Step-by-Step Guide: How to Play Slot Machines in Casinos

Slot machines are one of the most recognisable games in casinos, both on the high street and online. Their bright screens and simple layout make them easy to approach, but understanding how they work can help make your time playing more straightforward.

This guide will walk you through the basics—how outcomes are decided, what the key terms mean, and the differences between machines you find in a physical venue compared with online slots at places such as Ivy Casino. By the end, you’ll know how to read a slot game properly and make informed decisions before pressing that spin button.

A photo of slot machines inside a casino.

What Are Slot Machines and How Do They Work?

A slot machine is a gambling game with reels—columns filled with symbols that spin and stop. You place a stake, start the game, and the reels land on a result. If certain symbols line up, the game pays according to its rules.

Behind the screen, outcomes are powered by a Random Number Generator (RNG). This is computer software that produces a new sequence every millisecond. When you press spin, the RNG locks in the outcome for that round. Each result is independent, meaning previous spins have no effect on future ones.

Online slots at Ivy Casino use independent RNGs, so every spin is random and unrelated to what came before.

The rules of each game are explained on its paytable. This shows what each symbol means, how features trigger, and the value of possible payouts.

Understanding the Basics of Slots

A few features shape how slot games behave:

Stake size: The amount you wager per spin. Online slots usually let you adjust this with a simple slider.
Paylines and ways to win: Paylines are invisible paths across the reels (for example, straight lines or zig-zags). Some modern slots may use “ways to win”, where a number of matching symbols on neighbouring reels can count towards a potential win, regardless of their row position.
RTP (Return to Player): A theoretical percentage showing what the game may return over millions of spins. For instance, an RTP of 96% means that £96 could be returned for every £100 wagered long-term. It does not guarantee what will happen in your own play session.
Volatility: A guide to how a slot usually pays out. High-volatility slots tend to produce fewer wins, but offer larger potential win amounts. Low-volatility slots tend to give smaller possible prizes more often. Neither guarantees winnings, as the RNG still decides each spin.

Types of Slot Machines Found in Casinos

You will find a mix of slot styles in both land-based casinos and online. Some common types include:

Classic fruit machines: Usually three reels, often with simple fruit symbols and straightforward rules.
Video slots: Modern games with five or more reels, often based around a theme with extra features.
Progressive jackpot slots: A portion of each eligible stake contributes to a potential jackpot shared across linked machines, or online networks.
Multi-payline slots: Games with dozens or even hundreds of paylines, creating more possible combinations.
Branded slots: Based on films, TV, or other media, often using characters and stories to help shape features.

Each type of slot can feel different to play, which is why it may help to check the game’s information screen before starting.

How to Start Playing Slots Step by Step

Although layouts vary, a session usually follows the same flow:

Choosing a Slot Machine

You might pick a slot because of its theme, stake range, or features. Online, you can view details such as RTP, volatility, and how features can activate before you play.

Placing Your Bet

Once the game is open, select your total stake. On older machines, this may involve choosing coins and lines. Online, it is usually displayed as a clear “total bet” figure.

Spinning the Reels

Press the button, and the RNG determines your result almost instantly. The reels spin and stop, with any winning combinations highlighted.

Reading the Results

The game automatically adds any winnings to your balance. The info screen explains how wilds can substitute for other symbols, how scatters work, and how any bonus rounds start, depending on the game.

What Are Paylines and Symbols in Slots?

Paylines are invisible patterns across the reels where a number of matching symbols must land for a win.

Some slots have just one line across the middle, while others may feature hundreds of possible paths.

In “ways-to-win” formats, the rule is simpler: a number of matching symbols on consecutive reels can pay, usually from left to right.

Symbols vary by game, but most include:

Regular symbols: Standard icons such as A, K, Q, J, 10, 9 etc.
Wilds: Special symbols that can substitute for others to help complete potentially winning lines. Some may expand to cover a reel or add multipliers, depending on the game.
Scatters: Often used to trigger features like free spins. These may also pay without being on a line.
Bonus icons: Unique triggers for mini-games, hold-and-spin rounds, or trails.

Checking the paytable shows the exact role of each symbol in the game you are playing.

How Do Bonus Features and Free Spins Work?

Bonus features add variety to slots. They are designed to sit on top of the main game, but outcomes remain random.

Some common examples include:

Free spins: A set of spins awarded when a number of scatter symbols land in the same spin. These may include extras such as multipliers or additional wilds, depending on the game.
Pick-and-click rounds: Choose on-screen items to reveal potential prizes or multipliers.
Hold-and-respin: Certain symbols stay in place while other reels spin again, often to try and collect more of the same symbol.
Cascading wins: Winning symbols disappear, and new ones drop down, potentially creating extra payouts from one spin.

Each feature has its own rules, which are shown in the paytable.

Managing Your Budget When Playing Slots

Slots are games of chance, so it can be helpful to decide how much you want to spend before you start.

Many players set a session budget that fits their comfort level. Online casinos, including Ivy Casino, offer tools such as deposit limits or reminders, which can help you stick to your plan.

There is no system or strategy that can influence slot outcomes. Each spin is random, so any winnings can never be guaranteed. A sensible approach is to pace your play, take breaks, and treat any potential wins as a bonus, rather than an expectation.

Common Myths About Slot Machines Explained

Some long-held beliefs about slots are not accurate:

“Machines pay more at certain times.”
Outcomes are set by RNG. Time of day does not affect results.
“A machine is due a win.”
This is known as the gambler’s fallacy—believing past results affect future ones. Each spin is separate, so a long losing run does not mean a win is more likely next.
“Pressing spin in a certain way changes the result.”
The outcome is fixed the moment the spin begins. Pressing quickly, slowly, or with a certain technique makes no difference.

Play Slots Online at Ivy Casino

Ivy Casino is a UK online casino licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. The lobby features a wide range of slot games, from classic three-reel titles to feature-packed video slots, with clear info screens showing rules, RTP, and stake options.

Log in or join Ivy Casino to browse the latest releases and explore the games that suit your style and budget. Each title includes an easy-to-read paytable and feature guide, so you can see how it plays before you start.

Set limits that work for you, take breaks when you need them, and enjoy slots as a form of entertainment. Please play responsibly.

_{*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these slot games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.}

_{**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.}