Guide to Playing the Best Slots Games in the UK 2017
Online slots are, without doubt, the most popular casino games in the world. Regardless of where you play or what your preferences are, there will be slots games to suit you. Why? Well, because there are just so many quality casino slots to choose from. Every software developer, from NetEnt and Microgaming to IGT will produce dozens of new slot machines each year. On top of that, they'll all be striving to create the biggest and best games around. This means new slot types are hitting the market all the time.
When you combine these efforts, the end result is an industry that literally has hundreds, if not thousands, of slots to choose from. Naturally, that much choice can set your head in a spin, so here's a guide to some of the best UK slots in 2017. Covering everything from niche slot types like bingo slots to progressive jackpot behemoths, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about the genre and, hopefully, point you towards your perfect spinner!
Choosing the Best Slots Online
It's worth pointing out that the way to find the best slot games online isn't an exact science. Although we'll outline some methods below, casino slots are a very personal thing. As there are hundreds of slots inside the average online casino, no guide can really tell you which game is best for you. Only through a process of education and then trial and error, will you find the online slots that suit you. Having said this, finding UK slots in 2017 can be made easier by following these steps:
- Step 1: Read slot games reviews. | We've got reviews covering all the top spinners. Make sure you read through some of these to find out how the industry works and what features standout.
- Step 2: Decide on your limit. | All online slots will have varying stakes. If you're a novice, find an affordable game. If you're a high roller, look towards the big money spinners.
- Step 3: Find your slot type. | As you'll see in the section below, slots come in different shapes and sizes. Find the game and playing style that suits you.
- Step 4: Take a spin. | Our recommended slot sites all offer free play slots in some form. Use these games to learn the ropes and, importantly, discover which games you really like before spending your own cash.
The Best Slot Games Online in the UK 2017
Whatever slot machines you're into, the online industry will have it covered. Obviously, having access to the biggest and best slots games is fantastic, but knowing which ones to choose can be tough with so many options in front of you. To help you filter through the most popular casino slots, we've picked out some of the best UK spinners from our top sites. Although this isn't an exhaustive list, the following slots are some of the games you should be checking out in 2017:
- Mega Moolah
- Twin Spin
- Mega Fortune Dream
- Rainbow Riches Free Spins
- Sam on the Beach
Types of Slot Games
There are numerous slots games types online and each will offer something different. To help you find type of spinner that's best for you, here are the main options you'll find online, follow the links to learn more:
- Video Slots - These games are mainly focused on entertainment. In-game videos, animations and elaborate images help create a completely immersive gaming experience.
- Progressive Jackpot Slots - The daddy of all online slots, progressive jackpot games are linked in a network, which means every player is contributing to a communal prize pool. The end result is jackpots that often top £1 million.
- 3D Slots - Like video slots but better, 3D slots take the "entertainment" vibe and add some more depth to it. Live action backgrounds are complemented by 3D characters flanking the reels and interactive bonus games.
- Fruit Machines - These three-reel spinners are a throwback to classic pub slot machines. As well as a traditional structure, you'll find iconic symbols such as cherries, bars and 7s.
Do Slot Games Have Betting Limits?
As nice as it would be to have a game where you can bet as much as you like, online slot sites have responsible gambling obligations to fulfill. In order to receive a licence from the UK Gambling Commission, casinos have to impose betting limits on their games. Whether it's a cash limit or a set amount of coins, any slot you play at a regulated site will have a minimum bet and maximum bet. At the lowest level, online slots will allow you to stake £0.01 (or 0.01 coins). At the other end of the spectrum, max bets can reach as much as £500+ per round.
Slot Games with the Highest Payout Percentages
Although slot game payout rates have to fall within certain boundaries, there are some slots that payout at a higher ratio than others. Naturally, if you're looking to increase your casino winnings, you need to find the online slots with the best return-to-player percentages. To help you on your way, here are some of the most popular casino slots with the highest payout rates in 2017:
- Goblin's Cave = 99.3% RTP
- Nemo's Voyage = 99% RTP
- Mega Joker Jackpot = 99% RTP
- Cinerama = 98.4% RTP
- Blood Suckers = 97.6% RTP
What is Return-to-Player (RTP)?
All online slots have fixed payout rates, which basically means you'll receive winnings based on a certain percentage. In technical terms, this is known as return-to-player or RTP and every regulated online casino must have slot game payout rates within certain boundaries. Now, it's important to note that when you check a slot's RTP, the number shown is a theoretical value. Put simply, the percentage shown is the frequency at which the game pays out winnings over an infinite number of trials. For example, a 97% RTP means that, over the course of XXX spins, the game will payout, on average, 97% of the time. What this doesn't mean is that you'll win 97% of the time every time you ante-up.
Understanding Slot Bonuses: Wilds, Scatters, and Multipliers
When you play the best online slots, in-game bonuses and unique features will typically be available in three main forms, all of which are listed below a further explained:
- Wild Symbols - Wilds can substitute for any other symbol except for scatters to help make winning combinations. Additionally, three or more wilds can unlock jackpots as well as bonus rounds.
- Scatter Symbols - When you roll in three or more scatters, you'll typically activate a free spins bonus. This means you'll get a set number of spins that won't cost any money.
- Multipliers - During a free spins round, most of the best slots will add multipliers to the mix. This means that any wins you pick up during this round will be multiplied by a set amount (e.g. 2X, 5X etc).
The Most Popular Branded Slots
Top TV Slots of All Time
Before you rush off in off in search of the biggest and best slots, here are some of the favourite slots based on TV shows. Offering the perfect mix of entertainment and payout potential, these TV slots should be on your hit list in 2017:
- Game of Thrones
- Battlestar Galactica
- Deal or No Deal
- Wheel of Fortune
- Family Guy
Top Movie Slots of All Time
If TV slots aren't you're thing, some of the biggest prizes can be found inside slots based on movies. When you scroll through the lobbies of our best casinos, some of the favourite movie slots include:
- Terminator 2
- Gladiator
- Aliens
- Basic Instinct
- Jurassic Park
Top Popular Music Slots of All Time
In recent years, slots based on music have become extremely popular. Although they aren't always the biggest and best spinners in the busy, music slots are always a favourite of those who enjoy entertainment. Some of the genre's best options are:
- Guns N' Roses Slot
- Dolly Parton Slot
- Kiss Slot
- Megadeath Slot
- Jimi Hendrix Slot
What is Slot Variance?
As no online slot has a 100% RTP, there are times when you'll spin and not win anything. The times you win vs the times you don't win are all part of something known as slot variance. Naturally, with so many online slots out there, variance will change depending on the game you play. Fortunately, depending on your tolerance levels, there are three options: Low Variance Slots have a high RTP but a smaller top prize so if you're a newbie and want to play for longer, these games are for you. Medium Variance Slots sit somewhere in the middle. They have fairly high RTPs as well as medium-sized payouts. High Variance Slots sit at the lower end of the RTP spectrum but offer jackpots that are worth between six and seven figures.
Why You Should Always Demo Online Slots
Before you play any real money slot, it's always worth playing for free. Almost every slot site will offer demo slots (all SlotSource Reviews have a section dedicated to this info about each slot site). These games offer full functionality but without the cost. This dynamic not only allows you to preview the game, but practise the basics and, moreover, test out some strategies before you use your own cash.
