Many factors play into the choice of a slot. Usually players look at theme, popularity, extra features, the presence of wilds and scatters, and bonus rounds* with free spins*. There are others who make their choice based on the promotions of their respective live casinos* and still others who look at how many paylines a game has. Finally, there are those more knowledgeable ones who look at what rate of return a game has and what variance (volatility) it has to choose it.
What are RTP and variance?
By RTP we mean the rate of return a player will have over time. So if a game has an RTP of 94%, it theoretically means that for every 100 euros played, 94 euros are returned.
CAUTION: This rate refers to a period of time. It does not mean that if you play the slot for 100€ you will be returned 94€.
By variance we mean the frequency with which slots give wins. Low variance slots often give small wins, while high variance slots give large wins less often.
The most popular online pokies
Considering all the above elements, let’s go on to examine the most popular online pokies:
BLUE MAGO
Paylines: 30
Rtp: 96.5%.
Variance: high
Maximum payout: 70,000
Supplier: playtech
Short Description. The game features wilds in the form of a blue wizard that substitute for any symbol in a winning combination except the scatter (castle). The appearance of 3 or more scatters activates the game’s bonus feature* with free spins*.
The game also features an extra feature. If 6 or more crystal ball symbols appear, the Fire Blaze spin feature is activated, in which each ball that appears awards a cash prize.
BOOK OF THE DEAD
Paylines: 10
Rtp: 96.21%.
Variance: high.
Maximum win: 50,000.
Supplier: Play ‘N Go
Short Description. This 5-reel game features a wild symbol (in the form of a book) that is also used as a scatter. If you land 3 or more books you enter the game’s special feature with 10 free spins* and a random symbol and winnings can be high.
During the free spins*, if 3 books appear again, another 10 spins* are awarded and so on.
Super Hot Fruits
Paylines: 10
Return percentage: 94%.
Variance: Average.
Maximum payout: 70,000
Provider: Inspiration
Brief introduction. Contains the Wild symbol that substitutes for all symbols except the Bonus symbol*. What makes this game so special? If you win 4 times the bet or more, you get HOT SPINS played at 100% RTP.
The screen is divided into 4 smaller screens and the minimum bet for each HOT SPIN is 4 times the initial bet. You can only play with your winnings and you can press the Collect button at any time to exit the feature and claim your winnings.
Dog House
Paylines: 20
RTP: 96.51%.
Variance: High
Maximum win: 4,000 times the bet.
Provider: Pragmatic.
Brief introduction. Contains the Wild (house shape) symbol that substitutes for all symbols except the Scatter symbol. Wilds are usually accompanied by multipliers to make wins even bigger.
If 3 or more scatter (dog paws) symbols appear, the slot’s special feature, Sticky Wilds, comes into play; when wilds appear, they stay for the duration of the free spins* and get ready for a big thrill.
Extra Chili
Paylines: 117,649 payout modes
RTP: 96.41%.
Variance: Average.
Maximum Profit.
Supplier: Big Time Gaming
Short Description: As the name suggests, the theme of this 6-reel game is chili peppers. It also includes an extra lying reel, adding an extra symbol to reels 2, 3, 4 and 5. All symbols that are part of the winning combination are scattered and replaced by other symbols. The game includes a wild symbol (firecracker) that substitutes for all symbols except the scatter symbol and the feature drop symbol. If you get 3 scatter symbols (the word “HOT”), you win 8 free spins*, and each additional scatter symbol gives +4.
Here you can switch to a special game mode or play more free spins*. Free spins* have a multiplier that starts at 1 and increases by +1 each time a winning combination is formed. Finally, it should be mentioned that if you get 3 scatter symbols again, the free spins* are reactivated.
Sweet Bonanza
Paylines: 20
RTP: 96.6%.
Variance: Average.
Maximum Win: 3000x Bet
Provider: Pragmatic
Brief introduction. Each winning combination pays, then the symbols disappear and other symbols take their place. There are no wild symbols, but there are scatter symbols (lollipops) and if you get 4 or more of these symbols you get the game’s special feature and 10 extra free spins*.
If 3 or more scatter* symbols appear during the bonus feature, you also get 5 extra spins. The bonus feature also includes the appearance of the multiplier symbol, which increases winnings.