The humble slot game is the workhorse of the casino, often something that a poker or roulette player will stick a few coins in on their way to the bar. Nothing too complicated, nothing too exciting – that is, until the online slot game was invented.
Instead of the run-of-the-mill, standard slot machines you’ll find tucked into every corner of your average land-based casino, online casino games are exciting and engaging, with more in-depth gameplay. Replay value is also way better than you’ll get in a casino, thanks to better animations, soundtracks and sometimes thousands of different winning combinations.
The only problem with online slot games is that there are thousands out there – but some are definitely better than others. That’s why we’ve put together a shortlist of our favourites, so you can not only enjoy the best quality games out there, but also stand a chance of winning more money than just picking the first one you come across and hope for the best.
Treasure Fair
One of the big problems with physical slot machines is that they can be a bit samey, with very similar mechanics and layouts, colour schemes and sound effects that closely resemble all the other machines nearby. This is where virtual slots really make a difference, and Treasure Fair is a great example. Although the gameplay is great fun and the bonuses and jackpot are really attractive (a massive £447,500 at last check) it’s the totally unique theme that makes Treasure Fair stand out from the crowd.
Player are whisked away to a strange, eerie carnival, playing on a set of 5 reels that are laid out like a sideshow. The aim of the game is to line up scatter and wild symbols, which in this case are made up by the weird and colourful characters you’d find at a typical travelling fair, including a firebreather, circus strongman and fortune teller. The animations are great fun too, with a cheeky monkey at the side of the screen who comes to life when a winning combination is achieved. Treasure Fair is a great slot game for all levels of players, and it’s easy to get the hang of the winning combinations and the bonus ‘wheel of fortune’ game. There’s also a generous return to player percentage of 94.82%.
The Big Lebowski
One of the best things about virtual slot games is that game designers have a lot more freedom when it comes to amazing themes and animations. The Coen Brothers’ cult classic is brought to life in full glory in this excellent 5 reel slot machine, and of course there’s a bowling theme throughout the game to make it even more true to the movie.
The aim of the game is to link up the wild symbols to unlock coin wins, free spins, and even the random jackpot, which means literally anyone can win over £400,000 with just a single spin. The symbols are made by all of the films colourful characters, including Walter, Donny, Maude, Jesus, and of course the Dude. Even the basic symbols are made up of colourful bowling balls, and the scattered wilds that unlock bigger wins are images of the Dude’s Gran Torino, and poor Donny’s ashes in a coffee tin. With a great theme, great soundtrack and plenty of fun animations from the film this is one of our favourite slots on the internet.
If you like the sound of this, just make sure you have a slot gaming strategy in place before you start playing, so you don’t end up starting the game on the back foot. It’s a good idea to read up on the do’s and don’ts before getting started – and here you’ll find everything you need to know about how to win at slot machines.
Pirate’s Millions
If you fancy getting your hands on some cash, then this brilliant pirate-themed slot game is your answer. This 5-reel spinner has a theme straight from the golden age of piracy, and is perfect for fans of movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and TV show Black Sails. To win, you’ll need to match together the scatter symbols, which of course take the shape of various items you’d find on a pirate ship – including an anchor, telescope and a even a pirate’s blunderbuss.
The game features 15 paylines as well as a coin value that can be increased dramatically, allowing players to win more money with each spin. There’s also a great bonus game where player must choose items from two levels – with each acting as a multiplier for the amount of coins that can be won. Pirate’s Millions is a great game for beginners thanks to its simplicity. With over 8,000,000 winners in the last month alone, you could stand to make a tidy profit.
Millionaire Genie
If you love the stories from 1,001 Arabian Nights, then you should definitely check out Millionaire Genie. Players are transported to a magic treasure cave, where 5 reels are filled with symbols, wilds and scatters that fit in with the brilliant Middle-Eastern theme. After choosing your paylines and coin value, then you’ll need to link up spell books, magic keys and of course the genie’s lamp to unlock everything from big coin wins to bonus spins and multipliers. The big attraction to Millionaire Genie is the progressive jackpot too, which means that even if someone manages to win big, the machine isn’t reset back to zero. This makes it worth continuing to play even if the jackpot has recently been dropped.
As well as the fun bonus rounds, where you’ll need to choose from 3 belly dancers to unlock further multipliers, the game features an animated genie who comes to life with each successful spin. Along with a great soundtrack, Millionaire Genie is a truly immersive slot game with tons of winning combinations that will keep you coming back for more.
With these fun options, you’ll never look back at the bland slot machines at your local casino, and with progressive jackpots, you could end up winning a life-changing jackpot. Why not give each one a try today? You never know what could happen from a single spin…