those with multiple pay lines, sometimes even up to five. In those slots, you may find wilds and free spins, but don’t expect complex bonus features. Some examples of top classic slots you can check out are Thunder Reels from Playson, Super 7s from Pragmatic Play, and Fruiterra Fortune by Booongo.
Pros
- Retro vibe
- Basic and easy interfacel
- Variable bonus features
Cons
- Most have only one payline
3D Slots
This type of online slot can come in different themes and rows-reels configurations. However, they are designed to be more visually impressive, and their graphics imitate a 3D screen. With such advanced graphics, 3D slots can offer players immense excitement, making them a popular choice for many.
Like most other slot types, three-dimensional slots come with incredible features. These include expanding wilds, free spins, respins, scatters, and multipliers. A few of the top slots in this category that you can check out include Jungle Jim El Dorado from Microgaming, Turning Totems from Thunderkick, and Finn’s Golden Tavern from NetEnt.
Pros
- Visually impressive
- Various feature
- Usually responsive on desktop and mobile
Cons
- May consume data because of heavy 3D graphics
Progressive Jackpot Slots
A progressive jackpot slot is a slot game where the jackpot prize (maximum win) increases each time the slot is played but not won. Small amounts from players' wagers go into the jackpot, and when the jackpot prize is finally won, it resets to default. This type of slot is capable of paying out millions of dollars in winnings to players, which is why many people enjoy playing them.
However, it is worth mentioning that to win the progressive jackpot prize of such a game, you must wager the maximum amount and activate all the pay lines. Apart from being capable of offering huge payouts, this type of slot comes in different themes and features several bonus features. In fact, you may need to trigger some bonus features to win the jackpot prize in some titles.
Another thing you should note is that progressive jackpot slots may come with three or four jackpots—mini, minor, major, and mega. If that’s the case, the mega jackpot will be the main progressive jackpot prize, while the three other jackpots may be fixed jackpots. Examples of this type of slot are Mega Moolah from Microgaming, Mega Fortune from NetEnt, and Aztec Millions from RealTime Gaming.
Pros
- Offers a chance to win big
- Comes with mini, minor, major andf mega jackpots
- Has incredible bonus features
Cons
- Mostly high volatility
- You must bet the maximum amount
Video Slots
Many people often interchange video slots and regular slots, but the two are different. The difference is that video slots have some form of multimedia, while regular slots do not. As a result, you can expect to see animations, intro videos, and thematic graphics in video slots, and these are added to make the game even more interesting. Video slots span different themes and volatility levels, so you will find plenty to choose from, especially when you play at a top online casino.
As for the bonus features, video slots have several features that make them fun to play. In fact, most slots you see at online casinos are video slots, and they come with features like free spins, respins, multipliers, random triggers, avalanche reels, and so on. Some of the bestseller video slot games are Starburst from NetEnt, Book of Dead from Play’n Go, and Immortal Romance from Microgaming.
Pros
- Most online slots fall in this category
- Often have flexible bet limit
- Comes with exciting features
- Available at most online casinos
Cons
- Easy to confuse them with regular slots
Megaways Slots
While most online slots use regular pay line system to determine the winning sequence, Megaways slots use a unique mathematical model. This model gives them a reel random modifier that can change how many symbols appear on the reels. What this means in essence is that the number of symbols that can land on each reel of a Megaways slot machine can change with each spin, thus providing hundreds of thousands of ways to win.
Big Time Gaming is the inventor of this type of slot, but you can now find Megaways slots in the libraries of many top game providers in the iGaming industry. And as for the bonus features, most slots of this type come packed with lots of features. You’ll find scatters that let you trigger free spins, wilds, respins, multipliers, reel modifiers, and so on. With Megaways slots, the maximum number of ways to win is 117,649. Popular titles to play are Doggy Riches Megaways from Red Tiger Gaming, Millionaire Megapays from Big Time Gaming, and Divine Fortune Megaways from NetEnt.
Pros
- Several winning opportunities
- More excitinglRegulr profits
Cons
- Only available in online casinos
Gigablox Slots
Gigablox is a unique feature developed by Yggdrasil Gaming. Gigablox slots are online slots where a symbol on any reel can combine to become a 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, or more slot symbol. This means the symbols will merge together and become bigger, which can lead to a chance to win big.
However, don’t confuse slot games that have mega symbols with Gigablox symbols. Mega symbols appear on the reels as huge symbols, while Gigablox sees symbols merge together to form a huge symbol. But games like Lucky Neko Gigablox, with a 96.4% RTP, have a Gigablox feature that acts like a single symbol. The anticipation for this feature makes the game thrilling. Besides, Gigablox slots come with other incredible bonus features like free spins bonus, multipliers, wilds, scatters, and so on. Some of the best slots of this type that you can play are Water Blox Gigablox, Lucky Neko-Gigablox, and 3021 AD The Bounty Hunter Gigablox.
Pros
- The Gigablox symbol pays high
- Other bonus features are usually available
- More fun playing it due to anticipation of the Gigablox
Cons
- You may hit some cold runs
Cascading/Tumbling Reels Slots
Also called Tumbling Reels or Avalanche Reels, Cascading Reels are a feature available in some online slots. Cascading Reels slots are games where the winning symbols that form part of a winning combination explode or disappear to make room for new ones. When this happens, new symbols from above enter to fill up the empty spaces leading to a chance of getting multiple wins in a single spin.
Cascading Reels can occur several times in a single spin, and they only stop when no more winning sequences are formed. But what about the bonus features? This type of slot often comes with exciting features, ranging from free spins to multipliers and respins. Popular examples are Gonzo’s Quest from NetEnt, Da Vinci Diamonds from IGT, and Lara Croft: Temples and Tombs from Microgaming.
Pros
- It can lead to continuous wins in a single spin
- The cascading feature is visually impressive
- Comes with other bonus features
Cons
- The cascading is not infinite
Cluster Pays Slots
Cluster Pays slots use a different approach from pay lines to determine winnings. In this type of slot, you need to match symbols across reels, positions, and lines. The idea is that you create a cluster of a symbol to win, and your winnings will be determined by the number of that symbol in the cluster.
This ingenious way of determining winnings makes cluster pays slot more fun to play. Besides, they can come in different reels layout, 5x3 4x4, 5x4, and so on. In fact, apart from the way the games pay, every other feature and gameplay functions are the same as in video slots. Some top cluster pays slots include Honey Rush from Pragmatic Play, Golden Glyph from Quickspin, and Aloha Cluster Pays from NetEnt.
Pros
- Symbols don’t need to be on a payline to win
- You can make massive wins
- They are fun to play due to their unpredictable nature
Cons
- It may need some time to get used to
Puzzle Slots
This is a type of slot that comes with a puzzle feature. Puzzle slots follow the same standard gameplay as every other type of slot. However, the difference between puzzle slots and other casino slot machines is when the puzzle feature is triggered. The game may take you to a second screen where you will need to solve a puzzle and get the rewards that apply. The puzzle can be something as little as revealing random symbols or as difficult as creating a specific poker hand.
It’s worth pointing out that puzzle slots are not as common as other video slots. But this does not mean you won’t find a few titles worth playing. One of the popular title is Kitty Puzzle from Gamevy.
Pros
- Can lead to huge wins
- Usually comes with a second screen
- Fun to play
Cons
- Not as popular as some other slots